NEW PLYMOUTH BOROUGH COUNCIL

Taranaki Daily News, 13 November 1917, Page 4

NEW PLYMOUTH BOROUGH COUNCIL

WEEKLY MEETING. A meeting of the works committee of the New Plymouth Borough Council was held last night, when there were present: His Worship the Mayor (Mr. C. H. Burgess), Crs. J. Clarke, J. W. I-layden, F. J. Hill, W. Short, E. Griffiths, W. A. Collis, li. J. Deare and G. W. Browne.

CORRESPONDENCE. Mr. C. Carter wrote drawing attention to the bad state of the the intersection of Victoria and Carrington roads, near the Pendarves street junction, owing to its being too narrow to allow vehicular trnfiic turning out of Victoria into Carringlon road. On November lii his van, while turning into Carrington road, had the tyre taken olf one of the front wheels, and other injuries caused to the machine by Another car, which came down Carrington road, and tried to pass at that point. He further stated that he expected the council to make good the damage. The borough engineer reported that the corner in question was very sharp, but without considerable expenditure the corner could not be made easier. The turn was similar to others both inside and outside the borough, as, for instance, the turn from Standish Bill into Frankley road, at the school outside the borough, also Frankley road into Govett Avenue. Such turns abounded where streets did not intersect at right angles, and for that reason greater caution should be exercised by' drivers of fast moving vehicles. If the council waß liable for every mishap at awkward corners, very large sums of money would be required to make alterations. In the present case little less than regrading would meet the case. It would seem from Mr. Carter's letter that one of the drivers was upon the wrong side of the road.

It was decided to send a copy of the engineer's report to Mr. Carter. Mrs. E. Douglas, convenor of the rest room committee, wrote forwarding a resolution passed at the annual meeting of the W.C.T.U. to the effect that it resigned the care of the ladies' rest room at the Carnegie Library, as from the end of November. It was found, with an experience of ,10 years, that the room was a comfort to many, especially to those from the country, who had often expressed appreciation. The union had always been ready to serve such people, but they were forced to recognise that such a room should be in the charge of an attendant from the moment it was opened till closing time. Moreover, some strong authority was needed to cope with certain annoyance caused by a section of the community which made use of the room. As the union had no means with which to pay a caretaker, and the nuisance could not lie suppressed without «uch a caretaker as petty thefts occurred continually, and in consequence of the obscene scribbling on the walls and reading matter, and other offensive practices, the union had decided to withdraw. In conclusion, the writer expressed the thanks of the union for the use of the rooms.

It was decided that a sub-committee, consisting of Crs. Hayden, Browne and Collis, should interview the ladies of the union, and endeavor to come to terms.

Fifteen ratepayers wrote asking that suitable street lighting Bhould be erected in Paynter'rf lane aiid Wilson street. They suggested that three lights would meet the case.

The engineer reported that tiie expenditure incurred would amount to £99 19s 9d. Cr. Browne moved and Cr. Dcare seconded, that except in urgent cases all applications for additional street lighting should be held over till February next, when the estimates for the coming year would be considered.—The motion was carried. •T. Ti. Gray wrote to the effect that an alphabetical roll of men in the Second Division was being printed at the Government Printing Office, and that the first division, comprising tho names from A to E, had been forwarded to all post and defence offices, police stations and Second Division leagues. The class to which each man belonged was indicated by a letter in front of his name. It was hoped that tho council would check the lists, and if there was reason to believe that any man had been placed in the wrong class, or his name omitted, advise the Government Statistician accordingly.—Received.

Mr. Wm. Harris wrote asking the council to remove two electric transmission posts on his property, not later than November 21, as they prevented his putting up a concrete wall. —Referred to the electrical engineer.

William Brown wrote asking for permisflion to reinstate premises lately occupied by Nippert Bros, in Devon street. The engineer reported that reinstatement would mean practically a new building, as the premises had been very badly damaged by fire. A letter in accordance with the engineer's report will be sent to Mr. Brown.

Mr S. Percy-Smith asked that as there appeared to be a great deal of misunderstanding in regard to the by-laws affecting motorists, leaflets 'containing these by-laws and the proposed amendments as advertised, should be published for the benefit of motorists.—The council could not see its way to print such leaflets, but would point out that complete copies of the by-laws could be purchased. ROOFING QUESTION.

J\L'. Thos. H. Bates wrote asking for permission to roof a house with shingles. The cost of roofing with iron was almost prohibitive, and there appeared to be no likelihood, of a reduction for a long time. The engineer conceded that iron was almost unobtainable at a reasonable price. Tiles were also scarce. Bituminous coverings and shingles loomed up largely, and, in his opinion, there waa little in favor of either. The chief objection to shingle was the liability to fire through sparks. The circumstances under which builders labored were abnormal, and it did not seem at all likely that the price of iron would be reduced to a reasonable figure for a long time. It was, therefore, a question of whether building operations were to be delayed or whether builders should go back to the older form of roofing for a time at least. Quite recently a borough had decided to allow shingles to be used, and ho suggested that the council waive the bylaw under certain conditions. It was decided to grant permission for the roofing of buildings with shingles, subject to the council's approval in each case. GENERAL. It was decided that the additions and amendments to the borough by-laws should come into force on December 1. The increases in wages as recommended by the sanitary inspector to the men in that department were agreed to.

It was decided that 100 street name plates should be purchased, and that the requirements of the tram routes should be first considered.

A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the Hon. O. Samuel, M.L.C., and Mr. H. J. Okey, M.P., for the assistance given in getting through Parliament legislation enabling the council to utilise the unexpended balance of the Municipal Of-

fiees and Museum Building Loan orf street improvements. . .;. It was decided that no alteration could bo made in a resolution passed at a, former meeting of the council, empov/ering Mr. 8. Smith to sub-divide a section into building lots, but it was agreed that the plans of the buildings need not be submitted together.