CITY OF MALVERN.

Councillor Henry Matthews, J.P., Mayor.

ANNUAL REPORT,

1924-25.

C I T Y O F MALVERN.

MAYOR:

COUNCILLOR H E N R Y MATTHEWS, J.P

COUNCILLORS : North Ward :

James Duncan Evans, J.P. William Stewart Turnbull Alexander Llewellyn Wettenhall.

Central Ward :

Louis William Holmes, J.P. Robert William Sylvester, J.P. Samuel Hattam,, J.P.

South Ward :

Robert Nicholson Corney, ].P. Charles John Waters, J.P. Harry George Wilmot, J.P.

East Ward :

Frederick Henry Francis, J.P. Henry Matthews, J.P. John Jeremiah Love, J.P.

REPRESENTATIVES :

Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works . . Councillor Holmes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Destructor Trust Councillor Waters.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RIunicipal Association Councillor Waters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gas Conference Councillor Wilmot.

Queen's Memorial Infectious Diseases Hospital Cr. Alex. G. Proudfoot (Nunawading). Metropolitan Fire Brigades Board . . . . . . . . Cr. F. E. Bellmaine (Camberwell). Metropolitan Town Planning Commission . . . . Cr. W. A. Wharington (Caulfield).

COMMITTEES :

Public Works, Health and Town Hall . . . . . . . . The whole Council (Cr. Corney, Chairman). Parks and Gardens . . The whole Council (Cr. Svlvester, Chairman). Finance . . Cr. WiImot (Chairman), Crs. Corney, Hattam, Matthews, Sylvester, Turnhull and Wettenhall.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,egislative Cr. Wettenhall (Chairman). Crs. Love and IVilmnt.

The Mayor is ex-officio a member of all Committees.

OFFICERS :

Town Clerk and Treasurer . . . . . . . . . . . . B. Crosbie Goold, A.C.1.S (Eng.) L.I.C.A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . City Surveyor Barton M/. Coutie. M.C.E.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chief Clerk Arthur M. Yeatman. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Accounts Clerk Robert Booth.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Valuer ,Daniel Weir. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rate Collector 7- David Vincent Wallace. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Health Officer Tames S. Ormond, M.D.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inspector William Barnes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Overseer Toseph Genn.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Curator Francis L. Reeves. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Assistant to Inspector W. H . Greenall.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Typistes M. Cahill, S. E. Gallagher and E. Jenkin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clerk Telford Priestley.

Draughtsman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R e ~ i n a l d Neatq Tunior Clerks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D. 1,ucas and F: Robinson. Hall Keeper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . W.- Speed (deceased), T. B. Edineon Prosecuting Officers . . . . . . . . . . . . Sergeants Olney and DamkinS. Solicitors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Messrs Braham & Pirani,

4

MELBOURNE HOSPITAL . Councillor J . J . Love. J.P. . . . . . . . . . . . I<lected 1910 Councillor Louis W . Holmes. J.P. . . . . . . . . 1921 Councillor James D . Evans. J.P. . . . . . . . . 1922

. . . . . Councillor Fredk . H . Francis. M.H.R 1922 Councillor C . J . NTaters, J.P. . . . . . . . . . . . 1923 Councillor Robert N . Corney. J.P. . . . . . . . 1924 Councillor Henry Matthews. J.P. . . . . . . . . 1025

ALFRED HOSPITAL . . .. . . . Councillor Fredk H Francis. L1.H.R J.P. Elected 1931

Councillor C . J . Waters, J.P. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1921 Councillor Robert N . Corney. J.P. . . . . . . . . 7922 Councillor James D . Evans. J.P. . . . . . . . . . . 1922 Councillor R . \L7 . Sylvester. J.P. . . . . . . . . I923 Councillor H . G . Wilmot. J.P. . . . . . . . . . . , I923 Councillor Louis W . Holmes. J.P. . . . . . . . . 7924 Councillor Hy . Matthews. J.P. . . . . . . . . 1924 Councillor W . Stewart Turnbull . . . . . . . . .. 1025 Councillor Samuel Hattarn. J.P. . . . . . . . . . . 1325

CHAIRMEN O F T H E MUNICIPALITY O F MALVERN SINCE

ITS INCORPORATION :

PRESIDENTS.

O n 26th AIay. 1871. Road District of Gardiner was proclaimed the Shire of Gardiner . . . . . . . . . . . . . Heywood. John G June 1871 to Nov

Fergusson. James . . . . . . . . . . Aov . 1871 .. Nov . . . . . . . . . . . . .l . Munro. James Nov 1872 Nov

. . . . . . . . . . . . Bellin. John 3 0 . 1873 .. Nov . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . Lewis. Robert E Nov 1874 Aug

. . . . . . . . . . .. . Benson. Robert G Xug 1876 Aug .. . . . . . . . . . . . Lewis. Robert E.. .Aug 1877 Aug . . . . . . . . . . . .. . Lorimer. James Xug 1878 Aug .. . . . . . . . . . Benson. Robert G .Xu g. 1880 Aug

. .. . . . . . . . . . . Heywood. John G Xug 1881 hllg

. .. . . . . . . . Woodmason. William .Aug 1883 Aug .. . . . . . . . . . . . Edsall. Edward S .lug 1884 Aug .. . . . . . . . . . . . Benson. Robert G Aug 1885 Aug Clarke. Alfred E . . . . . . . . . Aug . 1887 .. Aug . .. . . . . . . . . . . . Benson. Robert G Aug 1889 Aug .. . . . . . . . . . . . McKinley. Alex Aug 1890 Aug

. . . . . . . . . . . . .. . Knox. William Aug 1893 Aug .. . . . . . . . . . . . . Nunro. Donald Aug 1895 .hug . .. . . . . . . . . . Carroll. Thomas Xug 1896 Aug . .. . . . . . . . . . . Alway. Adolphus F Aug 1898 Aug . .. . . . . . . . . . . . T'oysey. Joseph Aug 1899 Xug

.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . McKinley.=Ilex Aug ~ g o o Feb 6

MAYOR@ . . . . . . . . . . . . . McKinley. Alex Feb 1901 to Aug 1901

. . . . . . . . . . .. . Holmes. Louis W Aug 1901 Ang 1902 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . Parslow. Eli Xug 1902 Aug 1903 .. . . . . . . . . . . . Bailey. William V Xug rgo3 A l ~ ~ g 1904

Lewis. Walter H . . . . . . . . . ."lug . 1904 .. l u g . 190j . . . . . . . . . . . .. . Weller Albert J Aug 190.5 Aug 1906

. . . . . . . .. Edgar. William Haslam Aug KO& ..\U g. 1 9 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . Ellis. John Aug . 1907 .. .lug. 1908

. . . . . . . . . . .. . Dunlop. Alex . J . B Aug 1908 .\ug 1909 . . . . . . . . . . .. . Lewis. Walter H Aug I W l u g 1910

. . . . . . . . . . . . . McKinley. Alex Aug I L 1911 . . . . . . . . . .. . Wilks. Rupert de C Aug 191 I Xug 1912

