COUNCIL NOTES.

Hutt News, Volume 2, Issue 13, 22 August 1929, Page 9

COUNCIL NOTES.

The very pleasing transformation to the Borough Council Chambers was the subject of much favourable comment at tho -ast meeting of the Council. The room has been completely renovated, re-papered etc., and two large opaque; electric lamps of artistic design take the place of the obsolete gas-lighting system. The unsightly wires stretched across the ceiling and which were supposed to be necessary for. acoustic purposes have been removed without any apparent inconvenience to tie spakers in the chamber. The two antiquatd gas radiators however, still remain and present the only unsightly blot on. the beautiful chamber of deliberations. The loss of the heat from the gas illuminations was fully apparent when councillors were obliged to don their overcoats in the middle of the proceedings. library. The Library Committee reported that matters affecting the Library had been considerable thought by the committee and as a result thereof it is suggested that the words "Public Library" be placed on the glass atbove the bottom door and also on the lower portion of each of the upstair windows in the Library itself. A re-arrangement of the hours has also been suggested and an endeavour is being made to open the Library at noon and keep same open continuously until 9 p.m. The committee also recommended that an addtiional allowance of £50 be made for the purchase of books in an endeavour to bring the literature on the shelves more up to date, and it is further suggested that another attempt be made to interest house-holders in *he Library by means of a householders' circular. -. . . ' ' „ Cr. Patrick, chairman of the Library Committee/ said that his committee was very anxious to make the Public LibTary more popular. .He realised that it could not be run at a profit, but it was a necessity and he regretted it did not receive more support from t«he public. He thought that the new arrangement of opening continuously - until 9 p.ni would be found to b© a convenience to people coming home from work. ENGINEER'S REPORT. The Engineer reported:— The water-tables on Normandale Hill and Western Hutt road have been cleaned and all over-hanging growths cut back. Tire zig-zag track up Norna'andale has also been attended to and the cleaning of tho taibles up Price's Road is now in hand. Bitumen Sealed Street.—All faults on the bitumen sealed streets have been repaired. Considering the amount of wet weather there has been, very, few faults have developed on these streets this, winter. Footpaths—The remaining portions of footpaths leading to the new bridge have been formed, covered with small chips and sand and then well rolled. This makes a very fair walking surface for the time being. • Gracefield Road. —This road at the present time is carrying a,n excessive amount of very heavy lorry traffic, all material to and from Wellington Pipe Company's concrete pipe works being carted along it. As a portion of ?Ms road is built on a swamp with, only a thin, coating of metal, the result has that deep ruts have been formed, making t»he road almost impassible. A coat of hard metal 6in. thick has been spread over the worst portions and well .rolled. To keep this Toad in repair

it will need constant attention owing t othe heavy loads it now has to cany. Cr. Mcßain warned the Council that the 'road was a difficult one and said that until it was grappled with they were' bound to have continuous complaints. Rossiter Avenue —Bossiter Avenue south side has been re-graded, gravelled, rolled and generally straightened up. - Temporary Footpath, back Waiwetu,: This temporary access from Waterloo road northwards along eastern side of Back Waiwetu Road is now- complete, 200 ft being done during the nionthj Sewerage. Kandwick Road. —For' approximately one week during-the past motfth I 'lave had to have resource to pumpink on three shifts peT day with all pumps including the benzine auxiliary engine. A crack of considerable size has become apparent in the top of the septic tank, due to the earthquake. '. Alicetown Septic Tank. —It fcas been necessary to run the gas engine pump for a few days in order to cope with the additional flow due to the bad weather. All machinery is in first class orderand running well. Lifting Stations —All working satisfactorily. ; Building Beport. One hundred and twenty-six inspections of works in progress have been made and 46 house drainage systems have been tested. 17 sewer connections were inspected and approved. Building permits issued during the month are as follows: —Dwellings in wood, 36, valued £33,145; dwellings in concrete or brick 8, £8,078; garages 8, £508; Shops 4, £4,150; Alterations anl additions 11, £2,360; S&eds and outbuildings 8, £169; other buildings 1, £1,750. Total number of buildings - 76; total value, £50,160.