BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 November 1920, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

ORDINARY MEETING. Tte Borough Couneil met last night. Present: Crs. W. A. C'ollis (deputy MaTOT), V. Griffiths, W. J. Hoyden, F. J. Hill, A. E. Sykes, R. L, Parkin, W. I\ Short, and A. S. Brooker.

HYDRO-ELECTRIC EXTENSIONS. The consulting engineers (Messrs. Blair Lee, and Owen) reported on the hydi'o-electric extension -works for the l>erh ending November 30. They stated that concrete lining of the tunnel and invert was carried on till tho stl\, when there was a cessation -owing to a breakdown with the crusHer. With the exception of a section of Gflft tie lining was completed up to a distance of 084 feet. Driving was commenced again on November 8, but the work was going on slowly at present. The heading was in a distance of 999 feet.

FIREPROOF SAFETY. A resolution was received from the f-rey Institute trustees calling the attention of thCouncil to tho likelihood of an area contiguous to the junction of tho breakwater and South Roads being used as business sites and expressing the opinion that it was desirable that ihe Council bring in by-laws providing for fireproof party walls in that area In a report on the above, tl'e engineer (Mr. W. H. Cook) stated inter alia: As the area in question is an open one divided Into fairly large allotments, It is unlikely anything bordering on congestion will take place for many years to come. For these reasons I cannot make any recommendation for a brick area in the locality. Under the by laws sft space must be left along the bound aij, thus there will be 10ft space between any two .buildings. Failing this tho owner has to erect 'a fireproof wall; hence in any opinion ample safeguard exists for the r?es« ent time.

It was resolved that the engineer's recommendation be adopted, and that a copy be sent to the Grey Institute Trustees, EXTENSION OF WATER MAINS. The engineer submitted an estimate of £282 for providing pipe, fittings, and labor for laying 18 chains and 1 % chains branch connection 2in. pipe to the 4-in. main along the east side of Tuknpa Road from Cutfield to Belt Roads. He stated that by kyin:? this it would serve a large number of allotments and savo cutting through the -tar rod road; also it would servo to eventually go down Belt Road. Meanwhile, he stated he was holding back several applications. I; was resolved to do the work as recommended.

GENERAL, ' A protest was received from S. lusk against the Council's answer to his application for connection with drainage ii Devon tieet West, wHch, he said, was tlm same •is he received in 1914. He characterised ' the present so-culled sanitary system," as a disgrace to the town, and expressed ihe opinion that even if there was not s'tfflcijut money to carry the sewer to Beit Read he saw no reason why it should not be brought the five or six chains necessary to connect the six or seven housrs in the immediate vicnity, The cost of putting down the main wes £i:'.o.—The Council dre'ded to adhere to irs previous decision.

Mr. Cool; presented :i report deiiins with the eiecr'on of tho chip crusher. MONTHLY REPORTS.

STREET WORKS. The General Manager, in his monthly reP<'rt. says>' The season's work should commence under considerably better conditions than it did last year. I'airiy largo supplies of gravel have been accumulated, and these should be amply sufficient to carry on until tho disc crusher is erected and lis working order. The crusher delivered on the 27th uit. Th» ■borough'engineer is taking great care to plan the layout of the machinery and storage bins in suck a way as to ensure easy and economical working. in plant of this kind this extremely important, and a little extra timo taken now may effect ;i very appreciable saving in the annual working costs of the plant. When this plant has . been Installed there should be ample supplies of gravel for top-dressing at much less than the present cost.

In regard to materials, tar is (he only one likely to cause trouble this year. Arrangements have been made fot supplies, but until the tar wells are constructed and a reservo supply built up various conditions may arise to cause a shortage and tl-erebv hinder the progress of the work.

Tho question of metal supplies this year is not likely to cause any anxiety, a large reserve of boulders having hern accumulated. The question of future supplies has been under consideration by tho Council for some time but a satisfactory solution has not yet been arrived at.

SANITARY SERVICE. Owing to changes in the stuff attending to the work, conditions in regard to the saiiitntry .service have been unsatisfactory for some little time and eventually a complete breakdown occurred for some time. This has since been remedied by tl-e sanitary inspector, but considerable improvement will have to lie effected before the service can be considered satisfactory. It Is probable that a considerable sum will ba\e to he expended. I have instructed the sanitary -Inspector to submit a report showing how. in his opinion, the service can be made efficient, and this will be submitted in due course.'

TRAMWAYS. The electrical engineer (Mr. R. H. Bart»<=y) report* I am pleased to state that the returns for October represent the highest figures yet obtained in any one month's revenue since the commencement of the service, and represents an increase of 18s ud. as compared with the month of October, mo. The mileage run has been decreased by 25.1 miles. The passengers carried. ae?<v<Ung to our figures, have decreased by fi'.it. This figure is apt to be misleading, and I am of opinion is so in tho present case. The record of passenger carried on any tramway service where concessum tickets are in use which are available over any number of sections,. can only be got by striking an aver--age. Tests ran lie -made in a small way, as was done in our case to arrive at the proportion, but this may vary considerably from tune to time, and ihis is apparently what happened. With our present system of tickets, tie results ;ire as accurate as it is possible to get .them, and we only have one ticket in which has to be averaged (students' tickets). From a careful observation uf the iramc. I am convinced that the above is vhe psplmat ion.

