NEW PLYMOUTH BOROUGH. COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 March 1918, Page 8

NEW PLYMOUTH BOROUGH. COUNCIL.

WORKS COMMITTEE The Works Committee of the Xew Plymouth Borough Council met last night. His Worship the Mayor presided, and there were also present: Crs. J. Clarke, J. W- Haydcn. F. J. Hill, W. F. Short,' E.'Griffiths, W. A. Collia, R. J. Deare, and Ci. W. Browne. CORRESPONDENCE. S. J. Churches, Devonport, Auckland, wrote applying for £4 10s as expenses in coming to New Plymouth for some prosecutions in connection with some motor by-law cases. The inspector (Mr. R. Day) stated he had employed Churches to check motor traffic on one of the last race days. Shortly afterwards he accepted a position in the Defence Department and was sent to Devonport. It liad been necessary to subpoena him as witness in some of the informations laid- The inspector later learned that nearly all the defendants intended to plead guilty, and on the morning before the trial he wired to Churches "Do not come," but he came. Churches in bis letter said that, not understanding the message, he communicated with tlie police at Devonport, who advised him to proceed to New Plymouth, and he followed that advice, arriving here, owing to the inclement weather, after the court had risen. He said lie had a fearful trip down and lost four days' pay, besides out-of-pocket expenses.

It was decided to grunt the expenses «3 applied for. The secretary of the Tavanaki Jockey ; Clu'b wrote acknowledging the council's letter enclosing the engineer's estimate for work in connection with the Cover Street lii'l. lie slated he had been directed by the committee to refer the council to the committee's letter of July last, m which they asked the council to consider the question of metalling Cover Street 'hill its full width with tarred macadam, or, as a substitute, to metal to full width and seal with tar. The committee, therefore, asked for an estimate of the cost of that work only. It was decided to ask the club to appoint a committee to confer with the streets sub-committee on the matter. J. H. Cock and Co. wrote that owing to Kawau Street not being formed the storm water from their warehouse roof is at present being carried on to private property adjoining, and as the owners of that property intended building almost immediately, they asked if the council could deal with the question of the formation of the street, so that they could carry their storm-water into it. They also wrote regarding the proper formation of the footpatli on the east side of Currie 'Street, which is at present in very bad condition. As the council intends tarring the path on the west side, they asked that the matter of tarring the other side also should be considered, as they had built a warehouse on that side and another warehousci was also to be erected shortly. The engineer reported that until Kawau Street is re-formed and defined channels made available, nothing could be done towards turning the storm water. The street is iu very poor condition and, being so close to the centre of the town, should be reconstructed, especially as it is becoming of more Importance. The levels have been taken, and an estiuiatu of the cost of putting the street into order can be prepared if the council wishes. If anything is done he thought it advisable to approach the Railway' Department with a view to their working into the street when dealing with the railway yard. Jle did not think it advisable to do anything to the footjpath at present as suggested, in view of the building operations to be carried out. Regarding approaching the Railway Department, the engineer said he wished to eons\ilt with the district engineer. The yard was to he re-graded, and he wanted the levels of the street and yard to coincide. The fact was that every heavy rain caused a flood in Currie, jMoleswcrtb, and Kawau Streets, and he | wished also to confer with the railway engineer regarding putting in a culvert. | It was decided to defer the matter until the engineer had conferred with the railway authorities.