. . . . . .. . . . Cornwall. Frank H G Aug 1912 Aug 1913 . . . . . . . . . . .. . Wilson. Sydney H Aug 1013 .$ug 1914

. . . . . . . . . Thornson. W . Rogers Xug I -\ug 1915 . . . . . . . . . . . . Weller. Albert J .\U g. 1915 U 1916

. . . . . . . . .. . Wilks. Rupert de C Aug 1916 Aug 1917 . . . . .. . Thompson. Ernest Ingram ' lug I917 :Aug 1918

. . . . . . . . . . . .. . McKinley. Alex .lug 1918 " l~g 1919 . . . . . . . . . . . . Holmes. Louis IT Xug I U 1920

... . . . . . . . . Francis. F H (M.H.R.) Xug 1920 'iug 1921 .. . . . . . . . . . . Evans. James D Aug 1921 .hg 1922 . . . . . . . . . . .. . Corney. Robert S ;lug 1922 lug 1923 . . . . . . . . . . . Waters. Charles J .4ug 1923 \ug 1924 . . . . . . . . . .. . Matthews. Henry A\ug 1924 .lug 1925

Gardiner changed to Malvern . 15th February . 1878 . In February. 1901. the Shire was constituted a Borough . I n April. 1901. the Borough was declared a Town . In May. 1911. the Town was declared a City .

CITY OF MALVERN.

Town Clerk's Report.

'ro HIS WORSHIP THE MAYOR AND COUNCILLORS,

CITY O F MALVERN.

Gentlemen,

I desire to submit my report for the year 1924-5 as follows:-

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS. ANNUAL.

The Annual Elections were held on Thursday, 27th ;\ugust, 1925, and resulted as follows:-

NORTH WARD.-Councillor J. D. Evans was opposed by Mr. F. S. Beckwith. The result of the poll was as follows:-

. . . . . . . . . . J. D. Evans 1140 . . . . . . . . . . F. S. Beckwith 1044 -

. . . . . . Majority for Evans 96 - CENTRAL WARD.-Cr. R. W. Sylvester was returned unopposed.

SOUTH WARD.-Councillor R. N. Corney was returned unopposed.

EAST WART).-The Mayor (Councillor Hy. Matthews) was opposed by Mr. Geo. Taylor- the result of the poll was as follows :-

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . G. Taylor I254 . . . . . . . . . . H. Matthews : I I 19

. . . . . . Majority for Taylor 135 - LEAVE OF ABSENCE.

In July, 1925, Cr. L. W. Holmes was granted three months leave of absence on account of ill health.

VALUATIONS. The return submitted by the Valuer for the year 1924-5, including the Supplementary Valua-

tion was as follows :-

. . . . . . . . . . Xorth Ward f220,587 . . . . . . . . Central Ward 163,812

. . . . . . . . . South Ward 164,372 East Ward . . . . . . . . . '97,093

-- f7459864

The increase in valuation of rateable property over a period of ro years ending 30th Septem- ber, is shown as follows :-

BY-LAWS.

During the year the following By-Laws were passed by the Cou11cil:-

No. 70.-Fixing of Fees for Registration, &c. of Premises under the Health Act, 1919."-

This 13y-I,aw repeals Ry-Law S o . 60 and fixes fee for charge of registration; renewal of registration of premises used for Offensive Trades, Boarding Houses, Common Lodging Houses, Eating Housei or for the manufacture or preparation for sale of Ice Cream or Aerated Waters.

No. 71.-Adopting Part 6th of 13th Schedule of the Local Govt. Act, 1916.

-This portion of the 13th Schedule gives the Council power to register and make regulations governing Halls and Euilding, used for Public Meetings or any building or grounds in which public amusements are conducted.

NO. 72.-Re g U l at i o n o f Traffic.- This By-Law repeals previous Trafic By-laws of the Council and I~rinqs them u p to date. I t also includes several new Clauses, which it is hoped will result in the better regulation of the traffic in the City and minimising the danger from accidents. The more important of the new Clauses are those (a) Relating to passing of stationary trams whilst persons are boarding or alighting from same. (h) Fixing of distance from certain intersections of main streets within nhich the pulling u p of vehicles is prohibited. (c) The necessity of vehicles carrying a suitable red light at the rear at night time: and it a130 sets out certain stipulations regarding pedestrian traffic which aim at leaving the roadway clearer for vehicular traffic.

K0TE.-It has since been decided t o repeal this Law" as submitted by a Conference of Representatives

LOANS.

By-Law No. 72 and adopt the "Uniform By- of metropolitan ~lunicipalities.

LOAN No. 15.-During the year the Council took into consideration the question of flotation of a Loan for further permanent works and undertakings. As the financial stringency which was ap- parent during the previous year was maintained during the present year, the Council decided only to oh- tain the necessary money to carry on Works which required immediate attention.

'2 Schedule was drawn up as stated below and the necessary consent t o the flotation of the Loan of £30,000 was obtained. The Interest rate is 6% per cent.-Such Interest and Loan is to be re- paid in equal half-yearly instalments over a period of 30 years.

0

LOAN 15 SCHEDULE.

PARKS AND GARDENE4- . . . . . . . . . . Glsn Iris Park-Planting, Paths and Nursery

A d r i e Park-Planting, Paths and Convenienres . . . . . . . . Tooronga Park and Hedeley Dene-Planting . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Waverley Park-Planting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Central Park-Planting

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CHANNELLING MAlN ROADS LEVEL CROSSINGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TAR GROUTING CHANNEL8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MOTOR WAGGON

. . . . . . . . . . . . DRATNAGE4tanhope Rt. to Oxford St. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TOTV'N HALL, on a/c re-construction

PAVILION MALVERN CRICKET GROUND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TENNIS COURTS

RE30NSTRUCTTON, CHANNELS, WATTLETREE ROAD (Gknferrie Road to Bnrke Road) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I t will be necessary t o consider early in the new year the question of ~a is ing a further Loan to cover other permanent works and undertakings which require consideration.

1 1 ,

REGULATION OF TRAFFIC.

The sub-Committee referred to in the last Annual Report as being appointed to submit a draft By-Law to "Control and Regulate Traffic" duly submitted its report and recommendations. These were fully discussed by the Public Works Committee and afterwards by the Council, and as stated elsewhere the Council passed a By-Law (No. 72) which was considered would satisfactorily regulate the increasing traffic of the Municipality.

A Conference of metropolitan Municipalities was called during the year by thc Melbourne Council to discuss the question of "Uniform Traffic Regulations" for the metrolopitan area, hut up to the time of this Council passing its RV-1,aw no finalit11 had been reached.

NOTE.-Since the passing of this By-Law the Conference has submitted a "Uniform Regula- tion," which was recommended for adoption by all Municipalities. The Council has since the close of the year decided , so as too bring about uniformity in the metropolis, to adopt the Traffic Regulations as submitted by the Conference and to repeal By-Law NO. 72.

CONFERENCES.

Representation on M. & M. Board o f Works.-Nothing further has been done regard- ing this Conference, and its position as reported in last year's Report. The Conference is now waiting for the Ministry t o bring in a Bill t o cover the recommendations.

