PORT CHALMERS BOROUGH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23326, 19 October 1937, Page 18

PORT CHALMERS BOROUGH

MONTHLY COUNCIL MEETING The monthly meeting of the Port Chalmers Borough Council was held last night, and was attended by the Mayor (Mr T. Scollay), and Crs L. Jack. R, Willmott, D. Forsyth, H. Watson. J. Annan, J. Williamson. J. Farquharson, E. Rouse, and F. C. Smith. HIGHWAY EXPENDITURE The West Harbour Borough Council forwarded details of the expenditure on the Dunedin-Port Chalmers road, and intimated that the Port Chalmers Borough’s share was £l4 14s 2d.--The matter was referred to the Finance Committee. APPEALS FOR DONATIONS The National Missionary Council of New Zealand wrote appealing for relief funds for China, explaining that the appeal was being made on behalf of the war refugees by the National Christian Council of China, A further appeal was received from the St. John Ambulance Association for a donation. It was explained that an effort was being made to raise the sum of £SOOO in order to complete the furnishing of the new main building given to the asosciation by Mr S. Saltzman.—lt was decided in each case to open a public subscription list. RAILWAY BRIDGE A suggestion was received from the Port Chalmers Progressive League that improvements should be effected to the approach to the railway overbridge on the main highway, as it was considered at present to be dangerous Cr Watson said it was admitted that the approach was poor, but there were many cases of poor approaching.—lt was decided to reply to the league that the council’s present financial position did not permit of anv expenditure on the bridge at present.

WORKS COMMITTEE The report of the Works Committee stated: The rainfall registered at the reservoir for the month of September was 2.69 inches, with rain on 15 days. For the corresponding month last year 3.99 inches were registered, with rain on nine days. For the six months ended September 30, a total of 23.05 inches has been registered, against 21.19 inches for the corresponding period last year.

Satisfactory arrangements have been made with the Minister of Labour for the employment of eligible unemployed, married men. The men are to be em-' ployed in gangs, each gang to receive 17 weeks’ employment. It is proposed to place 10 men at work on Monday next on various works about the borough. The men have been balloted for from the list of those eligible for the work. The report was adopted. GENERAL COMMITTEE

The General Committee, in its report, stated; The committee has considered a statement prepared by the town clerk setting out details of the income and expenditure for the halfyear ended September 30. The total expenditure budgeted for the year was £8561, and for the first half-year £4371 7s 8d has been expended. On the income side the receipts for the period under review amounted to £2132 Os lOd. Of this amount water to shipping provides £367 11s 9d. In view of the budget providing for a deficit of £2OO on the year’s working, the committee is carefully guarding the expenditure in

order that the estimated deficit may be reduced when the actual figures are made known at the close of the financial year. The financial results for the period under review can be regarded as very satisfactory. The gas manager in his report for the month states, inter alia, that 24 tons of coal were carbonised, yielding .331,600 cubic feet of gas, an average of 13.800 cubic feet per ton. The staff is busy on the preparation of tar for the Works Department’s use in top-dress-ing footpaths. It is interesting to note that the half-yearly figures of the gas department show an increased sale of gas of 78.800 cubic feet, compared with the corresponding period last year. Gas made showed an increase of 75,200 cubic feet, compared with last year. A decrease in the unaccounted-for percentage has been made in the past few months, and every effort is being made to locate leaks which may occur in the reticulation. In some cases underground leaks are difficult to locate as in certain soils the smell from the gas is completely deodorised. Everything is in readiness at the works for the retort setters to commence on the work of setting a new bed of retorts. The report was adopted. HOUSING SURVEY The report of the special committee appointed in connection with the housing survey of the borough stated that since the last report a further 164 dwellings had been surveyed, making a total completed to October 8 of 380. A start would shortly be made on the Mansford area of the borough. The investigators were making good progress, and it was pleasing to report that householders were ready with their assistance to give the necessary information when called upon. The report was adopted. ENGINEER’S REPORT The engineer (Mr F. J. Williams) reported as follows: Main Highways.—No work has been done on the highways beyond attention to the shoulders.

General Works.—The metaj on the main highway below the Cottage Hospital has been blinded. The stormwater drainage in Constitution street near Scotia street has been attended to, and the cabbage trees have been removed. The footpath in Wickliffe terrace between Bernicia and Daly streets has been top-dressed, and a rubble drain constructed to prevent soakage on the footpath. In Meridian street the footpath is being made into road so as to effect a better entrance to the adjacent properties. Mary street and Currie street have been repaired, being formed with material from the quarry and surfaced with a light coating of screenings and shells. The Recreation Ground has received considerable attention in preparation for the cricket season. Screenings have been placed at the Cemetery road corner.

Water.—Two services have been repaired since last report, and the mains in Scotia street, Island terrace, and Meridian street have been scoured regularly. Repairs were effected to the two-inch valves on the George street wharf and the small dock. The water officer has been engaged in thinning out larch, cutting firewood and posts, burning up rubbish, cutting grass, and cleaning out silt dam and race. The reservoir was full. The report was adopted.