BOROUGH AFFAIRS.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 February 1922, Page 5

BOROUGH AFFAIRS.

NEW PLYMOUTH COUNCIL.

WORK ON RESERVES.

The New Plymouth Borough Council met laet night. Present: The Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson), Crs. J. Kibby, V. Griffiths, T. N. Blackball, W. Rumball. E. Dingle, R. L. Parkin, R. A. Large and J. Brown.

Repbrts in connection with the administration of certain reserves during 1921 were adopted by the council. The report of the Marsland Hill board stated that the work had consisted of keeping the domain in good order and repair and laying out new paths. Expenditure amounted to £4O 18s 6d, and there was a balance of £2 Is 6d.

The Mt. Bryon reserve had received attention in regard to fencing and planting, the work being carried out by voluntary labor.

At the Rotokare domain the work had been of a maintenance nature, clearing paths and planting. A citizens’ committee do a considerable amount of work on this domain each year by voluntary labor. The amount expended was £5O, leaving a balance of £ll9 7s 4d.

Cr. Griffiths asked if there was no source of revenue for Marsland Hill, and the general manager replied that there were no funds except the grant from the council. TARRING STREETS. The engineer wrote pointing out that certain streets had been re-surfaced and at present were in good surface condition. He was of opinion that it would be best to have these tarred in order to save maintenance. The streets and estimated costs were: Cutfield Road (from Devon Street to Barrett Street) £2OO, half of which is to be charged to next year’s account; Hobson Street (Gill to Butler), cost £55; Devon Street West, from Morley Street to Cutfield Road, estimated cost £6O. The engineer said it meant spending £l6O out of this year’s revenue to save the wear and tear from three-quarters of a mile of road, and he considered it would be found a good investment. On the motion of Crs. Blackhall and Large the recommenlations were adopted. THE PUBLIC LIBRARY. Estimates of revenue and expenditure at the Carnegie Institute for the year ended March, 1923, were forwarded by Mr. W. H. Skinner, chairman of the committee. He remarked: “You will note that the estimated antaunt now required from the borough by way of subsidy is £l6 less than that of last year and £l5O less than (the 1920 estimate. noth\vithstanding the increased service and better value given to the reading public in nil branches of the institute. The library and museum have had a most successful year, thanks to the organising ability, hard work and interest shown by the staff in advancing the interests of the institute, and the outlook for the coming year is promising. The borough now possesses a library with its various branches which is a credit to the town, and we trust its usefulness will not be in any way curtailed by a reduction being made in the estimates now presented, which have been framed on the most economical lines, coupled with efficiency.”

The estimates showed receipts were set down at £llB5. of which subscriptions were calculated at £420, and the borough subsidy of £750. Expenditure included the following estimates: Salaries and wages £5BO. books £230. papers and magazines £lOO, museum £5O, fest room £35. GENERAL. On behalf of Messrs. Hooker BrosMr. Austin Bewley wrote asking the council for permission to re-open the question of a proposed subdivision of land situated on the South Road.—Decision was deferred pending the receipt of a report from a sub-committee con sisting of the Mayor and Crs. Kibby and Griffiths, who will visit the site. The State Advances Office notified that the Advances Board had gnanted the council’s loan of £lO,OOO for waterworks extensions. The engineer submitted plans for the alteration of the levels of James’ Lane, and the council authorised the regrading, metalling and tarring of this street at an estimated cost of £B4.