BOROUGH MATTERS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16614, 9 December 1919, Page 5

BOROUGH MATTERS.

MEETING OF COUNCIL. A meeting of tho Now Plymouth Borough Council was held at the Municipal Offices on Monday evening, tho -Mayor (Mr. J. ClarkeJ presiding. There were also present: Councillors J. W. Hayden, F. J. Hill, TV. F. Short, W. A. Collis, It. L. Parkin, A. E. Sykes. An apology was received Irom Councillor GrilUtlxs. SHORTAGE OP LABOUR. The horough engineer submitted a statement showing the number of men employed on the different works under his caro and stressed tho need for a great many more men if the council was to cope with the work facing them. It would not, Mr. Cook said, bo possible to meet ail tlio demands for small works which cropped up each month and drawing all possible men from every possible source ior the one specilio purpose, such work as curbing and channelling, extra cleaning of streets, otc., must perlorco stand over until the position was relieved. For fall-back work for tho tar scaling gang he asked authority to commence at an opportune time Devon Street pathways. This work would keep most labour going during wet weather while the road surface was drying. It was understood that tho work would be douo only as a fill-gap during bad weather.

ELECTRIC LIGHT AND TRAMWAYS COMMITTEE.

Tho Electric Light and Tramways Committee recommended:— That this committee' be authorised to expend up to £ooo in replenishing stores and stocks of tho Electric Light Department. That the applicants for lighting at Veale’s Estate be informed that their application will bo considered upon the completion of tho hydro-electric extensions now in hand (approximate cost of extension £3OO, approximate revenue £32 per annum). That consideration of Messrs. Blair Mason and Leo’s request for the gauging of the flow of the Waiwakaibo Hirer at the Devon Road weir bo deferred. That the recommendation of Messrs. Blair Mason and Leo that Messrs. A. and T. Burt’s quotation for four sluico gates required in connection with the new intake at £9B 15s each, 1C0.11., Dunedin, bo accepted. That subject to the provisions of paragraphs 35 and 36 of the General Conditions of Contract, whereby the contractors still remain liable to the council, permission bo granted to Messrs. Bayne and Blanchard to sub-let tho driving of the tunnell to such persons as tho consulting engineers may approve in writThat tho Hailway Department, having sold tho land upon which it was proposed to erect a shelter shed at Stnindon, and tho committee being unwilling. to accept the terms offered by the owners, the JTitzroy Ratepayers’ Association ho informed that tho council cannot see its way to erect the shelter shed at present. » The report was adopted. THE MOTOR ’BUS. The Electric Light and Tramways Committee recommended;— That in reply to its letter of tho 29th ultimo tho \Vcstown Progressive Association be informed as follows: That driver of the ’bus will bo instructed to wait a reasonable time for the closing of the picture theatres, hut a certain amount of discretion must bo allowed him as it is impossible to wait a very long time. That the morning ’bus running to town in time for the outgoing mail will be requested to run to tho railway station instead of to the Bank of New Zealand corner.

That the 5.15 p.m. ’bus will start from the Railway Station and travel via Brougham Street as requested. The ’bus must, however, leave at 8.15 p.m. whether the train has arrived or not. That consideration of the revision of the ’bus fares has been deferred pending receipt of a report from the electrical engineer, which is now being prepared.

That in view of tho fact that it is necessary to give tho ’bus an overhaul at stated periods it is impossible to execute a Sunday service, but that tho electrical engineer will endeavour to run tho ’bus on as many Sundays as possible, on special occasions which will be advertised.

That it is unnecessary to hold a conference between tho association and the council’s officials in regard to fixing Die timetable ami fares for Sunday service, but that th» council will bo pleased to consider any suggestions tho association may place before it in writing. WORKS MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE. The Works Management Committee recommended; — That subject to tho right being reserved for access to tho sewer in tho lane if necessary, tho Borough Engineer bo authorised to grant iierniission to Messrs. Webster Bros, to temporarily close that portion of James’ Lane to which their land lias frontages during tho rebuilding of tlioir auction mart, the owners of tho other lands affected having consented in writing to this permission being granted.

That Air. C. Carter bo informed that in view of the fact that the council is unable to obtain sufficient drays and labour fur urgent tarring work it is impossible to accede at present to his request for tho removal of tho bank in front of section 1142, Victoria Road, but that tho council will permit him to remove the earth at his own expense and put it upon his own property. That the application of Messrs. J. H. Sellars and C. 11. Burton for tho removal of the sand bank in Sackville Street bo referred to tho chairman to interview the applicants and tho Eitzroy School Committee, with a view to that committee taking the contribution offered and removing tho sand to tho school grounds. That in view of the isolated position of his house and the distance from the watermains, Mr. J. S. Noton be informed that the council cannot see its way to extend the mains to his property, Waiwaka Tcrarce, unless he contributes £25 towards the cost, in which case a lin. service will be laid, at an estimated cost of £33 6s Gd. That tho Taranaki County Council be informed that tho Borough Council v. ill contribute one-half of the cost ol regrading and re-metalling those portions of the Avenue Road and Tarahua. Road referred to in the county engineer’s letter, and forming the boundary between the borough and the county', provided that tho total liability of the borough in connection with this matter does not exceed £7l. That the offer of the Electric Light Department to house, repair, charge with electricity, clean battery, etc., the electric lorry for the sum of £l3O per annum, details as set out hereunder, bo accepted, subject to the condition that if no -repairs are required the amount allowed therefor bo not charged.

PUBLIC WELFARE AND SAFETY COMMITTEE. This committee recommended : That in reply to their complaint with reference to unfair competition by private owners of motor-cars taking out licenses to ply for hire on race days, Messrs. E. Wooldridge and G. Gibson bo informed that the council, whilst sympathising with them in a way, cannot see its way to take any action in tho matter. That tho Motor Garage Proprietors’ Association be informed that most of the regulations relating to motor traffic suggested by them arc already embodied in the council’s by-laws and that the remainder will bo carefully considered when now by-laws arc being mado. ' GENERAL. Tho Fitzroy Fire Brigade, was granted permission to erect a practice stand in Darnell Street, as in former years, for practice purposes. An application from Mr. IT. C. Osborne for a right-of-way through a section at Fitzroy was declined. Mr. R. Day, inspector, wrote suggesting that instructions bo given to the engineer’s department to cut the growth of noxious weeds from the streets. —The engineer and inspector will confer. Messrs. Standish and .Anderson were granted’ permission to use a right-of-way granted- to sections in Bonithan prior to 1888.