NEW PLYMOUTH BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 January 1918, Page 6

NEW PLYMOUTH BOROUGH COUNCIL.

WORKS COMMITTEE. The Works Committee of the New Plymouth Borough Council met last night. The Deputy-Mayor (Mr. W. A. Collis) presided, and there were present: Crs. J. Clarke, J. W. Hayden, F. J. Hill, W. F. Short, R. J. Deare, and G. W. Browne. CORRESPONDENCE. W. H. Harvey wrote tendering his resignation as assistant-inspector to the council. He also enumerated various grievances against treatment meted out to him by the chief inspector, and also by the council. —The resignation was accepted, and it was resolved that the whole matter of the reorganisation of the sanitary department be referred to next meeting of the council. The clerk of the Taranaki County Council (Mr. R. Ellis) wrote applying to the Borough Council for payment of onethird of the cost of the work on the Waiwakaiho bridge.—The borough engineer reported that he understood the council's total liability was £IOOO. The work was to include the erection of a wing Wall on the west side of the downstream side of the, bridge, and that as that had not been done only a proportionate payment should be made. £6OO had been paid.— It was resolved to pay the sum of £250 on account, until the matter of the wing wall was satisfactorily adjusted. The borough engineer recommended that the application of Mr. Parkin for 1600 cubic yards of sand spoil from Sackville street be granted, subjected to conditions to be signed, and that a charge of 9d per cubic yard be made. The recommendation was approved. H. Brown and Co. wrote that at midday on January !) the long dry grass on Berkeley Terrace, opposite sections 9 to 14, caught fire, no doubt from sparks from passing railway engines. The fire spread over a considerable area, necessitating the firm getting out its factory hose to put out the flames. The letter pointed out that had the fire occurred at night, considerable damage might have been done to the complainant's factory, and they urged that the danger should receive prompt attention. The borough engineer reported that instructions had been given to have all grass cut when there was a possibility of danger. He also stated that from special observation he had made on a certain evening he had seen great quantities of live sparks emitted from engines shunting about the railway station. He sug' gested that the Railways Department should be asked to have spark arresters placed on the engines used in this district, otherwise serious fires might occur in the lupins, which would be very dry towards the month of February. The Railways Department district engineer, in acknowledging a letter on the above subject from the town clerk, said the matter had been referred to the locomotive engineer, Petone, who dealt with all matters affecting locomotives.— The letter was received. 1 S. Guscott applied for a water service to his sheep dip.—The engineer stated he had seen Mr. Guscott on various matters relating to thp council's use of his paddocks. He had offered £25 in full payment of all and any damage done to fences and land, as he considered that Mr. Guscott had not suffered damage to a greater extent than that. He could not recommend payment, as requested by Mr. Guscott, of a royalty on tin boulders used, as these were taken from the race when constructed, and when removed from the grass would give Mr. Guscott more grazing land. He recommended granting the water service, at a charge of 30s per annum. On the motion of Crs. Clarke and Browne it was resolved to grant the water service as recommended by the

engineer. J as. Garcia, on behalf of the Westown ' Hall trustees, applied for remission of l the license fee on the hall. He pointed i out that the earning power of the hall was small. No fee was charged when the hall was used for patriotic, purposes, and it was also used as a church and Sunday school, and, since July last, had been used as a school, and the latter was the only source of revenue of the trustees. The rent, however, had to be found by the residents of the district, who also would have to provide the amount of the license fee. The hall was the property of the residents, and was not used for profit-making purposes. It was resolved, on the motion of Crs. Havden and Deare, that the license fee be remitted for the present year. The secretary of the Taranaki Education Board wrote that the Borough Council's letter in reference to the dust nuisance from the Central School grounds had been referred to the Central School Committee. —Received. The proprietor of Burrows' Studio applied for permission to erect a sign at the. premises in Devon street, and also a plate on the verandah post.—The engineer reported that the overhead sign applied for complied with the borough by-laws, but there was no by-law affecting signs on the poles, though it had been customary to allow the erection of such signs.—The application was granted. M. O. Butcher wrote further with reference to the footpath formation in Balance street, suggesting an extension of the width proposed by the council.—lt was resolved to consider the suggestions made, and that in the meantime the engineer be instructed not to proceed with the work already authorised. The engineer recommended that, as the present award rate for borough workmen's wages was 10s 4d for 8 hours, or Is :i.Jd per hour (including war bonus), and as nearly all employers were paying higher rates, to enable the council to retain its men they should pay as a minimum lis per day of 8 hours, and in special cases 12s. The recommendation was approved. The secretary of the Taranaki Jockey Club wrote stating that, owing to the heavy motor traffic on race days, it had been found necessary to slightly alter the main entrance to the course from Gover street. A scheme -was being arranged between the club's architects and the borough inspector, and, if adopted, would necessitate a slight levelling off in John street, at the point where the cars at present leave the club's horse paddock. The committee of the club asked that the council should authorise the necessary work, so that the improvements might be completed before the next race meeting, to be held on February 6 and 7. The engineer reported that the work was small, and would not cost more than 30s if levelled to line with Wakefield street, or more than £5 if levelled to approximately one chain beyond that point.—lt was decided to do the work, and that it be charged to the Jockey Club. A petition was received from the residents of Cameron street, asking that the i footpaths in that street be repaired before the coming winter. The,petitioners stated that when it rains the paths could not'be used without pedestrians getting •vet feet. The matter was referred to ' areata

REPORT. The engineer reported that water pipes had been laid as follows: Omata road, 4 chains 47 feet of 2-inch pipes, ft chains 44 feet of 1-inch pipes; Kitchener load, 380 feet of 1-inch pipes; Ngamotu reserve, 250 feet of 1-ineh pipes. Sixteen houses had been connected with the water supply. All reported leaks and leaks found were stopped and repaired, and fire plugs fixed where necessary. Filters.—These have been kept in excellent order, and are a credit to the caretaker. STREET WORKS. The work done on several streets was' detailed. Tarring—Work has been started in Devon Street and is progressing satisfactorily. It is anticipated to put on another gang further along, and men are being collected for this purpose. Another gang is being collected to enable the paths being put in hand, which I expect to do within the next fortnight. Flags.—About 200 flags have been made and are maturing ready for laying along the A.M.P. frontage. Tar Mixing Plant.—The plant is now almost ready for use; the boilers have ■been erected and the platforms made good. It is expected to have this working within a few days. Cntfielrl Road.—The re-formation has heen commenced and arrangements made for haulage of gravel. INSPECTOR'S REPORT. Butchers, fish, and food shops have been regularly visited, and although there is a marked improvement in the handling of food, there is a long way to go to perfection. A more general interest is noticeable in the fly question. Stables and yards are being continually cleaned up and improved. Five thousand fly pamphlets have been printed and are eagerly sought after: 2500 of these have been distributed. To stimulate interest in the matter I gave a small prize at the West End school for the best sketch illustrating the danger of flies, and over 40 sketches were secured. They have been exhibited in a window in town and have excited more than passing interest. This idea could profitably be extended to all schools during the coming year. Clean-up Week—ln al[ 250 loads of stuff were removed, at a cost of £54, in addition to which advertising cost £S lis, while 10 loads were removed at the expense of the owners. Five average loads were weighed, and I estimate that 1.10 tons of stuff was shifted. Diphtheria.—A slight outbreak of diphtheria has occurred, but with'the school holidays it is hoped that the trouble will be slight.