GREEN ISLAND COUNCIL

Evening Star, Issue 22149, 2 October 1935, Page 18

GREEN ISLAND COUNCIL

EMPLOYING SINGLE MEN COMMITTEE'S ACTION CRITICISED When it was reported to last night’s monthly meeting of the Green Island Borough Council that two single men had been employed on the laying of a water, extension to the Taieri County, some of the councillors were surprised that, following recent discussions, married men Lad not been engaged for the work. Present at the meeting were Mr T. M‘Aban (mayor) and Crs S. Orange, T. G. Tomkins, J. C. Russell, A. D. M'Gregor, W. Dickinson, and E. Hopewell. It was the Water and Lighting Committee’s report that contained the information complained of, Cr Russell saying that while he recognised -the council was doing all in its power to relievo the burden of unemployed married men, no single men should have been considered for the work under the circumstances. Cr Orange contended that the committee had acted contrary to the council’s opinion in tho matter; in fact, it should not have taken it on itself to engage the workmen. The Mayor and Crs Dickinson and Tomkins upheld the committee’s action, the report being adopted, Cr Russell recording bit vote against it. WORK AROUND BOROUGH. The Engineer reported that ip the past five weeks wages totalled £ll9 18s 7d. , „ .. The only work done on the DnnedinInvercarglll highway had been repairs to potholes and the shoulders. Specifications were in hand for repairs to the tar-sealing, and tenders . would be called in time for consideration at the next meeting of tho Works Committee. The expenditure to the end of June had been examined by the Main Highways Board and approved. The opportunity was taken to repair the worst places of the tar-sealing on the Green Island-Taieri Mouth highway, but there were still portions which would require attention in the near future. When in Wellington he had made inquiries in regard to the position of Short street, and was advised that the Highways Board would consider the matter. There were no building permits to record, but material proposed to be used for the erection of a shed in William street was inspected and tho sound timber .approved. . , The old bridge on District road had been removed and a 42in diameter reinforced culvert inserted. The bridge was in a bad state of repair, and was useless for any further work. The crossing had been metalled, and a protective wooden railing erected on the upper side. Half the cost of this work would be charged to the Taieri County Council. —General. — The cost of obtaining a title to the land at the corner of Binnie street was £25. In Torquay street sand screenings had been spread on the rotten rock filling, while in Alexander and Paterson streets potholes had been filled with metal and blinding. . ‘ ■ The' steps had been repaired and ashes spread on the track between James and Henry streets. ■ . In. Kirkland street the filling had been completed and pipes put in for the crossing, while in Queen and John streets ashes and scale had been spread on footpaths. . ■ In Neil street tho construction of the path was in hand, and gravel would be spread on the path on the opposite side during the incoming week. . ' The ash tip in John street required attention and had been attended to, the refuse being covered with clay. , Short street »and Kaikorai Valley road hadi been graded and some screenings and -metal spread on the bad portions. : Heavy, rilin'had scoured all the surfacing of. the footpath in Short street, and ashes, were spread from Kaikorai Valley road to the main highway. In‘School street metal and blinding were placed near the junction of the main highway. The culvert known as Kerr’s drain ” was cleared, and, as advised previously, the pipes were inadequate to deal. with the storm-water, being only 9in in diameter. . , v The drain at the corner of Frederick street had been enlarged, the channels .'had been swept regularly, and .all spoil and rubbish removed by the truck. ' The footpath in Thoreau street would be gravelled during the incoming week. Seven head of cattle were impounded during the month. The following works, including those already authorised and not yet carried out, are in hand:—Kerbing and channelling Kirkland street, Neil street footpath, Mulford street footpaths and channels, storm-water in Quarry road, Kaikorai Stream bridge abutment. Plans had been received showing the position of the telephone cabinet to be erected on the North Taieri road, and when the cabinet was completed the necessary approaches would he made. In reference to water, the engineer reported that all meters were examined and read on September 20. The total consumption was 4,146,000 gallons, at a cost of £196 35,. tho water received from • the City Council being 7,790,000 gallons, at a cost of £194 15s. The domestic consumption for the quarter amounted to 3,644,000 gallons, and with an .estimated population’ of 2,600 persons "the daily consumption was slightly * under 16 gallons a head. ( The material for a small service in the Taieri County had been ‘.purchased', and .was on the ground, the town clerk having been satisfied as to .its .cost. The town. 'clerk ; had made : application to the Taieri County Council for permission to lay this service on tho main highway. Owing to the large amount of work in hand, it was recommended that two extra, men be employed to assist tho staff' in carrying out 'this ■ work. .' " As regards lighting, new fittings were erected on the. pole at the foot of Earl street, timing clocks adjusted, and new globes fitted when required. —Drainage Scheme. — Fifty-two men were employed on the borough’s extensive new drainage scheme, and generally the progress of the work continued to be satisfactory. Altogether they had completed 1.94 miles and 30 manholes. The report was adopted. The engineer was instructed by the Drainage Committee to prepare a report on tenders received for the supply and delivery of pipes and expansion joints. WORKS RECOMMENDED, The Works Committee recommended —That permission be granted the Green Island Presbyterian Church Deacons’ Court to fell a hluegum free in District road. That proceedings be instituted against persons who had failed to comply with notices to clear their land of gorso. That work of clearing gorso on the property of Nelson Baird be carried out by the council. That ashes be placed on Binnie street to provide entrance for Mr J. A. Fade. That

Teignmouth' street be scarified and sand screenings placed on same at an estimated cost of £l3. That Exmouth street bo regraded between Teignmouth street and North Taieri road. Cr Dickinson complained that certain works that had already been approved had not yet received attention, but Cr Orange replied that they wore of minor importance, and could be done at any time. At present the engineer had sufficient in hand to engage the entire staff. The report was adopted. RESERVES AND CEMETERY. Recommendations from the Reserves and Cemetery Committee were:—That no action be taken in regard to a gas supply to the Miller Park pavilion. That the engineer and chairman inspect land of the Department of Agriculture adjoining Miller Park, and that the town, clerk report on the possibility of leasing same That the Green Island Cricket Club be granted the use of two wickets on Miller Park for the ensuing season at a rental of £5. That the Green Island Ladies’ Cricket Club be granted the use of one wicket on Mificr Park for the season at a rental of £2. That the Green Island Cricket Club request the Cricket Association to keep free as many Saturdays as possible when making up the draw for the season. That application from the Druids’ Lodge and Labour Party be held over until it was ascertained what dates were available. That water service at Miller Park be extended to provide facilities for watering the wicket, and that the council accept offer of the cricket club to assist in extending the water That the project of building a swimming pool at Miller Park bo deferred. The renort was adopted, together with another on the_ same-matters received from the engineer. Tho_ danse in reference to the proposed swimming pool was referred hack to the committee for consideration. CINEMA COMMITTEE. The Cinema Committee’s recommendations wore:—That the purchase of a sound head in the sum of £G for the cinema projector bo endorsed. That afternoon and evening sessions be held on Labour Day. That the sum of £2 be paid to the Green Island Band from the screening on August 24. That the resignation of Miss A. Lindsay as usher at the cinema bo accepted, and that the appointment of an usher be left to Cr Tomkins and the town clerk.—Approved. GENERAL BUSINESS. That the matter of further stopping places for buses and a bus service to Abbotsford via Neil and Paterson streets ho taken up with the tramways manager was recommended by the Finance Committee, whose suggestion was adopted. In rosnonso to a request from the Post and Telegraph Department it was decided to purchase for one month the health stamps, which are now being issued in connection with the health campaign. A letter from the Railway Department in reference to flooding on the Main South road was referred to the Works Committee.