BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 19092, 26 January 1932, Page 5

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

ORDINARY MEETING. The ordinary meeting of the Timaru Borough Council was held last night. Present; The Mayor (Mr T. W. Satterthwaite), Councillors W. H. Hunt, C. H. Mason, H. J. Mathers, F. Chittock, G. Benstead, and F. B. Hawkey. Cars in Streets. A special meeting of the Council was held at 7.30 for the purpose of making a special order embodying traffic by-laws prohibiting the permanent garaging of cars on public streets. The Town Clerk read a draft bylaw which had been drawn up by the borough solicitor. Councillor Chittock spoke in support of the by-law. and said that it had been necessary to take the step in the interests of public safety. The streets were never meant for the garaging of cars all night. Councillor Benstead asked if the Council was the first local body to act in this direction, or were they following the example of someone else? The Town Clerk; “As far as I can ascertain, we are the pioneers of this.” Councillor Benstead said that he could see no objection to the by-law. Though they were the pioneers in the matter, he thought it was a step in the right direction. Asked if he would sign the resolution adopting the by-law, Councillor Hunt said he would not sign it, although he was not opposed to it. He considered that the by-law, the way it was worded, would not be effective.

The Mayor: “It should be effective. It is a pity if we can’t control our own streets.”

Councillor Hawkey said the Council should have a say as to how the streets were to be used. He could see no harm in voting for the resolution, but he de • sired to exercise caution. While they did not wish to harrass the motoring public, they had to watch those people who made a habit of leaving their cars in the streets all night.

The resolution was carried, Councillor Mason voting against. The Mayor then moved, and Councillor Chittock seconded:—“That no parking be permitted for a period of six consecutive hours between the hours of midnight and six a.m., in any street in such area bounded on the east by the sea, thence by North Street to LeCren Street, thence to Wai-iti Road, down Selwyn Street, along Trafalgar Street to Evans Street, and continuing in a straight line to the sea.” The Mayor said that they had no wish to harrass the motoring public, but they had to put a stop to the practice of cars being left on parking places which were being turned into garages. There were many garages in the town, and people who came into the town, and wished to leave their cars all night, should make use of these garages.

The motion was carried unani mously. The Mayor’s Statement.

In the course of his statement to the Council the Mayor said he regretted to report that twice since the last meeting wilful damage has been done to the Strathallan Street conveniences. The police had been communicated with, and he hoped that if offenders were caught a heavy penalty would be imposed. It might be necessary for the Council to decide to have gates placed at the entrance, and the conveniences closed at night, but this would be a matter for the Works Committee to report on.

Councillor Hunt said that he was surprised there had been wilful damage done to the public conveniences. A great deal of damage was being done just now, and he was glad that the police had been called in and hoped the culprits would be brought to book. The Mayor: “Not only was damage done, but there was money stolen.” Councillor Chittock said these premises had been erected for the benefit of the public. He hoped the police would find the offenders and bring them to book.

Councillor Benstead said he was surprised to know that money -was left in the conveniences all night. He, said that there was not much chance of the money being left alqne with nothing but a cheap American lock to protect it. Library Committee The report of the Library Committee was as follows: Report of Librarian.—The com mittee desired to express its appreciation of the manner in which the librarian and her staff had carried out their duties, and also to point to the appreciation of the Library shown by the public as evidenced by the record attendance and issue of books. The committee wished to point to the high ‘standard maintained in the Library as regards its literature and general administration. Art gallery.—The librarian reported that she was receiving a further valuable collection of antiques and other objects of interest from the Misses Hope, and it was resolved to recommend that these be accepted on loan, and that the thanks of the Council be conveyed to the Misses Hope. In moving the adoption of the Library Committee’s report, Councillor Benstead said that the library was in a very efficient state, and did not suffer with the general trend of things. There had been an increase in the book issues of nearly 20,000. Also, there had been an increase in the issue of volumes of nearly 5000, other than works of fiction. The function of the library was to encourage people to read books other than fiction, although, observed, Councillor Benstead, it was very nice to read fiction after a hard day’s work. The sum of money voted last year for the library had been justified for the reason that the library was of educational value, and was rendering a great service to the community. Councillor Benstead also stated that a .valuable collection of antiques had been donated by Mrs Hope to the Museum Department. This was the second collection the Council had received from Mrs Hope, and it was greatly appreciated. He paid a tribute to the efficient service rendered by the staff during the year. The motion was seconded and carried, the report being adopted. Omnibus and Electricity Committee. The report of the Omnibus and Electric Power and Light Committee was as follows:

