BOROUGH STREETS.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 November 1919, Page 5

BOROUGH STREETS.

ALL AUTHORISATIONS SUSPENDED. STATE OP COUNCIL'S FINANCES. The position of the finances of the New Plymouth Borough Council, and the state of its various street works, was the subject of some reports to the Council last night by the General Manager, and subsequently a recommendation by the Streets Sub-Committee that all authorisations of new work be suspended, and no such work be commenced without the consent of the Council, was adopted. The first report dealt with the position of the general account, and the manager sta'ted: "At the end of last quarter a return was submitted comparing the estimated receipts and Expenditure for the year with the actual receipts and expenditure for the half year. In order, however, to arrive at the true position it is necessary to also consider what works have been authorised, and what liabilities have been incurred outside the estimates. "As will be remembered, the estimates were completed in February last, and it was anticipated that we would commence the year with a debit balance of £'lsoo. _ Owing to the transfer of the electric light profits, however, the year began with a credit balance of £1948. Actually therefore we commenced the year £3-MR better off than we anticipated. We must therefore deduct this amount from the estimated debit balance at March 31, 1920. In the estimates this was set down at £5983. Deducting the £3448 gives an estimated dehit balance of £2535, and this would have been approximately the position at the end of the year had the estimates been strictly adhered to. As shown in the l statements, however, other works not included therein have since been authorised, and new plant, etc., purchased. If all the authorisations are carried out the position at March, 1020, would approximately be as follows: £ Estimated Dr. balance (is per annual estimates 2535 Statement A works authorised, not completed 4000 Deficiency £42,001) and £3OOO loans .. 2018 Statement B works completed, but not In estimates 470 Statement C. plant and sundries, not in estimates 2424 Allow at a rough cuess for repairs to streets comprising the tram route from Ll.ndet Street to the Breakwater not allowed for (say) 2000 Total 13,462 Against this allow for transfer from electric light profits at end of year (say) 0000 Leaving an estimated debit, bolaneo of 7462 He therefore urged the Council in I order to make a clean start, that, ex-! cept in those cases where to do so would cause complications,, the whole of the authorities be rescinded, and fresh authority bo given for items which the Council considers essential. , STREET WORKS. The General Manager also dealt specifically with the various street works in a separate report, stating that through faulty construction and want, of repair many of the streets were rapidly going to pieces to such an extent that reconstruction was the only solution. Sections of the tramway track wore waterlo/ged, and jmtil tliat was remedied it was inadvisable to attempt repairs. The work in any case would entail heavy expenditure. The acute position in reg.ird to the supply of gravel was also a factor having a considerable bearing on the position at present. The tarring plant was considered inadequate for the .amount of work to be done, and this in consequence limited the number of men who could be employed on that class of work. Footpaths throughout the town were in an unsatisfactory state, and .the requisite materials for their repair were not available. In conclusion, he recommended the carrying out of work on certain streets and considered if work on them was concentrated it» might be possible, before the end of the summer, to tar those roads which had been laid down for tarring. In regard to the position of the £42,000 and the £3OOO loans, lie stated that works estimated to cost £32# were incompleted, and there was approximately only £1223 available, showing a deficit of £2013. STREETS SUB-COMMITTEE'S REPOBT. The abovo Committee recommended: 1- That the Borough Egincer be authorised to proceed immediately with the repairs of the following streets in the order mentioned: Currie Street and Gill Street extension; Robe Street, rrom Devon Street to'the Courthouse; Devon Street, from Robe Street to Waiwakaiho; Egmont Street, St. Aubyn Street, and South lioud, to the Breakwater; Gill Street, from Liardet to Currie Street. 2. That with the exception of Govett Street which is under way, all new works authorised be suspended and be not commenced without the authority oi the Council. 3. That every effort be made to obtain a supply of gravel for present use, and to build up a reserve. 4. That the electrical engineer be instructed to lay down a drain, for draining the tram track from Eliot Street to Gover Street at an estimated cost of £{loo. The cost to be charged to "the £6500 .tramway loan. 5. That the electrical engineer be instructed to lay down asphalting alongside the tram rails from Eliot .Street to Gover Street, the cost to be charged to tho £5590 tramway loan. 0. That the borough engineer be instructed to submit estimates for additional plant and storage required in connection with the tarring plant. The Mayor said there seemed no other way out of the position in which the Council found' itself than that recommended, and he moved the adoption of the committee's report. Or. Hayden seconded the motion, congratulating the committee on making such a, recommendation, stating his opinion was that it was the only sound basis on which the Council should proceed. The motion Was