BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 June 1916, Page 4

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the Ne* Plymouth Borough Council was held last night. (Present: His Worship the Mayor (Mr. 0. H. Burgess), Crs. Monteath, Hayden, F. Wilson, Johnstone, Collis, Short, Hill, Smith, Mannix, Medley, and Watkins. REPORTS. Die reports of the Borough Engineer, Electric Light Engineer, Tramways Manager, Sanitary Inspector, aud Abattoir Manager were received. • The Mayor moved the adoption of the Works Committee's report, subject to the deletion of the paragraphs referring tOi fire insurance matters,—Curried. Tlie reports of the Abattoir!;, Klectrio Light, and Tramway Committees werp adopted. The Reserves Committee's report was adopted with the addition of a paragraph to the effect that the Council was willing to allow the committee of the Soldiers' Club the use of the Town Hall buildings when they were available. The reports of the Sanitary, Institute, and Finance Committees were adopted, MOTOR CYCLE BY-LAWS. A deputation from the Motor Cycta Club waited on the Council to protest against the by-laws relating to the prohibition relative to the carriage of passengers on the back of nvetor cycles, the deputation urging that the bf-lawa were against the liberty of the subject, and giving other reasons, it being claim* ed that the chief matter walsecuring the ekill of the drivers, ft was pointed out that a man who was uot sober could drive a motor-car to the danger of the community, but that a man in a similar condition ,'eould not drive a motor cycle. The Sanger of carrying a pasenger at the back was not a danger to the public. The Mayor informed the deputation that the matter would have the consideration of the By-laws Committee. There was no desire to inflict a hardship on motor-riders. Cr. Collis stated it had been pointed out to him that it would.m*et the objections of motor-riders if the prohibition referred to was confined to Devon Street.

STAFF REORGANISATION., Pursuant to notice, C.r. Wilson, moveflt That a committee of five be appointed to consider and report upon the ad' visability of combining the offices of electrical and tramways engineer. He' / stated that it was advisable for tho Council to put its house in order so as to secure economy. He found that in some other ci.tos there was no duplication of tramway and electrical engineers. If there was to be a reorganisation of tho staff now was the time.

Cr. Smith, in seconding tho motion, said the matter had been brought up before, but in view of the prQbable disorganisation of the stall it was held over, it being understood that'the question would be considered later.

Cr. Johnstone pointed out that when tho matter was previously discussed the conclusion arrived at was that there would be. little if any saving hy adopting the proposal of Cr. Wilson.' Tho Mayor thought that the matter could be reconsidered, thou.ffh he was doubtful if any change on the present system would be found advantageous. Cr. Collis advocated postnniiiii? the matter until the staff was settled in the new offices, when the .eoriiniisMion of the whole staff might he. brought >m.. The Mayor moved that the committes consist of the whole Council.. an they were nil interested in the matter.

C.\ Smith seconded the amendment, while Cr. Montcalh opposed it. Cr. Watkins considered a commit too of five would obtain greater data than would the whole Council, and !io uvjod that the report should be in councillors' hands three da\s before the meetin?. The amendment w.is lost. Cr Cnllis then iwncd to defer the whole question until the st.iil' was in its new qiui tcr* f The Mujoi (on*irle ed thai now the question raised by Cr Wil-on lia.l been broached it should 1>« 'ctllcl uilluut delaj. Cr. Collis' amendment lapsed. JiHet some discussion (he motion was carried, and it was decided to tuljmirs the Council for a fortnight to receive ; the committee's report. The following were appointed to the committee: Tile Mayor. Cs. Moiileatu, Hayden, Short and Wilsoii.