TOWN COUNCIL

Southland Times, Issue 18964, 11 June 1923, Page 6

TOWN COUNCIL

REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES. The following will be considered at to-morrow night’s meeting of the Council : RESERVES. With reference to the report by the State Forest Service on proposed dune fixation and afforestation of Sandy Point Domain, recommend that application be made to the Department for the services of an expert for a period of from 4 to 6 month's, for the purpose of preparing a surveyed report, cost of survey to be borne by Corporation. Recommend further, that the Local State Forestry Department be asked to report as to advisability of sowing Cape broom and- lupin seeds on the foreshore sand dunes which are already established. FINANCE COMMITTEE. Having considered nine applications for the position of junior typiste, and appointed Miss I. A. Anderson al a salary of £7B Having considered eleven applications for the position of correspondence and committee clerk, and appointed A. F. Graham at a salary of £2OO, in accordance with schedule of duties and conditions. Having received and opened one tender for the lease of the foreshore, north of the Jetty Road, namely—J. G. Ward & Co. as agent tendering an annual rental of £7O, and recommend it be accepted without any reservation as to the right of the Council to use the old Tweed Street baths as a sump for fire purposes. SPECIAL FINANCE COMMITTEE. Having gone through the estimates submitted by the various Committees, and recommend they be approved subject to amendments, as follows:—Public Works—reduce expenditure on works making a total reduction of £5OO and making the transfer to general account £11,653 instead of £12,153. Waterworks—lt is recommended that the price per unit for electricity supply for pumping be reduced thus: During peak load hours—from 3d to 2d net; during other hours—from 14d to Id net. It is estimated on the basis of last year’s accounts that this will reduce Waterworks’ expenditure by £1424, and correspondingly reduce electricity revenue under the heading of Corporation power. Cemetery—Recommend that the by-lawi be amended so as to provide for an increase of 50 per cent, in burial fees and 50 per cent, in the price of allotments. It is estimated that this will increase Cemetery receipts to March 31, 1924, by £l5O, and reduce the transfer from the general account to £ll5 instead of £265. It is also recommended that future “upkeep fees in perpetuity” be capitalised and invested, only the income therefrom to bo credited to the Cemetery Revenue Account, instead of treating the fees themselves ae revenue, which has been the practice hitherto. The question of treating in like manner, cash received from sale of allotments, is under consideration. Public Library—Recommend that £92 be taken off contingencies (which will then be estimated at £3O) and replaced under the heading “rates and Library Building.” Recommend further, that the transfer of £2OO from the general account be deleted and that in consequence the allocation for library books be reduced from £BOO to £6OO. Interest and Sinking Fund paid out of Special Rate—Having reduced the special rate from 2.926 pence to 2.894 pence, which reduces the rate collectable by £2OO. Harbour and Reclamation—Having reduced the allocation for Sandy Point Domain from £645 to £4OO, which will make the transfer from the .general account £2411 instead of £2656. General Account -Having increased the estimated expenditure under Section j. by £4O (new ? typewriter), and the Feldwick Memorial By £250, making it £5OO in accordance with original resolution. If these amendments are approved: (a) The water rate will be 2d where used, and Id where not used, instead of 2.250 and 1.125 pence respectively, (b) Special interest rate will be 2.894 pence instead of 2.926 pence, (c) General rate will be 3.514 pence instead of 3.645 pence, (d) The total rates and fees collectable are estimated at £64,954 against £65,694 last year, equal to a reduction of £740. BATHS COMMITTEE. The Committee recommends:—(a) That the Southland High School Board be approached with a view to ascertain whether they would be willing to cancel their present lease of Section 1, Block 13. (b) That the Government be asked whether they would be prepared to sell the two sections adjoining the said Municipal Leasehold, namely, Sections 2 and 3, Block 13, Town of Invercargill. That steps be taken to procure plans of swimming baths from Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington and Te Aro. TRAMWAYS, ELECTRICITY, ETC. Having the public petition from 12 Newcastle street ratepayers re street lamp under consideration. Having the letter from the Southland Hospital Board re electricity transmission line to Kew Hospital under consideration. Having considered a memorandum from the Borough Solicitor, intimating that the Supreme Court judgment on the appeal, McKnight versus Corporation, was given in favour of McKnight, and authorised the payment of the solicitor’s account, including damages, amounting to £l2l 15/6. PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE. With reference to the petition by 13 Trafalgar and Enwood ratepayers, and recommend in accordance with the Town Engineer’s report, that an asphalt footpath be laid on the east side of Nelson street between St. Helen’s Hospital gate and the north corner of Nelson and Collingwood streets during next summer. Having granted three loans for installing sewerage, totalling £96 5/-. With reference to the Town Engineer’s report, having authorised storm water street sumps to be metalled at certain street intersections, in thoroughfares which are metalled to the full width, estimated cost £llO. Having considered an application by R. S. Waterston <fc Co. for permission to remove an office situated on Section 9, Block 70 (Spey street), on to Section 4, Block 70 (Yarrow street), and recommend that permission be granted, subject to the conditions that it must be removed not later than June 30, 1925 and that it is re-erected on a site on Section 1.