MUNICIPAL MATTERS STREET IMPROVEMENT URGED LOCAL AND GENERAL

Chronicle (Levin), 12 April 1946, Page 2

MUNICIPAL MATTERS

STREET IMPROVEMENT URGED

LOCAL AND GENERAL

BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETS The monthly meeting of the Otaki Borough Council was neld on Wednesday evening, His Worship the Mayor (Mr. C. F. Atmore) presidmg. There were also present Crs. Young, Hakaraia, Bartosh, Bennett and Cook. Leave of absence was granted Cr. Gimblett. Re-erection of Shop The Buiioing Concroiier advised that he was not in a positibn to give permission for the erection of Mr. McBeth's butcner's shop. It was suggested by Councillors that the hearcn officer oe communieated with and that the matter be pointed out as one of urgency. It was decided to write to the DirectorGeneral of Health, Wellington, askmg that an inspection be made, wich a view to havm'g the ounaing proceeded with, and that a CQpy of che letter be sent to the Building Controlier. Sunday Travel The SupermceiidenL of Road Services wrote in reply to the council's cepresentations intimating that a ous service from Wellington to Otaki on Sundays had been reviewed, but xt was considered. that the traffic offering would not warrant such a service. During the time that Wellington Hospital patients had been located at the Otaki Health Camp chere had been 110 laciiiwes x people to visit their relatives, and it aad been necessary to provide bus ^ransport and special rail fares. A fare of 5s return had been charged as there were no trains on accouno of the coal shortage. With the transfer of patients to Silverstream uie dus services had been cancelled. It was regretted that the council's request could not be granted. It was decided ta.thank Mr. L. G. Lowry, M.P., 'for his interest and .upport in the representations for a service, as a result of which a Sunday train had now commenced running between .Wellington and Palmerston North.

Otaki Beach R^serve A letter from the ofRce of the Minister of Lands in regard to a recreation and camping reserve at Otaki Beach, said that it had been proposed that a portion of a reserve for recreation and camping pur- ■ poses should -be sold, and the p'rol ceeds used ' for the purpose ' of financing. the development of the remaind'er of the reserve. The matter had now been looked into, and ' provided Parliamentary approval was given during the next session they would be prepared to issue an Order-in-Council, can- •- celling the reservation over the area to be sold and directing that the proceeds were to be applied by the council to tfie development and improvement of the balance of the reserve. It would be necessary for the proposal to be notified and a "notice of intention" to be laid before both Houses of Parliament. The department would communicate with the council in regard to the preliminary steps that would require to be taken. It was suggested that Mr. Foster be asked to supply a provisional plan. Use of Army Huts It was pomoed oue Lnat several Army huts had been brought into Otaki, and that many were being used for sleeping accohimodation, a matter which they were not intend- ; ed for. It was recognised that it was difflcult to prevent this, it being pointed out that dwellings were very hard to get. It was decided to grant permission to a resident to bring two Army huts to Otaki, provided they were placed on the one section. It • was also stated that they were now alrnost unprocurable. Miscellaneous Matters In connection witn the water rights of Mr. N. Larsen, Tasman Road, it was pointed out that he was using a considerable supply of water. Therefore, the council decided it was not in a position to make a variation of the extraordinary water rate. Relative ' to the widening of Arthur Street, it was stated that the road had been pegged off, but that other work required to be done. Mr. Wilson (town clerk) , in reporting on the rest resort, stated that it had been decided to replace iron in the fence where broken, to have the fence painted, the pavilion painted inside and out and the gate and fLag-pole painted. The windows would be netted, while it was suggested that the building be locked at night. It was agreed that the work be carried out as suggested. It was decided that Anzac Day celebrations be left in the nands of the Otaki R.S.A. On the suggestion of Cr. Bartosh, it was -decided to have a light installed-at Dunstan Street corner. The town clerk stated, while dealing with the financial statement, that dog collars had increased considerably in price, and that the quality was not up to previous years. Mr. Wilson also reported that more rates had been received, It was decided that the school children be thanked for their help in connection with the recent picture benefit for theatre funds. Mr. K. S. Ames wrote stating that in connection with the extraordinary water supply he was in no way .connected with market gardening, and that apart-from household use he only drew 12 gallons of water daily for use in fowl houses. He, therefore, considereh that " »o

