BOROUGH OF INGLEWOOD

Taranaki Daily News, 10 June 1931, Page 13

BOROUGH OF INGLEWOOD

IMPROVEMENTS TO PARKS.

DOMAIN BOARD AND COUNCIL,

The monthly meeting of the Inglewood Borough Council was held last The Mayor, Mr. J. Gibbs, Crs. F.° Spurdie, R.| B. Sutton, R. Larsen, E. Crossman, E. H. Braybrook and G. C. Tait were present. The council sat as the Domain Board. The parks and cemetery committee presented the following report: Generally the cemetery was in a neat condition, but the following improvements were recommended: Painting of gates, the removal of the old asphalt and the laying of grass in its place with no sods to be I used, all vehicles to be kept off the grass surface, the use of sunken survey pegs at intersections on the slopes of the hill to facilitate mowing, to provide a dump to do away with the unsightly metal heap and carting over the grass. It was recommended that a concrete receptacle be constructed on the righthand side at the main entrance; that the existing hedge on Rata Street be replaced with a 3ft. Oin. concrete wall (the necessary gravel will be donated by several contractors in Inglewood); to fill in the gully from the crossing to the old closed road with earth to be taken with a view to removing the abrupt undulation of the hill in Jubilee Park, such transfers of soil to be done on tramways; to place four suitable rubbish receptacles at localities where most required. As Jubilee Park is admirably adapted to recreation purposes and calls for improvement the following was recommended: To deal with the appearance of rushes by drainage with small pipes at wet places; the hedge on Carrington Street extension be trimmed; to extend the playing area northwards by the piping and filling in of a portion of the creek; the erection of a gate on the north side of the pavilion to facilitate access to the terraces; several blighted trees to be removed to prevent the spreading of the infection. RESULT OF FORESIGHT. The report referred to Trimble Park, the presence of ■which was the result of the foresight in the past of the man whose name it bore. The tennis club made every effort to maintain its courts, and the recent expenditure should give an excellent surface for next season. The croquet club was to be commended for the general condition of its courts and the high standard of maintenance. The following improvements were recommended: That the grazing area be ploughed and harrowed to level the surface, and laid in English grasses; that a path be formed on an even up-grade from the gate opposite Elliott Street by the north-east side to the top of the hill and a new walk-in walk-out gate put in ta replace the present stock gate at the starting point; several dead young trees should be replaced; that an improvement be made to the terminus of James Street by widening the tunning place for cars at the entrance to the croquet courts and the formation of a. path from the street to the clubhouse. The Children’s Park grounds were in very fair order and in an excellent locality. It was necessary, nevertheless, to improve the flpors of the swings, which were worn into hollows, accumulating water. The recommendations were discussed at length by the board, and very- favourably considered. WORK OF THE COUNCIL. The Public Works Department wrote to the borough council requesting a copy of the most recent balance-sheet of the' fund account to be forwarded. The Inglewood Fire Brigade submitted estimates for its expenditure lor the current year at £5O. this was referred to the finance committee. Cr. Sutton for the hall committee reported that the hall was in a clean state and several sundry repairs had been carried out.

Cr. Crossman brought up the question of heating the hall. The cost of heating by electricity would lie too great, and it was decided that the hall committee

should inquire into the cost of heating by other methods. Or. Crossman moved that no wheel traffic should bo allowed across the path in front of the hall as the path was being destroyed and the motion was carried. Cr. Tait mentioned that a number of cars were cutting around the silent policeman at the corner of Matai and Rata Streets on their wrong side. It was decided to draw the inspector’s attention to the offences. Cr. Crossman brought up the matter of cleaning drains between Matai and Cutfield Streets, and the motion that notice be served to all property owners to have their portion of the drain cleared at once was carried.

The committees’ reports were adopted. The finance committee stressed the need of rigid economy. There was a fair amount of outstanding rates and accounts, and though no action had been taken for 1930-31, that must not be construed that the council could afford to wait indefinitely. After the end of June definite steps would be taken to enforce payment. The, present unimproved value compiled in January showed a reduction of over £lO,OOO. That meant a higher rate had to be struck to collect the same amount as last year. V ery heavy payments of interest for loans had been made during the montn, and those, together with payments, had increased the overdraft to about £2'500.

A schedule of proposed wages reduction had been prepared by the committee to effect an approximate saving of £149 per year. The electrical engineer reported that the number of units registered at the sub-station for the month was 44,967 as against 41,921 for the corresponding month of last year, an increase of 3046. Two lighting points and three heating points had been added to the system and a motor had been rewired to comply with regulations. The new transformer had been erected and was operating satisfactorily. The Public Works Department inspecting engineer had inspected the reticulation during the month and expressed satisfaction with the condition of the lines and sub-station and reinspection of consumers’ premises. The works committee reported approving .building permits ‘ totalling £llO. Konini Street had been widened, the sides built up and the footpath attended to. Tin street and footpath would be strengthened with metal. In Kahikatea Street shoulders had been removed, the footpath formed to Gamlin’s house, the drain covered and sides of the road levelled. The street would require new metal. In Hinau Street the footpath had been formed from D. Egarr’s house to the top of the street. It required new metal. The sides had been levelled. In Rata Street all bitumen shoulders were being built up withh crusheel stone. The nermaneut staff had been cleaning footpaths on Windsor Road. The overseer estimated the cost of a half-inch layer of concrete on footpaths at Is 6d per square yard. A landscape gardener had inspected proposed improvements to Matai and Rimu Streets (adjoining the railway) and would forward a report. The librarian reported that during the month nine new subscriptions were opened, and two resignations received, leaving a total of 200 subscribers. Thirty-five new books had been purchased, six of these being replacements and three non-fiction.