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NEW PLYMOUTH BOROUGH COUNCIL.

WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING. The works committee of the New Plymouth Borough Council met last night, there being present: His Worship the Mayor (Mr C. H. Burgess), Crs. J. W'Hayden, F. J. Hill, W. F. Short, EGriffiths, W. A. Coll is, R. J. Deare, and •J- Clarke. An apology for absence was received from Cr. G. W. Browne. The electric light committee reported recommending a charge for Ngamotu beach cottages for the period from Ist November to 30th April of 3ti/-, and from Ist May to 30th October of another 36'/-. Cr Hayden raised a point in regard to the Ngamotu Seaside Committee's eottagos, which he felt would be penalised as they were not let for very long over the summer period, and to ask 'them to pay 36/- in advance was hardly fair. It was pointed out by the Mayor that provision was made for special periods being arranged for by agreement with the electrical engineer. Cr. Deare suggested that metres should be put in the cottages in the ordinary way. Subsequently the report was approved. STREETS SUB-COMMITTEE, i

The streets sub-committee reported making the following recommendations:—

That Inspector Day be authorised to' plant a shelter belt of pines, muricata, or any other suitable trees (200 trees) at the sanitary depot. That Messrs C. H. Burton and G-ovett and Quilliam be informed that the cost of opening up Sackville street is estimated at £372, and that before considering the applications the council desires to know how many houses the applicants are prepared to guarantee to erect in the event of the applications being favorably considered. That a copy of the 'borough engineer's report in regard to Doralto road and in.regard to water main in Frankley road be forwarded to the Frankley Road Settlers' Association, and the Association be informed that the council cannot see its way to incur the large expenditure involved at present. That the borough engineer be authorised to expend £SO in temporary repairs to the hill at Govett Avenue, Frankleigh Park, and that the Association he informed that in view of the heavy cost the council cannot see its way at present to do anything further. That Messrs' A. E- Washer and others be informed that the council cannot see its way to accede to their request for fire plugs at Avenue road. It was reported that after viewing the site, the committee could not recommend the granting of Mr Gilbanlts' application for permission to erect a cottnge near the Ngamotu cottages. Tt was also further recommended that some few street lamps be moved or altered as desired by ratepayers, The report was adopted. DARTMOOR WATER MAINS. The engineer reported on the necessity for. laying larger water mains in the streets in the Dartmoor Estate to replace the present three-quarter inch mains, which were inadequate for the requirements of the area. The total length of streets was 77 chains; there were 36 houses and 44 vacant lots, with application for four more reserves. As there were other portions of the 'borough which required reticulation and renewals he suggested the council should consider obtaining the pipes required. In the Dartmoor estate there was no proper fire prevention water supply. A reduction iff price was possible by ordering in quantity, though delivery would not be possible within six months. The engineer was instructed to submit a comprehensive report to the new council on the question of the requirements of the borough in the matter of water mains.

MOTOR CENSUS. Mr R. Day (Borough Inspector) rep/orted that at the last two race meetings ha had taken something in the nature of a census of the motor cars at the course, with the following results: Fifteen cars had not the registration number displayed on the front of the ear; 20 ware unregistered; 2 had wrong numbers; 3 transfers not shown in register; 3 cars using demonstration numbers wrongly; 10 non-owners posing as owners of cars; 2 cars unable to be traced. Of the 20 unregistered cars 14 had since paid the fees If the registering authorities in Taranaki agreed to ipay the cost, an exhaustive census could be made every year at a cost of about 3d per ear- In addition to the knowledge that all cars are registered, the fees would pay the cost. Only about half the cars present were handled, and the cost was £4. The fees and fines recovered had amounted to £9. in addition to £3 paid for registration to other local bodies. None of the fees collected were for New Plymouth cars. PARKING MOTOR CARS.

The, inspector (Mr Day) reported suggesting that the .site opposite the railway.station should be utilised as a parking stand for motor cars. He pointed out that the number of cars parked in King street in certain days constituted a danger. His suggestion was that the section should he planted With .a border of trees and-'shrubs and the inner part being the parking stand, for which motorists should pay a small fee, either by means of the sale of season tickets or the sale of stamps by a machine On the section. The council decided" to'take no action in either matters. PATCHING ROADWAYS.. Cr, Griffiths raised the point of the conditions of some of the tarred roads in the borough, and suggested they were not being looked after as they should be. His opinion was that with a view to safe-guarding those streets a man should he employed to fill in holes in the tar as soon as they appeared- He instanced the state of Rc-be, Silver, Currie, Devon and St. Au'byn streets, and said there were holes in ail these which he thought ought to have been repaired. The Mayor replied that the matter had been considered on several occasions The position was that tner* were certain streets which must be done befor« the winter. There was a limit to what, the engineer could do. He had at present a staff of 40 and could do with 80. Councillors had worried a good deal a.bout Devon street, and he had asked them on one occasion if they would pass n resolution calling the engineer ofT the work he was doing in order to do some patching and repairing work, rind the council, wisely, had refused. Personally he was ajraihst the enginee'' leaving work costing large, sums of monev to come into the centre of the town to spend a few pounds on

patching. The Mayor said he was «. ways on the look out for these things, and knew what was needed, but the policy of the engineer had his endorsement, and if Cr. Griffiths' suggestion was adopted he would take it as a reflection on his policy and administration.

Cr Griffiths said he did not think the Mayor's explanation disposed of the inatter. He thought it would he in the interests of the borough to repair the streets rather than let them get right behind-hand. If they only employed one man and one dray'afpa'tcliing work he thought it would save the road;;. There would he much greater expense ultimately if the roads were not attended to now. and lie' moved that the engineer be instructed to have the holes in the tarred roads mentioned tilled up.

The engineer explained that he wo 9 quite aware of the condition of the streets referred to, but there was no road in the borough which was not reviewed at least once a month. When the tar-sealing wa< commenced the council had practically no plant- They were also hard pushed for cartage, and even now could not get all the labor required. The difficulty of getting a sufficient quantity of tar was also a handicap, and twice recently he had had to take men off the taTring gang for want of tar to put on the streets. He had a staff of 4-2 for all purposes, and of those 20 were required to follow the tarring machine when it was working. Since February 4i miles had been given two coats of tar and a day or two would have had its third coat, equalling over 12 miles of tarring. As soon as the tarring gamr was .finished its present work it would be split into two, and sent to certain repair work, especially that on Devon street near To Henui bridge. Cr. Griffiths intimated he did not intend pressing his motion, after hearing the explanation. Cr Clarke said, what the councillors wanted to ha sure about was that the engineer was rot opposed to the idea of patching- There seemed to be an impression that he favored letting a road wear right through and then giving it a new surface.

An assurance was given that such was not the case, and the matter was allowed to drop. GENTBRAL. It was decided to write to the Taranaki County Council disapproving' of the laying of any more blocks on the weir at the Waiwakaiho bridge, and that In the event of any damage resulting to properties in the vicinity therefrom, the council disclaims all liability. A committee, consisting of the Mayor and Cr. Clarke, was appointed to place the Borough Council's views before the County Council.

Permission was given to the Citizens' Band to take up a collection at a recital to be given in the Pukekura Park on Sunday next, in aid of the park funds.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TDN19190325.2.67

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Taranaki Daily News, 25 March 1919, Page 7

Word count
Tapeke kupu
1,565

NEW PLYMOUTH BOROUGH COUNCIL. Taranaki Daily News, 25 March 1919, Page 7

NEW PLYMOUTH BOROUGH COUNCIL. Taranaki Daily News, 25 March 1919, Page 7

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