MUNICIPAL MATTERS

Taranaki Daily News, 7 June 1927, Page 11

MUNICIPAL MATTERS

NEW PLYMOUTH BOROUGH MEETING OF THE COUNCIL. WEST END SCHOOL ENTRANCE. The New Plymouth Borough Council met last night. Present: The Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson) and Crs. H. V. S Griffiths, W. W. Thomson, J. Lobb, S. G. Smith, F. Payne, T. MePhillips, F. Amoore and P. E. Stainton. A deputation representing the West End School Committee waited on the council with regard to the right of way leading from Belt Road to the school, whieh was said to be in a very bad state. The chairman (Mr. Hawker) pointed out that hundreds of children used the and it was in a very muddy state. In view of the visit of the Minister in the near future, he would like to see something done. During the discussion, it was stated that the right-of-way was sometimes known as Davis Lane and sometimes as "Duck” Lane. The Mayor stated that he was very glad, in view of a statement appearing in the evening paper last week to the effect that the lane was a “disgrace to the borough,” that he had an opportunity of explaining the position. As a matter of fact, the borough had no claim to the lane, nor any jurisdiction over it. The lane was the property of a number of private owners, and owing to its narrowness it could by no known law be taken over by the council.. The only way to transfer the property to the borough was to have a special Act of Parliament passed. Unless the propertyowners concerned were prepared to give sufficient land for the council to be able to take over the control of the lane without cost, the council could accept no responsibility. Mr. Taylor, who has a share in the ownership of the lane, and was a member of the deputation, stated that he was willing to bear his share of the cost of putting the lane in order. It was decided to hold a conference to-day between the property owners concerned and the Mayor and Or. McPhillips, as representatives of the council. The Local Government Loans Board asked for a return of estimated loan proposals for the year ending March 31, 1928, and for a separate list of loans, or parts of loans required to be renewed, before March 1. The director of town planning (Mr. R. B. Hammond) notified that he would visit New Plymouth on June 15 and would be glad to meet the council that night to expain the procedure regarding the preparation of town planning schemes under the recent Act. The Minister of Internal Affairs (Hon. R. F. Bollard) forwarded a letter stating that permission had been granted local authorities to conduct searches for town planning purposes without payment of fees. . Whether the Nganiotu Domain could be included among the reserves in which municipal band recitals were given, was a question asked in a letter from the domain committee. —The Mayor pointed out that it was not a matter for the council, but for the bands concerned. A request that street lights be provided in the following localities was made by the Moturoa Progressive Association: —Ngamotu Road, one light between the junction with Breakwater Road and a light half-way up Ngamotu Road; Weston Street, one light; Peace Avenue, one light at the top end.—The matter was referred to the works committee. MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS. It was decided to inform the Huatoki Domain Board that the council had been informed the Automobile Association was erecting a signboard at the corner of Doralto and Huatoki Roads, pointing out the locality of the domain. Inspector Day was authorised to proceed with tree planting at the old waterworks. On the recommendation of the works committee, it was decided that the water supply to the whole of the buildings, including the boarding house, comprised in the Boys’ High School property, be metered and that the board be charged half the usual rate per 1000 gallons for all water used. The matter of a footpath in Victoria Road was referred to the Mayor. Authority was given for the placing of a coat of gaol gravel, wide enough for one vehicle, on the Gilbert Street filling. The foreman was instructed to attend to the broken asphalt at the side of Tukapo Street, mentioned in a letter from the Westown Progressive Association. The foreman was instructed to form and gravel a footpath on the eastern side of Pioneer Road to Parris Street, six feet wide, for a distance of 20 chains at an estimated cost of £75. Similar authority was given for a footpath on the southern side of Mission Hill, from Lowry Street to Blagdon Road, to cost £405. ADDITIONAL STREET LIGHTS.. On the recommendation of the works committee, the electrical engineer was instructed to instal street lights in Young Street (one); Avenue Road, bus terminus (one); corner of Oriental Street (one); Downe Street (one); Bayly and Devon Road intersection (one); Pioneer Road and Parris Street intersection (one). Subject to the Railway Department paying £ll annually, authority was given for two lights in Oriental Street and two in the side street off Oriental Street. It was decided to move the light in Victoria Road at the park gate 50 feet southward. The foreman was instructed to tarseal Hobson Street, from Lemon to Leach Streets. Authority was given for the re-metalling and tarring of Molesworth Street, from Eliot Street to Gover Street, at an estimated cost of £520. In order to expedite the preparation of the report by the engineer on the drainage scheme, it was decided, on the recommendation of a special sub-com-mittee, to appoint a temporary engineering assistant and a draughtsman.— In reply to Cr. Amoore, the engineer (Mr. C. C. Clarke) stated that, given good weather, with the additional asssistance granted him, he should be able to complete his report in about six months. A petition having been received from local electricians and electrical contractors protesting against the council’s competitive retail business in apparatus, the electric light committee reported that it would meet the petitioners at any time to discuss the question.