NEW PLYMOUTH BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 August 1919, Page 8

NEW PLYMOUTH BOROUGH COUNCIL.

MEETING OP GENERAL PURPOSES COMMIT'fiEE. A .meeting of tlie General Purposes Committee o'f tlie Kew Plymouth Borough Council was held last night, there being present: His Worship the Mayor (Mr. C. 11. Burgess), Crs. J. Clarke, J. W. Hayden, F. J. Hill, IV. p. Short, W. A. Collis, A. .S. Brooker, E. L. Parkin, and 11. V*. S. tiriiliths. LIBRARY MATTERS. The Library Committee reported recommending, among other things, that the chairman and Messrs White and Brooker be a sub-committee to make necessary arrangements for the opening of. the museum; that the committee would be pleased to place in the museum the old signalling gun; that the report/ of the curator and librarian be received; that the librarian proceed to Auckland to purchase books to the value of nov more than £SO to replace those to be sold; that the following donors be tnanked for their gifts to the museum: Mr. C. M. Hill, for water snake; Mr. Cornev-, for flax Maori bags; Mrs. Arden, for photographs of old >iew Plymouth; Mr. 11. Baillie, Wellington, for photographs of old New Plymouth; Mr. W. H. Cook, for specimen of New Zealand asbestos; estate of the late Mr. Julian, for kauri gum specimen; Mr. Reed, Standish Hill, for fossil crustation; Mr. John Baillie, librarian, for New Zealand flora; My. \V. T. Ryan, late of the Mountain House,' for a collection of geological specimens; that Miss Kate Free's temporary engagement be terminated, and that she be appointed to the position of assistant librarian.

The report of the librarian referred to stated that the number of subscribers, was still increasing, 85 having joined since May 1. As many books as possible had been purchased locally, but the librarian asked permission to proceed to Aueklaild, where he considered ho could procure to advantage a number of useful volumes. Ho reported having purchased privately 40 volumes of late novels, in i.exeellent order, at 2s each. A number of children's books (for which there was a good demand) had also been bought at a satisfactory figure. Certain alterations in the arrangement of the library were suggested, including the following: That the magazine room be closed and used as a store and caretaker's room, housing there all parliamentary papers and files of local papers; the present news room to be re-arranged and a couple of tables placed in ft to hold papers, etc., now in the magazine room. It was also proposed that the new room be utilised as the reference reading room. Later on the present reference room could be used as a children's library and reading room. The librarian propose* that the reference and lending library be open each day from 11 till 5 a.m. and 7 till 0 p.m. The report of the committee was adopted. , TREE PLANTING. The Streets Sub-Committee reported that they had no recommendations to make regarding the application of the Fitzroy Katepayers' Association for a grant for protecting trees proposed to be planted in Sackville Street. The committee felt that the council should make a de''-'ite statement as to the extent it was prepared to assist the various associations in the borough in work of that nature, so as to place all on the same footing. The Mayor pointed out that it was considered that the question of subsidising tree-planting did not come within the scope of the sub-committee. It was a finance matter, and should be decided by the council as a whole. The present question was a'usmall one, but it might lead to something pretty considerable. He agreed that tree-planting was a good idea, but it was a question whether the council should encourage the -different associations to go in for tree-planting by subsidising them in that way. Cr. Short said he liked trees as well as anybody, but ho did not believe in planting them along the streets. As far as he was personally concerned, he would not have them planted in 'front of his place, as he wanted all the sunshine he could get. If anyone planted trees in front of his place he would take them out again. (Laughter.) "But you couldn't," rejoined the Mayor.

