Levin Borough Council

Levin Daily Chronicle, 20 February 1917, Page 3

Levin Borough Council

#— — .FORTNIGHTLY MEETING Levin Borough Council met last night, the mayor (Mr C. Blenkhom) presiding. There also were present: Councillors H. B. France, A. Dempsey, John Robertson, Sidney Jones, J. Harvey, E. M. Herrick and Marco Fosella.

Andersons, Limited, of Christchurch, submitted a price for a ten-ton road roller, to be landed in .New Zealand in a few months' time. The actual weight of the roller is llton 17cwt. 2qrs; it is of Aveling and Porter's manufacture ("Invieta") and the present price is £972, inclusive of equipments. The letter stated that many cheaper rollers were on the market, but none as good.

It was resolved that the letter he filed with others for future reference.

ELECTRIC POWDHR SUPPLY. Wanganui Chamber of Commerce wrote the council in reference to the need for enlisting the co-operation of local bodies to induce the Government to establish a liydro-electric scheme for this fcoast, and inviting the Levii'n Borough Council to be represented at a conference of local bodies to be held in Wanganui • next month.

The mayor suggested that the chamber be informed that the council intended to be represented at the Palmerston North conference to be held next month.

Councillor Robertson thought it would be well to wait until the Palmerston North conference !had been held; possibly that conference would appoint a delegate to attend the Wan. ganui conference.

It was resolved that the town clerk acknowledge receipt of the letter, and intimate that Levin council would keep the matter in view. MOTOR. OARS AND ROAD MAINTENANCE. Mackenzie County Council wrote asking Levin Borough Council to ap prove the county council's resolution "That the Government be asked to impose a Customs Duty of not less tnan 10 per cent ad valorem on "motor tyres, the money so collected to be re funded to local bodies for the upkeep of rolads, on the basis of capital value, or in such manner as the Government may deem equitable." The council "asked that if Levin approved the pro posal it communicate with the rtv.-ni-hoi for the electorate.

Apropos to the discussion, Cnun'ulor France complained that motor uars on some nights were seen in Levin bet ring only one light. This was a dinger, people sometimes mistook them fr- motor cycles, when driving. The police should be informed. As ti die proposal for a tyre tax, he was m favour of it.

The mayor and Councillor Herrick supported 1 the proposal. Councillor Herrick said that the farmer was being taxed so heavily that it was necessary to put some tax on motor cars in fairness.

Councillor Robertson disagreed with the proposal. In a few years' > time the motor would be the normal form of locomotion. This district had a

special grievance because it had a long stretch of arterial road to be maintained ; but • a tax to be effective would need to be more than a tyre tax. This was an old proposal in America, but it had been dropped altogether in later years. The Government should move in the matter of road maintenance. Motor traffic was becoming of great benefit to the whole dominion, and nothing should be put in the way taf its development.

The town clerk asked permission of I the mayor to say that at the Municipal Conference there was a general consensus of opinion that motor cars should be made to pay. The mayor: Is there not a tax at Home on carsP Councillor Robertson: No sir, The mayor: A license, then? Councillor Robertson: Yes, sir; (but that's by way of a check. The mayor: I think there is something by way of a tax. Councillor Robertson: There is a petrol tax, but not a motor tax, T think. The mayor said that when motor cars came to be used by everyone, doubtless the special tax would fall into disuse, just as toll-gates had done. Councillor Robertson said .that the real remedy would be for the Government to undertake maintenance of arterial roads. Councillor France moved that the Mackenzie county council's proposal he supported by Levin Borough Council. He combatted the contention that motor cars now were owned by most people.

Councillor Herriok supported the proposal. Councillor 3>empsey supported the proposal; he thought motors fchouttd be made to pay for the use of roads. The proposal was carried on the voices. BOYS' TRAINING FARM. A letter was read from Major Burlinson, manager of the Boys' Training Farm, Weraroa, regarding charges for water supplied from the council's mains. The council's waterworks committee recommended in 1915 "That water bo supplied to the Boys' Training Farm, Weraroa, from December 21st, 1915, till further notice, on the following terms. For the first three million gallons or less used per annum the price to be sixpence per thousand gallons; anyi excess taken beyond three million gallons the pricc to be fivepence

per thousand gallons; this reduction to apply only on the excess taken above three million gallons per annum. Should the consumption in any one year exceed five million gallons, the council will consider a further reduction." The manager's letter showed that tile farm during 1916 used 3,272,000 gallons of water and the council was asked to consider the matter of reducing the charge, as promised in the resolution of the council quoted above.

The committee resolved 1 that a reduction of one penny per thousand gallons bo granted. WILLIAM COWAN AND CO., LTD. A cheery business letter from William Cowand Co., Ltd., was read. It dealt with gasworks matters, and spoke hopefully of the Empire's present outlook in the great war. A hearty invitation was extended to any Levin soldier who may come to London to call in on the firm'. The mayor commented that it was a treat to receive so bright and cheery a letter with business only ia part of | its intention. I KAWIU ROAD SUBWAY. | The advisableness of resuming the I endeavor to get the Railway Department to bear part cost of instituting I J a' subway under Ivawiu road was discussed by the council.

Councillor France suggested that" Levin Borough Council agree to pay one-third of the cost if the Government would pay one-third and the Horowhenua County Council one-third. Personally he thought the subway so necessary that he would agree to the two councils bearing the whole cost in

equal proportions. The Mayor agreed that the endeavor should be kept alive. There was a new Government in office now, and a different answer from that given some yean? ago might he given now. He moved "That the question of a. subway nt Kawiu road be re-opened, that Horoivhenua. County Council be asked to co-operate, and that for that purpose a deputation from this council wait pon iHbrowhenna- County Council at its next meeting." This, was carried on the voices. 'LEVIN KALEYARDS. Councillor Posella complained that the saleyards still were unattended to. The borough foreman reported that the company's representative would be approached (when he was in Levin today) by the local representatives Tn answer to the mayor, the foreman said that £112 9s was spent on one company's yards last year. The understanding was that the whole work of asphalting the yards would ho completed in three years.

IN COMMiITTEE. Various recommendations by the District Health Officer were received, and considered in committee. The Town Clerk Was instructed to fconvey to the property owners concerned the purport of the recommendations and the council's decisions on the recommendations, with an intimation that they must be attended to. A FIRE RISK. Councillor Herrick spoke of the need for removing the long dry grass from the back of the buildings between Queen-street and Bath-street. It was a source of danger, through the risk of sparks from passing engines.. If a right-of-way could be got along the back or ia few feet of gravel tarred right against the buildings, the risk could be minimised.

Councillor France supported the proposal for a right-of-way. It would have been done five or six yearn ago. but for the failure of one or two pro-perty-owners to sanction the scheme. He thought it mighf Ibe possible to do it under the Public "Works Act, and the owners made to boar the cost.

The mayor said that the provisions of the by-laws of the borough might meet the ease, next year, of removing; the grass.

The borough foreman was instructed to prepare an estimate of the cost of asphalting.