MUNICIPAL MAHERS

Taranaki Daily News, 19 June 1928, Page 6

MUNICIPAL MAHERS

BOROUGH OF NEW PLYMOUTH MEETING OF THE COUNCIL. PROGRESS DURING PAST MONTH. The N. . Plymouth Borough Council met last night. Present: The Mayor (Mr. H. V. S. Griffiths) and Crs. W. W. Thomson, J. Lobb, P. E. Stainton, T. McPhillips, and F. Amoorc.

Reporting on the working of the electrical department, the engineer (Mr. W. H. Iluggett) stated that the number of applications received for a supply of electrical energy was 40 and additions made to existing installations 45, while 31 new connections had* been added to the' system during the month. The Waiwakaiho River was normal to high throughout the month, with rises on six occasions, the highest, recorded being 12 feet. During the greater part of the month, whilst' the repairs to the high head system were in progress, assistance was obtained from the Taranaki Power Board and the fertiliser works. The water from the Waiwakaiho River was passed through the by-wash tunnel near the turning wall into the Mangamahoe and was used on the low head machines, working this system up to its maximum. This resulted in consequent low forebay levels.

When conditions again became normal, following the completion of the repairs, the old cracks in this forebay started leaking rather badly. This was shut down for 24 hours and the cracks opened out on either side and refilled with quick setting cement concrete, which has been quite efficient. The first 36-inch pipe was connected in to the syphon pipe on the 14th, allowing one of the high head machines to be brought into commission and do good work. After the repairs had been completed, the low head system was shut down to scour the dam and remove the silt deposit from the old forebay, which had accumulated following the wash-out in the race.

As previously reported, the sluice gate at the mouth of the by-wash tunnel, whilst being closed on the 14th, became jammed on a piece of timber, and when it was forced the spindle was broken. The high head was shut down, and the obstruction under the gate removed, and during the week the connecting rod was repaired. On Sunday, the 27th, whilst the high head was shut down, No. 1 tunnel was inspected and found to be clean and in good condition. The Diesel plant had run a total of 140 hours during the month, carrying full load over that period, and was operating satisfactorily. One of the large turbines had been taken down for overhaul and the fitting of a new runner. This work was well in hand and was expected to be completed this week. This turbine was found to be in very good condition with the exception of slight wear on the outer wearing ring caused by the action of sand in suspension in the water. The runner had become badly pitted by erosion. The operation of the tramways and ’buses during the month of May was commented on by the engineer (Mr. G. J. Wyatt), who stated that owing to the breakdown at the hydro works a restricted service was in operation from the Ist to the 12th of the month. From that date a full service had been maintained on all routes. The revenue earned ( £1760 12s 4d) showed a decrease of £55 8s 9d, and the passengers carried (12,874) a decrease of 5187 on the figures for the corresponding month of last year. In the ’bus department, the revenue earned ( £2BO 10s 9d) showed an increase of £26 I3s, and the passengers carried, 28,865, an increase of 3017 on the figures for the corresponding month of last year. REQUESTS FROM FITZROY. In regard to a number of requests from the Fitzroy Progressive Association, the council made decisions as indicated. The application for a light in Record Street is to be renewed next January. The matter of repairing the footpath near the Diggers’ Inn, Fitzroy, was left to the engineer to deal with. The question of repairs in McLean Street was also left to the engineer. The engineer was authorised to extend tiie Mangorei Road pipe at the Devon Street junction, and to kerb the footpath from Devon Street to the tram shelter. The engineer is to be-instructed to clear up the Chilman Street footpath, to attend to roots of trees protruding in Waiwaka Terrace, to deal with the removal of spoil taken from sumps, and to deal with the pot-holes and exposed water pipe in Beach Street.

The association is to be informed that authority has been granted Mr. Slinger to retain a building on an unused portion of Mangorei Road during the pleasure of the council, on condition that he removes clay left on the footpath; that the matter of a stock route is in the hands of the town-planning committee; and that as the lights in Beach Street have already been once readjusted, further readjustment will not be undertaken.

PETITION FROM VEALE’S ESTATE

In support of a petition signed by 26 ratepayers, a deputation consisting of Messrs. H. Blackmore (spokesman), R. Sturmey, J. Cock, Jas. Barlow and E. C. Foote waited on the council to ask that the metalling of Calvert Road and Doone Streets should be treated as urgent work. Some time ago, they said, the petitioners approached the council and ware given a footpath on the eastern side of Calvert Road, a promise being made that the road would be attended to when the property-owners had cleared the gorse. “Both roads are unmetalled and practically impassable for ears in wet weather,” reported the engineer (Mr. C. Clarke) who, in company with Cr. McPhillips, had paid a visit to tho locality. To give better access seven chains of metal would have to be laid in Calvert Road and one in Doone Street, he added. His estimate for metalling the worst places in Calvert Road and a distance of a chain in Doone Street was £H2.

