BOROUGH AFFAIRS.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 November 1921, Page 5

BOROUGH AFFAIRS.

NEW PLYMOUTH COUNCIL, MOTOR VEHICLES BILJ, The New Plymouth Borough Council met last night. Present: The Mayott (Mr. F. E. Wilson), Crs. J. Kibby, Vj Griffiths, T. N. Blackhall, W. RumbalL ; E. Dingle, R. L. Parkin, J. Brown anefc' R. A. Large. The proposals made by the Governs merit in the Motor Vehicles Bill were referred to in the following report fron* the finance committee, which was adopted: —That this council emphatically protests against the (clause 34 of the Motor Vehicles Bill< 1921) in relation to license fees for vehicles being “paid into the Consolidated Fund of the Dominion.” It earnestly, points out that the proposal is moat-' unjust and inequitable, and that it' would leave municipalities with an increasing liability for the upkeep of main traffic roads, without the present source of revenue from license fees, which arq important to the cities and This council urges Government td reconsider the provision in the Bfll objected to and restore the provision fort continued payment of license fees to tbqlocal authorities. The council approves and cordially supports an form of taxation, whether it the fonrri of a tyre tax or other manner, on all motor vehicles, the revenue from sucW source to go to the national highway finance. . This latter proposal would be a new source of revenue, as would the obligations of the Government in na-« tionaj, highway be a new liability. The council cannot too strongly urge thq matter upon the serious attention of the Government with a view of avoiding a grave injustice to the ratepayers of the cities and boroughs, in the diversion present and legitimate source of ini come, in consideration for which facili* ties are provided. » i Copies of the resolution are tq bet forwarded to Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., aiuq to the Prime Minister. JAMES’ LANE. The engineer reported having pared plans for the alteration of the! levels in James’ Lane, as instructed the council. He stated that the newjj proposal would give a fall back to the? septic tank, and he asked the council to approve of the plans. j In connection with, the proposed alteration in the lane, Messrs. Standishi and Anderson wrote, on behalf oft Messrs. Webster Bros., objecting to new levels. They pointed • out that? when the plans for Websters’ buildings.* were being prepared special considera-4 tion was given to the matter of floorj level with a view to the expeditiousJ handling of produce, and the would be very inconvenient. The plans were referred back to tliew engineer for the reconsideration of lev-1 els with the idea of causing as littlcj inconvenience as possible to tenants of’ adjoining buildings. MISCELLANEOUS. In reply to Cr. Brown the engineer; stated that the kerbing and channelling of portion of Cutfield Road was>< about the next job on the list of au-« thorised works. Intimation was received from uia( East End committee that Messrs. A. Williams and A. Feakins had been elected to the executive to fill the vacancies caused through the resignation of Messrs. E. G. Hamblyn and S. Stroud. On the suggestion of Cr. Parkin it was decided, that a schedule of all authorised works on hand be included m the engineers next monthly report. It was decided to accept the offer made by the Taranaki Jockey Club to contribute, without prejudice, the sum. of £lO towards the cost of the storm, water drain in *John Street. The engineer was authorised to proceed witW the work.

On behalf of Mr. 11. Greig, of New; Plymouth, who is subdividing his property at the corner of Devon Street and* Belt Road, Messrs. Sladdep and Palmer’ wrote forwarding, for approval, plans and specifications of a new road which it was proposed ■to make -from the Belt Road westward. The road had been laid out with a view of conserving <*«■ much as possible the plantation through, which it would be formed. Reporting on this matter, the engineer (Mr. W. H./ Cook) said the roading as specified did not conform to the by-laws, but after a discussion with Mr. Palmer (surveyor), who; waited on the council, it was decided to confirm the general principles of the subdivision, the details to be settled by the engineers. A letter wap received from Messrs. J. W. Tong, Ltd., Hawera, stating that they understood the council would have available a considerable quantity of crushed metal suitable for concrete work, and if this was correct they intimated they would be pleased to negotiate for a constant supply suitable for blocks and concrete products. As the general manufacture of these concrete products would give another good supply of building material, Messrs. Tong said, the installation of this plant •permanently would be an acquisition to the borough.—lt was decided to reply to the effect that the council do not desire to sell.

A proposal to form ft sft. riglit-of-way at Te Henui, connecting Nobs’ Line and Hamblyn Street, and arising out of the subdivision of certain property, was made by Mr. P. Fitzherbert, who waited on the council asking that the plans be approved.—lt was decided that permission be granted provided the right-of-way was made 6ft. in width. A request was received from the Taranaki Centre of the Royal Life-Sav-ing Society to include in the baths time-table the information that the society was prepared to give free tuition in life-saving and resuscitation. —It was decided that effect be given to this when new time-tables were printed. Messrs. A. Bewley and C. H. Weston waited on the council in connection with an application made on behalf o-f the estate of H. Weston for penftission to extend a right-of-way in the Saxton estate, near Doralto Road. The request arose out of the fact that the sale of a certain portion of . the land had given the Weston estate a frontage to Doralto Road, but had out off the access to the right-of-way. —The council decided to view the site.