E m e r g e n c y E p i d e m i c H o s p i t a l-No further action has been taken regarding the sub- ject matter of this Conference.

Representation o n M. & M. T r a m W a y S' B o a r d. -The City of Footscrav convened a Conference of representatives of Metropolitan Municipalities to consider the "Constitution of the Board," with the view to the Municipalities having more direct representation on same. This Council was represented,at the Conference, which was unanimous in its protest against the Board's attitude re-

10

garding Tramway extension. The Committee appointed by the Conference went into the matter fully and reported back to the Conference at which the following resolution was passed, viz.:

"That this Conference adopt as the first principle that the r*4unicipalities should have majority representation on the M. & M. Tramways Board."

An amendment as follows :- "That the T ramway Board as at present constituted be abolished, and that the control of

trams be centred in the 14etropolitan Municipalities" was placed before the Conference but not "Carried."

The Council apnroved of the resolution as passed and submitted bv the Conference. A deputation from the Conference waited unon the Hon. the Minister of Public Works and submitted the resolution as above. The denutation laid stress on the fact that where taxation is made renresenta- t;on should he riven. and as the Municipalities were liable for losses incurred hv the M. 8r M. Tmmwavs Roard. that Municioalities should have direct and maioritv representation of stich hoard. The Minister informed the deputation that the Cabinet would be considerinq the question of the Constitution of the Roard, and the representatims as made hy the deoutation would be considered.

Investment o f Municinal Sinking Fund. -The Council was represented at the Confer- ence convened bv the Citv of South Melbourne to discuss the desirability of an amendment of the "Local Government Act" tn permit Councils to invest their sink in^ Fund in stock other thqn 3 per cent Go- vernment Stock as provided by the "Local Government .4ct. 1915."

The followine resolution was a d o ~ t e d bv the Conference, viz. :-

"That this Conference of Renresentatives of metropolitarl Municinalities amrove of the amendment of Section 775 of the Local Government Act 191s. to enahle Councils incurrinq Tzoans ren2vable hv Sinkinc Fund to invest such Sinking Fund in such Stock as may he approved of I n the Atiditor General of Victoria."

This Council agreed to the resolution, and the matter was b rowh t under the notice of the Council's Par- 1;ammtarv Representatives. The Conference forwarded the Resolutions to the Hon. the Minieter of Pl~hl;c Works, ackinc that same he included in anv amendment of the Local Government Act which mav hc lnadp 4 r e ~ h was received from the l h i s t e r to the effect that the recliiest could not he p sn t ed . hilt that it was intended to introduce dui-inq the w s ~ ~ o n of Parliament a Local Government RV l~rhich ~ ~ , o u l d m a h l ~ the Government to invest Municinal Sinkinq Funds in Government 5 per cent Stoclr. in lie71 of 3 per cent. as now provided in the T,ocal Government Act.

This Council approved of the Government's proposal and requested its Parliamentary Repre- sentatives to support same when it was before the House.

Unlform Traffic Re g u la t i a n S. -With a view to diwussing- the traffic prohlem of the metro- polis and to stress the imoortance of havinq uniform re~ulat ions controlling traffic throughout th- whole area. the Citv of Melborlriie, at the reniiest of the Citv of Prahran. convened a Conference of Repre- sentatives of the metropolitan Municipalities during the pear.

The Conference apreed iinon the desirabilitv of having smh Regulations and appointed a sub- committee reoresentative of a l l Miinicioalities to g.o into the question with a view to recommending a Re~vlat ion which would he suitable and satisfactarv to all Municipalities.

The sub-Committee went into the matter very fullv and discussed the problem with Reoresen- tatives of the Police Department. Tramwavs Roard and Railwav Department and various Oroanisationc concerned in the traffic of the metropolis. The result of their deliberation was the suhmi t t in~ of a draft Requlation emhodving Clauses roverninq vehicular and pedestrian traffic which it considered would cope with the increasing and fast movinq traffic.

The Committee considered that the "l4otor Car -4ct" miqht he extended to "Provide that vehic!es overtakinp a tram car stoppine for the purnose of takinc un or setting down passenrers shall riot approach within 4 feet of the running board or lowest step of such tram cal- or in the boundary mark of a n v safetv zone in existence." I t was considered that this was preferable to the ~ r o ~ o s a l that vehicles should definitely stop behind s ta t io~arv cars. The Committee also recommended that the Government be requested to make available immediately permanent traffic pointsmen at the several busy suburban

21

intersections where tramways are in existence. I t aIso recommended that pedestrian traffic should be regulated by a similar rule to tha.t of vehicular traffic, viz., "Keeping to the left," instead of "Keeping to the right."

The Conference adopted the recommendations and draft regulations as submitted by the sub- committee. The adoption was unanimous, with the exception that the Cities of Prahran and Richmorid did not approve of the elimination of Clause "Compelling vehicles to stop behind stationary trams."

This Council, after discussing the recommendations of the Conference submitted certain sug- qested alterations to the Regulations At a further meeting of the Conference, although this Council had recently passed a By-Law regulating traffic which included a Clause referring to the "Stopping Ilrhind stationarv trams." and other clauses which this Council considered desirable, this Council's representative felt that in order to arrive at unanimity he should support the "TTniform Regulations." with the idea, if possible, of arriving at a Regulation which would be acceptable to all Municipalities.

The Council confirmed this action of its Representative and has since decided t o bring in a By-Law repealing its previous one and adopting the Regulations as submitted by the Conference.

Infantile P a r a l y s i s .- In view of the epidemic of Infantile Paralysis in New Zealand and to consider steps to guard aqainst a similar outbreak in the metro~olis , the Melbourne City Council convened a Conference of Municipal Hcalth Officers to consider the best means of preventing the spread of the disease.

The follo~ving resolutions were adopted, viz. :

(a) That in view of the nrevalence of Infantile Paralvsis this Conference of Metropolitan Medical Officers of Health is of opinion that united action should be taken bv the Metronolitan Municipalities to combat the disease.

(h) That in view of the fact that the incidence of Infantile Paralysis estends throughout the State, this Conference is of the opinion that the necessarv organisation to combat the disease should he arrnnyed and carried ovt by the Rilmicipalities in connection with the Commission of Public Health: the exnenditilre incurred in connection therewith to Re borne ennally bp the Government and the Metropolitan hfunicipalities.

(C) That a Committee con sic tin^ of Chairman (Dr. T. ITr. Sinclair, ?Ilelhourne), Dr. R. H. Fcther- ston (Prahran). Dr. W. Summons (Hawthorn). Dr. P. A. Stevens (Northcote) with T)r. Tean

4 Macnamars. he anpointed to go fullv into the subject of prevention and treatment nf the disease, and attend to necessary details including the control of serum, and report to the Conference.

This Council apploved of the resolution., passed at the Conference.

LEGISLATION PASSED DURING THE YEAR

Local G o ve r n me n t Act, 1924.-The following amendment to the principal Act was passed during the closing hours of the Session, December, 1924.

