CITY COUNCIL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22366, 13 September 1934, Page 7

CITY COUNCIL

FORTNIGHTLY MEETING The fortnightly meeting of the City Council was held last night, and was attended by the Mayor (the Rev. E. T. Cox) and Crs Campbell, Allen, bcott, Silverstone, Marlow, Shacklock, Shepherd, Bogg, liorrie. and MTmloc. A letter was received from the secretary of the Grand Lodge of the International Order of Good Templars inviting the council to appoint a representative to attend the reunion of past and present members to be held in connection with the diamond jubilee celebrations. Cr Shacklock was appointed.

CHANGE OF NAME SUGGESTED A letter was received from a Dunedin citizen suggesting that the name *' 1' Ingstatf” should be altered. He thought that the name of “ Mount Burns or "Mount Wakefield” would be a much more suitable name. . Cr MTndoe: How arc these things named? , . , , The Mayor: The Government woni d have to give its consent, and it was hardly likely it would do that. It was decided to reter the letter to the Reserves Committee.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE TO MAYOR A minute was received from the Mayor dealing with the invitation he had ic* ceived to attend the Melbourne centenary celebrations, and asking leave of absence from the council. .not* Cr Campbell moved, and Cr Scott seconded, that permission be granted, the motiou being carried unanimously. Cr Allen said be would like, on behalt of the council, to wish the Mayor an enjoyable holiday and to hope that be would come back benefited by his rest. Cr MTndoe and Cr Marlow said they would like the Mayor to extend the good wishes of Dunedin to the Lord Mayor ot Melbourne, and express the hope that tile celebrations would be a great success. The Mayor said that he had been surprised to receive such an invitation tor himself and the Mayoress. To be invited to a month’s holiday had come something like a'gift from the bine. He realised that their city was being honoured. He would do hie best to represent Dunedin worthily at the celebrations, and would be glad to convey the good wishes of Dunedin to Melbourne for its kindly action. RESERVES COMMITTEE Cr Shepherd moved the adoption of the Reserves Committee’s report. _ Clause 2 read as follows:—“ Consideration Das been given to a petition from the relief workers employed at the afforestation nursery at the Botanic Gardens, for payment of standard rates of Ino bulk of these men are classified as unfit for ordinary work and hence were grouped for work at the nursery where the nature of the operations does not call for heavy labour. The petitioners draw attention to the fact that the relief workers to be employed on the plantations at Waipori are to have their wages brought up to the standard rate. In the case of the Waipori work, however, the operations call for comparatively heavy manual labour, and men are selected who are physically able to perform such labour and stand up to camp conditions and exposure to all kinds of weather. Under ordinary conditions, all the essential works required at the Gardens nursery would be carried out by two oQ the department’s regular staff, working full time. Your committee has accordingly advised the petitioners that it is unable to accede to the request contained in the petition.” Cr Silverstone said he realised that the clause embodied the policy of the council. Were they supposed to think, however, that the 14 or 15 unemployed men were required to do the work of the two men referred to in the concluding section of the clause. Cr Scott: Just about that. Cr Silverstone said he did not believe that. It was an insult to the unemployed men. There wag no necessity to hurt the feelings of the men. A councillor: Rubbish. The Mayor said he agreed to a certain extent with Cr Silverstone’s protest. The position was, however, that most of these men were two-day or three-day men, and therefore it was not so bad aa it might appear on the surface. Cr MTndoe said he must protest against the tone of Cr Silverstone’a remarks; He had-jumped to a hasty conclusion, and the Mayor had explained the position. The statement might have been put in an unfortunate way. There was, however, no reflection on the men, and none was ever intended.

The report was adopted. GENERAL COMMITTEE

The report of the General Committee wa« presented by Cr M'lndoe Cr Allen questioned whether the council had much of a bargain in the free use of a right-of-way in perpetuity in return for repairs costing £lO5 and future maintenance. After all, they now paid £lO per annum under a lease that could be terminated at any time. Cr Shacklock supported Cr Allen. Cr Marlow stressed the fact that the council were the greatest users of the right-of-way, which had always been in a bad state of repair because it was “ nobody’s baby.” Cr Shepherd asked whether the council was bound to maintain the right-of-way permanently even if the baths were removed.

