Municipal Matters.

Levin Daily Chronicle, 2 July 1918, Page 3

Municipal Matters.

The Borough Council held its usual fortnightly meeting last evening. Present — The Mayor (Mr C. Blenkhorn) in the chair, (Vs. Math v son, Lancaster, Bull, Broome, Mackenzie, Ryder, Parker, and Aitken. FOOTPATH EXTENSION. A deputation consisting oi Messrs Johnson, Lovejoy and Mortenson waited on the Council to ask for the extension of the footpath on the west side of Ox- | ford street from Devon street to York street. The position, Mr Mortenson explained, was unpleasant and even dangerous to residents. The road thereabout was about tlie busiest in the district and pedestrians had to keep to the. side of lie road which in l the winter was slush, and in the summer lone- grass and dust. The 1 road was used largely by Fairfield ' residents. 'Tlie deputation also asked for a lamp at the drill hall corner. Cr Ryder said the road was a very dangerous one. Cr Lancaster supported the deputation's request, while Cr Parker said he had intended to bring the matter up as lie visited the drill hall even* Tuesday evening and knew from experience thjat the conditions of the road there was very bad. Cr Alatheson pointed, out that when deputations came to the Council they usually got what they wanted without 'trouble, while other parts of the town, perhaps equally necessitous, were left. Cr Parker suggested that when the footpath w>as - constructed trees should be planted and a cycle track land down.

Cr Aitken considered the Streets Committee should report on tlie repairs necessary to the streets in the order of their importance. Cr Mackenzie put in a plea, for the "other side of the road" for the footpath, while the TownClerk pointed out that if the footpath were put on the west side of the road as asked for, it would be (30 feet from the road to the footpath as the road was 90 feet wide at the place mentioned. The matter was finally left to tlie Streets Committee. hospital board representation. Mr Gardener stated that the Health Department had acquaint ted him of the fact that the election of representatives on the Palmersfon Hospital Board would be held 'on the first Wednesday in August. One representative was to be elected by the combined towns of Otaki, Shannon and Levin and one for the Horowhenna County. The Chairman of the County Council (Cr Monk) had asked Mr Gardener to bring under the notice of the Borough Council the importance of the matter. They had to watch the finances and without good representatives they might fall back. The County Chairman suggested a conference at which candidates might be chosen. Ifr was pointed out. that the representatives, for the County need not necessarily be residents of the County, but might live in or near one of tlie three towns interested. The County was more concerned to be represented by good men than by actual residents of the County.

It was decided to be represented at the suggested conference and to ask that it. be held on the morning of Saturday week before the meeting of the Horownenua County Council.

HYDR O-ELECTRICITY. The Secretary of the newlycreated Hyd ro-Electyic League wrote pointing out the good work done at the League's conference and asking for a levy of £2 2s from the Council to provide the "sinews of war."

Cr Aitken said the gathering in Pll.lmer.ston was a iffost enthusiastic one and the suggestion for the levy was to provide funds far pushing the objects of the League. The different public bodies \yere levied on in proportion to their meefns.

Cr' Lancaster said that everyone present was very keen to see something done and it was generally agreed while tlie main work could not be done till after the war there was a good deal of reading, etc., could be carried out. The levy was passed unanimously.

OVERSEER'S REPORT. The Borough Overseer (Mr H. Chaunings) reported that the wet weather had tampered the progress of work. T hey had been unable to obtain the full quanti.ty of fru.slio*l metal required on account of tlie County contractor having to move-the plant froin Levin to Koputaroa, but had been able to flo the principal work needed. The County road roller had been used 011 several occasions, and it was found most satisfactory in assisting with the laying down of the metal. "It is my intention to proceed with the laying out of the new portion of the Public Gardens m

Cambridge and Kent streets as soon as the weather will allow," said the Overseer. Matters in connection with the Waterworks are satisfactory. One question that -is giving me' some thought is the pipe bridge. This has been erected for some years, and _so far no expert has inspected it to ascertain -if any repairs are needed. I understand that all suspension bridges need some attention now and then. Some parts of the structure are not visible to the eye and therefore the defects, if any, can be ascertained only by expert inspection. I would recommend that Mr Climie, C.E., of Hastings, who drew the plans for the construction of the bridge, be asked to visit Levin with a view to marking a report upon the question of repairs to the bridge, il necessary. Sometimes a stitch in time saves a great deal of future trouble. The Mayor pointed out that the proposal to ask Mr Climie to inspect the bridge was an important one. Cr Parker considered that the County Engineer (MiMalcolm) was quite competent to make an inspection of the bridge and his services would not be-so costly. It was decided to ask Mr Climie to make the inspection. GENERAL. The Health Department wrote to the Council pointing out the necessity of proper sanitation appliances for the new billiard room in Oxford street. The Town Clerk said he had already written the lessee on the matter and he had no doubt the representations made would be carried out.