Municipal Matters.

Levin Daily Chronicle, 18 April 1918, Page 3

Municipal Matters.

A CONSULTING ENGINEER

The Town Clerk read correspondence that had ensued as the result of the work of the committee appointed to carry out the Council's resolution regarding the selection of a consulting engineer. One qualified engineer was willing to come to Levin to interview the Council and see what was required at a fee of four or five guineas. Cr Aitken considered this was not an overcharge as the engineer would probably be here a couple of days inspecting the Borough. The Mayor pointed out that the charge* was merely for coming to see the Couucil and did not include any report. Cr Ryder: The whole thing is a farce. We have nothing for a consulting engineer to do. Councils in the old daysi days spent thousands of pounds on necessary works and a consulting engineer was necessary, but -we have no works in hand. Cr Lancaster said the Council had spent its money to the best advantage, and everything the Overseer liud done had been satisfactorily. If the Council had any money to spend it could put it on the streets. Cr Mackenzie could not see the use of bringing an engineer to Levin if they had nothing to put before him. Cr Matheson expressed surprise at the opposition. It was rather strange it should come now seeing that the resolution was passed unanimously by the Council. He questioned whether these Councillors had given the matter anv thought. Probably that was what happened when they voted before. Cr Matlieson said they wanted the Engineer to give the Council suggestions and prepare schemes for the benefit lof the Borough. It was not his 'idea that the Council should have to tell the Engineer what was | wanted. An expert might br | able to point out where they were going on wrong lines. Cr Parker suggested getting :i preliminary report from the Engineer on his first visit and "thej would then be able to go on with the matter or not as they though! fit. The Mayor put it to Cr Matheson whether he was convinced that such expense as was proposed was necessary. Was there any thing that had been done that should not have been done. Cr Matheson said they did not know. It was not in their line of business. After some further discussion it was decided to oiit-of-pocket expenses to the Engineer for his visit to Levin to consult the Works Committee as to what was required of him. OVERSEER'S REPORT. ■ Mr H. Channings, Borough' Overseer, reported that since hist meeting he had made a start with the Queenswood road job and expected to have the work completed within a few days. He had also graded a portion of Queen street opposite the sale yards, ready for metalling. The footpatli from the Bank of Australasia to the Courthouse had been formed I and given the first coat of tar and sand. Mr W. Winter was willing to crush the Council's metal at' 2s 9d per yard. This seemed the best arrangement that could be made, and it meant that metalling would cost at least including spreading, 5s Od per yard, or Is 3d more than last year, b it the price of labour and material had to be taken into consideration.

THE GASWORKS. Mr A. Burrell, manager of the Gasworks, reported a very satisfactory output of gas in March, and all matters connected wiMi the department were running smoothly. Enquiries were constantly being made for extensions, cookers, etc., and sufficient work was on hand to keep theni busy for several weeks. He Inn I been fortunate in securing the services of a good stoker which would enable him to give the greater part of his time to outside work. He suggested getting the materials in hand gradually during the coming year for another retort setting, as the gradual increase in gas output would soon be exceeding the carbonising space. He would secure full particulars as to price before next report. The Manager drew the Council's attention to the large stocks of tar on hand—2GoT) as against 800 gallons at this time last year. As the storage well only held about 3500 gallons it was most important to have some empty before the winter. Otherwise they would have to purchase barrels to relieve the storage space and this would be very expensive. The detailed report showed the number or consumers to be 300; coal carbonised, 40 tons; quantity of .eras manufactured, 541,200ff; total consumption, 531,200 ft: estimate of meters unread, 5000 ft; gas ma/le per ton of coal carbonised, 11,800 ft. The Borough Overseer was

questioned as whether he could use the surplus tar. He stated that he had previously reported that, when some of the new work was done the tarring of the street from the Banks to the railway crossing would be taken in hand and there were some of the footpaths to be done. He had no objection to doing tarring in the winter—in fact some of his best jobs were done then as they could get a heavier coat of tar. If the Council authorised the work he suggested there would be no danger of the storage being overtaxed. He a thousand gallons per week if he kept steadily at the work, and he expected to be able to go on with the tarring in about three weeks.

The Council considered that if the pressure could be relieved in this way, there would be no ne cessity to take any action.

The Overseer said additional storage could be provided very cheaply even if they had to put down another well, and the tar improved with age.

4 THE ElitE JiiHUADE. Cr I'arii.er presented a repor jat Monday s Council meetm; i from tiie lure Brigade recum wending waiter consideration, that a iU iucii wlieei ue subsuiuled ior the present one oi O inch and tliat the belt be actuated wire rope and jocKey pulley a, a a roUgli estimate 01 Xli to XM JLhe .brigade was quite prepared to ciean tiie lire plugs on condition that per nour be paid to each mail so employed and it was suggested that the ground round the plugs be tarred. The Eire Brigade's attention having been directed to the everincreasing numbers attending the local picture theatres, very oilen i taxing to the full the iseating ca- ! pacity, the Brigade feel duty j bound, owing to the danger of ; panic should a lire occur to ask ; the Council to at once consider J tlie advisability of placing a lireman on duty each show night in each theatre. In the course of discussion on the suggestions Cr Lancaster urged that the Council enquire into the utility of syrens for alarm purposes. They had spent so much on bells with very little satisfaction. Tlie Mayor said that before the Council agreed to the expenditure of £17 or £20 they should know whether the proposed gear would be efficient. Otherwise it would just be a further waste of money. The Town Clerk said Superintendent Hugo was in Levin recently, and he had stated that in Hawera there was difficulty in getting a satisfactory alarm, and they had introduced the rockers and wire rope and these had been quite satisfactory. The Town Clerk said he was quite sure the present gear would ring the bell with a little attention. The Mayor said Inspector Hugo's opinion put a different complexion on the matter. Cr Mackenzie considered they should write to other Councils for information as to how their bells weer rung. Cr Parker favoured getting ax/ engineer's opinion. Cr Lancaster said it had previously been agreed to test the hell and this had not been done. At the Mayor's suggestion it was decided to have a test and that the time be advertised. In regard to the fireplugs Crs Bull and Aitken called attention to plugs that were almost obliterated. Tlie Mayor did not favour the Brigade's suggestion regarding cleaning round the plugs and said that if it was going to costthat it would he better to have it done by the Council's own men. Crs Lancaster and Ryder considered 2s an hour too much for the work, and it was decided to do tlie cleaning and tarring by the Borough staff. The Mayor said the proposal as to attending picture theatres was a good one. Discussion took plnr-e as to the powers of such an officer-—whether he could regulate the attendance, prevent, overnivrwdins", and keep the pasages Tlie proposal was approved l>v the Council, and the Town Clerk was authorised to consult the picture theatre managements.