BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 1, 13 July 1914, Page 6

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

MONTHLY REPORTS. The following arc the monthly ofiicisl report* to be presented to the. meeting of (lie New Plymouth Borough Counel to-night:— ENGINEER'S REPORT. Streets.—The past month 'has licen extra severe on streets and roads owing to constant wet weather. Approximately, 1200 cubic yards of metal and "ravel have been used in metalling and repairing various streets and roads. The metalling of Cover street, between Lemon and (iilbcrt streets, is just about complete and the blinding is being spread. I .Sewers.—The St. Aub.n and Young [street sowers are now complete and fie j connections are being laid.

LOAN WORK. Formation Work—Very little formation work has been possible owing to the soft state of the formation and aho to the necessity of keeping all the horse teams available engaged in carting metal for repair work. Watermains—The following wat»rmains are now laid; Tukapa road to the Borough Boundary; Dav : d street; Dartmoor Avenue; Beach :treet; Rimn street; Doralto road. Govett Avenue mains are now being laid. The total length laid is 3 miles 10 chains. Kerb and Channel— 11SV 2 chains of k,-rb and 00 chains of channel have be ;n laid down in various streets. General.—Six drainage and thirteen building permits have been issued. The total amount of building permits represent £3,603. The waterworks caretaker reports everything satisfactory at the , Altera. > ELECTRICAL ENGINEER'S REPORT.

The highest load recorded at the power-house for the last month was 343 kilowatts during the Winter Show. This is not likely to be exceeded this winter. Some trouble is being experienced in the silt in the forebay, but this appears to be mainly 'due to work now being carried out in connection with the new intake. Therefore, this trouble may he regarded as temporary, and temporary means may be devised for getting rid of it. Xcw connections put on during the past quarter number 53, making a total of 1353. As directed, I attended the conference of Municipal Electrical Engineers at Chrisichurch on the 17th ult., when the matter of uniform bv-hiws and regulations for the control an:! supply of electricity wis fiiUv considered and a general working basis agreed upon. This conference should prove of considerable benefit to the industry, as with the exception ■. f Wellington, /the managers of the chief undertakings were present. T'niye were also a number of representatives of the Wiring Contractors' Association, with Messrs Lawrence, liurks. and V. K. Shepherd representing the Public Works Department, and the New Zealand Association of Fire Underwriters respectively. Our small display at the Winter Kh.nv attracted a good deal of attention, spee. jial interest"bcimr shown in regard to [heating and cooking apparatus. ABATTOIR REPORT.

During the .month there were slaughtered for local consumption:—l4o cows. 55 bullocks. 7 calves, fi!)3 sheep, 11 lambs. 11l pigs, 1 goat. Compared with the corresponding month of last year, they show an increase of 2 cattle, 13 sheep. 11 pigs, 1 goat, and a decrease of •'. calves, and 7 lambs. Condemned. 4 cow-s. 1 bullock. 1 slice], and i pig-. SUiughtered for export: 5(1 cows. I Lulls, and 33 lambs, an increase o," 45 cattle and 33 lambs. Condemned 11 cows. Fees due for the month amount to .C 135 Is 3d; rents .€3 5s fid, to pigs received from other works. CI ss. extraordinary traffic received 10s: total. CUD Is 3d: *n increase of £l3 Ss 3d. The drainage from the water trough in the bidding paddock is running into number 3 padddek. and laying there, it looks very unsightly. The pipes require to be continued to the drain connected with the boiling down works, as it is only clean water. Agricultural pipes or second baud pipes would do.

WOIiKS COMMITTEE. Inspector 'i,i|:|iins was instructal to grant .\rv. I". S. Johns fourteen days extension of time within which to co-n----plv with the notice rrquiriuji him *o remove a gorse hedge on his property. Instructions were given to ascertain wiiat powers the Council 'nave Uy way of Jiy-laws or-otherwise of dealing with the question of the storage of dangerous goods and explosives within the Borough. Instructions were given to forward to the,superintendent of the File Brigade a copy of the report of the inspector dealing with dangerous goods. The Town Clerk was instructed to value the piece of land acquired from Mr liauchope iu connection with the form-ation-of the Canington voad. Instm--

tions were given to forward u copy or the Borough KiitfiiieerV report with re- j ference to the formation of Fillis St. i Ito -Mrs. Core and to inform her that the Council coulrt not see its way to depart | [from the original plans of the level* of I I this street, but that steps would he j taken to have "ravel placed upon tin: footpaths. Mr. •!. llrolienshhe. lo his illness, was "ranted cue month's extension of time within which to coiiierf his property in St. Aubyn street with Movers. The Borough Knginecr was r.istnictcd to re])ort upon the cost rjl i-fintiniiing the water main from I'ioneer road to the lireakwaler and the probahle revenue to lie derived therefrom. Ihe .application of .Meat's ('. K. IVII. inter and others for to plant trees on tile Carrington road hetwecn Shortland street and lloldsworthy road, was acceded to, tlie work to he Mibjeet to the supervision of the liorough Kii-

