CIVIC AFFAIRS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25848, 19 May 1945, Page 5

CIVIC AFFAIRS

CITY COUNCIL REPORTS WAR LOAN INVESTMENTS The Finance Committee will report to the meeting of the City Council on Monday night that the investment of council ana Drainage Board funds in the current war loan has been considered by the committed, which will recommend that the following funds be made available for the purpose:—

The report adds that the amount, previously invested in war loans was £306,000, which. With the present amount, will make a total ’ investment of £341,000. Playing Areas The Reserves. Committee will report that the following additional applications for the use of playing areas for the present season have been approved:—The Otago Rugby Football Union, for the use of one ground at Ellis Park for school football only on the usual basis: the Otago Women’s Hockey Association, for one additional ground at Bogan Park, on the usual conditions; Timaru Highland Pipe Band for the use of the Caledonian Ground on the afternoon of Sunday, June 3. for a pipe band display. In view of the fact that the band will be faced with travelling expenses to and from Dunedin, the charge for use of the area has been reduced to 25 per cent, out of the gross gate takings in lieu of the usual rate of 33 1-3 per cent. Women’s Rest Rooms

A clause in the report of the General Committee mentions that 209 persons used the women’s central rest rooms on Anzac Day, and the trial of opening the premises on this occasion appeared t’o have been justified. The rooms were also open on the . two days of the Victory celebrations. Renewal of Telephone tines The Electricity Committee will report that authority has been granted for the renewal of the wiring in the department's main telephone lines. Some 90 miles of the main transmission telephone line will be renewed and it is proposed to use a special steel wire coated with a heavy layer of copper. This wire is an American product and is estimated to cost £3O a mile* but a firm quotation will be obtained before any of. the material is ordered. Bridge Approaches The Electricity Committee will also report having granted authority to Messrs Downer and Co., Ltd., to transfer the completion of their contract for the construction of the approaches to the Edgar E. Stark bridge at Waipori to Mr T. Pheloung, who is at present engaged on the work of facing these approaches. Any additional cost in the matter will be borne by Messrs Downer and Co., Ltd., who have been unable to complete the' work owing to the adverse weather conditions and the fact that the Works Department is pressing for the return of the construction plant hired by the contractors. School Concessions '

The Transport Committee will report that the charge made for the school childten’s monthly ticket between Dunedin and Kaikorai (4s) has been reviewed. In order to bring this charge into line with other portions of the city and hill lines, it has been reduced to 2s 6dj per month. Some 70 children will be affected by the alteration. Shelter Shed at Gardens

Representations have been made by the Gardens Business Association for the erection of a shelter shed in Opoho road adjoining the main entrance to the Gardens, and the Transport Committee will report having authorised the transport manager to arrange for the erection of the shelter. It will be slightly larger than the shelters at present being erected in the suburbs. New Route Proposed < The Works Committee will report having approved of the sketch plan submitted, by the city engineer showing the'-ptoposed new* connection between Royal terrace and Driver’s road by way of Cobden street and the town belt. The plan has been submitted to and approved by the Reserves Committee. The proposed new. route, which has been adopted as a scheme for the long-range development of the route to Maori Hill, will provide a much better alignment and gradient than the existing route, and will avoid the necessity of. extensive • improvements at the lower end of Drivers road, which would involve the destruction of a considerable portion of the native 'bush and result in leaving a high bank to disfigure the locality. Before any section of the work is put in hand the. matter will again be placed before the council for consideration and approval of the expenditure involvedAlterations to Treasury Office In view of the fact that alterations and renovations are at present being carried out in the City Treasury, the question of ■. modernising the lighting has been considered by the Finance Committee, which will report that . authority has been granted the city electrical engineer to proceed with the work of installing fluorescent lighting at an estimated cost ;of £576 19s sd.

Dynedin City Sinking Fund £ Commissioners .. .. 20,000 Dunedin Drainage and Sewerage Board Sinking Fund Commissioners .. .. 5,000 Dunedin City Corporation Renewal Fund ' Cornmis10,000 Total £35,000