NEW PLYMOUTH BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 October 1917, Page 6

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) and Crs. J. W. Hayden, F. J. Hill. W. F. Short, E. Griffiths, W. A. Collis, G. W. Browne, R. J. Deare, and J. Clarke.

The various committees' and departmental reports were adopted. MANGOREI ROAD. Mr. H. Dempsey wrote challenging srfme of the arguments used in favor of the work at the lower end of MangoreT P.oad. He referred to the statement that the residents of the upper end would prefer to see the work at the corner done. He himself had not experienced anything like the difficulty at the corner that he had at the upper end. which in wet weather was positively dangerous, and he believed he expressed the feelings of the majority of people who used the road. The Taranaki County Council was continuing the work still further up the road, and the writer hoped that the council would see that a good job was made right through. Cr. Hayden repeated his objections to the proposal to spend money on the widening of Mangorei Road while other parts of the borough were in far more urgent need of formed roads and footpaths. He stated that in Vogeltown there were seven residential streets that had not a single shovelful of shingle on them. It was time a halt was called on expenditure for the buying of land. Cr. Short said the tarring of the main tram route had yet to be completed, and other works were more urgent. The council could not afford to carry out the work at the Mangorei Road corner at present. Crs. Deare and Hill said they could not vote for the proposal, ion the same grounds as the previous speakers.

Cr. Griffiths said the matter had already been thoroughly discussed at the meeting of the works committee, and i that the position had not altered since then, except that Mr. H. Barnett had made an unconditional offer of £lO towards the carrying out of the work. He considered it was .the council's duty to carry out the work. '

The Mayor said lie looked at it from a purely business point of view. The whole trouble lay in the regulation providing for 68ft. suburban roads. He considered that a 40ft. road was ample in the suburbs. However, if the matter were left over for any length of time there would probably be complications. Cr. Griffiths said he agreed that a 40ft. road was wide enough for a suburban road, but not for sucli a corner as that in question, where the passing traffic was so heavy. Finally the matter of widening the road was deferred. LIBRARY LIGHTING. Cr. Browne moved that no increase in charges for lighting at the Carnegie Institute should be made, or if the proposed increase of £4l per annum was put on, that a refund equal to the increase should be made to the library committee. The Mayor said that it made no difference whether a charge of £4l or £2OO were made, for the cost came back to the council in any case. The council could not expect to indulge in luxuries without expenditure. CATTLE DRIVING. Cr. Collis, pursuant to notice, moved I an amendment of the by-laws to prohibit cattle being driven through the streets except before 8 a.m. and after 4 p.m. The motion was seconded, pro forma, by Cr. Harden, who said the council .could not afford to inconvenience the freezing industry.

The Mayor said that ordinary cattle were not a great source of danger, but the driving of bulls through the streets certainly was a dangerous practice. The motion was lost. ASPHALTING FOOTPATHS. The streets sub-committee recommended that eventually the footpaths in Devon Street, from Liardet Street to Robe Street, be completed in asphalt, and that in the meantime the engineer be authorised to spend not more than £2OO in repairing the footpaths in question, relaying in asphalt such portions as he considered advisable. CORRESPONDENCE. Nine ratepayer., and owners of property in Pioneer road wrote, requesting that steps should be taken as soon as the weather permitted to have the Pioneer road formed and metalled, so as to be passable for wheel traffic at any sea- | son. It was pointed out that if that were done the heavy dairy traffic from the coast to the Moturoa freezing works, which at present has to be carried over the Main South road to its junction witii Breakwater road, could then be diverted down the 'Pioneer road in a direct line : from Spotswood to the works, and thus e-fTect a saving on a considerable length of the council's road. It was further pointed out that if the road was properly formed, dwelling houses would be erected, and fn that way the council's rates would be increased.

The Mayor said that the road was purely a suirinrer road, for in the winter there was no butter traffic. The engineer had spent some time in grading it, and it was now suitable for summer traffic. The council had not the money to spare for the work.

It was decided to send a letter stating that as the road had been graded, nothing more could be done at present. A letter was received from the ratepayers of Sea View road, Tukapo block, asking that that road be metalled. That there "was an urgent need for the work was shown by the fact that the postal authorities had refused to deliver the mail, owing to the dangerous condition of the road. The letter pointed out that the road was unformed, and the ratepayers believed that no money had ever been spent on it. Tradesmen complained about the state of the road, and when medical assistance was required, the doctors' cars had to be left at the end of the road, because they considered that Sea View road was positively dangerous. The letter pointed out that a supply of cheap metal could be had in front of M. K. Marfell's estate near by. The borough engineer reported that he had inspected the road. Commencing at Omata road, the formation would follow a short saddle and skirt the hill on the flat. The formation would be very easily done by plough and grader, and the metalling I could be done by using gaol gravel; that t would give a iriuch better road than to : merely turn it over and expose the clay. I The cost was estimated at £305 7s 6d. | There were only four houses on the road, 10 that it could not have been very jnuoh