The above ,\ct is an exceedingly important one to VIunicipalities. as it practically covers the defect in the former -Act, as shown by Court cases during 1914. \vherein various Municipalities had their By-Laws, or portion of them, quashed by the Supreme Court. Under this 1924 A 4 ~ t Municipalities have power t o strengthen and at the same time simplify their Building By-Laws. The Councils also have Dower to enforce these By-Laws by a continuing g.ena1t.i.. Previously thc maximum penalty for vio- lation of the Ruilding BY-L,aw relatine to erection of shops, &c. was £20. hut under the Amending -2ct there is a continuing penalty for each day that the BY-T.aw is violated. This 4ct will be verv helpflll for the Outer Municipalities in particular and mill be beneficial to Malvern particularly in the develop- ment of the Eastern portion.

M o t o r 0 m n i b U s A c t. --\c an outcome of the demands made bg Municipalities regardinq the d a m a ~ e to roadways, lack of control as to tvpe of buses, and the rcutes along which they travel, Parliament passed this Act in T)ecember, 1924. Under this .Act the Governor-in-Council may prescribe

12

(a) The route within the metropolitan area along which Motor Omnibuses for which regular service licenses are granted as hereinafter provided, may ply for hire.

(b) Sections and tenninai points and stopping places along such routes.

(c) Time tables to be observed by owners of such motor buses plying for hire on prescribed routes or sections thereof.

(d) Fares inclucling maximuni and minimum fares for prescribed routes or sections thereof to be charged to passengers carried by such motor omnibuses.

(e) hlaximum nuniber of such Alotor Omnibuses which may be licensed to ply for hire on any prescribed route.

Before doing so the Minister (a) Shall take into consideration the maximum number of Motor Omnibuses proposed to be pre-

scribed for the route.

(b) Shall confer with Railways Commissioners and Tramways Board and the Council of any Munici- pality concerned and may confer with such other persons as he thinks fit.

(c) Shall satisfy himself that the condition of roads to be included in the route is such as will be capable of carrying Motor Omnibuses thereon wlthout any unreasonable damage to the roads .and that there are not suffic~ent other facilities for the conveyance of passengers to, from and within the dlstrict proposed to be served.

I n addition to this the Act provides for the establishment of an Advisory Committee of five mem- bers to act in an honorary capacity, one member representing the Department oi Public Works, who shall be Chairman of the Committee; one representing the Victorian Railways Commissioners; one the M. & N . Tramways Lloard; one the Metropolitan Municipalities and one the interest of Motor Bus Owners. . -

This Committee shall consider and make recon~mendations to and report to and advise the Minister upon any matters referred to the Committee by the Minister, which may be the subject of any Orders in Council or Regulations under this Act. I

The Act provides for additional fees to be paid upon Xotor Omnibuses as compared with ordm- ary motor vehicles. 'lliese fees as well as the ordinary fees payable on motor omnibuses under the "Motor Car Act," must be paid into a Metropolitan Road Fund, for which also the M. & M. Tramways Board must contribute a sum equal to the amount which would be payable for fees under the "-\lotor Car Act" and additional fees under this Act if same were payable by the Board.

At the end of every financial year the money to the credit of the Fund shall be allocated in such proportio~is as the Treasurer 01: the recommendations of the Commissioner of Public Works direct to the several Municipalities upon any of the streets or roads of the Municipal district on which Motor Omni- buses are used, and shall be applied by the Council to those Municipalities towards construction, re- newal, repair or maintenance of those streets or roads and not otherwise.

The Governor-in-Council has power to make Regulations for or with respect to-

(a) The maximum height length and breadth of motor omnibuses;

(b) The maximum weight of and the maximum load for motor omnibuses ;

(c) Prohibiting the use of tires other tlian rubber tires on motor omnibuses and regulating the thick- ness and the condition of tires used on motor omnibuses;

(d) The design and construction of motor omnibuses so as to secure the safety comfort and conveni- ence of passengers and the public and to minimise damage t o roads;

(e) The maintenance and repair of motor omnibuses;

(f) The provision and regulation of efficient brakes and steering gear on motor omnibuses.

(g) The prohibition of advertisements on the outside of motor omnibuses;

(h) The furnishing to the Minister by owners of Motor omnibuses of such statistics as are pre- scribed ;

13 ,

(i) Declaring what limit of speed (not exceeding twenty miles per hour for motor omnibuses fit- ted with no tires other than pneumatic tires, and fifteen miles per hour for other motor omni- buses) shall not be exceeded whether generally or in any specified locality or any specified street or road or part thereof by motor omnibuses; and

(j) Generally all such matters and things as are authorised or permitted to be prescribed or are necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying this Act into effect.

The Owner of any Motor Omnibus shall insure himself and at all times keep himself insured in some insurance Company during the currency of the License against all sums for which he may become liable by way of damages in respect of such Motor Omnibus in case of injury to person. The mimimum aggregate amount of Insurance in respect of every Motor Omnibus shall be £3000 provided that where more than five Motor Omnibuses are owned by the one Owner the minimuin aggregate shall be f15,ooo.

ADVlSOKY C;Oi~l&ll'J,'l'hE.-At the direction of the IJIiilister of Public \l7orks a Conference of Kepresentatives of ~Vletropolitan lLlunicipalities was held at the lown Hall, MelLourne, on lbth January, 1925, tor the purpose of electing one Representative of the Municipalities upon the Advisorj Committee referred to above. After an ex~laustive ballot, Cr. K. I\. Corney, oi this Council, was elected.

state Highways and Vehicles' Act. -Ibis Act was passed before the close of the s e s s ~ o i ~ in uecemuer, 1924. I t relates to State Hlghways and l,ountry Koads, and also hloror LaIs anu I I ~ C L L U I I

~ngi i ies . stare riighway ' means any hghway including ahy main road or developmental roau ur ally porrion thereoi declared and confirmed as a State Highway under this Act. l h e Louncry Kodus Lioaicl nas tile power to declare such State Highways and also to rescind any such declaration. l h e rndlnten- ance or rllese highways is to be borne by the Country Koads doard, and no Munictpal~ty ia mule to ydq any contribution m respect of such maintenance. I t also amends the orlginal Act so that i\.lunic~pahties shall only be called upon to pay one-third of the cost of mamtenance of "&lam Koads, ' instead or halt tne amount as previously.

I t also provides for the sum of f40,ooo to be paid out from the Consolidated Kevenue and to be apportioned by the 1VIinister between the ll'lunicipalities in the metropolitan area, to be applled by them towards construction, renewals, re-construction, repairs or maintenance oi streets or roads m such a manner and in such materials as the Board may approve. .-

'Lhe second part of the Act relates to the "Registration oi illotor Cars," and fixes the fees for same. ' lhe tee 1s based at the rate of 3/- per power- weight umt, whch is arrived at b j adding tne weight of the car 111 cwts to the horse-power of same.

The Act also lays down certain regulations regarding the width, height and weight of motor cars, and the loads carried thereon. I t also limits the speed ot cars carrying goods, and also cars carrying pas- sengers. The Lloard and the Council of any Municipality (where such Council has the care and manage- ment of any State Highway or main road or part thereof) has the power to prohibit the use on such roads of motor cars the weight of which and the load carried thereon together exceed 5 tons.

