KERBSIDE PUMPS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5101, 16 March 1927, Page 3

KERBSIDE PUMPS.

T. DEPARTMENT’S OBJECTION. FUTURE DEVELOPMENT QUESTION The risk of granting permission indiscriminately for the installation of kerbside pumps brought under thje notice of the Paeroa Borough Council fit its meeting on Thursday night Jast by the following communication- 'from the district telegraph z W “I am directed by my head office to communicate your council regarding the action recently taken by a local authority in granting permisPrivate firms to instal petrol tauijs.tfnder footpaths. “Under sections 126 and 127 of the Post, and Telegraph Act, relating to the construction of telephone lines., '•’■■'The of Public Works is empowered to construct, place, and maintain (.electric lines of communication in, on, or across, or under any road, Streetfc.,or other highway ; and- jbr. any ef such purpose's may open •ei* -break up any rbad or alter the position o'f any pipe (not being a mail?) ’for the supply of water or gas. The ■separtm£ni,<has therefore, statutqfry authority. to make use of roads and footpaths for the purpose of laying underground cables. “Recently, however 1 , as indicated above, the 'freedom of .this department, and incidentally of power authorities, to make full use of footpaths JdV the laying of underground cables has' to soine extent been menaced .by the action of a local body granting permission to private inditiduals (motor garage proprietors and Others) -to' instal underground in the footways of its principal streets petrol accommodating supplies pehrCil- and delivered through the medium .of kerbside pumps. the right of local authorities to grant such permits,' it is desired to point out to your council the inadvisability of adopting such a both 'from t|he point mf view of this department and your own townspeople. “You are well aware, no doubt, that the establishment of a telephone exchange system necessitates the erection of a pair of wires to each subscriber’s premises, and that, as the system extends the pole lines become freaviiy loaded and unsightly, and ultimately the overhead system beincapable of fulfilling the requirements ef the latest and most up-to-date methods of rendering tele-, phone service. It* therefore, becomes necessary both for aesthetic and economic -reasons to iristai underground systems, which in these days of permanent road surfaces must almost of •necessity be laid, under Tootpaths. For practically the same reasons electric power wires are eventually laid under footpaths, and when both systems are reticulated underground the whole width of the footway becomes necessary. “As the introduction or extension (Ji modern telephone facilities by way of underground cables and consequent elimination of heavily loaded poles U dependent, to a very large extent on proposed routes being free of obyou will readily perceive jthat’it is not in the interests either of year own locality or of this department that private persons should be given the right to instal under footpaths petrol tanks which will seriously' impede or render impracticable the .installation of modern .‘facilities in rfespect of such important public utilities as the'telephone and electric supply services. “J should, therefore, be glad if your council would co-operate with tjhis department in the direction indicated and give to its officers an opportunity of first deciding upon its ultimate requirements before any private person or firth is granted permission to encroach on the public streets for the purpose of laying underground petrol tanks- or, similar Obstructions.” —The. Mayor (Mr W. Marshall) suggesfedj that the department be ad•vise.il■ thht ’the council had already two permits, to remain in force during the-pteasure of.the council..'He thought the council was desirous’of. conferring with the department, and to''express a willing•hess at all times to cooperate to the ntnjost extent. The Mayor moved that, a reply on the lines indicated be ■forwarded to the department. * Cr.' E.‘. Edwards . said he thought that 'petrol tanks should be confined "to ope side o'f the principal streets only. ' ' . ’ dr. F. E. Flatt agreed, and said ’thafethe department could not reasonably; claim the right t« use both sides of a Street.., The Mayor pointed out that his re>Wi6iutibn would' not confer any right, but it was desirable to co-operate ' with the department whenever pos- • sible. Cr. E. A. Porritt thought that before granting any further permits the applications should be referred to the department. Cr. J. W. Silcock said that it was quite fitting for the council to support the department, but he did not think the department should be granted the sole right to the streets. Cr. G. P. <le Castro said it was a great‘pity that the council had not had the information prior to granting the two licenses. It appeared to him on the face of it that the two kerbside pumps were now in the way. After further discussion .the resolution moved by the Mayor was carried.