CITY COUNCIL

Southland Times, Issue 21660, 23 March 1932, Page 4

CITY COUNCIL

ORDINARY MEETING REPORTS OF COMMITTEES. The ordinary meeting ol the Invercargill City Council was held last evening, there being present: His Worship the Mayor (Mr John Miller), and Councillors N. D. McKenzie, J. 11. Tattersficld, A. J. Ball, J. G. Imlay, C. B. Tapley, C. J. Brodrick, A. C. Ford, G. J. Reed, E. Sheehan and H. J. Macalistcr. Tlie following letter was received from the secretary of the Southland Motor Association: At the meeting of my general committee I was directed to write to you drawing the council’s attention to the sharp bank of the grass plot at the St. Andrew's Church in Manse street at the intersection with Elies Road, South Invercargill. It is considered that this plot narrows the street considerably and that this being so the bank of the plot should be lowered or sloped in the interests of safety for motor traffic. This suggestion is given to you for your consideration.” The letter was referred to the Works Comjnittee. A further letter was received from the Southland Motor Association asking the council to appoint delegates to a conference to be held on March 23 regarding motor taxation. After sonle discussion it was decided merely to receive the letter. Four taxi-drivers wrote applying to have the rental of their stands reduced to £2 10/-. The application was referred to the Works Committee. Reports of Committees. The clauses of public interest in the reports of committees as adopted by the council were as follows:— Works. Motor Vehicles Plying for Hire: Having received a letter from Mr E. Bradshaw complaining that the value of his street stand in Dee Street was discounted to a considerable extent by the fact that taxis were allowed to cruise round in search of fares. He asked that the council give him protection by stopping the taxis cruising. Having received a report from the traffic inspector regarding the matter. Recom mend that Mr Bradshaw be informed that the Transport Department, issued temporary permits to 17 taxi-proprietors enabling them to ply for hire at individual fares on the occasion of the recent Invercargill trotting meeting and that they were in order in picking up fares in the streets. Motor Omnibus Stand Rental: Having received a report from the traffic inspector that several occupiers of street stand No. 9 had not paid their annual stand rentals, despite the fact that the council had recently reduced the charges. Having authorized the traffic inspector to interview the motor omnibus proprietors who are in arrears and advise them that unless a partial payment is made immediately, the council will consider cancelling their right to use the stand.

Heavy fraffic Vehicle Designation Plates: Having received a letter from the Precision Engineering Co. Ltd., offering to supply designation plates to be affixed to heavy motor vehicles under the Heavy Motor Vehicle Regulations, 1932, at a cost of Gd per plate f.o.b. Wellington. The regulations provide that on and after June 1, 1932, each heavy motor vehicle shall display on front and rear plates indicating by the appropriate letter the class for which the heavy traffic license has been issued, and that the plates shall be supplied by the licensing authority at a cost not exceeding 1/6 each. Recommend that the traffic inspector be authorized to procure the necessary number of plates. South Invercargill Sewer Connections. Having received a reiwrt from the city inspector that the work of connecting the unsewered properties in the south area was proceeding very slowly and that various obstacles were being encountered of which unemployment of owners was the worst. Having authorized the city inspector to advise those owners who have been warned to make connections and are in a position to do so, that they will be prosecuted if the work is not in hand by the end of April, 1932.

Tramway Leyland Motor Bus: Having received a report from the city engineer regarding the proposal to convert the Tramways Leyland motor vehicle into a truck for use by the Works Department. Recommend that the motor vehicle be taken over from the Tramways Department, providing no charge is made for same and that the city engineer obtain quotations for converting it into a tipping truck, and confer with Councillor Tattersficld in having the work carried out. Metal Supplies: Having further considered the following paragraph referred back to committee by the council: Having received a report from the city engineer advising that the nresent requirements of metal for road and footpath work did not justify the running of the council’s quarry and that, while all the large gravel from the screening plants on Sandy Point Domain was crushed and used it was not sufficient for the demand. Suitable metal could be obtained from the Bluff Borough Council at 12/6 per ton delivered to the works department yard and he recommended that supplies be obtained from them. Recommend that the city engineer be authorized to purchase necessary supplies of metal from Bluff, and having no further recommendation to make.

Traffic Domes: Having received a letter from Mr H. E. Conner stating that a number of residents considered that the intersections of Gala and Ritchie Streets, and Ritchie and Chapman Streets, were dangerous for traffic and asking that traffic domes be placed at both intersections. Recommend that Mr Conner be informed that as the streets at the intersections are gravelled it is difficult to see how domes would serve any useful purpose and the council was therefore of opinion that they were not warranted.

Temporary Engineering Assistant: Having received a report from the city engineer advising that Mr J. R. llawcridge, temporary engineering assistant in the Works Department office, had been awarded the Bayliss Prize of the Institution of Civil Engineers (London). The prize is awarded to the candidate who, at the October examination for Associate Membership of the Institution (Assoc. M. Inst'C.E.), secures the highest marks in the two main sections. Recommend that a- letter be sent to Mr llawcridge congratulating him on his achievement.

Water Connections outside City: The city engineer reported that he had received two applications to have water connections made to properties situated outside the city boundary. Recommend that the applications be granted subject to the conditions already laid down by the council for water services outside the city. Reserves. Allotment of Playing Areas: Having received a letter from the Southland Men’s Hockey Association advising that through the departure of the association’s secretary from Invercargill, no application had been made for hockey grounds for the coming season and asking that the council allot them the same' two grounds as last year. Having granted the application subject to the payment of the rental, £6, in advance. Trading. Disposal of Leyland Motor Bus: With reference to the proposal to convert the Leyland motor vehicle into a truck for use by the Works Department, recommend that the engine and chassis be offered to the Works Department for £lOO. Appointment of Carshed Fitter: Recommend that the chairman and the city electrical engineer be authorized to interview applicants for the position of earshed fitter for the Tramways Department and to make an appointment. Finance. Hire of Civic Theatre: Having received a letter from the Invercargill Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society asking permission to pencil a booking of the Civic Theatre for either the second or third week in August, 1932, for its production of “A Country Girl.” The letter stated that it

was proposed to play a six-night season, including Saturday night and that Messrs Williamson Films (N.Z.) Ltd., who had been approached with regard to granting the society permission to use the theatre on the Saturday night, had suggested that the council agree to the society booking the theatre without prejudice to the council's present claim against them. Recommend that the society be granted permission to pencil the Civic Theatre for a six-night season in August, including the Saturday night, without prejudice to the council’s rights with Messrs Williamson Films (N.Z.) Ltd. Baths. Extension of Baths Building Wall: Having received a report from the city engineer regarding the cost of moving the south wall of the baths building to a position uniform with the present north wall and. providing additional seating accommodation and having referred same to the Southland Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association with a -request for suggestions regarding same.