BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 April 1917, Page 8

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

THE FINAL MEETING. The final meeting of the Borough Council at at present constituted was held last night. Present: The Mayor (C. H; Burgess), and Crs. A. E. Watk'in, J. T. Mannix, E. Griffiths, S. J. Smith, F. J. Hill, F. Short, W. A. Collis, A. H. Johnstone, L. M. Montcath, J. W. Hayden, F. E. Wilson, J. S. S. Medley.

MAYOR'S. ANNUAL STATEMENT. The Mayor placed before the council his annual statement, which stated inter alia:— '£42,000 LOAN. There has been considerable comment on the delay in executing the works under this loan, but I think the delay can be very reasonably put down in the first place to the traniwnys. I do not think councillors have to look forward to such a .strenuous time this year as in the past year. During the construction of the tramways and for some considerable time afterwards, whilst the road was being reformed to comply with the Government regulations' of 1 in 17, and also whilst the damage caused by the heavy traffic caused by these works was being repaired, all other works were practically suspended. It is easy to be wise now, but I am sure that had the promoters of the tram service been able to arrange for the contractors to carry out botli works simultaneously, much time and money would have been saved. It will be remembered that Mr. Skitrop resigned his position as engineer but accepted an engagement to complete the making and soltarring of the tramway route, which he had commenced, and which had been authorised under the £22,000 loan.

Mr Clayton was engaged as Borough Engineer with instructions to carry on the ordinary work of the borough, ami that of the £42,000 loan. If this arrangement had been continued, we should have had the work of the two loans going on together, but unfortunately Mr Skitrop asked to be relieved of his engagement (which was granted) and under one engineer all work was concentrated on the tram route, which was not completed till about March, 1910, instead of October, 1015, a delay of siv months. Mr. Clayton had prepared reports and estimates for the work, but owing to the relations between himself .and the council not boing satisfactory he tendered his resignation. Mr. Cook was appointed and took up lils position in November, but naturally all the work of the plans and estimates had to be gone over again, causing further delay. We are now ready to go on, but labor is hard to get and the work is hung up. Wc- have to face the fact that the war lias depleted the labor market, and it is impossible now to carry on work as expeditiously as we would wish, and though it may bo unfortunate that the loan moneys are idle, it is the fortune of war, and public bodies cannot expect to esrape any more than private individuals or firm's. Wo should he thankful that we have the money secured, and as opportunity offers can go on without interruption,'though slowly, with the work so necessary. With a further Government Loan'facing tho Dominion, I am afraid local Bodies' [.pans will m future be well looked into before authority be given to raise them.

MUNICIPAL THEATRE,

It was no doubt a misfortune not only for the proprietors, but for the town, when the old Theatre Royal was destroyed by fire. It was not exactly what you'would eall the most up-to-date theatre, but it served its purpose very well, and it is very difficult to replace it at the present time. The question of a municipal theatre has ljp.cn before the Council several times, but nothing so far Ims been done. Personally I must confess I look expenditure for such a purpose, at such a time and imdar such conditions as at present prevail, as quite unwarranted. In the first place, as a business venture, it could not possibly lie ft paying one, and the Council, with such an amount of work before it, and with its already heavy rates, is not justified in incurring: such a heavy liability as a theatre would entail. We have three up-to-date picture theatres in the town, so that in one respect it cannot .he said amusement for the people is not. provided. Another reason which appeals to me jnore is that it seems almost callousness /or us to think of such an extravagant expenditure at a time when so many°of our own people are away over the sea fighting for the Empire and under the most awful conditions. Also that our kinsmen across tlw fca are feeling the pinch of war so much that their daily food is being curtailed by, Imv. Is this not a time for lis to consider economy? This country scarcely realises »ve are at war, nor does it realise what it all may mean after the war is over. Expenditure now hy the Government at the rate of a million per month means heavy taxation later on';, which all must share. The inte/ast on every million borrowed means £50,000 per year at least. It may be necessary for a time after the war for our Government t«t raise its money for public works in the Dominion, and in order to facilitate matters in tlijs direction it is, I think, the duty of paMif bodies to call upon loan moneys for absolute necessities only. I would ask ratepayers to be patknt as regards theatres, tram exten* niolls, aiMi other matters not necessarily urgent, until we see how things will adJust themselves utter the war is ended,, 'which it is the' earnest pf jypr of everyone will not be long delayed.

LIGHT IXG AND TRAMWAYS LOAX.

Ratepayers may 'be asked to sanction a loan this year for extra water to provide power (or electric lighting, etc., and the tramways. This will be dealt with in the electrical engineer's report, no doubt, but is a ease in which 1 think a loan an absolute necessity If the two departments mentioned are to keep pace

with the present and future requirements, i RATES.