NOTE.-The result of the registration of cars in terms of this Act is that the revenue received for the past year is something like £4oo,ooo, and the estimate for the current year is f750,ooo. 'This amount goes to the fund of the Country Koads Board for maintenance of State Highways, Main and De- velopmental roads in the country.

This means that the whole of the revenue from such a source is expended on country roads, al- though a very large percentage of the motor cars registered are registered and used in the metropolis only. The decision of the Department that there should be no State Highways in any Cities, Towns or Boroughs means that no portion of the money can be spent in the metropolis. The fixed amount of f40,ooo to be distributed amongst the metrolopitan Municipalities will only represent approximately 5 per cent of the amount of fees received for the current year. This is manifestly unfair, and a Conference of representatives of metropolitan Municipalities has considered the matter and has urged a more equit- able distribution of the fees received. The amount should be a percentage of the total receipts so that with the increase of fees there will be a greater amount distributed between the metropolitan Munici- palities for road work, to meet the consequent increase of motor t r - f f i ~ .

14

As the result of Petition lodged by ratepayers in terms of the "Kating on Unimprovetl \ alue.> Act, 1922" the necessary valuation of each property showing net annual valuation, the unirnproved value and capital improved value was made, and notice of same served on each ratepayer. The Poll in accord ance with the Act was held on Thursday, 27th August, 1925, the result being that the Mayor declared t11at the Poll had not been carried.

The voting was as follows :-

In favor. Against. Informal. Sort11 Ward . . . . 923 I992 Central Ward

46 . . . . 260 484 16

South Ward . . . . 229 288 10

East JVard . . . . 1053 7359 28 . . . . . . . . Postal 21 38 I

An analysis of the voting is as under :- - Percentage of

Votes (iuc. inf 'm '1) No. of Voters Total No. No. of Valid Informal. polled t o

Ward. on Roll. of Votes. VoUes recorded. Totes. Votes on Roll. Korth . . . . . . 242 I 4282 291j $3 G 9 . 1 r

. . . . . . Central 21 79 3779 744 16 20.1 I . . . . . . . . South 2086 3853 517 10 13.67

East . . . . . . . . 3537 5150 2412 28 - 47.37

Postal Votes . . . . <Q I --

Percentage of \ otes (including informal), recorded to total \'otes on Roll-39.54.

NOTE.--There were only contests for election of Councillor in two Wards-the North atld East. The result of there being no poll for Councillor in the Central and South M'ards is shown in the small percentage of T-otes recorded.

M. & M. TRAMWAYS BOARD. The M. & M. Tramways Board has issued a Statement showing the financial position for the year

ended 30th June, 1925. I t is an important Statement, in view of the publicity given to the deficit as shown by the Board for the year referred to.

The Statement is shown in detail as follows:-

RESULTS FOR THE Y E A R ENl IFD 30th JUKE, 1925.

The Board's Balance Sheet for year ended 30th .June, 1925, shows a deficit of 5232,245.

It is not a loss arising from the working of the tramway undertaking, but m:~inly results from the operation of the financial provisions of the Board's Acts.

The Report of the Auditor-General for the Sta te of Victoria shows tha t the year 's surplus from Operating Account was . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E290,217

After debiting items such as Municipal Rates, Employees1 Sick Pay, Gratuities and Friendly Society Contributions, Interest on Rorrorved Money and upon Reserve Funds user1 ill the TTnilertaking, am- ounting to . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172,705

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . a ne t surplus is le f t of £1.17,512

16

The charges already debited cover all outgoingfl except renewals (depreciation) and provision for redemption of loans. As renewals are required, they are charged to either the Renewals Reserve or to Reconstruction Reserve Funds.

THE STATIJTORY DEFICIT.

The various provisions of the Board's Acts, however, compel the Board to set aside large appropriations each year, as follow:-

Section 88 of the Board's Act No. 2995 requires i t to pay to the State Consolidated Revenue each year a sum equal to the payments made by the Government to the Metropolitan Fire Bri- gades Board, the Queen's Memorial Infectious Diseases Hospital, and Publicans1 Licences Equivalent. This sum has increased in six years from about £75,000 to £106,211 per annum. The expenditure i s a first charge upon tramway passenger fares, but has no connection with the tramway undertaking. (The total amount paid to the Government during the last 5% years is £531,465) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The Board is by its Act required to provide a Sinking Fund towards the repayment of its loans, or to repay each year a prearranged proportion of the prinicipal sums borrowed. (The total thus accumulated to date in reduction of loan indebtedness amounts to $161,209). Payments

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . for the pear

Pursuant to Section 24, Act 2995, the Board is arbitrarily required to set aside each year to i t s General Renewals Reserve Funds a sum notless than 4 per cent. nor more than 6 per cent. of the "Capital Cost" of its Undertaking, whether this amount is available or not. The expres- sion "Capital Cost1' includes assets of all descriptions, including Freehold land. These Funds are formed for the purpose of meeting the cost of converting the Cable tramwavs to Electric traction, expenditure upon renewals, or to rover deficits, etc. (At 30th .Time, 1825, the balance a t credit of Renewals, General and reconstruction Reserve Funds totalled £1,060,465). The appropriation to Renewals and General Reserve Fund4 (in addition to interest already

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . credited £42,896) for the pear ended 30th .Tune, 1x5, was

The Board carries portion of its Fire Tnsurance Risk, nnd, pursuant to Section 3 of Act 3074, has established a "Fire Tnsnrance Reserve Fund," which. nt 30th June, 1925, amounted to £27,841.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The appropriation for the year ended 30th June, 1925, was . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Total Statutory Appropriations

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T~ess Surplus of Net Revenue Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Statntorv Deficit

Tt will he observed that if the Board were relieved from its Statutory obligation to provide funds For other public undertakings (such as the Fire Brigade, Infectious Diseases Hospital, etc.), it would have been in a nositinn to add a sum of £117,512 to i t s exiqting Reserve and Sinking Funds, the nnexpended amount of which, a t 30th .Tune, 1925, was £1,256,423.

No provision is made in the Roard'g Act for the case where there is a surplus available from Net Rorenue Account hut insufficient in amount to meet the Statutory pavments to the State Government, the amounts r c ~ ~ ~ i ~ e . l for Loan Redemptions and the transfers to Reserves and Sinking Funds required by the Act.

The balance, therefore, can only he shown ns a "Deficit."

CONCESSIONS TO THE PUBLIC AND EXPENDIT'URE BY THE BOARD ON BEHALF OF THE METROPOLTS.

Numerous finanlcial burdens hare from time to time been imposed upon the Board by Acts of Parlinment, 2nd obligations have been assumed in the public interest and with the approval of public opinion. Prior to the ab-

normal increase in the rates of wages, which commenced in the year 1920, i t was not of great importance whether the Board, the Government or the Municipalities bore this expenditure. The change in the fjna~llcial position, however, requires R more equitable adjustment of the bnrden unless the public is prepared to face either an increase in pnssengw fares, which would average less than one halfpenny upon each passenger journey, or as an alternative, a general tram- way rate on the whole of the metropolis for the amonnt required f b meet the "deficit" created by the operation of the Art.