Cr. Hayden supported tlio idea, and thought the local associations should be encouraged to go in for tree-planting. He moved that a grant of 10s per tree for protective purposes, up to twelve trees, be made to the Fifr.roy Ratepayers' Association, subject to the work meeting with the approval of the engineer, and also subject to the terms of the letter already sent to the association in regard to the kind of trees to be planted. Cr. Brooker seconded the motion. Cr. Griffiths said that the Vo»eltown Association contemplated planting in Smith, Hori, and Rawhiti Streets, and there would probably be about 30 trees planted, for which protection would be wanted. He would not be in favor of planting trees in the streets unless they werj protected. | (h Collis said lie was in favor of treepUnting, but not in all streets. Ho tlpught the streets to be planted should H specified.

y) Cr. Parkin favored the planting of ftrees. Ho said the trees had not vet been -planted in Sackvillc Street, the Lassoeiation waiting for (he council's fcply in regard to the grant for protecting of same. There was i„ „!! the streets a strip of roadway between the metal and the kerbing, "which 'was of unsightly appearance, and trees nlanted along these would greatly improve the appearance.

The Mayor questioned the necessity of putting protection round the trees. * He thought it was only necessary where there were cattle straying. He did not know if 10s was the" lowest cost for which protection for the trees could he provided.

The engineer. stated that he did not know if all the protection required eould he provided for ins per tree. He could not do it for that much for the trees in I.iardet Street. He thought if a large number of trees were to lie planted the protection might be made by contract and bo got for a lower figure.' The Mayer moved an amendment, which was seconded by (>. Clarke, to the effect that inquiries l )e made by' the engineer as to what price protections for [ the trees could lie made for. On being put, the amendment was carried by a large majority. APPROACHES TO BRIDGES. The secretary oF the New Zealand Automobile Union wrote in resarrt to accidents arising from motorists not being able to pet a clear view of the approaches to bridges which are painted „a dark color, and asked, in terms of a resolution passed at the annual meeting 4>i the union, that local authorities should paint the approaches to all bridges

white, and that, where necessary, boards painted white be erected on each bridge, and that similar precautidhs be taken in regard to "rabbit gates." It was also stated that the same meeting had resolved to/ recommend to the Minister concerned that local authorities be given power to order trimming, removal, or lowering of trees, fences, or hedges on corners of roads thev were, by obstructing the view,' calculated to cause accidents the highwav, reserving to tho owner the right of appeal to a magistrate. It was decided to reply that the council would, as far as possible, endeavor to give effect to the suggestion contained in the resolution.

GENERAL. The New Plymouth Ratepayers' Association wrote urging ou the council the necessity of proceeding immediately with the erection of public conveniences in a central position in the town. It was deoided to reply that tenders would lie called for their erection at an early date. Eight tenants of the Borough Council's Toko reserve wrote asking, should they all agree to cancel their present leases, on what terms the council would be prepared to grant new leases, say for 21 years (with compensation). It was decided that Crs. Clarke. Hill, and Collis be a committee to go into the matter and report to council.

The engineer reported that, owing to the heavy traffic and wet weather, a portion of the Carrington Road between the oil bore and Holdsworthy Road, had received such punishment that it would be m advisable to tar that length until thoroughly repaired. He therefore asked authority to do that portion, the cost being £215, including installing, blinding, and rolling.—The authority was granted.

„ A • Jolins.tonc wrote on behalf of Mr. Richard Cock, Vogeltown, in regard to the council's decision declining to exempt certain portions of Cnrriiigton lload to which Mr. Cock's property has frontage from the provisions of section 117 of the Public "Works Act, 190 S. The decision affected the proposal of Mr. Cock to sub-divide his property, and would mean that if lie proceeded with the proposal he would have to dedicate to the public a piece of land triangular in shape, with its apex at the 'northern boundary o theproperty and a base of 25 links at Mill Road. The configuration of the property was such that there was only a very narrow strip of land suitable for building along the Carrington Road, and m those circumstances the dedication of 25 links became a matter of considerable importance to Mr. Cock, and, as there seemed to be no corresponding advantage to the public, Mr. Johnstone asked the council to reconsider Mr. Cock's application. It was decided to adhere to the council s previous decision in the matter.