Garaging of cars in streets. —The Committee considered the whole question of the parking of cars for indefinite periods on public streets, and the Town Clerk was instructed to direct the Borough Solicitors to provide a by-law prohibiting the parking of cars for a longer period than 12 hours in any street whether a parking place or not, and giving the Inspector power to impound cars parked for a longer period. The Town Clerk was also instructed to communicate with the police with a view to their co-oper-ation in dealing with pedestrians loitering in the streets to the danger of themselves and motor traffic. Tenders for oil:—Resolved to recommend that the tender of J. Needham and Co., of 1/8 15-16 per gallon be accepted. Indicator street maps.—Letter was considered from the Indicator Map Display Co., asking permission to erect 6 Indicator Maps in Timaru in positions at Old Bank Corner, Bank of New Zealand Corner, Dominion Hotel 4

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corner, Caroline Bay, Railway Station and Post Office the maps being changed and erected free of charge by the Company.—Permission was granted to erect the maps. Tenders for cable: —Recommended that the following tenders be accepted . —6 miles 7.136 triple braided cable £514/4/0, and 6 miles 7.044 triple braided cable £74/5/-, National Electrical Co., Ltd. Three tons 7.136 bare copper, £216, M. C. Boyes. Referring to the clause dealing with tenders for petrol, Councillor Hawkey said that although the tender proposed to be accepted was the lowest, he thought that the various firms should be given the right to supply the Council in turn. They were mostly ratepayers. and possessed bowsers from which the Council derived revenue, and he would move as an amendment that the clause be deleted, and that a ballot be taken to determine the successful tenderer for a period of three months. The motion was seconded by Councillor Hunt, pro forma. He said that had the prices been the same, he would have supported the suggestion. The Mayor that the difference was £ls for three months. Councillor Hunt: “I could not vote away that amount of the ratepayers* money.” The amendment was defeated, only the mover voting for it, and the report was adopted. Finaaice Committee. The Finance Committee reported as follows: Pay sheet and accounts.—The following were passed for payment:— District fund account, £11,566/14/-; electric power and lighting depart-

ment, £3829 4/7; omnibus department, £958/12/3. Loans: Electric power and light consolidated renewal loan (1931, £46,300), £3350. Purchase of supplies.—The Town Clerk was instructed to obtain information as to system of purchase and custody of supplies in other centres. The report was adopted. General Committee. The General Committee reported as follows: Grading footpaths.—Resolved that the present practice of grading footpaths 6 inches in 10 feet from kerb to boundary be abolished in favour of a grade of 4 inches in 10 feet for all future constructions. The report was adopted. Power Board Contract. In the course of his report to the Council, the Electrical Engineer (Mr A. E. Watkins) stated:—“The Department’s agreement with the South Canterbury Electric Power Board expires on 31st March, 1932. I believe the Power Board’s agreement with the Government expires in May, 1932, and should this be the case I would suggest that before a new agreement is entered into between the Department and the Power Board that we wait and see what sort of contract the Power Board may be able to make with the Government. In the meantime it would be advisable to ask the Power Board if they are agreeable tc this in allowing us to continue on our present contract till they have completed their arrangements with the Government. We would also be willing to give them any help they mav desire with a view to obtaining better terms from the Government than with the last contract,”