PORT CHALMERS AFFAIRS

Evening Star, Issue 23375, 19 September 1939, Page 2

PORT CHALMERS AFFAIRS

COUNCIL MEETING The monthly meeting of the council last night was attended by the Mayor (Mr T. Scollay), Crs Cook, Jack, Knewstubb, Leftwich, Macdonald, Mead, Sansom, Williamson, Thorn, and Sutherland. CORRESPONDENCE. The Acting Prime Minister expressed grateful thanks for the council’s assurance of support and co-operation in war time.—Received. The West Harbour Council requested payment of £l6 11s lid as share of maintenance of West Harbour highway for the past quarter. Account to be paid, ENGINEER’S REPORT. Tho engineer (Mr P. J. Williams) reported : Duncdin-Port Chalmers Highway.— Water tables have been cleaned out, and the shoulders maintained on this highway, and in addition the necessary repairs to the tar-sealed portion have been carried out. The snow experienced last month caused a considerable amount of damage thereto. Port Chalmers-Araraoaua.—The tarsealed portion of this highway has been repaired, and it is now in fair order. Foul Sewers.—Plans of the common private drain in Meridian street have not yet been submitted for approval. A subsidence in the' path above the sewer in Mr Morgan’s property has been filled up, and the blockage in the Currie street sewer has been removed. The extension of the drain in Harbour Terrace has been completed, and is now ready for use. The planting of trees on the reserves is being undertaken, approximately 600 trees for wind breaks having been planted at the reservoir and 200 at Rangi Park and the cemetery (pinus insignus). Native shrubs have been planted at Rangi Park, while a number of, oaks and native plants has been put into the nursery at Sawyer’s Bay for future transplanting. Part of the boundary fence between the reservoir reserve and Thompson’s farm was broken down during the snow, ahd as cattle were breaking into the plantations the fence was repaired. Another portion of this fence is being strengthened. The usual attention has been given to tho reservoir intakes, and the settling dam has been cleaned out regularly. The noxious weeds (blackberry and broom) on the roadside from the bridge to the gate have ben cut. Some waste timber has been cut into lengths for heating tar in the sprayer in readiness for the season. The rainfall registered at the reservoir for the month of August was 4.84 in and rain fell on 22 days. The reservoir is full. v The water race on Cedar Farm has been filled in and tho area cleaned up. The Currie Street Hall has been demolished and the material has been carried to the* gasworks and borough yard as required. The footpath in Harrington street has been repaired and some attention has been given to the connection of Bernioia street and the main highway. STANDING COMMITTEE. The Standing Committee reported:— Gas Department.—The gas manager.

in his report for August, states that 25 tons of coal were carbonised during the month, yielding 338,600 cubic feet of gas, an average pf I3,s4o { cubic feet per ton. No trouble has been experienced with the manufacturing plant during the month. A corrugated iron fence has been erected on the gasworks yard boundary, adjacent'to the Mussel Bay railway line. The erection of the fence has resulted in considerable improvement in the appearance of the vicinity, and with its completion the gasworks property is now completely fenced off. The floor of the 'purifier shed has been raised in order to permit of easier tipping of oxide into the purifiers. Cemetery Road.—The committee ha* recently given attention to the question of making Cemetery road a one-way traffic road only. A sub-committee of the council was set up to make an_ inspection of the road and go fully into the question of the desirability of having it declared a one-way traffic street. The committee has considered the report of the suh-committee, and now makes a recommendation to the council that Cemtery road be declared a oneway traffic street for up traffic only, anc# that the speed of motor vehicles, h» limited to 20 miles per hour. Return traffic could proceed via Slant street. The committee desires to point out that! Cemtery road is very narrow, and in. places there is barely room for two cars to pass. This fact and also the steep grade of the street in question-is'the chief reason for the recommendation set out herein.

Band Rotunda.—Recently the coun« cil set up a small committee to make an examination of the band rotunda and report to the council on the desirability of reconditioning the structure or removing it altogether. After giving the matter full consideration, the committee makes a recommendation to the council thot the best interests of all can be served by removing the rotunda. In its present position in King Edward Square it is becoming an increasing source of danger to. nfotorists and pedestrians. To recondition it would cost a considerable amount, and ■ the committee is of the opinion that such expenditure is not justified while : the rotunda remains in its present position. It is proposed that every care shall be taken in the demolition, and all. the principal portions will be saved intact,; and stored so that on any future occasion should it be decided to re-erect it in a new position, the greater part of the material taken out may be used again. The memorial tablets will be careully preserved until such time as » suitable place has been found for them. Water Main, Mary street.—Complaints have recently been received regarding .water seepage on to properties situated in Mary street. It will be remembered that a few months ago a new water main was laid in this street. Th« new main is charged with water, but owing to expense involved all the house connections were not transferred to the new main right away. It may be found that the source of the present complaint is in the oldl water main in this street. If an inspection proves this to he the case it may be necessary to cut the old main out altogether and connect the house services on to the new main. Some expense will be involved in this work, as the change will mean new service pipes to each property. As the old main is Bft under ground the existing house service connections, cannot he made to the new main.

Railway Crossing, Mussel Bay.—A' number of complaints have been received regarding the rough nature of the railway crossing at Mussel Bay, Motorists are the chief complainants, and state that in negotiating the crossing vehicles are subjected to severe bumping. The committee has communicated with the Railway Department, drawing attention te the matter, ami asking that the improvements be effected te the crossing. The report was adopted, „