BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 19156, 12 April 1932, Page 9

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

ORDINARY MEETING. Tne ordinary meeting of the Timaru Borough Council was held last night. Present —The Mayor (Mr T. W. Satterthwaite), Councillors G. Benstead, J. R. Hart, W. H. Hunt, C. H. Mason. H. J. Mathers, F. Chittock, M. Richards. F. B. Hawkey and A. Kennedy. OMNIBUS AND ELECTRICITY COMMITTEE. The Omnibus and Electric Power and Light Committee reported as follows: — The poundkeeper reported as follows: Stray stock on unfenced sections. — “As instructed, I beg to report upon the position regarding stray stock in the Borough. It has been observed that stock owners are in the habit of grazing their stock upon insufficiently fenced, and in some cases unfenced, properties enabling the stock to wander at large about the streets and trespassing on private property where a considerable amount of damage is being done. I would suggest that in cases where stock is found to be grazing on unfenced and insufficiently fenced property, a notice be served on the owner of said property to erect a sufficient fence within the meaning of the Fencing Act.” Resolved to recommend that notice be given to owners of sections with insufficient fences on road line. Rates for electric radiators. —The electrical engineer was instructed to report upon the rates charged for electric radiators. The report was adopted. GENERAL COMMITTEE. The General Committee reported as follows: Application for Car.—The Sanitary Inspector made application for the provision of car for his Department, or as an alternative to provide a car himself on receiving either a yearly allowance or an allowance on a mileage basis.— The application was postponed for further consideration.

Motor Traffic through Park.—Resolved to recommend that the resolution passed on 18th September, 1929 which reads: “Recommended that motor traffic be prohibited in the Park except one way traffic round the middle drive and that notice boards be erected accordingly,” be rescinded, and that one way traffic only be permitted down the hill to the right of the Curator’s house, and thence round the Park, safeguards to be recommended to the Traffic Committee by the Traffic Inspector.

Position of Curator.—Resolved to recommend (a) that Mr J. Milligan be appointed acting curator at a salary of £5 a week, until such time as the position is permanently filled; (b) that the position be advertised at £250 per annum with free house, the curator to find his own bicycle, but to be given an omnibus pass. Property Adjoining Ashbury Park.— Letter was received from the North End Association urging the Council to purchase the property of the late Mr P. G. Allen as it has great prospective value. A letter was also received from W. Angland and Co., denying the statement that they had offered the property to one of the Council for £ISOO. — Resolved that the Council should inspect the property.

Pareora Reserves.—The chairman reported that as he. the Borough Engineer and Councillor Hart had interviewed the lessees of reserve adjoining water race, they were of opinion that the rent at present paid was auite sufficient, and that the present arrangement should continue.—Resolved to recommend that the present tenancies be continued provided the lessees understand that they will be held liable for the half cost of maintenance of fences to be erected by the Council along the water race. Proposed acquisition of land for street purposes from Timaru Gas Company.—A letter was considered from the Timaru Gas Coy. as follows: “That the Company is prepared to dedicate that portion of its land shaded on plan and being land situated at the Company’s gas works at the south cud of works near No. 3 gas holder, and as pegged out on site for the inspection of the Council, to the Timaru Borough Council provided the Council erect a brick fence from the Company’s Perth Street coal shed to its Arthur Street coal shed with a gateway as at present shown; the fence to be 6ft high according to Borough Engineer’s plan. The Company’s directors would require the Timaru Borough Council to bear the cost of survey and transfer and r.ny other expense in connection with taking down of old fence and re-erecting the new brick fence. Should the Council decide to move the poles bearing telegraph and telephone wires and cables these wires must be kept the regulation distance from the Company’s gas holder, namely, six feet.”—Resolved to recommend that the Council offer to pay half the cost of the brick fence in consideration of the Company transferring tho land, in question, the Council to pay all survey and transfer fees.

Water supply, Harbour Board.—Letter was received from the Harbour Board relative to the Council’s offer to make a further reduction in the charges if the Board would take over the installation, and stating that the Board had decided that the matter should remain as at present.

Otipua Road Tramline. —Letter was received from the Harbour Board in reply to our letter pointing out the condition of the tramline in Otipua Road, and asking them to fill in the groove at an estimated cost of £l2B. The Board’s reply stated that the Board had decided to ask the Council to do the work suggested for the sum of, £l2B.—Resolved to recommend that the Council undertake the work provided the Harbour Board will pay the cost.

Referring ot traffic in the Park, Councillor Chittock said there had been a good deal of controversy regarding cars being allowed to go right round the park, but the present suggestion was going to lead to confusion. The traffic inspectors were trying to edu3atc the public to keep to the left, and if they allowed cars to go south past the curator’s house, they would meet traffic coming out by the middle drive. The Mayor explained that the actingcurator had expressed the opinion that there would be no danger in opening the road for traffic, but he had a fair amount of work to do on it yet. The traffic inspector would also be asked to report on the matter.

Councillor Hart moved that the matter be referred to the traffic inspector for a report. The Mayor said that the matter was one of policy. The question was whether the Park should be open for traffic, and when that had been decided, the question of route could be considered later.

Councillor Hart withdrew his motion, and it was agreed to hold the matter over for further consideration, the traffic inspector in the meantime to prepare a report. Referring to the clause dealing with the gas works corner, the Mayor said that he hoped in the interests of the citizens, that the recommendation would meet with the approval of the directors of the Gas Company. The report was adopted.