CITY COUNCIL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22832, 17 March 1936, Page 14

CITY COUNCIL

FORTNIGHTLY MEETING The fortnightly meeting of the City Council was held last evening, and was attended by the Mayor (the Rev. E. 1. Cox), Crs F. W. Mitchell, A. H. Allen, J. W, Munro, M.P., D. C. Cameron, W. A. Scott, P. Neilson, M.P., W. Begg, W. H. Shepherd, and D. G. M'Millan, M.P. CORRESPONDENCE. A letter was received from the Otago Hospital Board inviting representatives of the council to attend the official opening of the new administration block of Dunedin Hospital on March 23.—1 t was decided to accept the invitation. SUNDAY CONCERTS. Mr K. Roughan wrote asking permission to hold a concert in the Empire Theatre on the evening either of Sunday, March 22 or March 29.—Permission was granted for March 29. Permission was granted the South Dunedin Unemployed Association to hold a concert in the South Dunedin Town Hall on the evening of Sunday, March 29. Messrs W. A. Mitson and Co. applied for permission to hold a concert on Sunday, March 22, in the Regent Theatre in aid of the Squadron-leader M'Gregor National Benefit Fund.—The application was granted. WATER COMMITTEE.

When Cr Begg moved the adoption of the Water Committee’s report, Cr M'Millan drew attention to the fact that there were about 100 acres of manuka on an area on one of the council’s water reserves which had been burnt. He wanted to know if tbis could not be cut and sold at cost price to old-age pensioners and to people who could not afford to pay a high price for their firewood. In reply, Cr Begg said that the department was taking every precaution to prevent the city’s water supply from becoming contaminated. It was, therefore, impossible to allow the wood to he cut. The report was adopted. TRAMWAYS COMMITTEE. Moving the adoption of the Tramways Committee’s report, Cr M'Millan said that the matter of further extending the concessions for school children on the Moruington line had been considered. Some time ago this matter was yery fully investigated when the council decided to make a reduction in the fares charged for school children, which, in effect, provided that children are carried any distance on the cable line between the city and Maryhill for a Id fare, .he “up ” fare being Id by tram and Hi by bus. This arrangement brought the school fares on all the cable lines, including the Kaikorni Company’s line, as near uniformity as possible. With regard to the suggestion that the issue of monl lily school tickets similar to those issued on the city electric lines be extended to the Mornington line, it was desired to, state that these tickets were introduced at the inception of the electric service, and, owing to their abnormally low cost, they had been continued only with difficulty. The effect of such an extension would be even more marked in the case of the cable lines owing to the relatively high cost of operating the latter as compared with the electric. In the case particularly of the Roslyn line the adoption of the city school concession tickets would undoubtedly result in converting the email annual surplus into a loss. The Mayor said tfcat he was going to move that the concessions be granted on the Mornington line, which could afford them. He saw no reason why, children travelling on this line should not have the- same privileges as thoee in the city. He moved as an amendment that the request be granted. Cr Shepherd, who seconded the amendment, said there appeared to be a large number of children living In Mornington who walked across the hill to several of the secondary schools. He suggested that a bus might be provided for these children, anti a reasonable fare charged. Replying to Cr Shepherd’s suggestion, Cr M'Millan said that the department had no bus ,to put on the run. In any case, it would do the children good to walk. In his opinion the children of the present day did not walk half enough. The Mayor’s amendment and a further amendment that the clause be referred back to the committee were defeated, and the report was adopted. WORKS COMMITTEE.

Cr Munro moved the adoption of the Works Committee’s report. Cr Allen asked if the committee had given consideration to having repairs carried out on Birchfield street, NorthEast Valley,, and Magdala and Botha streets, Tainui, and if provision had been made for them in the allocations for the coming year. He noted that Botha and .Magdala streets had been bracketed in the proposed expenditure on several other streets, •which had been refused, but he would point out that what the residents in these streets required was not so much a paved carriage-way in tlm centre of them as adequate kerbing and channelling, While the committee could not afford to spend money on all the streets mentioned, it could _ probably have managed to do something to Magdala and Botha streets, , Cr Munro gave an assurance that he would make inquiries regarding the condition of Birchfield street. It would perhaps have been better if the residents of the* other two streets had put in a separate petition. The report w r as adopted.

