SEALING OF CITY STREETS

Southland Times, Issue 24376, 5 March 1941, Page 6

SEALING OF CITY STREETS

Ratepayers’ Protest

“Could you tell me why it is that streets in North Invercargill, where dwellings have been erected within the last five years, are bitumenized, while residents in Newcastle street, who like ourselves, have been paying rates for over 30 years, have still to suffer the dust nuisance?” stated a letter received from Mrs W. J. Reid, Newcastle street, by the City Council last night. Cr A. Scott, chairman of the Works Committee, said a programme of street scaling had been adopted by the council and the new council would be asked to consider a new programme. Streets were sealed according to their import-

ance. He moved that Mrs Reid be informed accordingly. Cr A. Dix said he did not think Cr Scott’s explanation was satisfactory. He considered that the condition of Newcastle street was disgraceful and the residents would see that it was improved before long. They had never asked for anything before and they 1.-'id not got anything. Cr A. Wachner moved that Newcastle street be placed on the list of .'■.treats for sealing. He urged that the ratepayers be given a little more satisfaction when they asked for consideration and not ridiculed. Many months ago after the flood he had asked for some improvements to Eye street, but bad received little consideration. At the corner of Nith and Tyne streets a percon had to be a mountain goat to negotiate the corner.

“Why not be honest and tell the ratepayers that we haven’t got the funds,” said Cr R. T. Parsons, who seconded Cr Wachner’s amendment. According to the list of works it would be two years before Newcastle street was reached. The streets of Invercargill were an absolute disgrace. It was time the council considered the question seriously and brought down a. plan of works. The estimates were being prepared at present and this was the time to formulate a plan. Cr Scott said the programme of works for the year had been approved in order of importance. Newcastle street appeared on a list of applications which would be reviewed later.

Ritchie and Princes streets were mentioned by councillors as streets requiring attention. Cr Wachner’s amendment was carried. Cr Wachner said he hoped ratepayers v.'ould send in applications for street work to be done.

A petition was received from 40 residents of Ritchie street asking that the street be sealed without delay. Cr Wachner moved that the work be done. Cr Parsons said that the street was on the list of projected works. A report from the Works Committee to the same effect was carried. The report of the city engineer, Mr F. M. Corkill, contained the following list and order of work approved by the council and not yet carried out: — Elizabeth street, 43 chains; Bowmont (Clyde to Conon), 32 chains; Eye (Clyde to Ness), 48 chains; Teviot (Clyde to Ness), 48 chains; Crinan (Clyde to Princes, excluding one block done), 34 chains; Earn (Clyde to Ness, excluding one block done), 34 chains; Conon (Grace to Scandrett), 16 chains; Ythan (Grace to William), 27 chains; Ness (Grace to Manse), 28 chains; Grace (Conon to Bluff), 11 _ chains; Thomson (Earnslaw to Fox), 15 chains; Earnslaw, 19 chains; a total of 355 chains. This would probably be more than could be financed next summer. Applications to be listed had since been received from Wellington, Avenal, O’Hara, Liddel, McMaster, Venus, Janet, Lowe, Ritchie, Earnslaw, John and Martin streets.