The council decided to have the work recommended by the engineer carried out, and the engineer was instructed to submit a further estimate for metalling work in Doone Street.

The works committee reported that it had declined permission for the Labour Representation Committee to take up a collection at a street meeting on June 15. It was reported that a telegram had been received from the district engineer of the Public Works Department, Stratford, intimallng that pnamulag.-,

ment subsidies had been approved for Avenue Road, Tukapo Street, Mill Road, Barriball Street, Fitzroy Road, Nobs Line, Hamblyn Street and Eliot Street (total £1460); also £l6O for the Breakwater Road.

It was stated that in response to a request from the New Plymouth High Schools’ Board, the works committee had arranged to supply spoil from Bell and Shortland Streets at the High School gully, the board to pay cost of haulage only. The New Plymouth High Schools’ Board notified its acceptance of the terms of supply of water to the Girls’ High School and hostel, and the borough engineer was authorised to instal the necessary meter at the cost of the board.

The borough engineer was authorised to supply a small quantity of spoil from Bayly Road to Mrs, Bremer at cost price.

The borough engineer was authorised to prepare for the council meeting a rough estimate of the cost of metalling Calvert Hoad and Doone Street, Vcale’s Estate.

Mr. C. R. Stead is to be informed that no funds are available for the improvement of Doralto Road.

A letter was received from the Frankleigh Park Progressive Association thanking the council for erecting a waiting and shelter shed on the corner of Dor.Hto Road and Govett Avenue. A letter was received from Mr. Vickerman stating that he would take the earliest possible opportunity of visiting New Plymouth in connection with the hydro electric and water extension reports. TUKAPO SPORTSGROUND. As a result of conferences between a committee of the council, the Rugby Union, the Cricket Association, ami the Tukapo Reserve Company, Ltd., the union wrote that it was prepared to liquidate the debts of the reserve company, and assume control of the grounds with unrestricted possession for football from April to September inclusive, provided the council, at the union’s expense, promoted a Bill to lease the grounds for a term of, say, 21 years with perpetual rights of renewal. Coincident with the signing of the lease the union would undertake an agreement with the North Taranaki Cricket Association granting it the use of the grounds from October to March inclusive, at a weekly rental o-f 30s, plus 15 per cent, of any gate proceeds. The union will keep the whole playing area properly cut, but the association would be responsible for the preparation and upkeep of tho wickets. The Minion would agree that in the event of it being sub-divided possession of the ground should remain with that part of the union that would have control in New Plymouth. The letter was referred to the special sub-committee of the council appointed to deal with the matter. Cr. Thomson drew attention to the danger to pedestrians owing to the unlighted portion of footpath in Lower Carrington Road, near the Workers’ Social Hall. . The matter was referred to the works committee for a report. The Ngamotu Ilomain Committee notified the election to its executive of Messrs. R. Scott and W. Knebs. VESTING OF PUKEKURA PARK.*’ Concerning the vesting of Pukekura Park in the borough, the Auditor-Gen-eral (Mr. G. F. C. Campbell) forwarded an opinion that the council’s powers under the Municipal Corporations Act were sufficiently wide to authorise it to pay off the Park Board’s liabilities, should the board require this as a condition to petitioning the Governor-General for Its dissolution prior to the vesting of the lands in the borough.

With reference to a recent conference with a sub committee of the council, the Taranaki Power Board wrote that the estimated cost of a 33,000-volt line was £12,000. As the committee dealing with the council over the question of a contract had not been authorised to expend money on line construction, it was unable to quote for a supply of power to the council on a higher voltage until after tho board meeting yesterday. The state of’the footpath in Victoria Road, between Gilbert Street and the lower entrance to the park, was the subject/ of a letter from G. M. Spence. Part of the path was unmetalled, he said, and had worn away from four to six inches. Roots were exposed and they constituted a danger to pedestrians. The path was slippery in wet weather. —The matter was referred to the works committee.

An application by a lessee of one of the Mt. Eliot reserves for a concession in the matter of tho value of the building to be erected on his section was referred to the full council.