BOROUGH AFFAIRS.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 August 1921, Page 4

BOROUGH AFFAIRS.

NEW PLYMOUTH COUNCIL. , STREET IMPROVEMENTS. The New Plymouth Borough Council met last night. .Present: The Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson), Crs. J. Kibby, T. N. Blackhall, V. Griffiths, R. L. Parkin, J. Brown, R. A. Large and E. Dingle. An apology was tendered for the absence of Cr. Rumball. The engineer reported that the estimated cost of concrete kerbing and channelling in Cutfield Road, from the culvert at the lower end of the cutting to Devon Street, along the east side, would be £Bl ss. It was decided that this work be carried out af. the sum stated. The engineer reported that a portion ot iMorley Street, from Fulford Street to Bar rett Street, was in bad order, and required to be regraded and made sdund. In the £57,000 loan a sum of £B5 was allowed foi putting the path down in gravel, and £l4l for kerbing and channelling, and he recommended that authority be given to put this work in hand. The question entering into doing permanent work in this street was whether regrading should be carried out, in view of the tramway being laid down in the future. Cr. Blackball moved that the street bt reformed and metalled. Cr. Kibby contended that the wort should be done on a permanent basis, at by not doing so they would only be frittering away the Idan money, on which a rate would have to be paid for many years. Loan works should be permanent, and other improvements desired should be paid for out of the general account. Cr. Brown supported Cr. Kibby’s remarks. The Mayor and Cr. Griffiths intimated that they would oppose the carrying out of the work, the latter stating that there were numerous other places in the borough which needed attention more urgently. The motion was lost. The engineer also reported that the length of Morley Street from Devon Street to Brown’s mill required rescarifying and re-surfacing. He suggested that it be re« laid to a width of fourteen feet, at an estimated cost of £lBo.—Authority was given for carrying out the work on thia portion of the street, at the discretion of the general manager. THE OMATA ROAD. Attention was directed by Mr. E. Marfell to the state of the Omata Road, from its junction with the Eliot Road (Tukapa Street) to the borough boundary, and he asked that steps be taken to put the road in good condition at the earbest possible moment.

The engineer reported that the entrance to the road would be filled in with clay from Dartmoor Avenue, and that it would be remetalled for three chains. This was allowed for in the £57,000 loan. The remainder of the road was more or less worn out; no moneys were allowed for it in the loan, and the only thing to do was to keep on patching. This work would be attended to during the week. It was decided to inform Mr. Marfeli that the council intends carrying out some work to the street almost immediately. LOCAL UNEMPLOYMENT. The secretary of the Taranaki Workers* Council (R. G. Brabyn) wrote directing; attention to “the vast number of unemployed in this town”, and suggesting that in building up any breastworks in regard to the foreshore, or in any other works in that vicinity, local unemployed should have preference. The council decided to reply intimating that this matter would receive favorable consideration if the occasion arose. FINANCIAL MATTERS. It was decided that , a poll of the ratepayers in regard to the flotation of a loan to repay the £134,000 falling due in October, 1922, be taken ,on the same day as the poll far the £lO,OOO water loan. Representative citizens are to be invited to attend the council meeting next Monday night to confer with the council in regard to these loan proposals. GENERAL. A tender was accepted for the supply of steel mains, which are to be used for the extension of water supply to Veale’s Estate. The engineer was authorised to metal Hobson Street from GiH Street to Buller Street, the estimated cost (£217) to be charged to the £57,000 loan. The engineer was authorised, as opportunity offers, to proceed with the construction of the Maugotuku Stream culvert the cpst to be charged to the £1560 provided for the work in the £2OOO loan. A request was received from Mr. J. W. Connell that a footpath should be formed in Shortland Street, and the engineer reported that to form, metal and drain the street would cost £l3O. It was decided to inform the applicant that the council did not intend to do any work in this part of tbe borough at present. Jl Notification was received from the Department of Internal Affairs that the fees to hr charged by the Audit Office had been increased from fis 8d to 9s per hour. In this connection the Invercargill Borough Council wrote seeking co-operation in protesting to the Minister of Internal Affairs against the increase, and it was decided to support this movement. The Finance Committee reported that an application for power had been received from the Wanganui Fresh Food and lo* Company, who proposed erecting factory premises in Eliot Street. In view of the special circumstances (the power being required in early morning hours) it had been decided that electricity be supplied td two /7-h.p. motors, as proposed, providing, certain hours were adhered to. W