CONSTRUCTION, BT,TERATTON, LTGHTTNG AND MBINTENANCE 03' ROADS.

Prior to the installation of electric tramways, the British Parliament enacted legislation to deal with the existing horse tramways operated by private companies. The horses which drew the cars used a narrow strip of the

road and their hoofs destroyed the surface. Legislation therefore cast upon the owners of the cars the duty of making

17

and maintaining the portion of the road occupied b y t,he tramways. -4s electric t r amxays were gradually introduced the obligation was preserved, although i t s justification had, to a large extent, clisapp~arecl. The Board, in common with all tramway undertakings in Britain and America, inherited the obligation originally intended to apply only in respect of horse tramways. The Board's Ar t s provide tha t i t shall construct and maintain the portion of the roadway occnpied between i t s tracks, and fo r a distance of 18 inches outside the outer rails. The obligation imposed npon the Board, however, is i n some respects more onerous than the original British and American legislation.

I n addition to constructing and maintaining i t s tracks, i t must also (when required b y the hfunicipality through which the tracks run) raise or lower i t s t ram lines t o conform with any alteration made b y the i\lunieipality in the levels of an adjoining road. Should the Municipality decide upon a n improved class of material superior in durability to ordinary macadam for paving the sides of the roads, the Board must also repave the width occupied by i t s tracks and the 18-inch margins above referred to, t o conform with the new material adopted b r the Municipality. even though the tramway t rack surfaces may be in a n entirely satisfactory condition. I n addition, i t iecessitates the, re- construction of the t ram t racks wi th a n expensive concrete base.

ADVANTAGES TO MUNICIPALITIES.

Excluding the cost of the cable tramway tracks originally constructed b v the late Melbourne Tramways Trust , the Board and i t s predecessor Tramway Trusts have constructed a length of 82 miles of first-class road and tramway track, m o d of which is about 19 feet i n width, a t a cost of approximately £1,400,000.

The Board is also required to maintain and renew this 82 miles of track, together with 45 miles of cable tramwav t rack a t an expenditure of 3230,000 per annum. This t rack is freely used b v the ordinarr vehicular traffic, and i s frequently the best portion of the road. It generallv averages about one-third of the total width of the road surface. I f no tramwavs existed and the Munirinalities had to reronstruct and maintain ns nn ordinarv r o ~ d the portion of the roadwav a t present ocrullied b v t h e Roard's Cable nnd Electric tracks. a capital expenditure of £1.500.000 would, a t present costs, h e reouired and an annual expenditure of £250,000 would be incurred for maintenance, renewal, in- terest and sinking fund.

This sum takes no account of a total of £80,000 emended by the Board since i ts inception in alterinq the levels of i t s tracks and for repaving. such t racks to conform wi th alterations on the sides of the streets. 4pproximatelv

£40,000 has been expended bv the Board in this respect dnring the year ended 30th June, 192.5.

TRAMWAY R E L I E F TN OTHER COUNTRWS.

The injustice of imposing upon tramwav passenrrers t he whole of the c08t of constructing and maintaining the po-tion of the roads occupied hr tramwavs ha^, during. the last f ew years, been grndually recognised in Britain and America. During the present year t he Metronolitan Electric Tramwavs Co. Ltd . (London) hns been relieved of a large portion of this obligation b v the Municipalities i n whose distri'cts the tramways operate. Jn over fiftv cities i n U.S.A. the rateoavers have, during the last six years, relieved Tramwav Companies from a portion or the whole of these impoats. Other citiee are considering the ndvisahilitv of adopting the same policy.

I n conformitv with the practice init iated b v the late Municipal Tramway Trusts, whose tramwava were taken over b v the Board in 1920, the Board continues t o rrovide the street lighting of about 80 miles of streets traversed b y i t s electric tramwavs. The cost of this l ightinq i s bout £9.000 per annum an emendi tnr? mhi'ch is elcewhere met by the Municipalities.

I n common with ordinarv ratepavers. the Roard paps Municipal rates upon the freehold and leasehold pro- perties, t racks and buildings. The ra t ing upon tracks alone which have been constructed bp and are maintained b y the undertaking amounts t o over £13,000 per annum.

CONTRIBUTIONS T O GOIKMXTNITY EXPENDITURE.

Ever since the creation of the Board, i t has become public policy to require the Roard to defray a large portion of the cost of Community improvements, such a s the erection of bridges, abolition of railway level crossings, widening of streets, etc. The obligations of the Board in this respect for payments already made and pending commit- ments amount t o over £130,000. This figure takes no account of a contribution to the Spencer Street bridge, assessed a t £80,000 b y the Roval Commission appointed to assess and allocate the cost between the authorities which, in i t s opinion, should h e contributors. The advantages arising from these public improvements are shared b y the Board's tram- way passengers onlv in conjunction with all other road users.

It must also be remembered that , not only has the original contribution to these public improvements to be found b y the Board, but tha t a further permanent charge upon tramway passenger fares for interest and sinking fund has been created,

18

Few of the above obligations are imposed upon railway undertakings, and practically none a t all upon other competitive modes of transport, such as motor buses, etc.

I t is also obvious that private property is enormously enhanced in value by the provision of tramways, and that the Municipalities ohtain n greatly increased revenue from rates owing to the existence of such tramways. Many districts, such as Caulfield, Malvern, Preston, etc., owe a large portion of their development during the last few years to the existence of Electric tramways.

COWCESSIOSS TO hIEBIBERR OF THE PUBLIC.

Much of the Board's tramway traffic is, with the approval of the public, carried either free or a t an admittedly unpayable rate. Free travelling is granted to Disabled Soldiers, Police in uniform, Blind Persons, etc., and "Work- men"; school children and others are carried at rates much below cost. I t is estimated that the revenue thus lost to the Roard amounts to well orer £30,000 per annnm.

The amounts paid to the Government and to, or on behalf of the Councils, and free and concession fares, during the year ended 30th J ~ m e , 1925, total approximately ;E400,000. The whole of this expenditure is a charge upon tramway fares.

THE CATJSE OF T B E STAqUTORY DEFICIT.

For the year ended 30th June, 1924, the Statutory Deficit was £125,464, and for the vear 1925, £232,245.

The Board took over the Cable tramways on 1st November, 1919, and the Electric tramways constructed by the various Municipal Tramway Trusts were transferred to i t on 2nd February, 1920. The accounts for the year ended 30th June, 1920, after the Statutory payments, to the Government and to Reserves, showed a surplus of £35,834.

The net financial position has therefore been adversely affected in five years to the extent of £268,078 per annum.