DEPUTATION TO COUNCIL Urging improvements in Beli and Kirk Streets, a deputation consisting of Mesdames Taylor and Wood and Mr. George Carter waited on the Otaki Borough Council at its monthly meeting tnis week. It was represented that the streets w.ere how in a deplorabie condition and dangerous. Pedestrians, including little children, were forced on to the road owing to the bad state of the footpath, and this was positiveiy dangerous on account of the many cars which passed up and down tne streets. Cars traveiied quickly and'protection was needed, especially for little children, who were irresponsible for their movements. It was considered by Mr. Carter that the grader could oe used with advantage, while he pointed out that a tally during part of one day ^nowed tnat no less than 82 motOr vehicles and 63 cyclists had passed over the road, whne on another day the number was much greater. Mesdames Taylor and Wood gave support to the remarks, emphasising the danger to pedestrians. The streets were said to be worse than they were several years ago. The Mayor (Mr. C. F. Atmore) said that if part of the paths were tarred it would be of benefit, and this was agreed to. Mr. Caruer aavised that residenfe generaily would assist in looking after the paths once they were in order. The Mayor assured the deputation that the matter had been previously considered favourably, but that it was on account of the shortage of staff and more necessary work that the matter had been left. He assured the deputation that it would be given early consideration The workp committee was empowered to see that the work was carried out with as little delay as possible.

charge should be made -on him. It was decided to leave' the matter in abeyance pending a perusal of the by-4aws. A letter from Messrs. J. A. and A. G. Banks thanked the council for the hire of the grader. It had greatly helped towards the completion of the Marshall sub-division at Otaki Beach. — Received. Mr. McMillan wrote stating that Mrs. McMillan would not be running the camp this year. — Referred to Crs. Cook and Bartosh to arrange for a suitable person. An application from Mr. D'Ath for a water supply was granted. It was stated that sufhcient attention had not been given to drainage at the theatre, and it was agreed that the matter be attended to. The Department of Internal Affairs wrote relative to the soldiers' cemetery at Otaki. The annual payment of the sum of £39 would oe as from April 1, and it would be made to the secretary of the Otaki R.S.A. Thanks were extended to the council for its help in maintaining the cemetery. — Received. Writing from Sussex, England, Miss Stubbs said she was desirous of taking up residence in New Zealand and sought the assistance of the council. — Agreed to help whenevei possible, while a suggestion was made that the letter be handed to the W.D.F.U. A letter from the Minister of Lands, sent to Mr. L. G. Lowry, M.P., who forwarded it to the council, was one concerning the motor camp area. It was stated that. a preliminary report had been obtained by the department, but it was considered desirable that a personal inspection should be made by the assistant Surveyor-General. The inspection had now been carried out, and the department hoped to be in a position to give the council some* further advice within a sno'rt time. Accounts totalling £43 8s lOd were passed for payment. Health Officer's Report Health Inspector Guinan reported that all building jobs under way in the borough had been inspected from time to time. Eight new septic tank systems had been inspected and approved. The five hotels had been inspected, and an inspection had also been made at the health camp, beach pavilion and sanatorium. — Reeived. r Overseer's Report The acting foreman (Mr. B. R. Bell) reported that the following loads of metal had been carted: — Domain Road 4, Rangiuru Road 7, Hadfield Street i , Iti Street 2, Matene Street 2 and Borough Yarcl 6. The following roads have been graded : — Dunstan Street, Bell Street, Kirk Street, -Domain Road, Rangiuru Road, Iti Street, Marine Parade and Moana Street. Grass on unsealed footpaths had been kept cut and water channels' had been kept clear. Three crossings had been fitted for Mrs. Richards, Riverbank Road, Mr. P. Baker, and the post office. Dealing with the waterworks, Mr. Bell reported that no trouble had been experienced with the mains or groyne. Tanks and filter tanks had been cleaned and mains flushed The rest resort and library secti' n lawns and gardens had been attended to as much as possible during the month. The grass at the Otaki Domain had been kept cut, and the holes in the floor of. the grandstand Uad beep repairea. ........

Personal Mrs. E. Wilton is at present a patient at the Palrherston North Hospital. Mr. Trower, who has proved a very popular and efficient stationmaster, leaves on. Tuesday to take qp residence at Wanganui. Mr. Trower, who has, . unfortunate'iy, been in indifferent health, has decided to retire. Flight-^Lieut. Smith,' son of Mr. and Mrs. L. Smith, oi Te Horo, who was injured in a 'plane crash m lxaly, and who received concussion and lacerations, is reported to be making good progress. At present ne is in nospital m Italy. The Meteor Plane it was stated at last night's meeting of the Otaki Borough Council that the Meteor 'plane would pass over Otaki on Saturday afternoon at about 1.54 o'clock, and would be three minutes over the town before proceeding to Paraparaumu. It would be on view in tnis piace from 3 p.m. to 3.30 p.m. It y/as also stated that while passing over Otaki the aircraft would fly reasonably low, therefore allowing residents to get a good view of it.