used during the winter, as the grass was six or eight inches high. The Mayor said he had recently been over this road in a motor car, and, with the exception of the entrance, it was a good, hard flat road. If it was merely formed up into a clay road it would be worse than ever in the winter, but the entrance could well do with some improvement. The matter was left in the hands of the engineer. ENGINEER'S REPORT. Mr. W. H. Cook, borough engineer, reported:—• Baths.—The first month of the season shows a very decided falling off from the attendance of the previous year. This is no doubt due to the erratic weather conditions, as also that the public at large are possibly unaware that the baths are open. The attendance is as under, the figures for 191G being in parentheses:—Men, C 3 (274); ladies, 01 (H 12); hot baths, 49 (100). Receipts: Swimming pool £6 8s 7d (£ll 5s 4d), hot baths £2 14s (£5 3s). Buildings.—l have again to note that the building trade has been quiet; six permits were issued and| £8 14s 0d fees Collected upon an estimated value of alterations and new buildings of £!oo<s. Drainage.—Five permits were issued during the month and £1 5s fees collected.

Street Works.—The kerning and chan- ' nelling has been finished, the paths made i to level and sanded, and the work is < completed with the exception of finishing i the gravelling, which had to be left owing to supply of fine screenings not ; being available. Courtenay Street: : Kerbing and channelling is just about ii finished, but the path has yet to he ' brought up to the proper grade, and this will necessitate breaking up the tarred surface, which, if left, will be to some extent dangerous and wholly unsightly. Pioneer Eoad:The road from the county boundary to the flat has been ploughed up and reformed with the grader. Carrington Eoad: The new culvert has been put in across the road, in readiness for putting the improvement work in hand again, and if the weather holds good the work will be pushed ahead to completion. Nob's Line: The construction is well forward, and metalling should he in progress shortly. The culvert at the lower end is being laid. On opening up the old wooden culvert it was found to be in a roten condition, and pipes are being used to take the place of same. Wallace Place: The work from Cutfield Road to Belt Road has been commenced, after being held up owing to the recent bad weather; the length from Cutfield Road to Tukapa Road is also in hand. Sewer.—Two sewer connections have been put in. General Maintenance.—Minor repairs have been made where required, and the usia] routine work attended to.

Filters.—These have been kept clean »nd painted, and the screens at the intake have also been repaired and painted. The screens are now showing signs of wear in places, and will be repaired with wire as found necessary. INSPECTOR'S REPORT. Fees collected, £sl Is. Six building permits and five drainage were issued, the value being £IOSG and the fees £9 19s fid. Infectious Disease.—The slight outbreak of scarlet fever in June seems to have been stayed, only two cases being reported. There were eight cases of diphtheria and one of enteric fever. The diphtheria has been chiefly in one suburban local it j'. House to House Inspection.—Good progress has been made with this work, the whole o.f the original borough being practically finished. Three hundred and twenty-four premises have been inspected, in addition to visits being paid to premises where previous notices have been served. Some attention has also been paid to the suburban areas. Inspections have been made at Westown, Frankley Park, and Old Hospital Road. Sixty notices have been served to abate nuisances or remedy defects. I propose now to revisit all premises not found first-class upon my first inspection. There is need for frequent visits to the premises of some people who seem naturally careless. This inspection has found many serious sanitary defects, one being the fact that many houses have no other connection to the sewer than the w.c. The result is that dish water, scrubbing water, etc., either finds its way into the street channel or down the w.c. This latter practice is bound to cause blockage in the drain. Notices have been served to remedy this defect everywhere when discovered.

Traffic Regulation.—The practice of prosecuting for stray cattle has had a good effect, as shown by the number impounded. The outlying portions of the borough have been regularly visited for the detection of breaches of the by-laws, and on certain nights regular watch has been kept on the main roads leading into the town, with the result that eight prosecutions have been taken, of which seven are set down for hearing. In addition to these many trivial breaches have been noted and warnings given to offenders, but a second warning will on no account be given. I propose this month to take steps against motorists whose rear lights do not illuminate the registration numbers. A number at night unlighted is quite useless, and it is to be hoped that motorists will pay attention to this matter.

ELECTRIC LIGHT AND TRAMWAYS KEPORT. The committee recommended that Mr. E. J. Baker b3 informed that the council cannot see its way to purchase his motor bus. That consideration of the question of a motor bus service for Vogeltown be deferred. That the rules for tramway motormen and conductors as printed be approved and adopted by the council. That as recommended by the electrical engineer the following electric light contracts and arrangements remain unaltered for the time being: Soldiers' Club, post office clock, slot telephone, Red Cross rooms, W. Jenkinson, Dr. McCleland's garage, hotels' lighting, picture companies, ironsand company. That the Carnegie Institute be charged the ordinary rates, namely, 6d net per unit for lighting and 2d net per unit for heating, as from 31st October, 1917. That Mr. H. Goodacre's contract be determined as from 31st inst, and that thereafter he be charged the usual rates. That the following advertisement be inserted in the local newspapers: "That consumers desirous of running their motors between the hours of 5 p.m. and midnight must make special application to this department." That in accordance with the recommendation of the tramways engineer the following system of workers' concession tickets he adopted as a trial for a period of six months. Weekly tickets, available on week-days only before 8 a.m., return journey to be made same day at any hour, otherwise return cancelled. Price of each ticekt for six trips and returns over any two sections Is Od, three sections 2s, four sections 2s t)d, five sections 3s Cd, six sections la.

