NEW PLYMOUTH BOROUGH

Taranaki Daily News, 6 March 1934, Page 5

NEW PLYMOUTH BOROUGH

MONTHLY COUNCIL MEETING SUBURBAN STREETS’ CONDITION. ' REQUESTS FROM RATEPAYERS. The New Plymouth Borough Council met last night. There were present the Mayor (Mr. E. R. C. Gilmour), Crs. S. J. Smith, F. Hill, J. Brown, J. Darby, P. E. Stainton, T. P. Anderson, F. Amoore and F. S. Grayling. The Westown Progressive Association complained of the condition of Tukapa Street between Clawton Street and the Omata Road corner. The tar-sealing was breaking up rapidly and in places it , was practically impossible for two cars to pass on. the tar seal. The edges of the road were very rough. There were still two bad patches on Wallath Road that needed attention. Both matters were referred to the works committee. Cr. Grayling said the edges of many streets in the town were breaking. up and required attention. The works committee, it was stated was dealing with several such cases. The Vogeltown Progressive Association asked that provision l be made in this year’s estimates fcr the survey and preparation of plans of Brougham Street with a view to having the necessary connection with Carrington Road made. The council’s attention was also drawn to the dangerous state of Carrington Road fronting Mrs. Sommerville’s and Mr. Kendrick’s properties. The road was much too narrow to carry the everincreasing traffic. It was asked that the asphalt be extended from kerb to kerb on that portion of Carrington Road from Pendarves Street to Vivian Street. Better co-operation between the running of the buses from Vogeltown and that of the trams was requested. The matters were referred to the appropriate committees. The resignation of Miss M. E. Arthur from 'the borough treasurer’s staff was accepted with regret The matter of filling the vacancy was referred to the finance committee. Further consideration of the recommendation of the treasurer that the present system of changing the meterreading rounds -every three months be altered so that the change be made twice a year was deferred for three months. In the meantime the electrical engineer would investigate the position and submit a detailed report. OFFICE ACCOMMODATION. The application of the treasurer for increased office accommodation was referred to the engineer to confer with the treasurer. A report and estimate of the cost of the work required, together with a sketch plan, are to be submitted. In view of the present financial position, the Kawaroa Park Society is to be requested to withhold its application for an additional subsidy until January next, when it will be considered in conjunction with the new estimates. The East End Reserve Committee is to be informed that since its application for an increased subsidy was received the council has expended £370 in providing

additional land for the reserve, and trusts that that will be accepted in lieu of any additional subsidy. The report of the engineer in regard to strengthening the Carnegie library buildings was referred to the council’s architect for his comments, and for a sketch plan and estimate of the cost of additional work recommended. Whiteley Street petitioners are to be informed that the council cannot effect the surface sealing of the street at sent.The borough engineer was instructed to effect temporary repairs to the northern end of Record Street. The section containing 4 acres 2 roods 14.9 perches, acquired by the council from Mr. J. S. Connett, is to be placed under the control of the East End Reserve Committee on the same conditions as those upon which it controls the reserve. • The engineer was authorised to metal and later to surface seal Hobson Street

north of Buller Street, and Baring Terrace north of Devon Street. The footpath on the north side oi Powderham Street from Mt. Edgcumbe Street to Morley Street is to be kerbed and channeled. The sub-diyision of part lot A of section 22, Fitzroy district, New Plymouth, in accordance with the plan submitted by the owners, Messrs. Davies and Wynyard, was not approved for the purposes of section 335 of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1920, on the grounds that the proposed right-of-way severed each of seven sections into two distinct parts and might at some future time, in respect of some of the sections, lead to two dwellings being erected upon one section, one on each side of the right-of-way, and that the proposed right-of-way was so long and served so many sections that difficulties would inevitably arise in the future in regard to its proper maintenance. MORE LIBRARY SUBSCRIBERS FIGURES FOR NEW PLYMOUTH. BOOKS ISSUED DURING FEBRUARY. Volumes issued from the Carnegie library, New Plymouth, during February totalled 11,790, reported the librarian (Mr. A. L. Low) to the New Plymouth Borough Council last night. The month comprised 25 working days, so the average daily issue was 471. Nine hundred and fifty-two volumes were issued from the children’s section.

■ During the month, the ued, 50 new subscriptions were registered and 39 subscriptions cancelled, a nett increase of 11. The total of individual subscriptions was 1334. Accessions to the library for the month totalled 75 under the following library classification: Sociology 2, science 1, useful arts 1, literature 4, history 4, travel 4, biography 3, fiction 55, children 1. With the object of popularising the library, the council appointed Miss Douglas and Mr. W. H. Skinner a sub-com-mittee to consider the advisability of advertising and publicity. On the recommendation of the Carnegie Institute Committee, the local purchase of books was left with the librarian, subject to the approval of the committee, to distribute among local traders. The offer of Mr. C. Carter of a wing of an aeroplane for the Carnegie. Institute was declined on account of insufficient space.