MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS

Taranaki Daily News, 17 September 1940, Page 3

MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS

NEW PLYMOUTH COUNCIL MOTOR CAMP CONTROL Provision for representation of the Automobile Association (Taranaki) on the committees controlling the Belt Road and Fitzroy camp sites was made by the Nevv Plymouth Borough Council last night. New conditions of control for the Belt Road camp provide that the committee shall consist of five members, four of whom are to be appointed by the council, at least three being councillors, and one is to be nominated by the association and appointed by the council. The membership of the Fitzroy committee has been increased from 10 to 12 and the two additional members are to be nominated by the association. The Belt Road committee is to prepare for the council's approval a comprehensive plan for the lay-out and development of the reserve. The council retains the right to veto any work or any scheme of improvement. At the request of Cr. F. S. Grayling the council agreed to metal the roadway to the camp at Fitzroy provided the park committee contributed £25 of the estimated cost of £106. Pedestrian Crossings. A suggestion was received from the Automobile Association (Taranaki) that the standard type of marking poles should be erected at all pedestrian crossings. The question was referred to the works committee but it was considered that the use of reflectors, a further experiment with which is to be made at Liardet Street, would prove the best solution of the problem. It would not be practicable to put up special posts which would be obscured in many cases by other posts, said Mr. R. Day, chief inspector. It would not be advisable to put in a pole outside the Opera House as the council was trying to keep posts away from there. The mixed collection of poles in Devon Street used to mark crossings looked very bad, commented Cr. J. W. Darby. Cr. F. S. Grayling: The fewer posts the better. The council had made it illegal to have verandah posts, Mr. Day pointed out. Reports of Officers.

The regrading and metalling of Brooklands Road from Holdsworthy R^jad to Upjohn Street was completed, reported the engineer, Mr. R. F. Mainland. Kerbing and channelling on both sides of Chilman Street was completed, two chains of kerbing and channelling was constructed in Waiwaka Terrace and similar work was begun in Bell Street. Nineteen men were engaged under scheme 13 cutting back the, bank at Standish Hill and clearing noxious weeds at Paritutu Centennial Park, Mount Bryon and Calvert Road and abattoir reserves. Applications for a supply of electrical energy numbered 16 and for alterations and additions to existing installations 204, reported the electrical engineer, Mr. W. H. Huggett. Thirteen connections were added. to the system and 162 additions were made .to existing installations, including 35 ranges, 43 water heaters and 50 motors. The water heater control system fvas operated on three days. Tramway revenue during the month was £1572 17s 4d, showing an increase of £40 5s 7d over last month and an increase of £148 18s lOd over the corresponding period of last' year, Mr. Huggett stated. The number of passengers carried was 179,084, an increase of 11,055 compared with last August. Bus revenue was £399 2s 7d, a decrease of £9 16s 7d over last month, but- an increase of £65 14s ld over the corresponding period of last year, and the passengers carried totalled 41,681, an increase of 5822.

Committee Recommendations. The following recommendations of the works committee were adopted: — That Messrs. F. G. Carthew and others be informed that. the council cannot see its way to alter its previous decision not to provide a footpath in Shortland Street. That in reply to their letter requesting the council to close part of Clinton Street situated between lands purchased by the Catholic Church trustees and to fix the price at which the closed street would be sold to the trustees, Messrs. Monaghan and Middleton be informed that nothing can be done in the matter until a survey has been completed and a plan of the subdivision submitted to the council for approval. That subject to the usual encroachment agreement being signed the Rangiatea Methodist Maori Girls' School committee be permitted to use for cultivation during the pleasure of the council at a rental of one shilling per annum, if demanded, a portion of Moulton Street at the back of the school to be indicated by the borough engineer. That the Transport Department be requested to conduct a week's "safety first" campaign at New Plymouth similar to those recently held at Palmerston North and Hastings. That in reply to his letter asking the council to remedy cracks in the wall on the property in Young Street formerly owned by Miss Dowling and now owned by the estate of Edna Gibson, the District Public Trustee be informed that the council cannot accept any liability in the matter. Decisions on the recommendations of the electric light and tramways committee included: — That the electrical engineer be authorised to provide shed accommodation at the municipal buildings for bicycles of the council's staff when suitable used material is available. That Messrs. W. J. Wilson and others, Brooklands Road, be informed that their request for an extra street light in Brooklands Road on the level stretch leading to the Brooklands Road and Carrington Road junction will be considered in conjunction with the comprehensive street lighting scheme at. present being executed by the electrical engineer. The electrical engineer intimated that the Main Highways Board inspector had drawn attention to the overloading of buses on odd trips. On the recommendation of the finance committee it was decided that leave of i absence without pay be granted to all employees of the council entering on service with the territorial forces necessitating their absence from civil employment. No action was taken by the council on an appeal on behalf of the Christchurch tramway patriotic committee for funds for the Christchurch Welcome Club, which caters for the entertainment of members of the military forces whose homes are away from Christchurch.