Cr M'lndoe explained that the capital cost of £lO5 would be equalled by the necessary expenditure in connection -with a manhole and other provisions, which comprised the only alternative. In respect of the term of the agreement it could be terminated by the council at 12 months’ notice at any time. Cr Shacklock wanted to know what had prompted the General Committee to recommend the extension of bathing pavilion accommodation at St. Clair. He had thought that there was good accommodation already. There did not seem to be many visitors at the pavilion. Cr M'lndoe said it was not proposed to do anything in the way of extending the main building. It was intended to increase the life-saving section of the pavilion only. The Life-saving Club did good work on the beach in the way of patrolling and other services, and he thought they were entitled to adequate accommodation. MOTOR CYCLE OR CAR? With respect to the proposal to replace the second-hand car used by traffic inspectors, but now at the end of its usefulness, with a mo’tor cycle, Cr M'lndoe said he moved the adoption of that clause under protest because he did not think it was fair to the inspectors that they should be asked to face all weathers on a motor cycle. The majority of the committee had been against him. however, and he had perforce to submit the recommendation. Cr Campbell moved that the clause dealing with the purchase of the motor cycle should be referred back to the committee for further consideration. He did not approve of any man of mature years being asked to jump on a motor cycle at all times and in all weathers. It was all very well for youths of 20 years or so. but it was not good enough for their inspectors, and would probably be injurious to health. The Mayor said he agreed with Cr Campbell. He was not 'familiar with the ages of their inspectors, but he was quite sure that a motor cycle would not he in their interests. There was always a strain in the riding of such machines, and heart failure was a not infrequent result of grown men using them. He thought the committee should reconsider the matter.

On being put to the vote the amendment was lost by one vote. Cr Campbell exclaimed at the action of Dr Borne, a doctor, favouring the purchase a motor cycle. The report was adopted, ELECTRIC POWER AND LIGHTING COMMITTEE

C.'r Shucklock moved the adoption of the Electric Power and Lighting Committee’s clause b, which read as follows:—During the period it was found necessary to make fresh arrangements regarding the site of the surge tank. The site originally selected proved, on excavation, to be unsatisfactory, and it was deemed essential to move to a fresh location whereby the foundation of the surge tank will be supported on the solid rock. The change in site of the surge tank will also involve a slight alteration in the line of the tunnel. The consulting engineers advise that the alteration to the surge tank site will involve a considerable “extra” of probably about £I2OO. and, as they advise that it would bo

unwise to proceed on the original plan, they have been notified to proceed as necessary to give effect to the new arrangement. CT Shacklock said that it had not been possible to forecast the fault. When it had been discovered it was necessary to make a change—they must have a permanent job, and no mistakes made. Cr MTndoe said that they had had boring and a geophysical survey. These had not disclosed that there had been a failure in the rock or that it was an unsuitable site. They were now to pay another £I2OO, and he thought they should be given some explanation. Cr Bcgg said be would like to emphasise what Air MTndoe had said. He had always understood that geophysical surveys had proved to be of value. Why bad this fault on the very surface not been noticed? Cr Marlow said be was a member of the Electric Tower and Lighting Committee. He pointed out that the fault was not on the surface, and that no human being could have discovered, without investigation, what had been involved. The geophysical survey had, however, saved the department an immense amount of money. It had saved the department more than the £I2OO to be expended. Cr Shacklock, in replying, said that if they expected a geophysical survey to fell them everything in connection with putting in a tunnel like the one concerned they would be making a mistake. The boros put down, not the geophysical survey, had proved the Weakness, and they had had to remedy it. The report was carried.

GAS COMMITTEE Cr Scott moved the adoption of the Gas Committee’s report. Cr Begg said he raised no objection to the gas engineer (Mr A. J. Couper) going to the Centenary Gas Congress, but lie thought a specific sum should he quoted as the amount for ( which the council would be liable. As it was at present, no limit was placed on the cost. It was like sending a man away with an open cheque book. Cr MTndoe objected strongly to the remark about an open cheque book. The council bad officers whom it could trust, and it was absurd to suggest that they would go away on such a mission and spend money they were not entitled to spend. He challenged any councillor to produce a case of such misplaced trust. The report was adopted. TRAMWAYS COMMITTEE

Cr Campbell moved the adoption of the Tramway Committee’s report. He said that the traffic returns were on the up grade, but they might be down over the next fortnightly period, owing to the unfavourable weather. Cr Campbell, in reply to questions, said that the 31-seater compression ignition (Diesel) engined bus, which it was proposed to purchase, was primarily for the Pitt street-Maori Hill service. These machines had now reached a stage_ of perfection which justified the committee in going in for one. There was a certain taxation by the Government to replace the taxation lost on the petrol tax, but notwithstanding this a considerable saving was anticipated-through using these buses. The traflic returns, further explained Cr Campbell, included the whole of the operations of the service, including buses. The report was adopted. FINANCE COMMITTEE

The report of the Finance Committee was adopted on the motion of Cr Allen. HOUSING SCHEME

The Mayor moved, in accordance with notice: —“That the Finance Committee be requested to report upon a proposal to raise a loan of £IOO,OOO at 3J per cent, for the purpose of erecting 200 houses on sites already owned by the corporation; that the Unemployment Board be approached to grant a subsidy at 12 per cent, on the cost of erection; that the houses be erected for approved purchasers who will be charged 4 per cent, interest and 24 per cent, sinking fund on the cost of houses and land, the $ per cent, additional interest charged to form a fund to meet any liability arising from loss; that the homes be supplied with electric lighting, heating, and cooking appliances, and that a flat rate be made for electricity of 4s weekly.” The Mayor said that there was a considerable shortage of good houses at the present time. A great many of the poorer type of houses should have been condemned, and would have been condemned had the times been more favourable. The scheme provided for the sale of between £40,000 and £50,000 of the city’s idle sites, and this at 4 per cent, would mean a practical reduction of id in the £ on the rates.

