NEW PLYMOUTH BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 October 1917, Page 8

NEW PLYMOUTH BOROUGH COUNCIL.

WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING. The weekly meeting of the Borough Council., sitting as a Works Committee, was held last night. Present: The Mayor (Mr. C. H. Burgess), €rs. .1. Clarke, J. W. Hayden, W. F. Short. E. Griffiths, W, A. Collis, and G. W. Browne. M4NGOEEI ROAD. Mh S. «T. Smith wrote thanking the council for. agreeing to meet a deputation in regard to the Mangorei Road, but said he could not see that the deputation could do any good. He would like, however, to point out the terms

upon which the council could now secure the strip of land from Mr. Harris, and said the council's valuer and engineer would consider the price reasonable. The widening was absolutely necessary. If .this opportunity was lost, and an accident occurred, as it must, for the whole Df the traffic to and from the town passed that coifner, and the trams conveyed a large number of girls to and from school, the council would not be nble to purchase the land at such -a Reasonable price or on anything like the :sanie terms.

The Mayor said the matter had already been before the council, fie moved that Mr. Harris' offer be accepted. Looking at it from a common-sense point of view, the best course to take was to Require the land now. The matter was a legacy from past councils, and if it were put off it would only be left for ft future council, and perhaps left in a worse condition. This work was not done before, because a reasonable offer could not be had from Mr. Harris. That offer had now come, and it would be a pity to let it go, as the work would have to be done sooner or later. He himself would begrudge every penny spent on it, but from a business point of view there was no other way out.

Cr. Browne asked if the council could finance the work and carry out repairs on the Upper Mangorei Road as well. The Mayor replied that the upper road was certainly very bad, a mere succession of holes. It would cost £2GO to make a good job of it. It. had already been laid and practically re-laid three times, as it had been cut up badly when the tramway carting was being done. The upper road must be put in order. Cr. Hayden objected to the proposed widening, and repeated 'his statements at the last meeting that many parts of the borough had far worse roads, and many residents had not even footpaths, tn any case the trouble would not be settled till the opposite side of the road was dealt with. Some of the residents favored work on that side before Mr. Harris' side was touched. Cr. Short said he could not vote for the motion. The council could not afford to deal with Mangorei Road until other parts requiring more urgent attention were seen to. Apart from the upper part he considered the road in good order.

Cr. Clarke said the danger was exaggerated. Paynter's Lane now relieved the traffic very much. There were other corners and crossings much more dangerous. He would vote against the proposal quite apart from the monetary side of the matter. The road was wide enough for any extension and development within the next thirty years.

The Mayor said the question of danger did not weigh much, for if motorists and drivers conformed to the borough bylaws there would be none.

Cr. Collis said the improvement of the road would enhance the value of the land and bring in increased rates in the future.

Cr. Haydcn said that applied to any part of tlie borough. Finally it was decided that the council be recommended to accept the offer. THE HOSPITAL AMBULANCE. Cr. Browne said it had been reported that the hospital ambulance was not always available when urgently needed, ahd pointed out that a few minutes might mean loss of life. He asked that a recommendation should be sent to the

hospital authorities that the ear should be housed at the hospital. The Mayor said the idea was originally to house the car at the hospital, but in the face of so many other matters and troubles it had been forgotten. Cr. Collis said a member of the Hospital Board had told him that tlie idea of housing the ambulance at the hospital was not workable, as it meant retaining the • service* of two men. If one were retained, and lie should be away when required, the position would be worse than at present. After further discussion the matter was referred to Cr, Hill to mention to the board.

DEVON STREET FOOTPATHS. Cr. Collis moved that wherever practicable a dressing of tar and sand should ■lie given to any parts of Devon Street that had been reecntly repaired. Many ;of the holes were opening up already, 'and the paths would again become very (Unsightly, but if tarred and sanded the work would probably last a year. The engineer said that such patchwork and tinkering was nibbling up all •the money set aside. It was no use going on until the work was properly '•done.

The question of flagging the street was 'brought up, and the Mayor said that flagging was all very well in theory, but •that the council could not afford it. In ,many places the whole footpath would have to be altered, as the kerbing was too low.

Cr. Collis said if that step wns not taken further money would he indirectly •wasted. Much of the trouble was caused in the laying of drains, telegraph cables •and gas pipes. After further discussion it was decided to leave the matter over till next -meeting, in order that the streets could •be inspected. GENBHAL A recommendation was received from the streets sub-committee that the council should purchase a motor lorry, which is now on the water and should arrive shortly.

Cr. IJavden asked when operations would be resumed on Carrington Road.

The engineer replied that the work would be continued as soon as the •weather became settled.