Much comment has been made on Hie amount of rates paid, but an analysis of the same will show that ratepayers receive a good deal for their money. In the last few years we have paid off £1270 for the site adjoining this building, comprising some two acres or more. There has been paid out of rates nearly £4OOO, the Council's contribution to the cost of the new hospital. Taking this year's estimates, there is a water rale of .0(1 in the £, and interest collected on waterworks loans in addition is equal to an 8d rate. If the waterworks account were put on a commercial basis and the water paid for by meter each month, the rates would be reduced by one and twopence, but ratepayers would pay for the water directly instead of indirectly.

Sanitation, which costs, sayi, £1275, is equal to a 3d rate, and is a direct service which would have to be paid to a contractor if not undertaken by the Coiiw-i]. and the cost to the individual ratepayer would be appreciably heavier. Under the old system the removal of rubbish cost those using it 20s per year, and attendance to dry closets 20s per year additional. . Under the new system these two services together cost 33s Od. being very little more than the cost of one service under the old system.

Rate. Fire Board levy £725..,.- I£d Hospital levy 1499 '. 3%d Lighting streets 1050...., 2'/ 2 d Subsidies—'Pukekura Park •.-...-, K0....... ' Western Park ......,., 50...,, ■ School .... 25...,, East End Reserve .. £00...„ Citizens' Band 50..., Seaside Committees.. 150 Library 375..., %d Waiwakailio bridge ... 1000...-. 2'/ 3 d Baths—Receipts £l5O, expenditure £305; deficiency £215...* i/od Water rate, as shown above Is 2d Sanitation ...,,.., ~ 3d Total .. ; -...-.- ........2s Oi/jd That is to say, that out of next year's rates no less than 2s (ii/ 4 d in the £ will be required for actual services rendered to the ratepayers (water and sanitation)!, and levies and other standing Charges which liave to be met. In addition, there are the various interest charges on loans raised for streets and bridges and other non-productive, works, so that it will be seen that by the time these have been paid very little of the rates are available for the general purposes of the borough.

MUSEUM COMMITTEE.

the- Museum Committee recommended that the Council call tenders for the ejection of a museum building in accordance, with plans and specifications submitted by Mr Messenger, and that, in tlie. Jneantiinc, the plan be submitted to the Polynesian Society and Mr Skinner for approval.—Adopted. 11l moving the- adoption of the committee's report, Cr. Johnston stated that the building to be erected would be on the site at the rear of Carnegie Library.

INSPECTOR'S REPORT. R. Day. inspector, reported that building permits issued during March totalled .CISIIO Thirty-one notices had been served to abate nuisances. He had been making house-to-house inspections. TOWN BLOCK, The borough engineer stated that he was having the ironwork in the belfry scraped and painted. The work will be in hand by Tuesday. As it was necessary to renew several of the levers it was hardly ppssible, to present the chiming from Wing disarranged, They could work it by leaving only one he'll at a time, but there would in this case be considerable (liueofd. lie therefore suggested that during the woi'k thp chimes be stopped at least during the working hours if it can be arranged satisfactorily. Work to be left ,in the hands of the engineer. GENERAL.

The borough engineer reported that road work in connection with the tram route was being pushed on as fast as supplies panic to hand,

With the exception of gravelling the pathway, work in connection with Paynr tor's avenue was complete At Wallace Place the shoulders are now being widened out with gaol gravel, and the footpaths made to grade. Repairs had been effected between the breakwater and the railway station, and at the old waterworks reserve and 'Puketi reserve. Progress In connection \yit|| the supply of boulders contract was progressing very slowly. The reservoii|. which has not been cleaned for a number of years, will be attended to when labor is available. The supply of water to the town had been maintained, but after the scour at the Mangorei dnm a few days back fliere was insullioicnt water passing through to work the filters, so the supply was passed direct to the town: Two'filters were not working well, but would be put in order at lirst opportunity. The abattoir report for the year showed that ll,(i]i head of stock''had been slaughtered fpy Ipcal consumption, including 2141 head of cattle, -7,)14 sheep and iambs, and 141? pigs, pows HUP pigs showed an increase over lust year, and sheep and lambs a decrease of over SOO, the, total decrease being (144. Sev-enty-six head of stock had been condeirm..'(t: Fees paid amounted to £1332 is 3d, Bnij»' I't'fe revenue brought the total to .€IBO4 Us Bd.

It was resolved "That the Hospital and Charitable Aid .Board be charged 1/- per 1000 gallons of water, and that a meter to installed at the Old People's Home, the ssmii charge to be made there.'' Applications' for renewals of billiard licenses were granted tp Messrs A. Bartlctt. Marett Bros,, and W, E.' Clarke, and temporary licenses io Messrs Flannagan and Uixton, both to appear before a future meetin« of the council in connection with their applications. The Citizens' Band Committee were granted a lease from year to year of a section in Clover street.

Tim application of tho High School Board for a footpath in Waiwnka Terrace was deferred, the engineer to submit an estimate of the eos~t of metalling the street from the bridge to Mangorei road.

Ponsonby Fife and Drum Band were grunted permission to give an open-air "uiwrt oil Easter Sunday afternoon, and j. 0 lip a collection in aid of traveiling e? .',.