PORT CHALMERS BOROUGH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25850, 22 May 1945, Page 9

PORT CHALMERS BOROUGH

MONTHLY MEETING OF COUNCIL The monthly meeting of the Port Chalmers Borough Council was held last night, and was attended by the Mayor (Mr 11. S. Watson), and Crs. J. Matthews, H. Williamson, W. D. Campbell, A. L. S. Cassie, F. C. Smith, W. J. L. Crawford, and C. O. Knewstubb. Correspondence A letter was received from the district engineer of the Post and Telegraph Department (Mr D. Donaldson) stating that the matter of changing the Port Chalmers telephone system to an automaticbasis was a major one, and it would be given full consideration in the appropriate quarter. It was decided that the council give its support to a resolution passed by the Oamaru Borough Council, urging the Government to give the building of houses first priority, as had been done in the United Kingdom. " Representatives of the council have met the local contractors interested in the building trade, and the matter of material was fully discussed, and the council asks that your council consider calling a similar meeting and that you support our overtures to the Government,” the Oamaru letter added. "If this priority were given for a period of from one to two years, the council feels that it would have a particularly beneficial effect.”

A letter was received from the Port Chalmers Fire Board stating that the board had no objection to the demolition of the sub-st'ation in Laing street, which had been a danger to children playing in the vicinity.—The letter was received;'and the matter was referred to the Works Committee.

A copy of the Housing Improvement Bill was received from the Minister of Works (Mr R. Semple), with the request that the Bill be studied carefully by each member of the council. He would welcome any constructive suggestions or criticism.

The town clerk (Mr C. Blackman) was appointed commissioner representing the council in connection with the Port Chalmers Fire Board’s Capital Expenditure Fund Account for the purchase of a new fire alarm system. The Victory in Europe

The Mayor presented a report on the celebrations held in Port Chalmers to mark V-E Day, and expressed his thanks to all who had assisted him in carrying out the arrangements. The following motion in connection with the event, moved by him, was carried unanimously:—“That we record our deep gratitude and thankfulness for victory over Germany, and express the hope that those entrusted with the planning for the future may, by their wisdom, evolve a plan to bring everlasting peace." Reports of Committees

The Works Committee recommended the purchase of a motor scythe. At the present time, it was stated, such a machine would be difficult to acquire, but it recommended that an order be placed for delivering at the earliest date possible. The engineer had been instructed to effect improvements on Quarry road with a view to its use by vehicular traffic leaving the cemetery. The matter of improved lighting in the vicinity of the business area of the town had been discussed with a view to providing higherpowered lights in George street. Mount street, and Beach street, aud also improved lighting in Island terrace and portion of the Port Chalmers-Aramoana highway where Harbour terrace intersected. —The report was adopted. The Library Committee reported that 12 new books and 10 magazines had been added to the stock. Proposals were being considered for increasing the interest of the children in reading, and a special meeting would be held at an early date. In order to carry out its activities the committee recommended that a sum of £IOO be provided by the general account during the current financial year for library service. In making this request the committee had in mind the introduction of the Country Library Service, which would take place shortly.—The report was adopted. The General Committee reported that it was expected that the work to provide better drainage for stormwater from the Recreation Ground would be completed soon. A recommendation was made that, subject to a satisfactory price being obtained, authority be given to proceed with the alterations to the Football Club’s pavilion.—The report was adopted New Works Scheme As a result of a conference of representatives of the council, the Port Chalmers Waterside Workers’ Union, and the district man-power officer (Mr S. C. Bingham), the following recommendation from the conference was adopted by the council:—“ That a special committee of the ccuncil, to be known as the Works Development Committee, consisting of the Mayor, two councillors, two nominees of the Waterside Workers' Union, and the district man-power officer (or his representative), be set up, such committee to have full authority over planning, supervision, and the carrying out generally of scheme 13 works performed by waterside workers at Port Chalmers.” The personnel of the special committee is as follows:—The Mayor, Crs Matthews and Cassie (Borough Council), Messrs A. Mains and W. Elder (Watersiders’ Union), and the district man-power officer (or his representative). , Cr Matthews, who was unanimously elected convener cf the committee, said that now the wholehearted co-operation of the watersiders in the scheme had been secured, it remained for the committee to do something worth while for the borough in the matter of suitable works. The controlling officer would be the borough engineer, who would also act as liaison officer between the Works Committee cf the council and the new Works Development Committee. A permanent foreman would be engaged to supervise the watersiders on scheme 13. The manpower officer had advised the receipt of approval for the payment of a subsidy of £4 a week on the wages of the foreman in charge, the council to pay the balance.

Cr Matthews was congratulated for his valuable work in putting (he scheme into effect.