TRAMWAY EMPLOYEES’ HOURS. Cr M'Millan submitted the following supplementary report on behalf of the Tramways Committee: — “ Representations have been made to the committee respecting recent changes in the tramway roster affecting the days off of employees for Sunday work. _ For the information of the council it is de- ' sired to report that, in accordance with the tramway agreement, all men who ’ work regular shifts on Sunday receive a day off during the week in lieu of the Sunday work. These days are given off os follows:—Monday, 10 men; Tuesday, 10 men; Wednesday, eight men; Thursday, 10 men; Friday, no men; Saturday, two men, Formerly eight men were off on Tuesdays and four on Saturdays, but owing to the abnormal amount of work, the men on shift nine were notified that in future they would receive their day off on Tuesdav instead of Saturday. This gave the use of two extra men on the Saturday, when their services were more advantageous to the department than on Tuesday, The arrangement provides that practically all the men arts given their day off on the slack days of the week, whereas no men are allowed off on Friday, and only two on Saturdays, ns these are the two busiest days of the week. It is hoped that it will be possible to revert to the original arrangement for men off on Saturday at an early date, probably in about three weeks Cr Silverstone moved the deletion of the whole report, and said he considered it unfair to deprive men of the right to their customary week-end holiday. If they had to pay overtime they were prepared to pay it, or, if necessary, let them engage more labour. Cr Allen: You’re talking a lot of nonsense. Why not stop the trams altogether on Saturday and Sunday? You electioneer the whole year through. Cr Silverstone: If it is going to improve the city, I shall continue to do so until my last breath. Cr Batchelor seconded the amendment. Cr Cameron thought they should have more information about the matter, and that councillors should have a little more time to consider it. He moved, as a further amendment, that the matter be held over for a fortnight. Cr Shepherd seconded the amendment, which was lost. Cr Silverstone’s amendment was also lost, and the report was adopted. APPOINTMENT OF LINE MEN. Cr M'Millan brought forward the following supplementary report from the Electric Power and Lighting Committee; “Your committee be£s to report that, owing to the amount of work that will need to be carried out by the lines branch within the next few months, it will be necessary to engage a number of extra men experienced in line work if possible, and failing that, active general labourers. The city electrical engineer has accordingly been authorised to act in the matter of selecting and appointing the additional men. , “Under the existing Imefi agreement provision is made for the employment ot youths, and it is considered that the department should now employ at least three youths in terms of the agreement. Applications for these three appointments are accordingly to be invited by advertisement and submitted to the connnittte to deal with.” Cr Silverstone moVed as an amendment that the first clause be deleted on the

