MOSGIEL BOROUGH COUNCIL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23058, 8 December 1936, Page 12

MOSGIEL BOROUGH COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING The monthly meeting of the Mosgiel Borough Council was held last nignt, the Mayor (Mr A. F. Quelch) presiding" CORRESPONDENCE Letters were read from Messrs.Muirhead and Son and Mr H. L. Wilson explaining why alterations to business premises had been commenced without the customary permit.-It was decided to accept the explanation; but to prosecute any person in future who commenced alteration to, or the erection of, a building without first making the necessary application as outlined in the by-laws. . _ _ The Otago Christian Endeavour Union asked for the use of the picnic ground in Gladstone road for a convention picnic on Easter Saturday afternoon, and the Gordon Road Park on March 26, 27, and 29. for a short openair meeting—Granted. Inspector Sinclair, in vacating the office of sanitary and building inspector, acknowledged the courtesy and kindness extended to him by the council while he had acted in the borough. —Received. , ', . .. The Taieri Pipe Band applied for the use of the Recreation Ground on Thursday evenings for practice. —It was decided that if satisfactory arrangements could be made with the Taieri Cricket Club (who at present had the use of the ground) the council offered no objection. The Carriers and Motor Drivers' Association, Dunedin, forwarded a letter about the licensing of carriers.—The letter was received.

A letter was read from the Ministry of Housing, Wellington, enclosing a form of application for a housing loan, and details of the scheme.—Referred to the Finance Committee.' A circular letter was read from the Transport Department, Wellington, concerning speed limits under bylaws. It was decided to apply to the Minister for permission to make a bylaw regarding the speed to be observed in Factory road, where there was heavy pedestrian and cycle traffic, and from the woollen mills. REPORTS

The Finance Committee reporte'd: Financial Position.—The committee has had before it a report by the town clerk on the receipts and expenditure for the current year as compared with the estimates which discloses a satis-, factory position. Outstanding Rates.—The town clerk has reported to the committee that the' amount of outstanding rates now stands a £153 14s Id, which is considerably less than at any time for a good number of years past. Suitable action, is being taken for the recovery of the amounts still outstanding. Tar Sealing Contract.—The committee acceded to Messrs Fulton, Hogan, Ltd.'s application for' an additional payment of £l4 5s under their bitumenous surfacing contract. This payment is in consequence of the recent legislation affecting wages and hours of work.

Conversion Loan. —Two further debentures have now been redeemed, reducing the amount of this loan to £9IOO.

Accounts. —The committee has examined and passed for payment accounts totalling £1246 7s Bd. Speaking to the adoption of the report, Cr Frew said the town clerk (Mr Rogers) should be congratulated on the success of his efforts in collecting outstanding rates. —The report was adopted. The Works Committee reported as follows: — Work carried out since last meeting was: . . Septic Tanks.—The receiving tanks were desludged and cleaned out, and all settling tanks emptied. Advantage was taken of a flood in the stream to do this work. The grass has been mowed from newly-planted trees on the tanks property. Drainage.—One drain in Forfar street was tested and inspected. Water Supply.—The dead ends of mains were run off as usual. All air and scour valves on the pipe line have received close attention. The grating on the chamber at the top intake, being in a bad condition, was replaced with a new one. The pipes at the end of the eight-inch near the top were cut and scoured. The quarterly reading of meters was attended to. Maintenance. —Paths" and tables in the following streets were grubbed and cleaned:—Factory road, Bush and Gordon roads. Argyle, Morrison, Cargill, Church, Tay, Glasgow and Forfar streets. Depressions in Gordon and Factory roads were asphalted. The grader was set on Factory and Gladstone roads. A start has been made with cutting the grass on street lines, this work being done with the borough mower.' A level crossing was put down for a resident in Ayr street, and a petrol tank was inspected before installation in Gordon road. Men under the No. 5 scheme were employed on baths excavation. Wingatui Water Supply.—The committee has had an application from a resident in Wingatui for a water supply to his dwelling, but, as the pipeline at this spot is already overloaded, the application has been declined. ~ , ~ Tractors. —The attention of the committee has been drawn to the fact that two tractors with metal grips attached tn the wheels have recently been operated over streets in the borough, and the owners have been notified that this must not occur again unless the metal grips are first removed from the wheels. ' Level Crossing?—Notice has been served on a resident to have a level crossing put in to avoid damage to the water table by a motor car being driven over it. The report was adopted. The General Committee reported as follows: — Ranger.—The committee has had before it the ranger's reports for the month of November, and it has been

decided to prosecute the owner of a number of cows which were found grazing on the public street by the ranger. Traffic Inspection.—The traffic inspector's report on his activities during the month of November has been before the committee. It has been decided to prosecuted a cyclist for riding a bicycle at night without a light. Parking Areas. —In view of the risk of accident caused by cars being parked in the narrow portion of Wickliffe street, between Gordon road and Church street, it has been decided to erect "No parking" signs at these points. A discussion took place regarding prosecutions for cattle wandering on streets.—On Cr. Smeaton's motion the clause regarding the ranger's report was referred back to the committee, and the balance of the report was adopted. ;. ~ GENERAL

It was decided: to observe the customary holidays for Christmas and New Year. The borough offices will be closed for a fortnight from December 24, and the outdoor staff will observe Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. , The dog tax was fixed at the same rate as formerly, and Mr J. Crawford was appointed collector of fees. Cr Steven introduced the matter of an addition to a pipe line at the baths, where it pierced the river bank to avoid danger to the bank in times of flood. A general discussion followed on the necessity for the addition, and eventually it was decided to interview the engineer with respect to the erection of the baths with a view to carrying out Cr Steven's' wish. THE SEASON'S GREETINGS

Before the meeting closed the Mayor tendered the season's greetings to the councillors and their wives and families, to the town clerk (Mr Rogers), to the borough staffs and to the press. The greetings were acknowledged by Cr Frew, on behalf of the council, by Mr Rogers for the staffs and himself, and by Mr Walls on behalf of the press.