BOROUGH AFFAIRS.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 July 1922, Page 5

BOROUGH AFFAIRS.

NEW PLYMOUTH COUNCIL. , REPORT ON FINANCE. The New Plymouth Borough Council met last night. Present: The Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson), and Crs. J. Kibby. T. N. Blackball, E. Dingle, R. A. Large, J. Brown, R. L. Parkin, W. Rumball, and V. Griffiths. A statement comparing the estimated receipts and expenditure for the year ending March 31, 1923, with the actual receipts and expenditure for the quartoending June 30, was placed before the council by the general manager. It showed that the estimated receipts totalled £51,960, and the amount received up to the end of June was £15,921 8s 3d. The estimated expenditure was £7487 and the amount spent up to the end of June was £989 9s 7d. The report added: A separate return has also been made out showing the position of the new works vote of £lO6O. As will be seen, £482 Ils 8d of this amount has been spent, and £312 5s 9d is required to complete the works authorised, some of which are in hand. This leaves only £265 2-s 7 d available for the balance of the year. In connection with those returns, it must not be overlooked that the expenditure must be kept as low as possible during the remainder of the year in order to meet the extra interest payable owing to the £142,000 loan having been floated somewhat earlier than expected.

ENGINEER’S REPORT. The borough engineer reported that the ordinary routine work of cleaning up graves and paths and mowing had been attended to at the cemetery. A number of grates werfe in a disgraceful condition, being covered with and other weeds. Three unsightly trees in the avenue had been removed and the timber used in erecting an archway, over which will be trained. The Marsland Hill reserve is being well looked after by the gaoler. The month being exceptionally fine, , only three small floods were recorded at the waterworks, ranging from three feet to three feet six inches in height. The filters had to be Closed down twice during this period. The spiral pipe between the forebay and filters is showing signs of deterioration, and it was necessary to effect repair? due to burst pipes, and inquiries are being made regarding the use of specially manufactured reinforced concrete pipes, which could be used for such lengths of the reticulation where services have not to be taken off. This class of pipe can be delivered for from 30 to 50 per cent, below the price of cast-iron mains, and if, after tests have been made,' they prove satisfactory, a very large saving would be effected when renewing the worn-out lengths of steel pipes. Pipes of this material have been used in, at least one hydro-electric work, and will shortly be used in another scheme of a like nature between the forebay and power-house. Twelve new services have been installed, pipe used being 380 feet %-inch, 172 foe* 2-inch. The spiral pipe in Mangorei Road was repaired where leaky.

FIRE AND ACCIDENT RISKS. Referring to fire and accident risks, the general manager reported: Some years ago I recommended that the council should make a start to build’ up a fund which would eventually enable it to carry its own risks in respect to fire and accident. I recognise that owing to the state of its finances the council will have no opportunity of favorably considering this matter during ‘the current year, but something might be done when framing next year’s estimates. We have recently paid out no less a sum than £1334 as premiums in respect to fire, accident and public risk policies for the ensuing twelve months and a fairly large additional sum will no doubt be paid at the end of the period when the adjustment is made. If a fund of, say. £5OOO could be built up within the next six years by setting aside a fixed annual amount, a start could then be made by reducing the amount o-f the insurances, and in comparatively a few years, by continuing to set aside an amount annually, the council would be in a position to carry its own risks. There is no question of the value of such a scheme, but the difficulty is to get the fund started. I would strongly recommend that an attempt be made to at least initiate the scheme -when next year’s estimates are being framed.

GENERAL. A. R. Harris and Company, Ltd., advised that the contract for supply and delivery of an omnibus had been signed, and they expected no delay in giving early delivery. They also submitted a quotation of £35 for a lift truck. —It was decided that the council obtain'one at the price quoted. W. R. Morrison wrote regarding the state of Octavius Street. The post office refused to deliver parcels on account of the state o-f the street, while a doctor had to leave his car in Eliot Street. The borough engineer recommended forming a roadway, which could be metalled to a width of ten feet, at an estimated cost of £35 15s for formation and £39 12s for gravelling.—lt was decided to inform the. writer that the council had no funds in the meantime.

The secretary of the Canteen and Regimental Trust Fund Board advised that the board •would accept tenders for loans from local bodies to provide work upon which returned soldiers only would be employed. The money was to be used on reproductive works where possible. Adequate security was to be given, and the rate of interest would be 6 per cent.—lt was to inform the board that the council could take no action.

G. L. Burton applied for electric power on a restricted basis. The electrical engineer (Mr. R. H. Bartley) reported that there were special circumstances. Mr. Burton had applied some mpnths ago for power and was advised that it could be supplied on a restricted basis, on which he proceeded with the erection of his factory, but since then the supply of power on a restricted basis had been discontinued. Councillors were of opinion that this case was an exceptional one and it was decided to grant 5 horse-power on a restricted basis.

Messrs. Weston and Billing, on behalf of the executors in the estate of the late Mr. Henry Weston, asked the council to reconsider its decision declining to extend the water main on the Frankloy Road to serve the residence of Mr. A. P. Lister and other properties in the neighborhood. It was decided to defer consideration of the matter until the presjmt authorised work* had been complet-

ed and then consider the whole matter of the extension of the water main* Councillor Brown raised the question of the mountings of the siege gun presented to the borough. When the gun was forwarded the council had been informed that when it was placed in position an officer would be sent from Wellington to affix the mountings. He suggested that they inform the Government that the gun was now ready, and it was decided to write accordingly.