CARNEGIE INSTITUTE AND MUSEUM COMMITTEE'S REPORT. Mr. W. 11. Skinner attended the committee meeting, with Mr. F. Messenger, architect, and explained that he was not in a position at the present time to state the area of casing which will be required 'for the purpose of exhibiting his collection and that of his son, Mr. H. D. Skinner. He mentioned that his own collection is partly in New Plymouth and partly in Christchurch, whilst Mr. H. D. Skinner's collection is in Dunedin. He particularly desired to be in Now Plymouth when the collections were placed in the Museum, but as he would be unable to relinquish his position in Christchurch for some time, he thought it would be some little, time before he would be able to hand them over. The committee recommended that the architect be instructed to prepare plans and estimates for the cases required for the Museum. That in pursuance of the power conferred upon the committee by resolution of the council dated 17th September last, the architect be instructed to proceed with the work of rernpving the present ladies' room, and to arrange for the accommodation of ladies in the rooms now occupied by the custodian and as a chess-room, in accordance with the plan already submitted (cost £2!)). The Carnegie Committee considered that electric light and power should be supplied to the Carnegie Institute at cost price, and that if it is to be charged as notified by the town clerk (fid per unit for light and 2d per unit for power) provision must be made in general vote for upkeep of library for the current and .succeeding years, estimated by the electrical engineer at £4l per annum.

ELECTRICAL ENGINEER'S REPORT.

Mr. R. H. Bartley, electrical engineer, reported:

Electric Lighting Department.—Twelve applications for supply were received, and twenty-four connections made. The work in connection with the installation of the second circuit of the series street lighting, Egmont street to Fitaroy, was completed on Saturday last, the new Jumps being rought into commission as from that date. We had the misfortune to have the temporary sack dam (which we buiit behind the breach of the old dam) washed awny during a flood in the Waiwakaiho river early in the month, but other than 'a ten minutes stoppage of the tramways, no further inconvenience was felt by our consumers. An. other temporary dam was immediately erected. We are, in the meantim'e, getting sufficient water for our requirements. Messrs Roberts and Son, the contractors for the alterations and additions to power house are making good progress, and I am very well satisfied with their results. The whole of the new tail race under the building is completed, the arched foundations and wall on the east side are in. and the wall requires approximately another five to six feet before it is at its full height. The turbine will not be shipped until the 25th of this month. I have decided to move the existing set a sufficient distance to allow of the turbine foundation being put in right away.

Mains Extension.—The extension of mains to Mr. Marfell's premises in Omata road has been com'pleted.

Tramways.—The records for the month are as under:

Main RouteMileage run. 10,849 miles. Revenue per ear mile, 13.5 pence. 'Passengers carried, 86,503. Passengers per car mile, 7.9. Average fare per passenger, 1.7 pence. Total fares, £6ll 19s 7d. Morley Street Route — Mileage run, 2710 miles. Passengers carried. '12.997. Revenue per car mile, 0.7 pence. Passengers per car mile, 4.7. Average fare per passenger, 1.4 pence. Total fares, £76 4s lOd. Combined Routes— Mileage run, 13,565 miles. Passengers carried. 99 500. Revenue per car mile. 12.2 pence. 'Passengers p v er car mile, 7.3. " Average fare per passenger, 1.6 pence. Total fares, £6BB 4s sd. In making the usual comparison with the corresponding month of the preceding year, the figures show an increase of £76 0s 9d, and an addition of 10,214 passengers carried. The working of the plant and equipment is satisfactory. The maintenance during the month is slightly higher, due to overhauling the overhead gear. ABATTOIR REPORT.

Slaughtered for local consumption: 140 cows. 16 bullocks. 482 sheep, 13 lambs, 10 calves, 102 pigs, 1 sucker, 148 tripes cleaned, 3 calves' heads cleaned and 1 set of ox heels. Compared with last September, they show an increase of 3 calves. 20 pigs, and a decrease of 18 cattle, 97 sheep, and 124 tripes. Condemned: 5 cows, 3 pigs and 1 sheep. Slaughtered for export: nil, a decrease of 3 cattle and 49 sheep. Fees due for the months amount to £95 0s 9d; rents due for the month amount to £3 5s 6d; fees from other works, £1 7s 6d; total, £9O 19s 9d ; a decrease of £lO 17s 9d.