Cr Begg: Unimproved? ,The Mayor: No, annual value. . These sites said the Mayor, were _ standing idle, and probably would stand idle for a considerable time. Cr M'lndoe: Belonging to the city? The Mayor: Yes, belonging to the city. The rates would bring in £ISOO per annum and electricity £2OOO per annum. Those purchasing would be able to secure a house for £760 at a cost of 17s 6d weekly. The houses would become the people’s property iti 25 or 30 years. The payments would be at a cheaper rent than the people were now paying for a similar class of house. , . Cr Allen seconded the motion. He said that the matter would require a very great deal of consideration. He added that the Mayor had not indicated where the 200 sections were. He hdd no knowledge of the city possessing 200 sections. ... Cr Shacklock said he had no objection to the matter going before the committee. They had had a £50,000 proposal before them for some months in connection with a housing scheme in Glasgow street, and he thought the Mayor might reduce his proposed £IOO,OOO loan to £50,000 and concentrate on Glasgow street. Cr Shacklock said that he favoured the sale of gas or electricity on the meter system. There would be nothing but disaster if they departed from that system. He would also apply the meter system to the water supply. It would be to the advantage of the people, who would get full value from the service, and it would cost less. Cr Shacklock also questioned where the 200 sections were to be obtained. Cr Silverstone said he supported the resolution. He did not agree that municipal housing was likely to result in disaster. Cr Shacklock: You have not been on the council very long. Cr Silverstone said he agreed with Cr Shacklock that the councils first experiment had certainly been anything but enviable, but was that the fault of the council or the committee? When he had seen the houses he had said that somebody had been had, and when he hud got on the council he had found it was the council. He thought that the present proposal would be different. Those who had built the houses he had referred to had not built them at a loss, and he did not think that things would be repeated in the new proposed experiments. In other countries the movement had been •successful. The houses bad been scientifically arranged and honestly built. Cr M'lndoe said that Cr Silverstone had. made a very nice little speech. He was always ready to condemn their own institutions and praise the far-distant liills. Cr Silverstone evidently knew very little about it, or he would not have made the remarks he had. If a man had made a profit on the houses which had been built for the council he was entitled to it. The work had been let, by contract. What had caused the failure with these houses was that some of the tenants would not pay their rent, and that was the veal reason why the municipal houses had not been a success. Cr M'lndoe said he had seen some figures regarding the scheme in Christchurch. They were rather astounding. The tenants were behind in their rates, in the cost of their repairs, and n number were behind in their rent. This made him afraid that there was nothing in the motion of the Mayor's municipal housing scheme. He could not agree with the estimate of the increase in the rates and the benefits to the city, hut he did agree that there was a need for hotter houses for some of their poorer citizens, and that they would prove of great advantage. Where, however, were they going to put the people if they turned them out of their present homes? They had got to provide accommodation for the people before they turned them out of their homes. He did not think, however, that they should sit down and do nothing. There were places in Glasgow street which should be taken down. The motion was then put and carried. RATES AND MAINTENANCE Cr Borrie said he would like to ask the chairman of the Finance Committee a question. It had been common talk on tram cars that if any ratepayer painted his house or performed repairs his rates would immediately be increased. He bad said that such maintenance

operations would not be taken into account in the assessment of_ rates, but he promised to get the chairman of the Finance Committee to say so. Cr Allen replied that painting & house was maintenance, and was not a charge on the rates. SUNDAY NIGHT CONCERTS In' accordance with notice of motion, Cr Allen moved—“ That all future requests for Sunday concerts or entertainments be dealt with by the town clerk in terms of the resolutions of April 17, 1929, and July 18, 1934.” The mover said this was a subject over which they had had some unpleasant and undignified discussions. They all knew the circumstances which impelled him to move in that direction, and he would content himself with formally moving the motion. ; The motion was seconded by Cr Borne. Ur Silveratone said he would like to know exactly what the policy of the council was. In 1929 they decided to grant permits, and in 1934 they decided to grant none. What was the position? Actually it was ridiculous. They were throwing the onus on the town clerk. He would get into all the “ hot water with the citizens. Why could they not handle such a distasteful business themselves ? In any case the council could not refuse deputations on the subject. But what were they going to do when the _ 1934 resolution negatived the 1929 resolution? The motion was carried with only two dissentients —Cr* Scott and Silveratone. TENDERS

The tender of T. R. Taylor for the supply of ono motor omnibus chassis to seat 29 passengers at a cost of £995 was accepted on the recommendation of the tramways manager. The other vehicles tendered were all too heavy for the requirements of the department and the regulations under which it operated. Tenders for the construction of additions to the bathing pavilion at St._ Clair were referred to the General Committee.