BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18354, 27 August 1929, Page 6

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

ORDINARY MEETING. An ordinary meeting of the Timaru Borough Council was held last night. Present—The Mayor (Mr W. Angland), Councillors T. W. Satterthwaite, G. Benstead, J. R. Hart, F. Chittock, M. H. Richards, F. B. Hawkey, J. Todd, and A. Kennedy. LIBRARY COMMITTEE. The Library Committee reported as follows: — Letter from the Hon. Secretary, New Church Society, Auckland, stating that his Society had been authorised by the Public Trustee, Wellington, to supply free of charge to 167 libraries in New Zealand, certain books and publications, and asking this Council to accept same for this Library. Recommended: That the offer be accepted with thanks. A statement was furnished by the Town Clerk showing receipts and payments in connection with the Library from Ist. April, 1929, to date. It was resolved that the amount of £36/10/6 for radiators be referred to the chairman and the librarian to go into with the general manager of the Electricity Department. A memo was considered from the general manager of the Electricity Department, of August 19, suggesting erection (at Library entrance) of electric sign case with the words "Public Library” thereon at a cost of £B. Resolved that the chairman and Councillors Hunt and Richards go into the matter and report thereon. The question of fixing a hand rail on the wall of the stairs of the Library was considered, and it was recommended that the architects bo asked for suggestions. The report was adopted. FINANCE COMMITTEE. The report of the Finance Committee was as follows: Accounts:—The following accounts were recommended for payment: District Fund £6522/15/5; Electric Power and Light Department £3513/3/8; Omnibus Department £lßl9/10/8. Loans —Waterworks (Loan No. 6, £3100) £lO/19/4; Street Formation (Loan No. 6) £235/0/9; Caroline Bay Improvements Loan, 1929 (£6500) £6500. The following grants were recommended for payment:—Plunket Society £25; District Nurse £ls; Technical College £SO; Pipe Band £ls; Salvation Army Band £ls; Chamber of Commerce £27; S.C. Employers’ Association £8; Sailor’s Rest £5; Workers’ Educational Association £l2; Cadet Band £25; Earthquake Relief Fund £SO; total £247. Grant for Municipal Band: —Before making a recommendation as to the method of payment, it was resolved that a statement of accounts be obtained from the secretary to the Band. Tenders for Caroline Bay Conveniences:—These were opened and referred to the General Committee for recommendation. PICTURE TRIPS. Councillor Benstead said that he was pleased to see that an agreement had been arrived at in connection with the picture ’buses, whereby the late ’bus would leave at 10.20. There were special ’buses which were run up to midnight at times, at special fares, and he asked if they could hope to make these ’buses pay when they took into account the cost of labour and so on. The chairman of the Committee (Councillor Hunt) said that as far as he could recollect, when the time-table was re-arranged two years ago, it was decided to charge a fixed fare of 4d after 9.30. It was considered that these trips were the best run during the day, and they would get more by charging 4d than by charging 6d, thereby getting only a few passengers. Councillor Benstead asked to be supplied with information regarding the special late trips, which is to be done. PROPOSED TEA-ROOMS. Messrs G. S. Cray, T. R. Mac Kay, J. P. Newman, W. Jones, and A. Watherspoon, representing the Caroline Bay Association, waited on the Council to discuss the plans of the proposed new tea-rooms on Caroline Bay. The matter was discussed informally and later the Council appointed the Mayor and Councillors Hunt and [ Kennedy to meet the Bay Association, and report back to the Council. GENERAL COMMITTEE. The General Committee reported as follows: Alterations to Curator’s House:— Memo was considered from the Curator suggesting that if the partial additions could not be made as part of the complete scheme, the expenditure be postponed until before next winter, when portion at least would come into next year's estimates. Street Sealing Programme:—Resolved that the Borough Engineer supply for the next meeting full details of the sealing programme for the year, as embraced in his report on the estimates, as follows:—Otipua Road, from King Street to Wai-iti Road £2775; Church Street, from Le Cren Street to Otipua Road, £992; King Street, from James Street southward, £496; North Street, from Grey Road to Cain Street, £160; total £4423. I Water Reticulation: —Engineer’s reI port held over from previous meeting . was considered, and it is recommended that it be brought up for consideration with next year’s estimates. Hardware Tenders:—Resolved to recommend that a schedule and speci- [ fications be submitted to next meeting | for approval before calling for tenders. ( Caroline Bay Road:—Resolved that I the Borough Engineer supply complete | specifications for this work for next I Works Committee meeting. Proposed Bridge over Rangitata River:—Letter from Secretary Municipal Association, in reply to Town Clerk’s letter, was received stating that remit had been carried at two conferences to effect that where roads or bridges benefited several local author - | ities, the Main Highways Board bear the whole cost. Requests from West End Association:—Consideration was given to a number of requests on which the Borough Engineer reported as follows: “The Association forward nineteen requests concerning various matters. Eleven of these concern minor matters of footpath repair, and the others re- ! late to street lighting, hedge encroachi ments, house numbering in Rugby ! Street, and straying of stock, all of j which matters are being attended to. J The Association also draws attention I to the necessity of asphalting the margin on the north side of the Old- [ way Baths, and they also request that [ steps be taken to prevent boys throw--1 ing stones at a glasshouse in Maltby Avenue. The police have been notified of the latter. Finally, the Association asks the Council to supply it with a list of the works which it is proposed to carry out this year.” Resolved to recommend that the Association be informed that the Council is endeavouring to meet their wishes expressed in their letters. Lighting King Street:—Resolved that a suggestion by Councillor Richards thct a light be placed at lower >er\d of Kina’ Street, be referred to the Borough Engineer to report. ioouncung corner of King Street:Resolved to recommend that the Borough Engineer report on matter of rounding corner by Doyle’s store. Report of Town Planning Commit-

