BOROUGH AFFAIRS.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 July 1921, Page 5

BOROUGH AFFAIRS.

NEW PLYMOUTH COUNCIL. CARE OF FIRE PLUGS. The -New Plymouth Borough Council met last night. Present: The Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson), Crs. J. Kibby, E Dingle, R. A. Large, J. Brown, W. Rumball. V. Griffiths, and R. L. Parkin. e The New Plymouth Fire Board drew [the council’s attention to the neglected state of the fire plug indicators in the borough. The board suggested that they be empowered to look after the plugs and indicators at a subsidy of £lOO per annum from the council. The Mayor said provision had been made for this work on the borough staff. He thought the request should be refused, as the council could not provide another £lOO subsidy. He moved that the Fire Board’s request be refused. Ur. Dingle seconded. Cr. Parkin said the care of the fire plugs was a mpst important work, and he considered that immediate action should be taken to put them in order. He had seen the plugs in many places sadly neglected, and in some cases tarsealed over.

•The resolution was carried, the Mayor pointing out that the council recognised the urgency of the matter. STREETS WORK. A petition, signed by seven ratepayers in Baring Terrace, was presented, drawing the council’s attention to the dangerous state of the entrance from Devon Street-, and requesting that the council consider the question of grading and metalling =ame. —The borough engineer ;Mr. W. H. Cook) reported that the work would, be costly, and was not provided for in any of the loans. It was <i practically unformed piece of road. The matter was left to the engineer to report. In connection with the widening of the cutting at the junction of Mangorei Road and Devon Street, the engineer stated that the work had not yet been authorised. He proposed using the spoil eventually for the construction of Waiwaka Terrace. The Mayor eaid no faction was contemplated immediately at this junction. A complaint of the state of Waiwakc Terrace was made by Mr. O. N. Firth, who stated that in wet weather a portion of the road in front of his place was under water.—The footpath will be formed. The engineer’s recommendation was adopted. An application was received from Mr. J. Cock tor the formation of a footpath near his property in Devon Street West. The engineer estimated the work at £6O to £lOO. The metter was deferred till next meeting. Messrs. and Watson asked the council to repair Beach Road at Fitzroy, which was breaking up rather badly.—The work was authorised. The engineer reported the estimated cost of, repairing and tar-sealing Govett Avenue was £469.—N0 action was taken by the council. GENERAL. Representatives of the East End Reserve Committee waited on the council in regard to taking over Mt. Bryan reserve. Mr. A. R. Davis stated that if the council fenced the reserve the committee would accept control.—The engineer was instructed to meet the Ea<st End Reserve Committee and re- | port to the council. Messrs. Blair Mason, Lee and Owen recommended that the proposed centrifugal pump for the completion of the work at No. 1 tunnel be procured, and pointed out that the pump nixv employed on No. 2 tunnel could not be used at the intake as the tunnel had to be completed.—The purchase of the pump was authorised.

Mr. W. R. Davidge, consulting engineer, Westminster, wrote offering his assistance in the furthering of a town planning scheme for New Plymouth. He had prepared a preliminary suggestion five years ago, and enquired if further developments were contemplated by the council. —No action was taken. Mr. Pearless (hydro-electric engineer) reported that he had accepted the tender of Messrs. Russel and Co. for [the specified amount of metal at 17s 6d per yard. A shed had been erected for the new locomotive, which was expected to arrive at any time. He was of opinion it would be much better to use the locomotive instead of the road in the hauling up of the 600 tons of metal, as the road was not in good condition.

The engineer was instructed to prepare estimates of the cost of footpaths in Pioneer Road and on one side of Rawhiti Street. Application was made for the extension of the water main to nine residences on the east side of the Waiwaikaiho River. The borough engineer (Mr W. H. Cook) stated that the cost of expending the main from Normanby Street

of 271 chains—would be approximately £404. The Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson) said he thought it was not in the interests of the ratepayers that the main should be extended, as the outsiders would receive the benefits of the ratepayers’ money. A resolution was passed refusing the request.