BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 December 1918, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING. A meeting of the Works Committee ot the New Plymouth Borough Council was held last night. Mr. C. H. Burgess (Mayor) presided, and there were also present: Cra. J. W. Hayden, P. J. Hill. W. P. Short. W. A. Collis, G W Browne, and F, Griffiths. Apologies tor absence were received from Crs. J. Clarke and R. J. Deare.

THE MOTOR BUS. The Bus Committee reported recommending four sections on the Vogeltown and Westown routes for the new electric bus us follows: Vogeltown.—l. the terminus, Brougham Street, near Bank of New Zealand; -, Recreation Grounds gate, Brooklands Road; 3, George Street; 4, old telephone bureau (Parson's Road); terminus, Smith's Store. Westown.—l. terminus, Brougham Street, near Bank of New Zealand; 2, hospital gate, near Bulteel Street; 3, Outfield Road; 4, road now closed near Mr. G-oodacre's house; terminus, Omata Road.

The committee resolved to leave the matter of intermediate stops to the tramways manager to attend to. The method of payment to he cash and ticket on the' following scales:— Pares by ticket to he Id per section; fares by cash, lir.-.fc and second section's travelled 2d per section, after that the remaining sections at Id per section. Twenty-four tickets to he contained in each book, there being separate books for Id, 2d, 3d, and 4d tickets, and one mixed book, containing six tickets each of Id, 2d, 3d, and 4d; the books to be sold for 2s, 4s, 6s, and Bs, and the mixed book for 5s per book. Tickets of different denominations to be of varied colors. Cr. G. W. Browne suggested that there should be a parcels ticket, as people often took boxes of fruit in the bus, and these formerly had to be paid for.

Cr. Hayden moved that the report be adopted.

Cr. Griffith seconded. Cr. Browne said the people in the outside suburbs felt that in baing charged 4d to travel H miles they were not. being placed on a fair footing with residents of Fitzroy and Moturoa, who travelled 2V4 miles for 3d. The committee had gone carefully into the matter and felt that it eould not make a success of the bus at lower fares. If warranted, the council could easily reduce the fares. The Mayor: They 'will stand for a year '

Cr. Hill said the residents would be glad to get the bus at any price. The Mayor pointed out that for every pasesnger that would travel in the bus ten would travel in the car. The motion was carried.

TARRING STREETS TO BE FIRST CONSIDERATION. Eleanor Brash wrote asking that the attention of the Works Committee should be called to the untidy state of Brougham Street opposite her residence. as it created such a bad impression on the many visitors who cams from all parts of the Dominion. In a report on the matter the engineer stated that tarring work was being done, and as many men as were available were at that work during the favorable weather, being taken off other work for the purpose. In consequence, the rapid growth had overtaken the labor available, but it was hoped to get additional assistance after the holidays. Councillors considered that the engineer should attend to the tarring during the available fine weather, and the cleaning. of grass, etc., could be held over until/ the autumn. The engineer said he would take this as on instruction.

GENERAL. The Minister of Internal Affairs wrote that, after carefully considering the matter, the Government, had decided to leave local bodies free to make their own arrangements regarding peace celebrations. An intimation will he given of the form of celebrations to be adopted by the Government.—lt was resolved to refer the matterHc the committee set up in connection with the armistice.

A letter was received from Mr. S. G. Smith. M.P., in reference to representations made regarding public health matters, intimating that provision had been made in the direction suggested, to the effect that: "No house should be erected or occupied as a dwelling place unless approved by the local authority, on the recommendation of the inspectors under this Act (Public Health Act), who shall certify to the water supply, baths, and sanitary condition of the property."

Discussion was held over till next meeting. In consideration of the award recently made, under the provision of The Salo of Liquor Restriction Act, 1917, whereby the ground rent payable in respect to the Orosvenor Hotel, New Plymouth, had been reduced, Mr. A. IT. Johnstone, on behalf of the occupier, Mr. E, McOinty. applied for a refund of a proportion of the rates paid in respect of the premises for the period from December 1, 1917, to March 31, 1918.—The amount will be remitted.

The borough inspector (Mr. R. Day) suggested that water should be laid on in the channels on both sides of Gaine Street, near Belt Road, as a means or keeping the channels clean.—The report was adopted. ' In view of the high cost of horse feed and the constant demands for the extension of the sanitary service, the inspector urged that the council should at once procure an electric motor for the sanitary department. No extension was possible with the present plant.

The Mayor stated that he was not opposed to the purchase of the lorry, which was probably necessary, but in the face of the financial position he thought the matter should bo deferred till the estimates were drawn up for the year in February next. A new roller and a new method for cleaning the streets were required. The council therefore had to go slow. —The matter was deferred accordingly.