MUNICIPAL PROGRESS.
TOWN CLERK'S ANNUAL REPORT. Tn the course of liis annual report to the council, the town clerk of New Plymouth, (Mr F. T. Bellringer) states inter alia: — The year has not been noteworthy for the actual carrying out of special works of any magnitude, but it has been an extremely busy one, and a large amount of preliminary work in connection with several matters of extreme importance to the future development of the borough have been effected. Among the more important of these are the adoption of a scheme for large extensions to the electric power and light undertaking, obtaining the consent of the Government and of the ratepayers for the raising of a special loan of £40,000 for a portion of this work, negotiations for the sale of current in bulk when available, negotiations for an extended area of supply, the completion of an important exchange with the Harbor Board whereby the council acquired a site for a municipal theatre, negotiations with the Government for permission to adopt the 'one-man one-car' system for the tramways and the raising of a loan of £IO,OOO for street improvements. GENERAL ACCOUNT. The year commenced with a debit balance of £2586 103 9d and ended with a i debit balance of £3160 3s MM, being an increase of £579 13s Id. Capital expenditure amounting to £422S / was, however, paid from the.account: New street works £441 15s 9d, motor lorry £1748 5s 9d, tar sprayer £3B 44s 3d, electric motor bus £I6OO 2s 3d. Had it not been for this the account would have been £1062 4s 2d ir, cr«li< at the end of the year. It has been decided that the whole of the profit of the electricity department for the past year shall be transferred to the general account. As soon as the actual amount has been ascertained and the transfer effected, and it is quite probable that the account will show a' small credit balance. £IO,OOO NEW LOAN FOR STREETS. At the commencement of the year His Worship the Mayor outlined to the council a policy for the provision of more permanent streets by tar-sealing. Proposals were submitted but were turned down. A second poll was taken for the snr)-" amount upon a somewhat different .■>dule of works, the proposals bei-ip carried by a substantial majority. No difficulty was experienced in raising the loan.
RESERVES. I think the time has arrived when the council should appoint a superintendent of reserves whose department would be under the borough engineer but who would be responsible for the laying out and upkeep of all reserves The matter is still under consideration FORESHORE COMMITTEES. The three committees have continued their good work throughout the yea; and have been most energetic in raising funds for the improvement of the reserves under their charge. The committees are entitled to the thanks of the council and of the public for their self-sacrificing labor throughout the year and are to be congratulated on the manner in which they have carried out this work.
LADIES' BEST ROOM. The room was closed for some little time whilst the additions to the Carnegie Institute were being made. It was opened again at the beginning of the current year and is now under the direct control of the council. MUSEUM BUILDING. Last year's report recorded all particulars in regard to the erection of this building. During the year the furnishing ha 9 been completed and Mr W. H. Skinner has transferred to the new building his very valuable collection of Maori curios and articles connected with the early history of the town. Details of this very generous gift to the town are contained in the IAI4 report and need not be repeated here. The formal handing over of the collection will no doubt take place later on at the official opening of the museum. This has been delayed pending the appointment of a curator. The Hempton Room is now occupied by the Polynesian Society. WEST END SCHOOL SITE. The aceommidation at the West End School being inadequate and the present buildings and land being unsatisfactory the Taranaki Education Board approached the council with the view of acquiring a portion of reserve T, Cutfield Road, for school purposes. After very lengthy negotiations it was finally decided that legislation will be introduced into the next session of Parliament, transferring the 4} acres to the Education Board and vesting the two reserves in the council in trust for recreation purposes, but subject to the condition that the council shall have no power to sell or to exchange them for other lands. SUPERANNUATION. The National Provident Fund Amendment Act, 1914, enables local authorities to obtain superannuation benefits for all their employees. The employees of course, contribute the greater proportion of the yearly fees, but the fund ir assisted by the local authorities and also by the Government. The scheme has much to commend itself from the point of view of the. council and would in my opinion assist in some degree in overcoming some of the labor difficulties of the council and will certainly give the council a much more contented body of employees. I would strongly recommend that during the coming year the council seriously consider the advantages to be. gained by becoming contributors to the fund.
FUTURE WORKS. The future prospects of the town were never brighter, and there is no doubt that New Plymouth is destined to become a great centre. With the progress of the town and district municipal undertakings must keep pace and the new council can look forward to a very busy term of office. New Plymouth is already faced with enormous expenditure in the near future. Large sums are required for street improvements, extension of sewers, extension of water mains, extension of electric light and power, and erection of workers' homes. All of these things are very necessary, some are very urgent and some are actually in hand. Each will have to he dealt with in the order of urgency and will require the careful consideration of the council. The housing question is especially urgent and should be one of *Jw> first matters t» be ds»it with-
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Taranaki Daily News, 24 April 1919, Page 7
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1,029MUNICIPAL PROGRESS. Taranaki Daily News, 24 April 1919, Page 7
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