NEW PLYMOUTH BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 September 1917, Page 8

NEW PLYMOUTH BOROUGH COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING, The monthly meeting of the New (Plymouth Borough "Council was held last night. Present: The Mayor (Mr. C. 11. Burgess), Crs. J. W. Havdon. E. J. Hill, W. I<\ Short, E Griffiths, W. A. Collis, R. J. Deare, G: W. Browne and J. Clarke. REPORTS. » 3 Tiie usual committee and departmental reports already published, were adopted. MANGOREI ROAD. Cr. Griffith presented a petition signed by 22 property owners and ratepayers on Mangorei road, and the roads leading into it, urging the desirability of widen-, ing that road where it junctions with Devon street, by at least 13 feet. The petitioners pointed out that owing to the very high hanks of earth on each side of the road the slope of the banks made the road several Jpet narrower than actually appeared on paper, and so obscured the view as to make the corner a distinctly dangerous one. The road served a residential area, and every day the necessity for opening up the moutli of it became greater, owing to the increase in population. Cr. Griffiths supported the petition, and, in order to give effect to it, moved that the resolution of the works committee of September 3, that no further steps be taken at present to acquire or take under the Public Works Act any land for widening Mangorei road, be re* scinded. and further, that the street subcommittee be requested to reconsider their recommendation of September 0 (that after the work agreed to be done for Mrs. Ramson no further work be done on Mangorei road between Rimu street and Devon road, and that any unexpended balance of the amount allocated for Mangorei road be appropriated in payment of the cost of work authorised on this road between Rimu street and the borough boundary). The motion was seconded by Cr. Collis, pro forma, but on being put, was lost, Cr. Griffith alone voting for it.

GENERAL. Cr. Coliis Veported that the members of the abattoir committee had a long conference with the representatives of the Board of Trade during its recent visit to Taranaki on the question of meat prices. The board representatives had taken full statistics, but nothing definite had yet been heard from them. It was understood, however, that the Government would be expected to make good any loss of abattoir revenue the council might suffer through whatever arrangement is arrived at. Cr. Griffith gave notice that at next meeting he would move to change the name of the thoroughfare now known as Paynter's Lane to Wilson street. WORKS COMMITTEE. A meeting of the works committee was subsequently held, the same member being present. HOSPITAL BOARD REPRESENTATION. The Taranaki Hospital and Charitablo Aid Board notified that M'.s. Dockrill had resigned her position 011 that body as the council's representative, while a second vacancy bad been caused through tile death of Mr. C. 31. Lepper. As an extraordinary position had arisen, the council was requested to make appointments to fill the twft vacancies at once. The Mayor said he could only take nominations for two members, as the council's other representative, Mr. Gilmour, had not yet resigned. Personally, he thought there should be an election considering the circumstances under which the vacancies had occurred, so that the people might have a say in making the appointments. However, the council was required to appoint successors when their representatives resigned. It was resolved to appoint Cr. Hill to succeed the late Mr. C. M. pepper, and to defer tho other appointment for a week. 1I STREETS SUB-COMMITTEE. The streets sub-committee (the Mayor, Crs. Clarke and Hill) recommended as follows: 1. That in view of the report of the borough engineer in regard to haulage costs, the streets sub-committee be authorised to purchase a motor tip lorry.

2. That after the machine has been received and at work, the borough engineer be authorised to sell the following surplus plant: 10 horses, 7 drays, 10 sets harness, traction engine, 4 trucks. .. 3. That tho borough engineer be authorised to regrade the footpaths, kerb the channel, and gravel same in the follow, ing streets, the cost to be charged to the £42,000 loan: (a) Lemon street from Gover to Cameron street, both sides (estimate £lOl 10s); (b) Liardet street from Learh street to Pendarves street, both sides (estimate £lO 10s); (e) Powderliam street, both sides, from Brougham street to Currie street river (estimate £57); (d) Bulteel street, both sides, from Robe street to Dawson street (estimate £125 (i.;); (e) Fulford street, both sides, from Robe street to Daw'son street (estimate £l3l 17s 6d); (f) Robe street, west side, from Vivian street to Bulteel street (estimate £4S 10s; alternative £35 10a) ;i v (g) Watson street, west side from Courtenay street to Lemon street (estimate £45). 4. That the borough engineer be authorised to repair Robe street from Vivian street to Bulteel street (estimated cost £54 18s 9d).

C. That where provision has been made in the loan for lcerbiug and channelling in the same streets, the council adopt the principle of completing the kerbing and channelling, utilising the money allocated for tarring and sanding. Consideration of the report was deferred till next meeting.

GENERAL. W. E. Home wroto complaining of the bad state of Lorna. street, and asking that at least the lumps be removed, the holes filled in and a little gravel put down.—The engineer suggested that an expenditure of £25 to £3O would make the road passable, and make it as good a road as Pioneer road. —Engineer's recommendation adopted. Mrs. G. Harding forwarded her resignation as a member of the council's clerical stall'.—Resignation accepted with signet as from 30th instant, and matter of filling the vacancy left in the hands of the Mayor and town clerk. The Green Island Borough Council forwarded copy of a resolution passed by' them urging upon the Government that, in connection with the war bonuses to civil servants, no unmarried employee without dependents receiving £l5O per annum or more, or married employees receiving £2OO or more, should receive a war bonus, and that no special grants be paid to any official during the war.— ■No action taken. A. B, Gibson, on behalf of 's><> New

Plymouth branch of the Red Cross Society applied for permission to display on tho trams, when the poster boards were not otherwise in use. posters bearing "Our Day, October 20" and "The Red Cross Society." He had applied to the manager of the Taranaki Amusements, Ltd., who had referred him to the council. —The tramways engineer and manager wrote that the contract with tho Taranaki Amusements. Ltd., had run out, and a charge of 23 6d per week per board was now being made. The charge would be the same if Mr. Gibson could borrow or hire tlie boards, the council having none suitable for the purpose. — Permission granted free of charge, society to find the boards.