MUNICIPAL MATTERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 April 1920, Page 5

MUNICIPAL MATTERS.

-MONTHLY MEETING OP' COUNCIL. The monthly meeting of the New Plymouth Borough Council was held last night, there being present the Mayor (Mr. Jas. Clarke), and Crs. V. Griffiths, K. L. Parkin, F. ,T. Hill, W. F. Short, J. \V. Hayden, W. A. Collis and A, S. Brooker. The usual official and departmental reports were dealt with in the customary way, subsequent to which a meeting of the General Purposes Committee was held, the same councillors being present. VISIT OF THE PRINCE OF WALES. The Pnkekura Park Board wrote for permission to erect about I! 00 seats in the ova) at the Recreation Ground, on the occasion of the visit of the Prince of Wales, these to be lot at a reserving fee of 10s ench, che funds to go the Phrk Board.—The application was granted. Mi. S. G. Smith, M.P., wrote to the effect that he had been in communication with the railway authorities oi> the matter of bringing the school children from Ingle wood and Waiongona to New Plymouth for the Prince of Wales visit, and that ' a reply had been received stating that it had been decided to adhere to the original arrangements, and take the children to Stratford. A report was received that a meeting of choir conductors and others had been held for the purpose of considering the musical portion programme in connection with the visit. —It was decided t<y organise a massed choir of all singers in the town for tlie' occasion, who should be seated on the western terrace, and sing in unison the anthem "God Bless the Prince of Wales" and the chorus of the song "Land of Hope and Glory." The proposal received the approval of the council.

WAGES DEMANDS. The Borough Engineer wrote to the council in respect to the new demands being made by the Carpenters' Union for increased wages and shorter hours. The hours of work suggested were $ on 5 dnys a week and the minimum wage £4 15s. Mr. Cook stated the council employed one goncrnl carpenter at 2s per hour or £1 Bs,per week of 44 hours. The proposed increase would mean an extra 7s per week and 2s 3d per hour increase on overtime rate. Measured on the basia of 44 hours per week it meant an increase of IS? per cent. In regard to suburban work it was proposed to reduce the distance from the Post Office from two miles to one mile, after which 8d per mile per day' had to be allowed for travelling. The engineer stated tlmt in view of the rapid development of the outer areas it would mean that building in those districts would be much more expensive. The engineer took exception to the preference clause, which he said was asking the employer to do "policeman" work for the Union, which should properly be done by the Union secretary. As t.lie application for a now award is to come before the Arbitration Court, the Council took 119 action in the matter. The General Laborers' Union also wrote, asking for arf amendment of the schedule of wages to 14s, 15s and 10a per day for all tar .work, and £1 per day for rivOr work.

The engineer reported that the present rates were 12s for inferior workers, 13s for good men, 15s for tar work (on road), and 14s (tar mixing), and 14s (river work). He said 15s was paid only owing to the scarcity of labor at the commencement of the tarring season, otherwise 14s was the rate agreed upon. He also pointed out that the rate at Eltham had been 14s for the season, which lie thought was a fair one. The Union asked that tiie new rates should take effect as from April Ist, though the first he heard of them.- was on the 13th inst. I*, was decided to inform the General Laborers' Union that the Council could not see its way to grant the increases asked for.

WATER AND SEWER EXTENSIONS. The High Schools Board wrote asking for the water mains to be continued along Hobson Street to allow "Montosa" to be connected with the Borough water supply. The engineer stated that ho could not estimate the cost, as merchants would not quote for piping, which was difficult to secure. • ■ ■ ■ The matter was referred to the Finance Committee. Roy and Nicholson applied on behalf of A. W. Muir for the water supply to his residence, now in course of erection a(. Govett Avenue. The engineer said the length of piping would be 6 chains 20 feet, and in view of his diminishing stocks of piping he could not recommend granting the application. The application was declined on account. of the scarcity of pipes. R. A. Large wrote further in regard to his applcation for the extension of the water mains to his property in Gane Street, making alternative suggestions. These, however, were not favored by the engineer. It was agreed to make the extensions subject to Mr. Largo paying a certain proportion of the cost of carrying out the work. Mr. G. Brewer wrote applying to have the sewer extended from Barrett Street to the: corner of Cutfield Road. It was decided to inform Mr. Brew en that the Council could not see its way clear to make the extension at the present time. PUBLIC HEALTH MATTERS. The Chief Health Officer (Dr. T. H. A. Vnlintine) wrote intimating that it was proposed to introduce extensive alterations in the Public Health legislation, if possible, during the coming session, and asked for f.ny suggestions that the Coun- | cil might wish to make in regard to I amendments to the existing Acts. In particular the question would be considered as to whether it. would be better to remove from the Municipal Corporations Act f.ll sections dealing with sanitation matters, and embodying them in the Public, Health Act. It was stated that suggestions had also been made that, with regard to the prevention of the spread of infectious diseases, the powers now in the hands of the Hospital Boards should be transferred to local bodies, It was decided to refer the matter to the Public \Velfaro Committee to draft a reply to the Department. SCENERY PRESERVATION, Correspondence was received from Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., and the Frankleigh Park and Vogeltowa Settlor** Ajjflelw

tions, in regard to the preservation of Saxton s Bush as a scenic reserve. ; It was decided to take advantage oC®i the presence of the Minister of Laiufcitta Taranaki this week and endeavor to ixuUm- 1 further representations to him on thai matter, and it was referred to a cook mittee to deal with. 'J RIVER AND SEA EROSION. The engineer wrote, drawing attention ■ to the continued erosion taking plac<i along the banks of the Waiwaka&o " River. He also drew attention to the rf. ■ feet of the high winds and tides at th» ' Kast Lnd, which had eroded about If chains of the bag protective works which 2 had not been completed. The competed length of protective work had wfthitood the tides. The swings were underminad, '■ but repairs were in hand towards coof* ' pleting the work. ' V, GENERAL. Mr, Sangster wrote asking the C-ouih ■ | +1 m r , e(!ons '^ cr ita decision in regard to » ie , oko leases, and meet the lessees to ' consider the new valuations. It was ' agreed to meet a deputation from tltt ■ I Ie Z eeS 1 ? n a date to be arranged. Mr. R. Currin was granted peirmisslcMtf " ■ to fence on the unused portions of Belt * Road, lor use from year,to year, during $ the Council s pleasure. >1