CONTROL OF PATEA BOROUGH

Taranaki Daily News, 11 September 1934, Page 10

CONTROL OF PATEA BOROUGH

INCREASING POWER CONSUMPTION RETICULATION OF BEACH AREA. The borough finances were in a better position than they had been for 30 years, Mr. L. W. Austin, town clerk, stated at the Patea Borough Council meeting yesterday. Mr. Austin was complimented on the tables setting out the programme of repayments of the council’s loans under the new conversion schemes recently approved. The tables showed the termination of the borough’s indebtedness would occur in 1954, providing no new loans were made. The attention of the Public Trustee, Wellington, is to be drawn to the necessity for painting a shop in a central position in the main street. Permission for the Mayor and town clerk to attend the municipal supply authorities’ conference at Wellington was granted, the Mayor stating that they would do loan conversion business with the Public Trustee while at Wellington. Following a tenants’ application for improvements it was decided to direct the building inspector to prepare a report. It was decided to write off an account with the Patea Seaside Improvement Society for water supplied to the beach pavilion, it being pointed out that it was supplied for visitors, the residents depending on tanks for domestic plyCr. F. Naismith, streets supervisor, reported that during' August Livingstone Street, Victoria Street West, Egmont Street South and Hadfield Street had been patched. Trees in Egmont Street South had been felled and cut and a fence erected on two sides of the area. The rockery in the triangle was finished. Trees in Bedford and Scotland Streels received attention and 21 new trees were planted in Bedford Street and 20 in Scotland Street.

The engineer, Mr. J. O. Cunningham, reported that the water supply had been from fair to low but rain towards the end of the month replenished the supply. The Diesel station took the peak for approximately ten hours. A bulk supply interruption of considerable length took place on September 1, but the supply was restored to the council’s system by the hydro station. The figures for the month with those for the same month last year in parentheses, were:— Hydro, 12,400 (11,350); Diesel, 475 (nil); bulk, 31,244 (28,200); total, 44,119 (39,550); an increase of 4569 units. The units sold in August showed an increase of 40 per cent, over the same month last year, while the total increase of units sold for the last five months showed an increase of 20J per cent. Two additional lighting points were added to the system, one electric range was installed, and another had been sold.

Approximately 1,278,550 gallons of water were pumped for a consumption of 3653 units, compared with 1,257,500 gallons and 3593 units for the same month of last year, .an increase of 21,050 gallons and 60 units. The town hall roof would be completed soon. With a view to cheapening the line he had applied to the Public Works Department for permission to increase pole spacing on Beach Road, but a reply had not been received. The substantial increase in the consumption of power occasioned comment. Concerning the beach reticulation a plan was being prepared by the engineer, the town clerk reported. To questions asked by Cr. Scott concerning the beach area was stated that an individual guarantee would be required between the consumer and the council, which would operate for five years. Assistance with the cost of installation could not be undertaken. The tender of Mr. Cowie for the cemetery reserve was accepted.