Whilst the expenditure referred to in the foregoing notes has materiallv contrihuted to the retrograde movement of the finances, the item which has mainlv brought about this result is the abnormal increase in the cost of wages, the running of extra car mileage to reduce overcrowding at peak loading periods, the operation of new lines, and the higher rate of interest paid upon borrowed capital. Tncreased cost of wages and material affects every business hut the item of wages probably affects the working cost of a tramway undertaking more than that of almost anv other enterprise. Neither the Board nor anv other emplover can protect its industry from the adverse effect of these increases. Other commercial undertakings, have, however, from time to time added the enhanced cost of production to the price of the commodity or service sold.

I t is estimated that of each pound received from tramway passenger fares 13/- is disbursed in wages. The total expenditure upon m-ages and s~ la r ies ie approximately £1,250,000 per annum.

INCREASE I N WAGES COSTS.

On 1st November, 1919, the dailv rate of wages paid to "Third year" drivers and conduetors (who constitute the largest class of emplovees) was 22/6 per day; on 30th June, 1925, the rate was 16/3 per day-an increase of 30 per cent. The rates paid to most of the Board's other traffic employees advanced almost as rapidly. Increased holiday leare, additional Sunday pay, and improved rosters and working conditions have from time to time been granted to the Board's employees, either h v the Court of Conciliation and Arbitration or by voluntarv agreements entered into by the Board in lieu of appeals to the Court. The total cost of the increased wages and conmss50ns (charged against Revenue Account), which the Board could not control, is equivalent to an increase in five years from R5 per cent. to 40 per cent. in the wages cost. The increased cost of labour alone for the year ended 30th June, 1925, when compared with the cost during the vear ended 30th June, 1920, represents a sum of over £350,000. During the period referred to, the rate of interest on borrowed moneys has also largely increased.

As n set-off against the heary increase in labour costs, the Board, in March, 1921, increased fares by m 7verage of ahout 12Y2 per cent , bnt as can he r ~ a d i l v appreciated, this increase did not nearly meet the abnormal in- crease in wages alone. Unlike most other commodities or services, fares on the Cable tramways are lower than they were some years prior to the War, but i t is impossible for the industrv, without a reduction of obligations, to bear the increasing financial burdencl ~vhich are imposed upon it.

ANATAYSTS O F DEFICIT.

As previously mentioned, the Board's finances have, during the last five years, been adversely affeleted to

the extent of £268,078 per aanum

19

An analysis of t h e figures, omitting the operation of motor buses and a number of comparatively small in- creases and decreases, shows tha t the retrograde movement was almost entirely caused by the following items, which total £271,561:-

(a) Cost of 6,343,274 additional car miles run i n 1925, compared with 1920 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $470,348

(h) Increased cost of operation for the year 1925 upon the number of miles rut1 (luring thc year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ended 30th June, 1920 266,070

(c) Increased Interest charged against Net Revenue Acount-

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Year ended 30th ,June, 1925 £l37;239

(d ) Deduct additional Revenue earned--

Year ended 30th June, 1925 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E1,948,266

EXPLANATION O F ABOVE ANALYBIS.

( a ) Additional Car Mileage run-

The additional car mileage run was necessary to give long delayed relief from overcrowding on certain lines, to cope with a large increase in Electric tramway passenger traffic, and to meet motor bus competition. Since 2nd February, 1920, the Preston, Footscray, Church Street (Richmond) and other Electric tr:lmways were opened and the Essendon tramway was purchased.

(b) Increased Cost of Operation per car mile-

The car mileage cost of operation (mainly owing to a 30 per cent. increase i n wages) has increased b y 3.620 pence in respect of t he Cable tramways and b y 4.526 pence for the Electric tramways. The standard of track and car maintenance has also been greatly improved.

(c) Increase of Interest charged against Revenue Account-

The capital cost of new track construction has doubled since the \Tar, and the track mileage of the electric tramways in operation on 30th June, 1925, was 46 per rent. greater than on 2nd February, 1920. The average rate of interest paid b p the Board has increased b y over 1 per cent., whi~ch, combined with the increased capital expenditure per t rack mile, caused the interest paid in 1925 to exceed tha t paid in 1920 hp R sum of £98,790.

(d) Owing t o a n increase of fares in March, 1g121, wlticli averaged ahout 12% per cent., and to the additional car mileage run since 1st Norember, 1919, the revenue from p:lssenger fares, etc., increased b y £98,790. I n consequence of the lesser number of passengers carried per cnr mile, however, the rerenne per car mile only increased from 18.788 pence in 1920 to 19.586 pence i n 1925, the differenrc h e i w .798 pence per car mile, or nn increase of 4.24 per cent. This compares with a 32 per cent. increase i n operating expenses alone.

As already explained, the decreased number of passengers per car mile resulted from less overcrowding a t peak loading hours combined with a loss of passengers to the Electric railways and competitive motor buses.

OPENING O F NEW ELECTRIC TRAMWAYS.

During the year under review, over 10 miles of new tramway t rack was opened for traffic, and the tram- way to West Brunswick, 9.2 t rack miles, has been put into commission since 1st July, 1925. Whilst these lines facili-

20

ta te the settlement of a large area of residential land, which until then was not adequately serred by either railways or tramways, they .do not a t present, and i n ' a l l probability will not for several years, meet operating expenses, apar t from their proportion of the Statutory payments obligatory under the Act.

At the inception of the Board, tlie total single track miles of Electric tramways in operation was 102. A t 30th June, 1925, the Mectric tramway single t rack i11 operation n a s 149 miles-an increase of 46 per cent. A portion of this additional mileage is now meeting i t s operating expenses, but none of i t is making any appreciable contribution to the Statutory Resertes and payments to the Consolidated Revenue.

\Vhilst th is loss on operating tramways greatly swells tlie deficit i t cannot be looked upon as a Community loss.

,P

EXPERlENUE OF OTHER TIiANSPORT UNDERTAKINGS.

The Board's experience is not singular. Other trallsport undertakings show heavy deficits when their opera- tions are reduced to a comparatire basis with this board.

The Annual Iteport of the Auditor-General for Victoria states tha t tlie gross deficiency in the Victorian Railways for the year ended SWI June, 1925, was d;269,672. This was balanced by payments from the Sta te Consoli- dated Hevenue to tlic extent of 5295,359, principally represented by a graut of 5135,289 in respect of "non-paying" lines, and a refund of a loss of $155,000 caused by reduction of freight charges. (The Tramways Board receives no finan- cial assistance from the C;o\-erl~inent, but, as before mentioned, has in 5% years paid to i t a total sum of 5531,465). The Railways Cornn~issioners in tlicir Annual Report for the year ended 30th June, 1923, state tha t they are not con- tr ibuting adequately to\vartls nleeting the depreciation of the assets, and further expresses the opinion tha t the placing of the Depreciation Euncl upon a proper basis would require a n additional annual appropriation of a t least £350,000.

The Annual Report of the N.S.W. Go\ ernnient Railways and Tramways for the year ended 30th June, 1925, sho\vs a deficit on tramways a t 5102,OiS. The N.M.W. Tramways do not make any contribution to tlie Sta te Consolidated Kevcnue, uor are they required to set aside any appropriations to Sinking, Renewals, or other similar Funds.

