Levin Borough Council

Levin Daily Chronicle, 6 March 1917, Page 3

Levin Borough Council

j FORTNIGHTLY" MEETING.

Mr C. Blenkhorn (mayor) presided at last night's meeting of the Levin Borough Council. There also were present Councillors M. Fosella, J. Harvey, S. Jones, J. Robertson, A. Dempsey and 'H. ID. France. LEVIN PUBLIC GARDENS. The need for laying out and planting the extra ground acquired for the Levin public gardens (in Bathscreet) was discussed. The town clerk reported that Messrs Black, Tomlinson, Newport and Walker had been asked to favor the council with designs, etc., and it was resolved that if any other experts cared to give the council reports the council would be glad to receive such reports. Councillor Harvey thought it possible that the Town Planning Society would be able to help the council. The" mayor said lie was sure the council would be glad to give consideration to any suggestions that were made.

GAS FOR BOWLERS. A recommendation was made by the gasworks committee to the council that "consideration be given to concession" in the price of work done for the forthcoming bowling tournament at Levin. Councillor Dempsey said he was agreeable to helping all patriotic movements but " he did not quite like the

way that concessions were given." He thought that the full price should be charged for gas supplied to the bowling club (o.r to any other body for/ that matter and any concession by the council should go as a direct subscription from the council. Councillor Robertson said he thought that wherever any concessions was made by the council there should be a balance-sheet submitted to the council. The action of the gas committtee in having authorized certain work to bo done in connection with the supply of gas to the 'Levin Bowing Club green, for the tournament, was approved. The matter of charges for supply of gas will be brought up at a future meeting. WATER WHEELS. Application for permission to instal a water wheel to be used for one hour daily, was made by Mr H. J. Hughes, baker. A similar application was made by Mr A. L. Williams, baker. The Mayor moved that permission to instal the wheels be given at a cost of £6 per annum in each instance. Councillor Dempsey seconded the motion which was carried. REPORT OF STREETS COMMITTEE The committee recommended that the crushing of metal for the streets stated below be proceeded with at once:— chains yds. Keepa street 28 112 Mabel Street 28 112 Mako Mako road 18 72 Cambridge street 54 216 Bath-strei'|t East -16 - 64 Kent street 14 56 York street West 14 56 Oxford street 250 250 Other roads 62 Contingencies '150 That Tiro Tiro road from Mr Ryder's to Queen street be metalled and that, the 125 yards necessary be let to Winter and Close at 2s 6d per yard.

Councillor France, in speaking to the report, said that the streets of Levin at present .were in better condition than ever before. The report and recommendations were adopted. The town clerk spoke of the advisableness of calling tenders forthwith for the work of crushing; otherwies the work might be delayed' unduly. Councillor France- supported 'the proposal, and said that tenders should be called (optionally) supplying engine and doing crushing and (2) doing-' crashing only.

Councillor .France's suggestion was adopted. . - KYOTO-ELECTRIC POWER SUPPLY. ' Councillor .Robertson, as the member of Levin Council who attended the conference of local bodies' representatives held at Palmerston North last month, reported to the council. He said that councillors would have seen the report that the Government intended to go on with tlTe Shannon scheme (Mangahao stream) to give a--25,000 horsepower supply. The conference was a thoroughly representative one,, and a permanent committee was set up to watch developments. Incidentally Councillor Robertson saids, that 25,000 horse-power was small for so large a district, and thought it would be well if the local bodies of this county moved without delay; it might be found* that the Wellington City applications would make a big demand on the total amount of power available.

The mayor asked if any light was thrown on the objects of the Wianganui Conference.

Councillor Robertson said it seonied to liim thiit "VVan.ganm chiefly was concerned in the main issue (supply of power)- There was a general impression that when the scheme was nearing completion there would be a general scramble,"

Councillor France said that if the Government would start driving the tunnels forthwith a good deal of time would he saved.

Councillor Robertson said that this matter was mentioned at the conference, but it was felt at the fcon? : 3 ence' that the first great need was to get the Government to go on with the main scheme.

'J lie mayor asked if it was delnit.e.y decided that the Shannon scheme would be the one. Councillor Robertson: Yes; so far as the Public Works Department is concerned. It needs, of course, to have the sanction of Parliament. THE GRAVEL RESERVES. In respect of a payment of interest due for moneys raised some years ago to purchase the gravel reserves at the east and west ends of the town, the town clerk reported thai the council was making a good profit on these reserves.