tee was considered, and recommended for adoption, with exception of Clause 3, it being resolved to recommend that, as the personnel of - the new General Committee is almost identical with that of the Town Planning Committee, the General Committee should act as the Town Planning Committee. Application for ’Bus Stand: —Application from Mount Cook Motor Company for 'bus stand opposite their offices. The Traffic Inspector recommends that stand be appointed on west side of Stafford Street, south of Cannon Street, as defined by white lines, and not to be used for longer periods than twenty minutes at a time. Resolved to recommend that application be granted.

Cannon Street Taxi Stand:—Report by traffic inspector recommending abolition of stand in centre of road, and appointment of stand for three cars on north side of street. Resolved to recommend that report be adopted. Traffic Dome, Stafford Street:—Letter of August 8, 1929, asking Council to consider lighting of traffic dome. The traffic inspector recommends that the matter stand over until the approach of next winter. Resolved to recommend that the traffic inspector’s recommendation be adopted. Attendant Salt Water Baths: —Letter from Mrs J. L. Mansell, resigning position as from September 30. Resolved to recommend that the resignation be accepted. Tenders for Bathing Costumes:— Resolved to recommend that the time for acceptance of tenders for 100 dozen cotton one-piece men’s and women’s bathing costumes, 12 dozen V’s, and 12 dozen caps be extended to Thursday, September 5, 1929. Referring to the tar-sealing programme, Councillor Benstead said that three years ago, the then Council . . . The Mayor: "Confine yourself to what this Council is doing. Not what a past Council did.”

Councillor Benstead said that three years ago, the Council cut out White Street, and it was to be cut out again. White Street was a School Street, catering for hundreds of children. He desired to protest strongly against White Street again being shelved.

Councillor Chittock said that the programme was confined to ’bus routes. The Council did not have the money to do White Street. Councillor Benstead said that the street had been swept several times, but nothing further had been done. Councillor Kennedy said that Councillor Benstead must know that the sweeping done some time ago would be no good now. They had to protect their 'bus route, and Otipua Road, which would have to be done from end to end. Councillor Benstead: "How much of Otipua Road is a ’bus route?” Councillor Satterthwaite said that he had mentioned White Street at the Committee meeting, and he fully expected that the street would be included in the programme. Councillor Satterthwaite asked what the full cost of tar-sealing Otipua Road would be. They had asked twice for the information.

The Mayor said that the proper place to ask the question was at the Committee meeting. The engineer was not present to give the information.

Councillor Satterthwaite: "He ought to be here.”

Councillor Kennedy: "I don’t see why Councillor Satterthwaite should bring this matter up, when he-knows the engineer is to give full information at the next meeting.” Councillor Satterthwaite: "I don’t want to be brow-beaten in this matter. I want the Town Clerk to read the clause ,of the Committee report dealing with the matter.” The Town Clerk: “I haven’t got the minutes here.” FINANCE COMMITTEE. Councillor Todd moved that Councillor Chittock be added to the Finance Committee. The motion was seconded by the Mayor, who said that Councillor Chittock would be an acquisition to the Committee. Councillor Hart moved, as ‘an amendment, that Councillor Benstead be added to the Committee. The Mayor said that Councillor Benstead was well loaded at present, he being on several committees already. On a vote being taken, Councillor Chittock was elected. TAR MACADAM PLANT. On the motion of Councillor Benstead, seconded by Councillor Hart, the Town Clerk was instructed to ascertain the cost of the overhaul of the tar macadam plant, as mentioned in the engineer’s report. STREET NAMES. Councillor Todd brought up the question of renewing the street nameplates, stating that in the case of Woollcombe Street, all that remained were the letters “co.” It was decided to refer the matter to the engineer for a report.