The extraordinary amount of rcfratber during the month has retarded progress Willi ir.iCiv repair;-. bill wp have managed to got a ffiir amount of jiatchlng and lifting completed. Tho r-.v,-rhnirtl»p of the equipment is cr,mpk:ri' ih ilie exception of one ear, and gnu-;-. shaking everything is operating sa

ELUCTItIC'ITY DEPARTMENT. The applications received during Ih.' month for the supply are 4*. and liie conned ions made to the mains are 48. Sixteen additions tu existing installations have also been effected. A shipment of 508 polos and a quantity of cress arms timber arrived during (he month and a sued deal of time has been taken up in unloading and distributing tliis material. The polos necessary for _ the transmission lino to Inclewor.il wore railed direct, and then called from. Inffleivood. These, with liie exception of or H(i, have been distributed along the route, and a' start lias been made with tl"o erection. Unfortunately the insulators and pol,. top plus arc not yet to hand, and the (iltiiiK of these will hare to be left until a Inter date. A quantity of instruments and instrument transformers required in connection with the chanje over have arrived, also a small amount of cable. But this work cannot be commenced serlousiy until other important material arrives. foe Waiwaknllio river remained is flogtl

for 14 days during the month, and on tie 27th October the level at the old intake registered 13ft. This is the second highest flood recorded during the past Ave years over which our records extend. A section of the temporary dam used for diverting the river at tho intake was washed away, and w'U require li> be made good. This is no! an expensive matter, and is receiving attention, During tte (month 26 visits were made to the intake.

Tho plant at tho power house has required a good deal of attention, but generally speaking both here and at tho attribution station everything is satisfactory.

ENGINEER'S REPORTS. The Borough engineer (Mr. W. H. Cook) reports:— ('■imetory.—The wet weather during September, caused a growth to spring up when warmer days were experienced ne insult,ig »ore atrention to graves and patnr,. The more recent heavy rains caused over .'»fl graves to subside, somo to a depth of two feet. These have all had to be refilled in. riio general cleauiiie up is now in band •K«l given anything like settled weather, ln<? cemetery should Lo in eood trim Dr Christmas. Eleven funerals took place fur the

Boaervos.—Woolcorabo Terrace: As somo Write pieces of land fell away Into tile sea hare had the fence removed well Inward and made stronger. Pko barbed wire* have been put mi to prevent it possible children getting thruush. Tl-e usual monthly doani»C «P has been given to tho various reserves about the town.

Waterworks. Filters: These have been attended to and are working well. During ihe month some heavy flood.? have been experienced, some lasting for a considerable . Mnins lllld Service: Twenty-four serncM have been installed. Pipe used 1192 ft V'. in diameter, 60ft lln. diameter. In tnvestigata Choked service in Devon Street, It was ound that an eel had become jammed in the ™e new 2-In. Keystone meter y.'. fixed in tl'o Railway Department service at tne railway station.

,•! S "'" I>3, ffilt er-tables and seneral Waning has been carried out as usual. Paths Ba^ Kmci inciud| 'street. both sides to Gover Street, Powderhim In worst place, Devon Street at Bitzrov, Eliot Street in pans. Patching has been done In Sjtortiand, Bronkland, l'andarves and where necessary in other streets. Gaol gravel repairs made in Watson, Paynter's Avenue, and George street. Metalling has been done m Hobson, pevcii to Courtenny and Aides made up with gaol gravel. Eliot between rmflVv G ,' n resurfneed ra; "ly for tarring Cutfield hoad has been under wav, but (ho men have been taken off during wet weather and during sucl: times as horses could not work. Unfortunately, the men left our employment owing to our ceasing work for tlio reason given, this meant a shortaje of labor. Gover Street: East path has been graded for asphalting, this work is liel-i" pushed ahead to get it out of hand S'ips occurred in Carrington Road, and Frsnkley itoad, the former being between 1501) and 200 jards. In the latter road haw had Hem nit back to the water table only. All roads have been kept, under close obssrva-i tion during the heavy rains, we 'elt til# ''Client of having the ttirrt true* iluri,ttg this time, as men could be landed at weal; spots quickly and ranch time saved in M tiil« them from one place to another. The road in the gravel dump has ,been pat.-htf am' mado good ready for tie hsav.v haulag." soil to commence. The crusher has been tat going as weather allowed. All orations iiau been made to culverts enabling thorn u take a larger volume of water, notably at .Nolans store. a concrete crossing htif wen laid in Devon Street at Mr. lircmliuVs. .1 permit for this work having been tssu« Several man hole covers have been raise, to new lejels. All teams, etc., have bee. fully employed in haulage work. The shecj. m ■! , tieet yard have been removed t Lemon Street and rc-erccled. Tills wi' leave Gill Street for gravel store, and bell, central will be advantageous. Wo asjihat O. IS being laid in Gill Street and tlif >•'»> Hover Street is also being Ir.lil h , sa " 10 m "teria'. Vivian Street fror So" i," tbL 0 n T !,a " u wili h 0 Co " ll,leta Sintr l,CbK<l mVi " E