BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 August 1916, Page 8

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

' "s. • j y- ■ ■ WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING. A meeting of the Works Committee of the New Plymouth Borough Council was held last night. Present: His Worship the Mayor (Mr. C. H. Burgess), Crs. Monteath, Medley, Hayden, : F. Wilson. Johnstone, Collis, Short," Hill, Smith, Mannix, and Watkins. The committee discussed, in camera, matters connected with the appointment of an engineer. On resuming, it was decided to advertise for an engineer at a salary of zi'M a year, and it was referred to the Maintenance Committee to draw up the conditions. \ After some discussion on the question of building municipal offices and museum, it was decided to refer the matter to a committee, consisting of the Mayor, Crs. Monteath, Johnstone, and Mannix. Some discussion arose relative to the employment of an architect to advise •he council on tile subject of the site, especially with regard'to adding to the present electric departmental buildings, and it was decided that the committee make recommendations to the council therein. 'Hie Mayor rend the Prime Minister's letter relative to observing August 4th—the anniversary of the "declaration of war—and passing the resolution already published. It was decided that a public meeting be convened on Friday next, at 2.30 p.m., in front of the Courthouse steps. Tlie business people of the town are to he asked to close their establishments be- , tween 2 and 3 p.m., and that the ser- I vices of the Citizens' Band be obtained if possible. _ Replies were read from several municipal engineers relative to by-laws respecting merits of wood and steel laths. On the motion of Cr. Mannix, it was decided that the application by the contractors for the A. and P. building to use oregon pine laths instead of steel, be. granted. Mr. R. Day, building inspector, reported recommending that the applications of Messrs. Skinner and Webster to reinstate their damaged buildings in wood.—The report was adopted. Messrs. Boon Bros, wrote stating that no steps had been taken to provide the sewer connection to the High School boys boarding-house, on the Avenue Road reserve. It was pointed out that the sewer would have to cross another sec':- n, and the Town Clerk stated that the sewer might affect, the value of tlie section.—lt was decided that the engineer iiave the drain made through tlie .section. The engineer reported that unless tlie metal drays could be kept going some of the workmen would have to be discharged. He recommended formation works on certain streets. Cr. Smith said he was dead against fcination work at this time of year. The Mayor said there were IB horses and drays belonging to the Council, and '•■nless there was work for them they should be shut down for two month's , ai.d the men discharged. The engineer was authorised to proceed with certain of the works recommended by him. The engineer was also authorised to give, effect to his recommendation for dealing with the. storm water at the junction of Dawson Street and King! Street, at an estimated cost of £IS. It was decided to give a testimonial to Mr. D. A. Mackay, in connection with his services as foreman of tlie construction of tlie Syltar roadway comprising the tram route. It was decided tc approve of tlie name Pirdwood Street, submitted by Mr Stanley Shaw. Tlie engineer was instructed to report en the quantity of soltar required to complete tlie tram track. It was resolved to obtain a clock for the Council room at a cost not to exceed £2. j ; WESTOWN REQUIREMENTS. In connection with the matters brought forward by the deputation of V/estown ratepayers, the Mayor stated that there wn s no loan money available for the work on Standisli Street and Wallace Place. He did not know anything about tlie state of the other footpaths mentioned. Cr. F. J. Hill said that they were all in bad order. Cr. Smith moved that the engineer should report on the matter, Cr. Watkins, in seconding, thought that Standish Hill should be put in crder out of ordinary revenue as it was tlie outlet to an important suburb. The Mayor said that ths committee had gone carefully into tlie question of maintenance money, and found that there was only £4OO to divide among (he streets. Tlie question was to allocate it. He had received a report from the engineer that it would lost £l3B to I renew Wallace Place from Standisli 1 Street to Tnkapa Road, and probably a I similar amount for Standish Street. The engineer was instructed to report upon the necessity for expenditure on repairs in Wallace Place, Standish Street, Tukapa, and other roads in the merged portion of the old Eliot Road District, and also upon a footpath in David Street. '■ Cr. Mediey referred to the question of . the tramway extension, but the Mayor [ leported that tlie Electric l.isht Committee had not yet prepared their report thereon, but it would probably he ready for discussion at the next ordinary meeting of the Council on Au«ust 14th, -