NEW PLYMOUTH BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 May 1918, Page 3

NEW PLYMOUTH BOROUGH COUNCIL.

WORKS COMMITTEE. The Works Committee of the New Plymouth Borough Council met last night. His Worship the Mayor presided, and there were present: Crs. J. Clarke, J. W. Hayden, P. J. Hill, W. P. Short, E. Griffiths, W. A. OoUis, B. J. .Deare, and G. W. Browne. CORRESPONDENCE. The chief postmaster at New Plymouth wrote asking permission for tho mail contractor running between the post office and tho railway station to back his car into the mailroom door, in order to expedite loading and unloading. ,The borough engineer, i n his report on the application, said tho footpath would not be blocked sufficiently to inconvenience foot-passengers. He recommended, however, that a limit of eight minutes be placed o n the time allowed for loading or unloading; also, that a suitable crossing, sufficient to withstand the weight of the load, be put down and bo maintained by the Department. It was decided to grant the application on the terms of the engineer's recommendations, and subject to tho pleasure Ok tho council.

The Criterion Motor Garage applied for permission to store benzine in a motor shed at the head of Paynter's Lane, Fitzroy. Tho borough inspector reported that the shed was quite suitable for the purpose, being thoroughly isolated and securely locked. The application was granted. _ William Harris, fields inspector, Stratwrote that statements made regarding noxious weeds on the borough reserves near Stratford were grossly exaggerated. He reported on all the sections, which, he said, were well looked after—Received,

STREETS LOAN. The secretary to the Treasury wrote stating that the Acting-Minister of Finance had approved of the borough's application for permission to raise and expend a special loan of £IO,OOO for the construction of streets and footways within the borough.

The Mayor said the council's deputation had approached the Minister at Wellington, and had ben very favorably received. The information that was put before him had evidently been impressive. Ho stated, incidentally, that lie had nothing to say in addition to the information given in his annual statement, except that he hod had prepared a table showing the length of roadway and footpaths within the borough. The table showed the following:— Streets.—Formed and metalled down the centre, 48 miles; partly metalled, 6 miles; unformed, 10 miles; roughly opened, 4 miles; total, GS miles. Footpaths.—.Formed only (clay), 46 miles; gravelled, 24 miles. permanent, 12 miles; unformed, 54 miles; total, 136 miles.

The matter was referred to the Finance and Streets Sub-committee to consider and report to the council, with the abject of formulating proposals for submission to the ratepayers. On the motion of Crs. Griffiths and Collis, a vote of thanks was passed to the Mayor and Cr. Clarke and the engineer for their efforts in connection with securing the Miniaterti approval of the loan. ' GENERAL. Mr. F. W- Sandford wrote acknowledging his appointment as a representative of the borough on the Citizens' Band Committee. The secretary of the Citizens' Band Committee forwarded copy of the annual statement of receipts and expenditure for the year ended March 31, 1918, .is required by the conditions attaching to the borough subsidy.

SPBOIAL MEETING.

A special meeting of the council was held, when formal resolutions were proposed respecting rates and water charges for the year, and also fixing the limit of the bank overdraft and the method of operating o n the council's bank accounts.