BOROUGH MATTERS

Taranaki Daily News, 22 January 1935, Page 3

BOROUGH MATTERS

NEW PLYMOUTH COUNCIL ESTIMATES FOR 1935 DEFERRED. CONTRAVENTION OF BY-LAW. INSPECTOR’S ACTION DISCUSSED. The first meeting of the New Plymouth Borough Council for the new year was held last night, there being a full attendance of councillors. The main matter for discussion was to be the estimates for 1935-36, but owing to several councillors wishing to acquaint themselves with further details of the council’s financial position and the effect of proposed commitments, discussion of the position was deferred until next meeting. Each department has completed its schedule of estimated receipts and expenditure. In general business the council discussed at some length the action of the chief inspector, Mr. R. Day, in writing a letter to a ratepayer threatening legal action if he did not remove within 14 days a building which had been erected in contravention of borough by-laws. The position was that the business man in question had erected a wooden addition to a building in a brick area. The works committee recommended that he be required to submit a written statement to the council to show, sufficient cause why the additions altered by him without permit and contrary to the provisions of the by-laws should not be removed or pulled down. ’ Cr. P. E. Stainton said he knew Inspector Day had written a letter to the man in question on his own authority alone, and that the tone of the letter had been peremptory. He was certain the letter would never have gone out of the office if the town clerk or the works committee had known about it. The council should be conciliatory and not mandatory.

Cr. F. S. Grayling agreed tha-t he disliked the idea of instituting proceedings against any ratepayer unless he was given the opportunity of discussing the matter with the council.

Mr. F. T. Bellringer, town clerk, pointed out that it would be impossible for the inspector to discuss every small prosecution with the council. A prosecution for breach of the by-laws was in order, but it was rather a different thing to order a man to have a building pulled down, particularly before a \ recommendation made by the works committee on the subject had been approved by the council. Cr. S. J. Smith remarked that it was rather difficult to discuss the matter in the absence of Mr. Day. He took it that the inspector had probably discussed the matter with the ratepayer and written the letter when it was apparent that no voluntary action would be taken. Further discussion was • held over pending a reply to the council's inquiries regarding the reason for the breach. Sewering of Parks. A resolution recommended by the works committee that the laying of sewers to Brooklands, Kawaroa Park, Western Park, Huatoki Domain and Waiwakaiho Park should not be proceeded with for the time being was referred back to the committee for reconsideration. It was explained that the postponement was proposed owing to shortage of funds, but councillors thought that the three largest areas at least should be connected as soon as possible, and they referred the recommendation back in hope that the committee would find a way of doing the urgent work.

Improvements at Baths. Mr. Day reported that the parks committee had had plans prepared and had authorised the expenditure of the council grant of £l5O on the children’s swimming pool, but owing to the serious interference with business entailed if the work were done this season now proposed to delay the work until the end of the season. With this end in view it was desired that the £l5O be retained until next year and at the same time a further £l5O placed on next year’s estimates for further development work. Cr. Stainton explained that the plan proposed had the additional advantage of keeping some of the staff employed at a slack period. A further £l5O would be required to do necessary improvements on the sea side of the baths. The matter, however, was deferred until the estimates were under consideration.

Requests Before Council. In view of the understanding between the East End Bathing Reserve Committee and the social sub-committee appointed by it that part of the profits made from gatherings should be paid to the East End Surf Club, members of which assist in running such functions, the council decided to offer no objection to the committee making a donation or donations from time to time to the East End Surf Club, provided that the total of all donations in any one financial year did not exceed one half or the net profit arising frim the gatherings. A letter from the Frankleigh Park Progressive Association applying for extra street lights in Govett Avenue and Doralto Road will be referred to the street lighting committee to consider next month. In reply to a letter from Mr. J. B. Simpson complaining that an electric light pole was two feet inside the kerb in Roy Terrace a copy of the electrical engineer’s report will be forwarded to Mr. Simpson. Consideration of a letter from Messrs. Hannah and Company, Ltd., regarding the alleged interference caused to its business by the meetings held by the Salvation Army on Friday nights was deferred, and in the meantime Inspector Day was instructed to arrange for a conference to be held between the works committee and representatives of the Salvation Army and the company concerned. The application of the New Plymouth picture theatres for a permit to erect a hoarding for Everybody’s Theatre in Devon Street adjoining the hoarding of the Opera House was not granted. Permission was granted Mr. A. O. Brown to erect three flats in St. Aubyn Street in accordance with plans deposited it being held that although no frontages would be less than 30 feet no benefit to the conununity would in this instance accrue from a refusal. The by-law’s in all other instances must be complied with. Mr. J. R. Murch will be permitted to plant two pohutukawa trees in Ngaio Street fronting his section, the position of the trees to be determined by the engineer. The terms upon which Miss Gray and Mis. Smith are prepared to permit portions of part sections 573 and 572. leased by them to be dedicated for the widening of Wailace Place were agreed to. Subdivision of a property owned by Mrs. M. V. McDiarmid was approved. Prohibition of Bathing.

