BOROUGH WORK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 September 1939, Page 2

BOROUGH WORK

REPORTS FOR PAST MONTH. ACTIVITIES IN PARK. The Park Custodian, Mr H. Sturgeon, reported to the Masterton Borough Council at its meeting last night that during the month work carried out included the planting of trees at the north end of the town, planting of tree ferns around the Lily Pond, digging and manuring the rose garden, planting trees, manuring and digging around all the trees at South Park. The top dressing of the cricket pitches had also been completed. The Band Committee reported that practices had been held on nine evenings. A programme was rendered in the Park on the afternoon of September 13. The burials for the month totalled 10, reported the sexton, Mr C. S. Morris. Three plots had been reserved and an area of the reserve ground had been cleaned off and the levelling of the ground was now under' way. The Ladies’ Rest Room report showed that a total of 370 persons had made use of the room during the month. Of these 60 were visitors, 254 from the country and 56 from the town. Mr J. Douglas, the gas engineer and manager, reported that the total gas made was 4,686,500 cubic feet. The gain in stock was 34,000 cubic feet making a total output for the month of 4,652,500, which was a decrease of 79,700 cubic feet or 1.5 per cent over the corresponding period of last year. Thirty-six meters were changed and seven removed. Sales amounted to 18, of which eight were for cookers. The Government Inspector visited the works during August. The calorific value of the gas was 475 BTU and the pressure conformed to Government regulations. 1 ENGINEER’S REPORT. The Borough Engineer, Mr C. R. Mabson, stated that maintenance work was carried out in Donald, MaCara and Bentley streets. A new path was being formed on the north side of Cornwall Street, from 4 chains east of Beetham Street to the Railway line. The whole of the willows on the Park side of the old Waipoua River bed had been cut out, wood disposed of and rubbish burned. Metal crushing operations were proceeding satisfactorily. During the month 7 new water and drainage services and 2 renewals were installed. Water was laid on to all the new lily ponds in the Park, and the fountain was repaired, cleaned and painted. During the month, eight building permits were issued, having an estimated value of £2,218 3s. For the corresponding month last year, nine permits were issued having an estimated value of £1,449 ss. The abattoirs report showed that during the month 523 cattle, 62 calves, 2,080 sheep, 172 lambs and 138 pigs had been slaughtered. Killing fees were £7 8s 6d higher than those for the month of August, 1938. To date fees were £224 19s 4d in excess of those for the corresponding period of last year.

The Librarian stated that books issued totalled 4,515, of which 4.012 were fiction. During the month 49 fiction and 15 non-fiction and reference books had been added to the shelves. At s the beginning of the month the subscriptions numbered 483, as compared with 404 for the same period last year. The total subscriptions at the end of the month ■ was 492, as compared with 409 for the same period in 1938. Receipts amounted to £8 3s lid, as compared with £7 9s 4d for the corresponding period .last year.

Mr T. A. Russell, Borough Inspector, reported that during August there had been only one case of infectious disease notified, that being a scarlet fever case. Thirty-four plumbing and drainage permits were issued and the usual testing and inspection work carried out. The plumbing and drainage work on a further six Government houses was approved. The following requisitions were served: Plumbing and drainage repairs 16, cut back hedges 3, clear creeks 5, remove rubbish 3, abate nuisance 1. Five dogs were destroyed. Milk samples for general analysis were taken. Sediment testing work was continued giving quite satisfactory results. A further 9 supplying farms were inspected in company with the Government Veterinarian. Sixteen aplicants for drivers’ licences were examined, 2 failing to pass the test. Three persons were prosecuted, convicted and fined for breaches of traffic regulations.