BOROUGH AFFAIRS.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 September 1921, Page 5

BOROUGH AFFAIRS.

NEW PLYMOUTH COUNCIL. SPECIAL LOAN OF £150,000. The New Plymouth Borough Council met last night. Present: The Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson), Crs. J. Kibby, V. Griffiths, T. N. Blackhall, W. Rumball, E. Dingle, R. L. Parkin, J. Brown and R. A. Large. On the recommendation of the finance committee it was decided that the necessary steps be taken to raise a special loan of £150,000 for the following purposes:—(l) To pay off special loans heretofore raised by the borough, and falling due on October 1, 1922; (2) to provide additions and extensions to the council’s electric lighting and power works either within or without the borough; (5) to provide in connection with such additions lands, easements, and appurtenances and buildings, machinery and other things. The proposed rate of interest is 5£ per cent, per annum and the security for the loan is an annually recurring rate of threepence in the £ on the rateable value of property in the borough. The date for repayment of the loan is April 1, 1933. In explaining why the total of the loan had been fixed at £150,000, the Mayor informed the council that the loans which had to be repaid amounted to £134,200. As the loan would have to be raised outside New Zealand the costs of flotation would be about <5 per cent, bringing the total to about £140,000. They had decided to fix the loan at £150,000, and therefore had made provision that any balance of moneys, not needed for repaying the old loans, should be devoted to electric light purposes. In view of the fact that the council will require to obtain permission to pay a -higher rate than 5| per cent, interest upon the above loan, a poll will also be taken on the same day upon a proposal to authorise the council to pay interest upon the loan, at such a rate as shall be determined by the council. (The council hopes to raise the loan at not exceeding 7 per cent). NEW TRAMWAYS REGULATIONS. The ‘Public Works Department wrote stating that new tramway regulations were to be considered at a conference of tramway employers and employees to be held at the Parliamentary buildings. Wellington, on the 16th inst. It was desired that five representatives appear on behalf of the employers and five for the employees. The Invercargill Borough Council telegraphed stating they considered it important to be represented at the meeting, and expressed the hope that the council would support their protest against enforcing the regulations at the | present time, especially in view of the .'financial position. The tramways manager (Mr. R. H. Bartley) said that representations made to the department some time ago had not been successful in persuading the department to withdraw any of the rules. They were particularly drastic in some respects, and one instance of this was the stipulation regarding overcrowding, which only allowed an extra 25 per cent, of the seating capacity. This meant that under the new conditions the council would need to have 25 to 30 per cent, more cars on duty at certain times. It was decided that Mr. Bartley should represent the council at the conference.

A QUESTION OF WATER SUPPLY.

Representations were made by Cr. Brown to have the water supply extended in Dorset Avenue (Westown). He said there were eight ratepayers affected. The general manager (Mr. F. T. Bellringer) said the matter had been before the council on about four previous occasions, and the council had replied informing the householders that they would be required to pay the greater part of the cost of the extension, and they were asked to arrange this among themselves.

The Mayor said the difficulty could be overcome when the council secured an advance on the £lO,OOO loan which was being raised for extension purposes. Mr. Bellringer said this locality would be one of the first to receive attention out of the loan moneys. Cr. Kibby pointed out that one part of Tukapa Street had lengths of pipe laid on each side of the street for a certain distance. He also understool that there was a quantity of twoinch pipes lying in a paddock in that street, and he contended these could be put to better use supplying the people who were without fl water supply. The general manager replied that pipes were put down in Tukapa Street by resolution of a previous council, and the object in having a pipe on each side was to prevent the tarred road from being cut up when new connections were being made. When the engineer was laying mains he had to comply with the by-laws, which provided that all lengths over 66ft had to 'be paid for by the residents concerned. He suggested that the householders in Dorset Avenue should renew their application to the council. HYDRO-ELECTRIC WORKS. The resident engineer (Mr. R. L. l3ear]ess) submitted the following report on the work done at Mangorei during the month :-~ Tunnel “A”—Work has been carried on with three shifts throughout, trimming sides and roof and placing concrete. This section of 400 feet has now been lined throughout, cleaned up, track loop refixed and driving recommenced. Pipe line. —Foundations for the bridge across the Mangamahoe stream have been prepared and trestles erected. A truss has been fitted on the ground, struck for tarring of joints, etc., and is now nearing completion. No. 1 water race.—Preparatory work has been done here to carry on in a few days with the building of turning wall. Accommodation. —Three of the cottages are now practically completed, two being occupied. Erection of remaining accommodation for tunnel shift men is being proceeded with. Tram line.—Little further work has been done here with the exception of extending line through Marsh’s another six chains, and placing of necessary sidings, etc. Ganger has been employed on general maintenance and preparation of sleepers for extension of line? Rails on order for this work are due on site inside one month.

General. —The average number of employees engaged during the month was 40. A large number of applications for work were received, but had to be turned down. A® soon as permission is to carry qa the forsuktion qf re-

maining portion the line, and open up at the two central headings, cqwiferabty more hands can be ifc some reason A. E. Marsh ha»s now me verbal instructions tha*t he win Wfc allow the locomotive to be through his property. This ztalter wW cause considerable iueccvenieneß aad ditional expense if not settled in. tfaae to allow of the locomotive being need immediately work at this point is put in hand. No. 1 contract.—Throughout the month work here has been confined crushing, trimming of sides, roof, invert and to the placing of concrete invert. To date 333 feet of invert only has been placed. Members of the council will make a visit to the works thia week in view of various matters which have to be decided in connection with the works. GENERAL. The Dannevirke Borough Council wrote asking for support for a petition in which it had requested the Government: To fully consider the whole question of contribution towards conetrtfction and maintenance of roads end bridges by adjacent local authorities, covered by sections 109 and 119 of the Public Works Act, 1908, in order that, legislation be passed that will clearly define and limit local authorities responsibilities in thia direction, and be conducive to the best interests of local body 1 government throughout the It was decided to reply expressing the opinion that this was a matter for the municipal association, A letter was received from Mr. Walter F. Roebuck stating that owing to the bad condition of Morley Street footpath between Barrett Street and Fulford Street the storm water ran on to property in Morley Street, and had oaTKed considerable <xamage.— The engmael (Mr. W. H. Cook) stated that the footpath wias in bad condition, parfls through subsidence and also from sccrtxr. He was now having certain work done to raise the path. V The Deputy Public Trustee at New Plymouth (Mr. F. M. Whyte) wrote asking that improvements be effected to the footpath in front of the department’® new building at the corner of Queen and King Streets, and it was decided to reply stating that the work would be done providing the department was willing to reimburse the council in the expense incurred. '

The property owners in Wakefield Street and French Street are to be notified that they will be required to remove noxious weeds on their boundaries up to the centre of the street. It was decided to inform Mr. W. Brodie that the council could not incur the estimated expense ( £4fi) involved in the work of regrading Belt Road, on the hill side of Devon Street.