City Administration

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 27, 2 February 1937, Page 8

City Administration

FIRST MEETING OF COUNCIL FOR 1937. The first meeting of the Palmerston North City Council for 1937 was held last night, the Mayor (Mr A. E. Mansford) presiding. Also present were Crs. W. B. Cameron, J. T. J. Heatiey, 3. Hodgens, M.P., W. B. Tenncnt, G. Tremaine, J. J. Stevenson, K. L. C. Aitehison and W. Mouldey. Leave of absence was granted Cr. A. A. Langley. The Terrace End Progressive Association wrote drawing attention to the danger to traffic existing at present at the corner of Ruahine and Mam streets opposito the service station, by reason of the trees growing thereon and obscuring the view.—The traffic manager was asked to furnish a report on the matter to the reserves committee. A letter was received from the Palmerston North Golf Club with reference to thJe sum of £3OO to be paid to tho club towards the cost of buildings on the new links, and asking that the said sum be now made payable. The city engineer is to report to the next meeting of the works committee, the Mayor saying that, before the council paid out the money, it needed to know what work had been done. The works committee reported that tne Terrace End Development and Progressive Association had written advising that it was considered that the council should take advantage of the offer of the Railway Department to sell to the council the southern portion of the Terrace End gravel pit at a price of £lO, and that the association was of the opinion that the council should select another site which would be suitable to the department for a gravel pit, with a view to the present pit being used m the future as a park and recreation reserve at Terrace End. It was decided that the communication be received and that tho engineer be requested to report on the possibility of acquiring a suitable pit for tho department and the estimated cost thereof. The Hokowhitu School Committee wrote requesting the removal of tree stumps in the ground between the baths and the school. It Was decided that the committee be advised that the council regretted being unable to accede to the request. A petition from the ratepayers of Martin street for tar-sealing of their thoroughare was referred to next year's estimates. A request by the Manawatu Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club to hold weekly meetings at North Street Park was referred to the reserves committee. The Northern Bowling, Croquet and Tennis Club advised that Mr. McPherson had been authorised to obtain from the council an estimate for the laying uown of two hard courts, and that the club proposed to apply to tho council for tne work to be none and payment for same to be spread over live years on a half-yearly reduction basis. It was decideu tnat tne communication be received and that the matter be re rerred to the reserves committee anu the engineer prepare an estimate of the cost ox tne work involved. Councillors Cameron und Aitchison were appointed to represent the couhcii at a further conference regarding the Maueruu road. The abattoir manager (Mr. A. M. &pilmanj presented tne following returns for December and January: — Stock slaughtered: December: Cows, 2i4; heifers, 12-1; bullocks, 33; calves, Hi; ewes, i7U; wethers, Ool; lambs, 610; pigs, 9-1. January: Cows, H7H, heiiers, 119; bullocks, Ho; calves, 10, ewes, 713; wethers, oU4; lambs, I7H; pigs, 71. {Stock condemned: December: Cows, 6; sheep, H; pigs, 4. January; Cows, 0; sheep, 3; pigs, 5. Pees received: December, JtJoU 3s; January, £3OO 19s 9d. The pouudkeeper (Mr. T. Wood) reported that one head of stock had been impounded during December and two during January. Engineer’s Report. The city engineer (Mr J. R. Hughes) presented the following report on worn none during December:—

street maintenance: Cue hundred urn. fifty yards of screened river metal have been carted and spread on various secondary streets m the city and 20 cubic yards of asphalt and three drums of tar have beeu used in repairing puved streets and footpaths. The gras# mower has beeu in constant use throughout the month cutting grass on loadsides. Special works: Lim brick street from Miller street to Brightwater terrace has received its initial coat of tar and chips. The tar-seaiiug pro gramme for the current year is now completed. This shows a marked contrast with the previous year, when file sealing programme was not completeu until tne end of the financial year. This is due to the fact that we have been crushing our own metal and thus eliminating the delays awaiting metal. General (a) old stables: On December 21, the council horses were transferred from the old stables in Mfnawaroa street to the new stables in Mana watu street and at the end of the month the old stables had been practically demolished. (b) The rustic fence and seat as authorised at the intersection of Albert street and Ihaka street on land given by Mrs. Harrison has been completed, (c) The street numbering of Broadway avenue has been completed. (d) Traffic domes: Six white domes with white surrounds have been placed in position in Ruahine street for the traffic department, (c) Grandstand at Sportsground: The whole of the reinforced concrete work has been completed and the contractors aro now erecting the roof principals and internal partitions. (f) Conveniences, the Square: This building has been completed and was opened to the public on December 21. Work is now proceeding on the layout of the grounds and restoring the gardens adjoining, (g) Demolition of old Fitzherbert bridge: The contractors engaged on dismantling the old Fitzherbert bridge have removed the land span and three main spans from the Fitzherbert avenue end. (b) The men engaged working for light and rates have been employed cleaning up the footpath, north side of Ferguson street between Botanical road and the end, forming footpath at corner of Albert and Jhaka streets, cleaning up parking area in Church street and

cleaning out channels in the western quarter of the city. YVaterworks: During the month four new services were installed, six services replaced and thirteen services overhauled and repaired. In addition three lire plugs have been repaired, three indicators replaced, one motor installed and two meters disconnected. Leaks in a length of pipe in each instance on the 4-inch reticulation in Annandale avenue and Keith street have been repaired. Twenty-one-inch diameter supplymain: The contractors have continued to make good progress with the work, and to date a total of 158 chains of main has been laid and jointed. The section of the main from Fitzherbert bridge to Barber’s will shortly be placed under pressure tests. Nine-inch diameter main, Vogel and Main streets: The work of laying nineinch diameter concrete-lined steel mains from the pumping station, Vogel street, along Vogel street and Main street to Ruahine street, a total leugth of 83$ chains, together with connections, to the existing reticulation has been completed and is now undergoing pressure tests. Reservoir, Vogel street: The contractors for the construction of the reservoir have almost completed the work, with the exception of building up ot aerator poud and connections. Artesian well: The contractor for the sinking of the six-inch diameter well commenced operations on December 2, and to date has driven the casing to a depth of 132 feet. Pump house: The contractor for the erection of the building to house the pumps and motors has completed the structural work with the exception of laying the concrete floor and outside finish.