Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), Tuesday 17 July 1934, page 4


Advisory Council Meeting

All members were present at the sixty-eighth meeting of the Canberra Advisory Council held yesterday after noon. The chairman (Dr. J. H. L

Cumpston) presided.

FUTURE OF COUNCIL

In reply to an inquiry regarding the future of the Council, a letter was received from the Department of the Interior, intimating that this matter was receiving consideration by the Government, and that further advice would be available In due course.

HOUSING PROGRAMME

Questioned by Mr. T. M. Shake-speare regarding the housing pro-gramme in Canberra for the year ended June 30, 1934, Mr. A. Percival stated that 61 houses had been con struted, of which 48 were on the south side of the river and the re-mainder on the north side. This num-ber included two flats and four semi-detached cottages.

CAR REGISTRATIONS

Asked by Mr. Shakespeare had the opening of the Motor Car Registration Office at Acton on Saturday mornings been justified by results, Mr. C. S. Daley stated that although this ad-vantage had been made available pri-marily for rural lessees, very few had used it. However, the facilities were patronised by local residents to a cer-tain extent, and the Department had no intention of closing the office.

BLOWFLY CONTROL

A letter was received from the De-

partment of the Interior stating that the Council's request for the supply of fly wire screens for the windows and doors of Tuggranong Public School and quarters had already received con-sideration. A comprehensive remodel-ling of the sanitation had been under-taken, which, in the opinion of the Health Department should largely solve the difficulty. It was not prepar-ed, as a matter of policy, to provide fly-wire screens.

ADOPTION OF N.S.W. CRIMES ACT

On the motion of Colonel J. H. T. Goodwin, the Council decided to re-commend the bringing into force in the Federal Territory of an ordinance containing the important amendments embodied in the N.S.W. Crimes Act of

1924.

Colonel Goodwin pointed out that the Federal Territory was at present governed by the old N.S.W. legislation enacted in 1900, the improved act of 1924 not being applicable. "It is ex-tremely unnecessary," he said, "that we should lag thirty-four years behind New South Wales." To bring in a Crimes Act of our own would take considerable time, so the best expedi-ent was to adopt the provisions of the State Legislation introduced in 1934

to amend the old Act.

Replying to Mr. Shakespeare, Col. Goodwin explained that such an ordi-nance would give more discretionary power to magistrates in the imposing

of sentences.

KINGSTON FOOT BRIDGE

The provision of hand rails of a more permanent nature on the foot-bridge at the back of the Power House, Kingston, was urged by Mr. Shakespeare, who asked, '' Will steps be taken to have the bridge made more secure and serviceable by in-crased height, width, and the addition of a hand rail ? "

Mr. Gourgaud said that provision was being made for the erection of a rail as soon as possible to replace the one washed down several weeks ago. The weakness of the weir itself ren-

dered it impracticable to raise the height of the bridge any more as the increased leverage might result in the wall collapsing in a flood.

Mr. Green expressed the opinion that the present bridge even with a good hand rail was totally inadequate to supply the needs of the 600 residents of Duntroon, whose only alternate

route to the main shopping area was

a detour of six miles by road. What was requried was a suspension bridge similar to that on the golf links.

Mr. Gourgaud pointed out that the banks of the river were much lower

at Kingston and it would be very dif-

ficult to build a bridge which would be clear of .flood waters. It would be unsafe to risk spending £500 on a bridge under these circumstances.

RADIO INTERFERENCE

The prevalence of avoidable mechanical radio interference, was

stressed by Mr. Shakespeare, who moved that the Minister be recom-mended to take steps to eliminate this

nuisance.

Mr. Shakespeare stated that the in-terference set up by electrical appli-ances and motors was wholly avoid-able, if the " powers that be " were given authority to enforce the attach-ment of silencing devices to such

motors.

Mr. Gourgaud said that the entire question of the radio interference was the subject of deep inquiry by the De-partment of the Interior and the Post-master-General's Department. The sources of the various noises had been determined and steps were being taken to eliminate them. If any particular instances of interference were brought under the notice of the Department, the assistance would be greatly appre-ciated. "This is a very live matter with the Department at the present time and has been for some months,"

he said.

Mr. Percival informed Mr. Shake-speare that steps had already been taken to provide ramps in place of the stock gates across the Tidbinbilla Road stock route at Paddy's River, Gibraltar Creek, and Maloney's Gates.

OVERCROWDING OF SCHOOL

Replying to a question by Mr. Shakespeare regarding the overcrowd-ing of the primary and secondary de-partments of Telopea Park School, and the provision for increased enrolment next year, Mr. C. S. Daley said that the question of the probable increase in the number of pupils was at present receiving consideration in order to determine the steps necessary to cope with the situation.

Mr. Daley asked that further ques-tions by Mr. Shakespeare in connec-tion with the number of students and lecturers at the Canberra University College, and the prospect of the estab-lishment of an independent university at Canberra, be placed on the notice paper for the next meeting.

RAILWAY WAITING ROOM

The Council carried a motion sug-gesting to the Minister the advisabil-ity of electing a suitable waiting room at the Canberra Railway Station for the convenience of passengers.

Moving the motion, Mr. Shakespeare remarked on the surprising lack of railway facilities for a centre with Canberra's population.

DUNTROON LOW LEVEL BRIDGE

Mr. Percival informed Mr. Shake-speare that the Survey Branch had been carrying out an examination of the Molonglo River above Duntroon with a view to selecting a suitable site for a low level bridge to meet the urgent necessities of those wishing to drove stock from the north to the south side of the river. An excellent site had been found near the sports ground.

CLOSING OF MAILS

It was decided on the motion of Mr. Shakespeare to recommend that steps be taken to have the time extended by at least half an hour for the posting of registered parcels at the various post offices in Canberra.

Mr. Shakespeare stated that al-though there was no rush to catch early trains such as there was in Syd-ney or Melbourne, the office at Kings-ton did not accept registered parcels after 4.15 p.m., and Civic Centre at 4.30 p.m. This early closing largely affected the commercial people who were the Postal Department's chief source of revenue. The extra half hour proposed would still give officials ample time to dispose of the mail.

Mr. Daley objected to the motion on the ground that the present law pro-vided a means of keeping track of weapons. The guns were used for sporting purposes, and it was only fair that they should be taxed.

" In any case," he said, " we are very short of revenue in the Territory."

In reply to Mr. Daley's argument that the guns should be taxed because they were used merely for sport, vari-ous members suggested that other sporting incidentals such as horses, cream trousers, and cricket boots

should also be taxed.

Stating that he was under the im-pression that rabbits were extinct in the surorunding districts, Mr. Green asked exactly what game was procur-

able.

Dr. Cumpston: Aren't you troubled

with the hares around Forrest.

Mr. Green: Yes, but you're not al-lowed to shoot at Forrest. You can't even shoot a crow without permission,

Colonel Goodwin's motion was car-ried unanimously.