ground that any men should be selected by the Electric Power and Lighting Committee. Cr Batchelor seconded the amendment. Cr Allen thought that the engineer could surely be left to engage labour which was purely of a temporary charCr M'Millan pointed out that some of the men might be employed for a few months, but others would probably get employment for a long period. The amendment was carried. OTHER COMMITTEES. Tire reports of the Gas, Finance, and Reserves Committees were adopted without discussion. TENDERS. The following were the successful tenderers for the supply and delivery of goods for the Tramways Department:— Brasswork. —Messrs A. and T. Burt, Ltd., envelopes for trolley ears, 12s per dozen; Mr C. T. Price —axle brasses, all patterns. Is lOd per lb; axle keep, pattern No. 65, Is lOd per lb; curve pulley brush No. 426, Is 6d per lb. Messrs A. Mornson and Co. —Trolley wheels, 4-inch, 5s each; trolley wheels, 6-inch, 287, 8s each; magnet suspension bolts, 214 and 215, Is 9d per lb. Messrs J, and T. Christie, Ltd.: Trolley ear, four-screw, 94. 3s 6d each; joint ear (alternative T.W.M.), 237, 7s 0d each, M r W. T. Clyde: Trolley ear, 804, 3s 3d each; adjustable crossing, 284, £2 15s each; section insulator castings, 243. £1 each; section insulator castings (T.W.M.), 243, £1 2 S each; brake ram ends, 217, la 6d per lb; Messrs G. Methven and Co., Ltd,: Frogs, R.H., 201, fl 5g each; frogs, L.H., 93, fl 6s each. All prices are plus sales tax. Lubricants: Messrs Texas Co. (Aust.), Ltd. —Dark axle oil, summer black, Is lid per gallon (no sales tax). Bearing oil, Altair, 2s 8d per gallon (plus sales lax). Messrs Vacuum Oil Co., Pty., Ltd. —Dark axle grease, 17s per cwt (phis sales tax). Messrs Shell Co. of N.Z.. Ltd.—Kerosene, 12s 6d per case. Seats for Diesel Buses—Messrs G. W. Herrich and Co., Dunedin, far one bus only—£4B 7s 0d (including sales tax); Messrs Henery Burson and Sons, Ltd., Christchurch, for one bus only—£46 10s. plus sales tax, making total cost ,£4B 16s 6d. These were the only two tenders received.

The following tender was also accepted:— Purchase of approximately eight tons scrap cast iron. Tramways Department — Messrs A. and T. Burt, £3 10s per ton. GENERAL COMMITTEE. Cr. Allen moved the adoption of the General Committee’s report, and said that the city’s sanitary inspectors were at present very alert and were doing their utmost to see that a- fresh and wholesome supply of milk was coming into the city. Of late, no fewer than 1180 samples had been taken, but as about only 20 tests per week could be carried out, it would be some time before the tests could be completed. The sample-taking and testing were going on continuously, so that the citizens might rest assured that the committee was taking steps _ to secure a milk supply for the city which would be as perfect as possible. When the tests were completed, the suppliers whose milk was up to Standard would receive certificates accrediting them. Cr Munro said he was satisfied that the city would never have a perfect milk supply until a municipal scheme was brought into operation. He had been assured that fully 50 per cent, of the herds in the Dominion were tubercular. So far as possible a vigorous Government policy was required to see that more rigorous herd testing was carried out throughout the Dominion, for it was time that milk producers should be forced to supply pure milk before they could sell it. . Cr. M'Millan said that the accredited certificates were merely a farce, and were not worth the paper on, which they were written. All they said was that in the past the holder had sold good milk. The idea would not work satisfactorily because under it the council had no authority to make sure that the milk was up to standard. It looked as if the committee was simply pulling the ratepayers’ legs. Cr. Silverstone supported Cr. Munro and hoped that the city would soon have a municipal milk supply. Cr Cameron said that in Auckland a Milk Council controlled the milk supply, and was Vested with full authority. He suggested that an expert should be sent to Wellington and to Auckland to investigate the whole question. Cr Mitchell said that the committee, in its investigations, had had associated with it the district medca] officer of health (Dr T. M'Kibbin) and Professor C. R. Hercus—both experts. The Mayor pointed out that a .municipal milk supply would involve an initial expenditure of approximately £200,000, and it was doubtful if the ratepayers would agree to that. He thought that the committee, at its next meeting, should consider the question of setting up a council something along the lines of that operating in Auckland. Cr Allen protected against Cr M'Millan's remark that the committee was pulling the ratepayers’ legs. It was not for the council to decide whether, there was tuberculosis in the herds, and in any case be could not think that the condition of these herds was anything like what was alleged by Cr Munro. It would be a serious matter indeed if such serious statements were scattered abroad. Cr Munro, in advocating a municipal milk service, had overlooked the ,fact that it would not improve the milk. Cr M'Mil* lan was a member of the committee, but lie had made no statement in that committee that he disagreed with the report. He (Cr Allen) assured the council that the committee was doing all it could to secure a nure milk supply for the city. The report ivas adopted.