TIMARU BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18502, 25 February 1930, Page 11

TIMARU BOROUGH COUNCIL.

ORDINARY MEETING. The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Timaru Borough Council was held last night. Present —The Mayor (Mr W. Angland), Councillors G. Benstead. J. R. Hart, W. H. Hunt, F. B. Hawkey, A. Kennedy, J. Todd, and F. Chittock. Library Committee. The Library Committee reported as follows: — Damage to books—Resolved to recommend that the following resolution should be passed, and a printed slip pasted inside the cover of all new books accordingly;—“Any damage done to books will be charged to the last borrower. Borrowers should therefore examine the books and call attention to any fault, in order that they may not be charged with same. Special notice of any scribbling in the books is desired, in order to assist in tracing the offender. Books warped by being held too near a fire, or that have been damaged by water will be charged *or.” Councillor Hawkey said that he was not prepared to vote for the clause, unless he had further information. Councillor Hart considered that the proposal would lead to a good deal of trouble. Councillor Benstead (chairman of the Committee), explained that the clause referred to new books only. The rule was in force in much bigger libraries than Timaru, and it was the desire of the Committee to protect the Council’s property. Councillor Todd said that anyone taking ouo a book would have to go right through it to see if there was any scribbling in it, and then notify the Librarian. Councillor Benstead said the Committee had brought down the recommendation on the suggestion of the Librarian. Councillor Hunt said that although he was a member of the Library Committee, he was not in favour of the clause, because he could see that it would lead to endless trouble. It was unanimously agreed to delete the clause. The report was adopted. Omnibus and Electricity Committee. The Omnibus and Electric Power and Light Committee reported as follows: — Advertising—Letter from Combined Advertising Committee of New Zealand Electrical Development Association, asking that the Council would reconsider the matter of linking up with the national scheme.—Resolved to recommend that the matter stand over until the estimates are under consideration. Sunday trips—Resolved to recommend that the omnibus engineer try out a ’bus service to the Park, Hospital and Cemetery between the hours of the arrival and departure of the excursion trains from Christchurch on Sundays, with round trips if such are warranted. Appointment of Traffic Inspector as special constable—The police suggestion that Inspector Newcome be appointed a special constable in connection with traffic work was held over for further consideration. The report was adopted. Finance Committee. The Finance Committee reported as follows: Question of financing cost of children’s conveniences and southern outfall, requisition for which has been received from the Board of Health, was held over pending final details of works being determined. Rubbish receptacles and Thoroughfare Advertising Coy.—The Town Clerk reported that this company had made no payments in respect to its contract, nor had it furnished a policy for third party risk. —The borough engineer stated that the receptacles were being made use of, and were a factor in keeping the streets and footpaths clean. —Resolved that the matter be referred to the borough solicitor to take such action as the law permitted. Disposal of closed portion of Victoria Street—The Town Clerk reported that the legal costs approximate £ls. Mr Stowell valued the closed portion at £l2O, and the corners to be acquired for street widening at £25. If the Council agreed to bear the legal costs, this would leave an amount of £BO due to the Council, which apparently the Council had no power to forego.—Resolved that the position, as stated, be placed before the Timaru J3outh School Committee.

Referring to the failure of the Advertising Company to comply with the terms of their agreement, Councillor Hunt said he thought that the Council should take action to recover the money owing.

The Town Clerk said that he had received a letter from the Company’s solicitors, stating that the Company was being reformed, and that the Council’s account would then be attended to. Councillor Hunt stated that even that was not very satisfactory. The Town Clerk said that by adopting the Committee’s recommendation, the matter would be placed in the hands of the Council’s solicitors. Referring to the disposal of the closed portion of Victoria Street, Councillor Benstead said that if he knew anything about School Committee finance, the South School would not be able to meet the bill. The proper course would have been to go to the Education Board in the first place, and the present position would not then have arisen. The report was adopted. General Committee. The General Committee reported as follows Park Lane widening—Apparently an exempting Order-in-Councii is required in connection with the widening of Park Lane arising out of Mr R. L. Orbell’s subdivision, as the street is not to be widened to its full width.— Resolved (1) That the matter of widening be referred to the Town Planning Committee; (2) to recommend that in future before a plan of a subdivision is finally deposited, it shall bear a certificate that the roads to be dedicated have been formed and metalled to the satisfaction of the Council; (3) to recommend that in future the transfers of all land to the Council for street purposes should be prepared and passed by the borough solicitors, and that with the exception of such cases as free gifts of land or in such other circumstances as would warrant the Council bearing the cost, that the cost of such dedication and transfer be borne by the transferror. Jackson Street footpaths—Application from ratepayers that footpath on north side of street should be asphalted, was held over for considartion with the estimates.

Pie cart—A further application from Mr C. H. Samuels, of Ashburton, to establish a pie cart and coffee stall, and offering a rental of £2O per annum.—Resolved to recommend that the application be declined. Southern outfall, men’s conveniences, children’s conveniences, Caroline Bay— Requisition from the Board of Health was considered, and it was resolved to recommend that the plans and specifications, as previously approved, be adhered to, and' that the works be

proceeded with Immediately proposals for financing them to be submitted by the Finance Committee are aproved, and any necessary finalities in connection theerwith completed. Men’s conveniences, Caroline Bay— The Town Clerk was instructed to ascertain from contractors the reason for continued delay in installing the fittings. West End Association, streets and footpaths—A letter was received from the secretary of the West End Association, making a number of suggestions for kerbing, channelling, footpaths and roading. Footpath corner of Sefton and LeCren Streets—The Town Clerk was instructed to write to the borough solicitor for his opinion as to legality of Council cutting off portion of footpath to give access to a private residence.

Rubbish vehicle—Resolved that the borough engineer report upon the proposal to convert the Electricity Department’s Chevrolet truck into a rubbish vehicle, provided it be found that the truck could be spared. Councillor Todd asked if there was any possibility of Park Lane being widened throughout. The footpaths at present were in a deplorable state. If the road w r as not to be widened, then the footpaths should be attended to. The Mayor said he thought the street should be left as it is. However, the best course would be to secure a report from the Town Planning Committee on the matter.

Councillor Chittock said the matter was too big to hurry through, but he wondered how long they would have to wait for the Committee to meet. He was of the opinion that steps should be taken to widen the street, for at times traffic became congested. Councillor Hart: “Do the residents in the street require the street widened?”

The Mayor: “I think not.” Councillor Benstead said the Town Planning Committee would meet this week. He agreed with Councillor Todd that Park Lane was in a deplorable state, and he also considered that the street was too narrow. The Council had practically half the necessary land to widen the street. There were three of four sections which would have to be subdivided, and then they would be set back. He considered that the Town Planning Committee should inspect the street, and when they had gone into the matter very fully then they could bring down a full report, and make a recommendation. The report was adopted.