PORT, CHALMERS BOROUGH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22832, 17 March 1936, Page 4

PORT, CHALMERS BOROUGH

MONTHLY COUNCIL MEETING The monthly meeting of the Port Chalmers Borough .Council was held last evening and was attended by the Mayor (Mr T. Scollay) and Crs E. Rouse, R. Wilmott, L. G. Jack, D. Forsyth, T. F. Mackie, H. Watson, T. Armstrong and J. Farquharson. CORRESPONDENCE. The Otago Hospital Board wrote inviting representatives of the council to attend the official opening of the new administration block of the Dunedin Hospital on March 23.—The Mayor and chairmen of committees were appointed to represent the. borough. A circular letter setting out particulars of a proposal to hold a “ fire protection week ” was received from the Department of Internal Affairs. —The Mayor said this had been done in the past, And arrangements would be made to do so again.—Agreed. The Public Works Department advised that the Port Chalmers-Aramoana and Port Chalmers-Waitati main highways had been placed in charge of the borough.—Received. Mr T. Anderson wrote complaining of the condition of various roads in the borough.—Cr Mackie said the Works Committee had the matter in hand.—The letter was received. URGENT WORKS. In committee the council went fully into the matter of urgent works in the borough. A report was submitted by the Works Committee dealing with the suggested roading, surfacing, footpaths, drainage and water improvements. The report showed that much required to be done, and after discussion the Finance Committee was asked to report further on the matter with a view to implementing part or whole of the report. WATER COMMITTEE. The Water Committee presented a special report, which was adopted by the council. —Speaking to the report, Cr Mackie said that the committee was endeavouring to place the whole question of water rating on a sound and equitable basis. —The committee was empowered to continue to deal with the matter. GENERAL COMMITTEE. The General Committee submitted the following report:— The monthly report of the gas manager disclosed a satisfactory ■ position. The question of a suitable plant for purifying and preparing tar was dealt with by the committee. Subject to Mr Blackman’s approval of the proposals, they will be carried out this month. The request from several residents for topping or removal of trees on council property to the cast side of Magnetic street was discussed. In view of the fact that these trees were doing no damage to any private property, no action was taken. A letter was received from the station master to (ho effect that in future the .ladies’ waiting room at the station would be kept open on Sundays for the use of ladies only.—Noted with satisfaction. It was decided that the engineer be asked to put, the section below the cemetery on (lie Carey Bay side in order for a children’s playing area, provided it could be done by unemployed labour. The report was adopted. ENG I NEE It'S REPORT The borough engineer (Mr F. -I. Williams) reported as follows; — Water Supply.—Very heavy rain has occurred at intervals during the month and the reservoir is full. No shortage of water is expected this season. The work carried out at the reservoir has included the removal of silt from the basin, cleaning races, getting stone for wall, cutting grass and removing ragwort. The mains were scoured at George, Magnetic, and Scotia streets and Kaio lane, and a valve repacked in George street. Dunedin-Port Chalmers Highway. — The only work done on this highway was the spreading of some hot mix on the portions that had worn and at the bend. Port Chalmers-Waitati. —The culvert near the memorial* was found to be completely blocked, and some work has been done in rebuilding it. Evidently it has been blocked for a long time.

Authority has been received for the expenditure asked for to March 31. Port Chalmers-Aramoana. —No reply has been received to our letter in regard to tar scaling Macandrew road. The use of the grader and one load of metal have kept this highway in failorder. Authority for maintenance to March 31 has boon received. Crossing-Beach Street. —Good progress is being made with the formation of the path and the construction of kerhing ami channelling iu front of the National Mortgage and Agency Company’s premises, and this work should be completed in the course of a day or two. Railway Crossings,—The Railways Department has attended to the Beach street and Wickliffe terrace crossings,

and they arc in fair order. I have written to the district railways engineer asking if it is possible to tar seal the Beach street crossing. Mussel Bay Reclamation. —I have written to the engineer of the Otago Harbour Board in regard to the various matters brought up at the last council meeting and referred to me. The engineer is at present on annual leave, and the assistant engineer advises that the beam in the yard has been repaired, but the other matters must wait until Mr Wilkie’s return. Some 3500 marram grass plants have been put in the sand drifts on the bowling green side, and they appear to be doing well. Provided there is no interference with them, 1

believe they will be quite successful. The foreman would like to have as many again planted, and this could be done if the committee so desires. The plants tluft are in were obtained and delivered without cost. Walling in Beach Street.—This work has' not been carried out, as it was thought advisable to have matters settled in regard to the quarry before any stone was removed. Cemetery Path.—The path to the cemetery from Maeandrew road was sealed, and while the sprayer was in the vicinity the path from Slant street along Maeandrew road was also tar sealed. The report was adopted.