BOROUGH COUNCILS

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21420, 12 March 1935, Page 7

BOROUGH COUNCILS

SUMNER A meeting of the Sumner Borough Council was held last evening, when there were present: The Mayor (Mr W. H. Nicholson), Crs. D. F. Oldridge, G. F. Allen, H. E. Kennett, C. Hart, J. E. Tait, H. L Wiggins, and A Hclden. The borough engineer (Mr G. E. Harper; reported that footpaths had been top-dressed and repaired in Nayland street from Clifton to the Masonic Hall; Estuary road from the corner leading from the main road to Hines' corner; a second coat on the main road from Simpson's corner to Mr Newbery's property and the east side of. Head and Augusta streets. Sand was being carted from the sandhill inside the plots between Grafton street and Morten street, and dumped in the Sumner end of the pool under the cliffs. The stone wall along the outfall drain from the cross path at the swings to the Esplanade bridge was finished, and the pillars at the entrance to the wooden bridges remained to be done. The stone wall on the north side of the path round the swings had been begun, the stone for which is being quarried at the approach to Scarborough road. The building of the Pratt street tram shelter was finished and the construction of the wall and steps was in hand. The report was received. The superintendent of the Fire Brigade (Mr G. E. Harper) submitted a report on grass fires which broke out oa Scarborough last month on property leased by Mr A. Forbes. The town clerk was authorised to consult the borough solicitor with a view to taking action in the interests of public safety. A letter was received from the St. John's Ambulance thanking the council for its donation of £5 ss. A letter from the Christehureh Ci!y Council was received asking for the council's support in a protest against State exemption from local body rates. It was generally agreed that while the council was sympathetic with the request, this point had been well'discussed in the House and there was nothing to be gained by pursuing it further. The letter was received. NEW BRIGHTON The New Brighton Borough Council met last evening. The Mayor, Mr E. A. M. Leaver, presided, and there were also present: Crs. R. E. Holloway. W. Htilme, T. E. Thomson, J. K. WorraJl, W. L. A. Taylor, J. S. Ainsworth, J. Orsborn, A. E. Lawry, and W. E. Wilkins. Permission was given to P. J. Govinski to erect a lent on a property in Beresford street, with the provision that the council might cancel the permit at its discretion. The Mayor and Cr. Hulme were appointed the council's representatives at a conference of local bodies and private landowners, which will be held on March 15, to discuss the prevention of the recurrence of fires in the Burwood district.

Requests were received from the South Brighton Progress League: (a) That the decking of the lower portion of the South Brighton bridge be removed and a wider road formed at that point; (b) that persons be prohibited from climbing on to the band rotunda at Pleasant Point. The first matter was referred to Cr. Wilkins, chairman of the works committee, for a report, and the second to the chairman of the reserves committee, Cr. Lawry, with power to act. The standing committee reported that it had decided to endorse the protest

of the City Council against the passing of the legislation proposed in the Mortgage Corporation Bill, which would cause serious loss of rates to local bodies. Dr. W. plasgow, chairman of the library committee, and Mr J. K. L. Scott, secretary, waited on the council asking for financial support in extending the library. Dr. Glasgow said that the membership of the library had increased considerably during the last year, and the committee had been able to buy books of a better class. It was hoped to build up a strong section for books on travel and instructive literature, for which there was a big demand. Scott said that the small room, occupied by the circulating department of the library was not large enough for the extension of shelving required, and it was apparent that the circulating section would have to be moved into the reading room. If the committee used its revenue to extend the shelving there would not be sufficient funds for the buying of new book - The committee therefore asked the council to contribute £IOO over the next two years. The deputation was assured that its request would, receive favourable consideration. The council later agreed to ask the overseer lo report on the cost of making the change suggested. A special meeting was held earlier in the evening for the certification of the district electors' list. The roll contained 3969 names.