Although the council has no reason to believe that bathing has taken place the electrical engineer would be instructed to erect a notice at the entrance to the Mangamahoe reserve drawing attention to the by-laws prohibiting bathing in the Mangamahoe Lake or in those portions of the Waiwakaiho River and Mangamahoe stream above the intakes to the lake. During the present and future summer months the caretaker will be instructed to pay frequent visits

to the lake and go up the river and stream and to prosecute in every case where a breach of the by-law is disclosed. , A copy of the letter from the medical officer of health intimating that rowing should not be permitted on Lake Mangamahoe and that picnic parties should not be allowed access to the lake or reserve will be forwarded to the New Plymouth Rowing Club with an intimation that under the circumstances the club’s request cannot be granted. The question of prohibiting picnic parties at Mangamahoe Lake and of framing further regulations relating to the admittance of the public to Mangamahoe reserve will be considered at the next meeting of the works committee. Borough Reading Work.

The report of the engineer, Ivlr. C. Clarke, summarised roading works for the month. About five chains of footpath were gravelled in Pukekura Park and the entrance to the park off Victoria Road for the Duke’s visit. Vivian Street, Robe to Brougham Streets, from the existing tar to kerbs had been asphalted on both sides and Doralto Road from bridge to the Huatoki Domain entrance had been blinded. A start has been made on the widening of Carrington Road in the various sections authorised. The kerbing of the remaining portions of Mill Road, both sides, was in hand. The necessary alterations to the conveniences at Ngamotu beach have been completed and a temporary small pumping station erected and connected to the main sewerage scheme in Breakwater Road. Three chains of six-inch sewer main had been laid in Waimea Street. Ten sewer connections were laid during the month. The roadway in front of the railway station had been bitumen grouted. Relief works were carried out in Tukapo Street, Govett Avenue, Hori Street and in the various parks and reserves.

The engineer will be authorised to kerb and channel the footpaths in Fulford Street on both sides from Brougham Street eastwards and the footpath on the east side of Brougham Street from Fulford Street to Pendarves Street. The gineer will also be instructed to prepare a plan showing the levels of Clawton Street off Frankley Road and to submit an estimate of the cost of making a temporary vehicular track to the property of Mrs. N. E. Jones. Temporary repairs to Burns Street, Westown, will be effected. An estimate of the cost of surface sealing Ridge Lane will also be obtained. Bus and Tram Figures. Reporting on the operation of the bus and tramway service during the month, Mr. C. J. Wyatt stated that a constant service had been in operation in accordance with time-table. The revenue earned durinj the month, £1477 2s 4d, showed an increase of £66 12s 7d over the figures for the corresponding month of last year and the passengers carried, 178,080, an increase of 8667 over the same period. Traffic generally throughout the month was steady. On the Westown route 39,261 passengers were carried and on the combined routes 178,080.

In the bus department the revenue during the month, £303 0s sd, showed an increase of £44 7s 9d over the figures for the corresponding month of last year and the passengers carried, 30,981, an increase of 4151 over the same period.

Power Supply Maintained. The electrical engineer, Mr. W. H. Huggett, reported that the Waiwakaiho River had been very low, with the exception of three slight rises throughout the month, the highest and lowest flows as recorded at the intake being 3ft 3in and Ift 4y z in respectively. The Mangamahoe lake levels had. been maintained between four inches above and 18 inches below the spillways.