. Tin- Committee recommends: That tlic li'ttcr from tin- Secretary oi ti l: . I itnzoiis" Band !»■ referred to the Hatha anil Hand committee with the o''jcct of arriving at some roasonahle arrangement f< "' Mmii< 'l ,al I'" 1 "' ''"!''" oolts anv arraimomoni made to ,ll ' snoj.rt to' eonlirmation I>>' tin" Council. That tin- action of the Town fink m ri'fiTriii}.' tin- question of tin' sullenly on tin' St. Aiibyn district viit.-s to tin-(Jownior-in-l'mmril lir oonfiilin-d. '1 hat tli.' letters from Mr T. K. Skinner wi'.li vrferenie to tlio TaranaUi l-iini' "ml lir'nlge lir received, and the fait that this laud and Irridyo 'has Lien used siiKe tin' \ear IS4I he n'cnril.'il in tin' minutes.

That the loll..win- remit- !>■• lor warded to th.' Municipal ronfcreii.-r: - Thai this Contcrcnce reeomnn'iid- lint j Hie law lie aiiii'iKW U> "lake ]1 '' : " ll '' j tl.;it where an adj. ruins di.tncl i-1 „„., ,1 hi a Wnoueh ilni'in.L' a siil.-a.lv I war tlw l.oroii»h a, the -uccc-sor ot Midi adjoinin- ili-trit-t shall he ontilln ti, -irWidv on the iniioiiiit ol "."■ni'val • rat.- actually coll.-of.-.1 liy Midi ml- I joiniim di-trh-t up to tin- dale ol tlio 'lnri-Tp'r. (N'o('\—Coini.-vl for tlio i-\s-sochtion is of opinion that tins is llf law' at present, luit ll.e <!nvcri.iii"nt. 1 Department ailmini-ti'Vins the siH>M.l\ vote takes a difl'i'Veiit view); th.il m th- event of "The Shops and Offices Amendment Act." wlik'.li_ was withdrawn Vast session. Vms vointroducecl the Executive Committee of this

Association be instructed to take active steps to have Borough Councils Cv\ ; einpted from the provisions of the Act or if this be not possible, to se« that the provisions of the Act are made as little irksome to boroughs as possible. (Note. —By sections 2 and 33 of the Act in question, Borough Councils would apparently be brought within the scope of the Act. although many other olliccs, including Harbor Boards, have been exempted). That tli« resolution passed on June S. BUJ, fixing triennial valuations, be rescinded, and that the matter be reconsidered in January, li) 15; that the seal of the Council lie allixcd to the eerliliiates attached to the plans of the ■Nunuyrise Estate and Dorset Avenue, Dartmoor, and that his Worship the .Ma.or and Or. Collis lie appointed to sign :-uch certilieates on behalf of the Council: that in accordance with the reporr of the Inspector of Buildings (Mr. Jackson), the High School Board be required to provide a wire rope ladder on the front balcony of the girls' schoolhouse in Devon .street; that a condition be attached to the license of the Agricultural Hall that smoking in such hall .shall not be allowed when it is open to the public and that the licensee be required (o put lip notices to this effect in conspicuous positions in the hall; that ! the Council, considering it expedient so to do, hereby resolves that in pursuance of the provisions of By-law 308, all licenses granted by the storage of explosives or dangerous goods granted under the borough by-laws shall be revoked after the expiration of a period of two months from July 13, 191-1, and that the licensees be notified that applications for new licenses must be made after the expiration of the period mentioned; that the borough solicitors He instructed to take the necessary legal proceedings to compel the owner to demolish the building on subdivision I,

!' part sostion 120, Now Plymouth; that in accordance with the recommendation of the Borough Engineer an automatic I alarm be placed in the caretaker's cottage to indicat" when any serious drop in the level of the water in the reservoir I takes place; that the Borough Engineer he authorised to lay the 3 inch water pipes from Devon street to the Old People's Home, and to connect the. present small service pipes thereto, the cost to he paid by the Hosiptal Board; that the Borough Engineer lie authorised to lay a one inch ,wator pipe in order to supply the properties set out in thu letter from Messrs. Duncan and others; that a copy of the report of the Borough Engineer with reference to the Lemon street rubbish dump be forwarded to '.lie petitioners, and tiny lie informed (hat the Council cannot see its way- to close such depott that the report of Inspector Fielder with reference to the .drainage entering the Mangotuku. stream be referred to inspector Tippins. with instructions to submit, a detailed report to the next meeting of the committee; that in view of the special cireirmstaiiees of the case and upon the usual agiveI ment being signed, the Council execute i the drainage work at Mr. S. Brooks' pi-o-I porty. section 152.). Loach street; that in accordance with the undertaking given at the sale of the Avenue road leases the Borough Engineer be authorised to lay ! a sewer in Shortland street to enable i Mr. K. Webster's property to he con-

