RICCARTON RECORDS

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18091, 26 February 1927, Page 27

RICCARTON RECORDS

BOROUGH NOTES AND NEWS

@y Our Special Corespondent.

HIGH PRESSURE WATER SUPPLY. At Monday night's meeting of the Borough Council Councillor R. 11. Rankin reported that the Water Supply Committee had considered fully the question of providing a high pressure water supply, recommended that Mr Dawe be asked to submit a scheme, with estimated cost. The Mayor, in seconding, paid a tribute to the detail work done by Councillor Rankin for the guidance of the committee. The motion was carried. In answer to a question, Councillor Rankin said that a scheme would probably cost £35.000, ■and nothing definite could be done without a poll of the ratepayers. OVERHANGING HEDGES. The question of those overhanging hedges on Deans Avenue and Kilmarnock Street is not yet settled. There will probably be some discussion at next council meeting, when a motion will be moved by Councillor Rankin to rescind the existing resolution,

which called on Mr Machin to cut back the hedges within twenty-eight days. It is whispered that those property owners who have obeyed the council’s behest, and cut back or removed their hedges, will form a deputation to the council asking that uniform treatment jbe meted out. Messrs Machin, Ferris, and Jamieson, who waited on the council last Monday, made the point that these hedges had been planted thirtyfive to forty-five years ago, and although they certainly spread over the footpaths, there was no impediment to traffic, as the asphalt and part of the earthen, path were still clear, and the pedestrian traffic was very small indeed. These macrocarpa hedges at present were one of the beauties of Riccarton, and if “ cut back to the bone ” would become an eyesore. Besides, there were similar overhanging hedges in the city and suburbs, and they were allowed to remain. Mr Machin added that he had been legally advised that if the council enforced the by-law, and ruined the hedge, he would have right of action -for damages. Deans Avenue was probably the dustiest thoroughfare in Christchurch at the present time, and { the hedge was the only protection they had. Without it, life would be almost intolerable. Mr Jamieson’s remarks were mostlyaddressed to the need for a permanent surface on Deans Avenue to keep ddwn the dust. This should be a second Park Terrace. The Mayor: Help us to shift the saleyards and get rid of the stock. That will help to end the dust. Mr Machin said he had not observed any stock nuisance. Councillor Man hire made the point that the objection came from people who ought to help the council. A lot of other ratepayers , notably in Whiteleigh Avenue, had cut back, and even removed, hedge*. What answer could the council give these people if Mr Machin were let off? It was pointed out that discretion could be and should be exercised in the enforcement of by-laws. Councillor Manhire: You don’t believe in the Californian idea, Mr Machin? No fences at all? Mr Machin: Well, I've already had to drive three bulls out of my front, garden. Tf there' were no fence I should be at it all da}*. After a long discussion, in which councillors appeared to think that enforcement of the by-law would be a hardship without commensurate public benefit, the subject was closed for the night by Councillor Rankin’s notice of motion previously referred to. RICCARTON CITIZENS’ ASSOCIATION. All members are asked to attend the monthly meeting in the Town Hall supper room on Monday evening. The agenda paper is heavy, and important, as will be seen by an advertisement in this issue. THE MAYORALTY. It is understood that Councillors H. W. Wise and A. E. Stcere, both with twelve years’ sendee on the Borough Council, have been asked to stand for the mayoralty, and have declined. Rumour hath it ,too, that neither of these gentlemen intends to seek reelection to the council. Mr H. S. S. Kyle, M.P., has stated that "he will retire this year from the mayoral chair, his principal reason being that he will probably be away in Wellington for six months, and that it would be unfair to the burgesses to accept the mayoralty on those terms. At the same time, pressure is being brought to bear on him to reconsider his decision. Councillor A. H. Manhire has definitely announced his candidature. He has served on the council for quite a period, and was formerly secretary of the Citizens’ Association.

VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE?

Tp the Editor. Sir,—l notice that at Monday's meeting of the Riccarton Borough Council Councillor Rankin gave notice of motion “ to rescind a motion on the books of the council compelling a certain hedge in Deans Avenue to be cut back.” Do councillors realise that the passing of this motion will amount to a vote of no confidence in the bylaw? Next meeting will answer the question.—l am, etc., SQUARE DEAL. ,