The supply had been maintained over the whole system without interruption, with the exception of small areas for line alterations or pole replacements, and on the evening of December 29, when owing to a severe storm several transformer fuses were blown and two transformer cases slightly damaged. These were replaced together with the blown fuses as quickly as possible,' but owing to telephone communication being interrupted in some areas the power was off longer than was really necessary. Good progress was being made with the alteration to lines at Bell Block. The number of inspections of- new installations, additions and alterations carried out by the inspection department was 53. The number of applications received for a supply of electrical energy was 11, additions and alterations made to existing installations 41, and 12 new consumers had been added to the system during the month. Inspector’s Department.

The borough inspector, Mr. R. Day, reported that the fees collected by his department for the month of December totalled £455 0s 6d, the largest item being heavy traffic fees which accounted for £290 10s 5d of the total. One case of pulmonary tuberculosis was inquired into and reported upon during the month. Traffic had been very heavy during the holidays, but no serious accidents occurred. The number of campers at the Belt Road camp site constituted a record and the arrangements appeared to have given every satisfaction to visitors. The taking over of the Ngamotu beach cottages had entailed much work. Everything there seemed to be very satisfactory and the cottages had been let to the middle of February.

Miscellaneous Matters. • The engineer will be authorised to prepare a plan for the permanent partial damming of the Henui Stream at the East End reserve and to confer with the committee of that reserve. Mr. Clark reported that the preparation of the plans and estimates for the diversion of the Henui Stream through the lands acquired from Connett’s estate as an addition to the East End reserve were, in hand. & A letter was received from Mr. G. a. Bucklin, Consul-General for U.S.A., acknowledging the*, council’s message of appreciation of the part played by the American authorities in the search for Mr C. T. P. Ulm and his companions. Mr’ Bucklin stated that he would convey the message to the Government of the United States. Mrs. A. Skilling also acknowledged the council’s message of sympathy. Consideration of a letter from the electrical engineer about staff and salaries was deferred. ' Mr. D. Le C. Morgan, secretary of the Mayor’s Relief Council, applied for remission of an abattoir account of £ll 19s 4d presented to th J Master Butchers Association for which the relief council was responsible. Mr. H. V. S. Griffiths recently conferred with the works committee and suggested alterations to the roof plan of the proposed women’s rest room. Messrs. Griffiths and Stephenson will be informed that the council approves of their recommendation that a flat roof be provided for the women’s rest room on the floor plan already approved. Mr. S. J. Smith informed the council in a letter that he was erecting a house on a section 4A Ratahangea and had applied for a water connection. He had been informed by Inspector Day that the rental value had been assessed at £3O a year. He had paid the rate under protest as he considered the charge excessive. The rental of his house was less than Ils a week. “Economic conditions to-day are such,” stated Mr, Smith, that those persons who are prepared to launch out on their own should be encouraged. This is the second house I have in the course of erection.” A report was received from the inspector’s department that the premises were outside the borough boundary and the rate had been assessed at 10 per cent, of the annual rental value.

The council’s instructions were sought and the matter was referred to the works committee for action. . , The question of renewing the white traffic lines in Devon Street was deferred for consideration in the autumn. The engineer explained that the white paint was fading largely as the result of heat on the bitumen, and that the trouble would recur every year. Renewal until summer heat was past its worst woiild hardly be advisable. In view of the fact that the beach from Nobs Line to the Waiwakaiho River is now regularly used by many hundreds of people for bathing purposes, the New Plymouth Harbour Board will be requested to vest the control of the beach in the council. The borough engineer will be author-: ised to co-operate with the harbour board in any investigations to be made to determine the actual route of the sand drift at Ngamotu. Borough Sewerage.

In a special resolution the council recognised its obligation to provide sewer access in certain streets included m the .£172,000 loan plan. Owing to the fact that no buildings existed in certain street- included in the plan, the sewerage there was deferred indefinitely. . The council resolved, in recognition of its obligation, to make the service available to any owner erecting buildings m the streets concerned upon receipt of a written request. As the loan money will be practically exhausted if the scheme for Ngamotu beach reserve is carried out the expense of such connections will be borne by the general account.