PORT CHALMERS AFFAIRS

Evening Star, Issue 21744, 12 June 1934, Page 11

PORT CHALMERS AFFAIRS

COUNCIL MEETING The monthly meeting last night was attended by Crs G. House, G. Mirams, D. Bell, L. Smith, N. Campbell, J. Annan, F. Smith, and A. Love. Since the previous meeting Mrs H. Jenkins, Mr Robert E. Eairbairn, and Mr Richard Young had passed away. Letters of sympathy are to be forwarded to relatives of the deceased. CORRESPONDENCE. The Hospital Board asked that, pending the Minister’s approval of the board’s estimates, the council arrange to pay at the same rate as last year. This in order to enable the board to carry on its operations.—Letter received. Mr E. Fletcher Roberts reported on the proposed setting back of the footpath at the south end of George street —Cr Love did not think there was much in putting back the path 6ft.— The Mayor said the engineer submitted alternative proposals for improving the corner. To take the kerb back to the boundary would cost £92 it was possible at smaller cost to move the path about 6ft.—The report was referred to the Works Committee to report. The Mayor of Palmerston North thanked the council for supporting his proposal to improve unemployment conditions in that district, in connection therewith the Commissioner of Unemployment, Wellington, acknowledged receipt of this council’s letter, supporting the Palmerston North proposal.—The letters were received, as was also a similar letter from the Prime Minister on the same subject. Mr A. Falla, general manager, Union Steamship Company, Wellington, acknowledged receipt of the conn cil’s communication on the subject of the South island-Melbouruo passenger service. The company very highly ap predated the council’s views, as so much controversy was taking place about the steamer Maheno. The company regarded it as fortunate to have a vessel in reserve to cater for the centenary traffic, and considered the Maheno would provide a proper service.—Received.

The Commissioner of Unemployment advised that the State forest Service had again a surplus of tree stocks, which were offered to local bodies on payment of lifting, packing, and freight charges only. Orders for less than 2,000 trees would not be entertained. The trees were lor local bodies only.—The Mayor said the council bad a small supply in the nursery for replacement.—Resolved that the offer be acknowledged with thanks. The Progressive League thanked the council for the courtesy extended to the Jeaque’s requests.—Received. WORKS. The' Works Committee reported : A further 15yds of screenings wore spread on Cemetery road, Iyd on Willmott’s road, and Iyd on William street adjacent to Brown’s Corner. Screenings were also spread on the side tracks in Harrington street and Laing street. Nine yards of metal were spread in pot holes in Wickliffe terrace, Beach street, Magnetic street, Harrington street, and Bauchop road. Meta! was raked in on Macandrew road and the Highway. A fence has been erected on the new survey at Brown’s Corner, and repairs were effected to the fence on the top road adjacent to the Cairn.

The brush fence on Wickliffe terrace has been completed. Footpaths in Beach street and Slant street were patched. The top-dressing and tar spraying of George street has been completed. Repairs were effected to a culvert on Fairbairn’s road During the month one water service was repaired. Men are still engaged thinning out the plantation on the water reserves. The silt dam has been cleaned out during the month. The rainfall registered at the reservoir for May was 7.74 in, with seventeen days’ rain. For the corresponding month last year the fall was 5.47 in with twenty-one days’ rain. Men engaged under No. 5 scheme have been employed on following works:— Cleaning out water tables, thinning out larch plantations at reservoir, cleaning and tarring water main pipes, cleaning up ■at cemetery, Mussel Bay reclamation, quarrying stone and loading stone, clearing blackberry in Harbour terrace. A request has been made, to have a light placed over the posting boxes at the Post Office. The committee is of opinion that shifting the street light at present erected on a pole adjacent to the railway entrance to a new position on the corner of the Post Office building, would meet the situation and still provide a light for the street. Arrangements are being made to have the light in the rotunda kept going all night. This light at the present time is turned off at midnight, along with the street lights. Complaints have been received that cyclists are making frequent use of the footpaths and also riding at night without lights. The matter has been placed in the hands of the police for action. Cr A. Love moved the. adoption of the report, which he said was selfexplanatory. The committee was in favour of a light being put over the posting boxes at the Post Office. The" Mayor said the, light at present on the pole would be shifted to the Post Office building. It was a good suggestion to keep the rotunda light burning all night The report was adopted. GENERAL.

The General Committee reported as under The draft estimates for the current financial year _ are forwarded herewith, arid attached is a report dealing with the financial operations of the council during the past year, together with useful statistical information covering previous years. The estimates have been carefully considered by the committee, and are now forwarded for the council’s consideration. The committee has dealt with the matter of outstanding rates, and instructions have been given to the solicitor to obtain judgment at the next sitting of the Magistrate’s Court for all rates, including subsequent rates for three years back. This action is necessary in order to protect the council in the matter of ultimate recovery of the debts. The gas engineer, in _ his report for May, states, inter alia, that 27 tons 12cwt of coal were carbonised, yielding 374.000 cubic feet of gas, an average of 13,540 c.f. per ton ; The faulty back walls of the two wing retorts have been repaired, and the retorts are now in good condition. Purifiers Nos 1 and 2 were changed and refilled with fresh oxide.. Two cookers were sold and fitted up during the month. The committee has received an application to rent the shed at the end of George street. Authority has been given to reply agreeing to the request under certain conditions. The rental to he £l3 per annum. Cr L. Smith moved the adoption of the renort. The estimates would he the subject of a separate motion. The report was adopted. It was slated that the town clerk had received a small increase of salary, hut that would not prevent his case being considered with the others in respect to the restoration of cuts. The council then went into committee to consider the sanitary contract and the estimates for the year.