MUNICIPAL MATTERS

Chronicle (Levin), 23 July 1946, Page 4

MUNICIPAL MATTERS

Borough Council Meets The monthly • meeting of the LevTn Borough Council was held ' last evening, over which the Mayoir (Mr. H. B. Burdekin) presidedL There were present: Crs. H. E. Bowen, A. O. Fowell, V. E. Hudson, C. H. Cockrell, W. Telford, C. Sherwood, D. Gardiner, F. D. Chainey and F. E. Parker. Also Messrs. H. L. Jenkins (town clerk), R. L. Mcllraith (assistant) and K. W. Sandford (eiigineer). Levin Park Domain A letter was read from me Levin •' Lawn Tennis Club asking if.. tl^e inner portion of the hedge behind, the clubhouse could be removed as it was overgrowing the building. The matter was referred to Crs. Parker and Telford, with power to act. ^ . It was decided that a section of the trees on the southern boundary of the domain be sawn off, ahd that shrubs be planted there, with a brush fence as a temporary shelter. The selection of the shrubs was left to Crs. Parker, Gardiner and Telford, with the engineer. Street Lighting Charges In connection with street lighting charges, the Horowhenua Electric Power Board advised that as from April 1 last the nett cost per 100 watt lamp had been reduced to £3 per annum, and that during the. period of power rationing a further reduction of ls per lamp per quarter would be made on the series street lighting and 5s per lamp on the mercury vapour lights. This was received with satisfaction by the council. Hospital Taxation The Palmerston North Hospital Board forwarded for information a copy of a letter issued by the Waikato Hospital Board, Hamilton, stating that its estimates for the 1946-47 year showed an increase of 87.4 in the capital and maintenance levy, as compared with the previous year, and an increase of 73.1 per cent. in the levy on contribufcing local authorities. The Waikato Board objected to the present system of rating, and agreed ■ that the question of relief be pursued. It had a duty to provide. hospital facilitios and there was no option but to adopt its estimates. The Municipal Association 'forwarded a memorandum on the result of the joint deputation from the Municipal and Counties' Associations which waited on the Prime Minister and other members of 'Cabinet in regard to hospital taxation. It was left to the Mayor and Cr. Parker to frame a remit for the next Municipal Conference. His Worship commented that there was -unrest from one end of the Dominion to the other about the matter. Tree Planting In Streets On the recommendation of the works committee, the council gave general approval to residents planting trees on streets, the details being left for determination by the works committee cnairman and the engineer to obviate each individual request having to come before the council. Plunket Rooms The works committee reported having considered a letter frorn the Levin Plunket Society, asking what was intended to be done with the yard at the rear of the rest room. The report went on to state that it had been decided to kill the weeds ili the yard and construct a sand pit along the southern fence, the engineer having advised that the yard was too damp for asphalt. It had further been decided to inform the society that in the meantime the council was considering a more suitable location for the Plunket roomsr- • /.; • " ' « • . " - " - The council'' approVed 'the ' rqport of the cohimittee,. L-j } \ ^ : • .i . 4- i... .gr: ; MiscellanebussMatt^fS fy' The Horowhenua Boys' and Girls' Agricultural Club sought the couneil's assistance by way of a a donation. — A grant of £2 2s was made and Cr. Hudson was appointed as the couneil's delegate. The Levin Amateur Boxing Club made application for the use of the Regent Hall on Monday evenings of each week until the end of September, and asked the council to appoint a member or members to meet the club's exeeutive' to discuss the storage of its equipment. — Referred to the works committee, with power to act. A letter was read from the Department of Internal Affairs, intimating that Messrs. P. E. Wingfield and W. R. Birnie had beeri appointed members of the Assessment Court under the Urban Farm Land Rating Act, 1932. With reference to the application of Mr. W. T. Wilson for a foot access to his property in Bartholomew Road, the works committee recommended that a two-foot metal access be provided, and that .i if a pipe culvert was also required it be paid for by the applicant. — * Agreed to. Permission to hold a street day on a date to be arranged eariy m October was sought by the Levin Municipal Band. The letter stated that the object of the appeal was to raise finance for the purchase of additional equipment. — Granted. Car Parking In Town Cr. Telford referred to traffic congestion which was. t-aking place in the business area of the town, particularly on Tuesdays and Fridays, and suggested that a committee be set up to go into the problem of car parking in the town area. The council agreed this was necessary and the matter was referred to the works commifctee with Cr. Parker. *