nected, and also to provide a footpath at a cost not exceeding CI 10"; that .Messrs. A. L. Humphries and others be informed that no funds are available for the extension of sewers in Barrett street; that consideration of the report (if the Borough Engineer d aling with the drainage of the eastern portion of the borough be deferred until the next meeting of the Council; that the offer of Mr. dohu Taylor to contribute £2 10s towards the cost of extending the con- ' crete kerhing and channelling a lew vards near his property at Fit/.roy am! laving down a concrete crossing over the channel be accepted and the Borough Engineer be authorised to execute the work; that the Borough Solicitors he instructed to take the necessary steps to complete the arrangements made for the widening of Pavutoi's T.ane: that the Borough Engineer be authorised to grade and jnetal Powdorham street be-

'tween 'Morlev street and CutlielA road (estimated cost C 75): that all applications for the erection of street lights | from time to time received be filed and : considered in the month of May in each vear; that a copv of the Borough IviI gincer's letter with reference to Mill , road be forwarded to C c:e! IL lluth--1 nance, and they he infonu"d that the j Council cannot'see its we.y to do the work at present: that the petitioners j for improvements in Waiwaka Terrace land Ma-hoe street he informed that al- \ though the work is included in the £42.000 loan the Council cannot authorise ' the work to be undertaken until after the winter: lhat Mrs. I". K. Pott and .T. Bilttimore be informed that the footpath in llobson street will be covered with craved, hut .that the formation is too soft for metalling: that the question of resuming possession of and planting portion of the street at present enclosed in front of the Terminus Hotel be referred to the Reserves Committee with power to act.

T.ATiIS COMMITTKi:. Cr. Tabor tendered bis resignation as Cliairaan. which was accepted with re"ret. Cr. Sykes was eleitcd Chairman. ThcV.oroii".h Kiurini-cr was authorised to ollVet certain repairs to the outlet pipe as lvi-ommendeil liv Vim mil to report, the result. The Chairman. Cr. Maniuv and Mr. .Newman wi'i' appointed a subcommittee to confer with the Borough Knginecr and bring down a report upon llu" question of reorganising the baths buildings. -Mr. IF. Hrnoks was appointed custodian of the baths for one month from Ist diilv. Instructions were given to close tin- baths as usual for the months of duly and August. Tlie committee recommends: -Thai; Messrs. Nippcrt liros.' tender lor puiiil- ;„■-■ the saltwater baths for C3:l Ts fid be accepted, in accordance will) the specifications prepared liy tin- llorough (■»- ginocr: that subject to the reply from Mr. Swartz being satisfactory to tlie Chairman, lie receive the appointment as caretaker of the saltwater baths. KLI-XTMC LICIIT COMMITTOR. The committee recommends: -Tint the report of tin- Klcctrical Kiigin-.-'-v

with reference to the electrical confer- ' ence at Ohristclmrcli be received; that the letter from the Public Works Department and draft license for water power be referred to the Electrical Engineer to submit a report as to the alterations which should in the interest of the Council be made, to such draft and that representations be made to tile department to alter tile draft on the lilies of such report; that the plan of the sub-station lie referred to the Chairman and Electrical Engineer with instructions to request the Tramways Engineer to submit a fresh sketch, containing such improvements in the office accommodation as may be required by tlic Electrical Engineer and also to pro- ' vide that the exterior of the building sliall lie somewhat more ornate in eharaeted with tiled roof, and, further, submit with the amending plan an estimate of the additional cost entailed; that the Tramways Engineer ho requested to arrange for separate contracts for the sub-station and the car sheds.

TRAMWAYS COMMITTEE. Messrs W. Jcnkinson and Co. were informed that the Council in inviting tenders for tram cars complete, were acting ia accordance with the advice of the Consulting Engineer, and could not vc jts way to depart from his recommendation in connecting with the present contract. The committee recommended.—That a copy of the Town Clerk's letter with reference to the tramways be referred to the Tramways Engineer for his opinion thereon; that in reply to their inquiry, Messrs. Greenshields and Co. lie informed that the Council would be prepared to hire the Corporation road roller to the successful contractor for the tramway permanent way only during such time as the roller is not required by the Council for its own work for the sum of .€2 10s per week, including driver.-.' wages, fuel and oils.

LTBRARY COMMITTEE. The committee recommends:—That the matter of the alteration and refurnishing of the magazine room be left in the liands of the Chairman and Mr. Baker to report upon; two additional tables for the chess room; removing movable reading tables and benches from magazine room and substituting one leather-topped table. 0 feet x 3 feet, and continuing the reading desk along north wall of the room; providing 21 chairs for the magazine and chess rooms; redecoration of w-.'.115, by putting a daik dado four feet six inches in height, with stencil border/ all round entrance hail, stairway, landing, magazine and chess rooms. The committee estimate that the cost will not exceed £27.