BOROUGH AFFAIRS.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 June 1922, Page 5

BOROUGH AFFAIRS.

NEW PLYMOUTH COUNCIL. FINANCE MATTERS. The New Plymouth Borough Council met last night. Present: The Mayor) (Mr. F. E. Wilson), Crs. J. Kibby, T. N. Blackball, E. Dingle, R. A. Large, J. B(own, R. L. Parkin, W. Rumboll, and V. Griffiths. The genera] manager (Mr. F. T. Bellringer) presented a report in connection with the resolution adopted at the last meeting of the finance committee, authorising loans maturing on October 1 next to be paid off immediately upon receipt of the proceeds. The position was fully set out by Mr. Bellringer, it being pointed out that had the law regarding overdrafts remained the same as in previous years, no great difficulty would have been experienced in financing the amount referred to. Payment could* have been made from overdraft, and the amount adjusted in next year’s estimates. However,, this was not now permitted, and stress was laid upon this point in order that other expenditure on the general account might be kept as low as possible throughout the balance of the year in order to provide for the extra burden placed upon this account and ferr which; no 'provision was made in the estimates. It was resolved to pay any of the 4% per cent, debentures taken up by the public on due date. FRANKLEIGH PARK LOAN. Writing in reference to the Frankleigh Park loan of £I(WS, the State Advances Office, replying to the council’s preliminary application for the loan, informed the council that before consideration could be given it is essential that the previous consent of the Governor-General-in-Council be obtained. This consent is at the present time given only in cases where the ratepayers have sanctioned the loan propoaal, and upon hearing to this effect, appuca> tion will at once be made. The council has replied that before incurring any expense in the matter, it desired to know whether there wasi any reasonable prospect of the loan be* ing granted. THE NEW ’BUS. A. R. Harris and Co., Ltd., Christ? church, wrote in reference to the council’s letter confirming the acceptance of the proposal to supply and deliver one model 42 Walker omnibus chassis complete as per specifications for the sum of £2650 c.i.f. and c., duty paid New Plymouth. “We would advise,” continued the letter, “that the matter has now been cabled to our principals, and we now await telegraphic reply regard* ing certain details to enable us to pre? pare a design for the body for submission to you. In regard to the delivery, we have no doubt but that we can deliver within the sixteen weeks, but you will understand that whereas we win undertake to deliver at factory in sufficient time for direct shipment to New) Zealand, we cannot hold ourselves re*’ sponsible for delay in overseas shipments.” GENERAL. The borough engineer reported that nearly all path gravelling had been held up pending gravel supplies. The quarry at the goal had been completely emptied of material twice lately. He had asked the authorities to do their utmost to get further supplies down, and this they were doing. Several firms, writing in reference to a request to instal water metere, stated that at present none were available, but a shipment was expected shortly, when the work would be put jn hand. —The firms will be expected io have meters instaffed by the end of July. The secretary of the Taranaki Em-, ployers’ Association wrote that the council’s representations in connection with the drivers’ award had been conveyed to the New Zealand Employers’ Federation and to Mr Scott, of the Arbitration Court. The writer had asked that the holiday clause in the new award be fixed by each individual district. The general laborers’ award expired in December last, and 1 should it be found that these anomalies exist and cannot be removed by an alteration in the drivers’ award, steps would immediately be taken to create a dispute and seek a new general laborers’ award. On behalf of the New Plymouth Cro? quet Club, Mrs. A. F. Waters applied for an entrance to the new lawns at Te Henui.—The engineer said the entrance would cost £6. The engineer) was authorised to construct an entrance at the estimated cost of £6. Free water for a year was granted to the New Plymouth Croquet Club, the engineer being authorised to lay a water service to the lawns. In reference to the dangerous goods store for the F.C.0.5., the deputy chief inspector of explosives advised that the regulations under the Act provided that a quantity of dangerous goods exceeding SOO gallons shall not be stored in any depot which is inside or attached to a building which is a protected work, as in the case of the building in question. The site originally proposed by the company, on the opposite side of the warehouse, would be quite satisfactory for a wholesale store, but the store referred to in the council’s letter would not be satisfactory for a quantity exceeding 800 gallons.—The council acted in accordance with the inspector's recommon elation. Duncan and Davies, Ltd., writing in reference to the council’s contemplated action in planting some of the weedinfected land at the waterworks reserve, offered to give a free report on same and advised that pinus insignua be planted where the weeds are bad and black wattle on the cleaner areaa. With regard to the dam which the council proposed to erect at the hydro works, the Taranaki Acclimatisation Society pointed out that the regulations provided for a fish ladder. The society will be informed that it is not the council’s present intention to erect a dam. The hydro-electric engineer (Mr. R. Pearless) notified that work had had to be stopped in the tunnel owing to the locomotive having broken down. —The electrical engineer (Mr. R. H. Bartley) said everything possible was being done with this job and a complete new motox was being put in. The electrical engineer reported that the renovation of the cottages at th< hydro works Iwul been completed at fi cost of £9B 18s (kl. The Taranaki branch of the New Zealand Society of Civil Engineers wer» granted permission to visit the New Plymouth borough hydro-electric works on the oeeasion of their, conference, tc be/lield at New Plymouth to-day. The council’s engineers were also granted /leave to attend. ' Permission was granted the recently ■formed New Plymouth Russian Famine Fund Committee to take up a street collection on Friday, June 2?