The .&letropolitan Tramway undertaking, considered on a purely commercial basis, is one of the few public utilities i n Australia which has been able to show a surplus a s f a r a s i t s trading operations are concerned.

SUMMARY.

Sums provided during the year and expenditures made by the Board which have saved corresponding expendi- ture by the Gorernment, the Xunicipalities and the public, a re a s follow:-

Payments to the Gorerninent fo r distribution to the BLetropolitan Fire Brigades Board, Queen's . . . . . . . . . . Memorial Jnfeetious Diseases Hospital, and Publicans' Licences Equivalent

The Tramway Undertaking has constructed and maintamed a n a lerage width of 17 fee t of 128 miles of &Ietropolitan roads. I f no tramways esistetl and the Nunicipalities had t o reconstruct, maintain and renew the portion of the roads occupjed b y the Board's tracks, a capital expendi ture of £1,500,000 a t present costs would be required. The estimated annual expenditure in- volxed for maintenance, renewal, interest and sinking Fund is . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Interest and Sinking Fund upon &210,00 paid f o r Community i n l p ~ o r e n ~ e n t s (roads, bridges, etc.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cost of lighting SO miles of streets

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rat ing paid b y Board upon i t s tramway tracks Free and Concession Fares to Police in uniform, Disabled Soldiers, Blind Persons, Workmen, and Scllool

Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Value to the Community

2 i th October, 1925.

By Order of the Board,

W. 0. STRANGWARD, Secretary.

STOCK I N HAND AT 30th SEPTEMBER, 1925-NOT CREDITED.

Clinker-crushed- No. l-approx. 10 tons-value $2 5 IJ Clinker-crushed- No. 2-approx. 8 tons-value £6 8 0 Clinker-crushed- No. 3-approx. 4 tons-value £2 8 0 Clinker-uncrushed- approx. 20 tons-value £3 10 0

Also oil, packing, tools and appliances (aprox. £70) stationery, etc.

The refuse delivered during the year comprised 12,625 loads delivered as follows:-

Tons. Cwt. HAWTHORN C'OUNCIL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4334 19 MALVERN COUNCIL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6762 5 CAiMBERWELL COUNCIL . . . . . . . . . . 3109 15 KEW COUNCIL (household) . . . . . . . . . 2099 6

. . . . . . . . . . . KEW COUNCIL (trade) 67 13 PRIVATE REFUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295 4

Totalling . . . . . . . . . 166691 2

In addition quantities of tins, old iron, and similar inlcombustible materials were delivered.

Water consumed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lbs. of water per lb. of refuse . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Oil used Hours worked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Average quantity burned per day . . . . . Clinker crushed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Total operating cost Total earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . Nett cost of operating Cost per ton of refuse treated . . . . . .

822,750 gals. 4.88 13% pints 6706

54.12 tone. l00 tons 12 cwt.

M598 1 0 £343 17 11

£4254 3 l

5 1%

The Destructor has been working three shifts throughout the year and the plant has proved capable of treating quantities of refuse greatly in excess of the guarantee.

Difficulty is still being experienced owing to irregular deliveries of household refuse, and more regular de- liveries would result in reduction of operating cost b y reason of saving on rehandling refuse and trimming.

When refuse is not available the men on duty are employed crushing clinker and performing other work.

Advantage has not yet been taken of the supply of steam available. Revenue from this source would still fur- ther reduce the cost of operating.

The whole of the site has been enclosed (on road frontages) by a cyclone fence, with additional entrances and roadway.

A further sum of B250 (being l per cent. on 125,000-representing the value of renewable parts of plant and buildings) has been set aside in the Depreciation and Renewals Fund.

Cost, including interest and sinking fund in borrowed money, including interest and sinkidg fund on money

borrowed by constituent Councils for capital expenditure, the cost of treating 16,669 tons 2 cwt. of refuse works out a t 7/8 per ton for the past year.

W. BROAD HALL, Secretary.

UNION GARDENS TENNIS COURTS. L>uring the year the Council constructed two Tennis Cuurts in Lnion Gardens, adjoining t he

ihildren's playground. Un the 28th February, 1925, tlie Alayor (Cr. Hy. Matthew) oficlally opened the Courts, and expressed the hope that citizens :l1 the vicinity would appreciate tlie facilities provided uy the Louncil. Alter the illayor had declared the Courts open thc l'laygrounds Committee, which had interested itself very much in the establishment of tlie Courts, handed a cheque for izoo to the Mayor as a donation from the citizens towards the cost of the same. l h e Mayor in accepting the cheque on behalf ot the Council, expressed his great pleasure at the practical way in which the citizens appreciated the Council's efforts. The public spirit displayed by this Committee is greatly appreciated by the Louncil. Since the forination of tlie l'layground the Committee has assisted the Play Leader to a very marked degree in controlling the children attending the Playground. They have organised functioils for the raising of money for improvements to the Ground, the result being the handing over of the cheque above referred to.

TOUR OF THE MALVERN MUNICIPAL AND TRAMWAY BAND In Iiebruary, 1925, the Malvern Municipal and 'I'ramways Band left for a tour through Sew

Zealand tor the purpose of contesting in the Competitions in riucltland in March. His Worship the Alayor (Cr. Matthews) and a number of Councillors bade farewell to the Uand at the boatside, wl~eii the Alayor took the opportunity on behalf of the Council of hai~dlng to the President of the Band a cheque for t loo a5 a contribution towards the expenses of the Band, and also a Uanner from himself to be taken by the Uand through its tocr. 'l he Band was received with open arms by the people of S e w Zealand, and the tour throughout the I)ominion was a great success, culmiilating in the winning of the Championship of Auckland against all corners by 19 points. In addition to competing for the Championship the Band clurmg its stay in Auckland gave four Concerts, three of which were held m the Domain and one a t Ellers- lie Kace Course, at all of which it was estimated that from 20,000 to 25,000 people were present. l he Uand returned from its tour, having gained four Shields, a Silver Cup and L285 in Prizes.

WATER RETICULATION. Duriiig the past year the Council, in order to give facilities to residents in the Municipality,

guaranteed a return of 6 per cent. to the M. & M. Board of \/York5 on the cost of the reticulation o f the following streets ;--

Albert and Olive Streets, Warida Avenue, Noonga Street, lcyarra Road, Castlebar Road, Eclna Street, Canlira Street, Capon Street, Fontaine, Berrima and Karma Avenues, Allaines Avenue, Bretton- eux Square, Villiers Square, Nirvana Avenue, Woodlands Grove, Carrum Street, Merriwee Crescent.

HEALTH ACT REGISTRATIONS.

Under the "Health Act; 1919'' the following registrations were made during the year :-

EATING HOUSES.

W. Harper, 204 High Street, Malvern. F. Sendry, 265 Glenferrie Road. AI. Smith, 205 High Street. LT. Watson, 225 Malvern Road. K. Vorwerg, 241 Wattletree Road. A. Laurie, 205 Glenferrie Road. C. Good, 205 Dandenong Road. Allen & McDonald, 23ga High Street. Lawn Tennis Association, Glenferrie Road. E. Carthew, 285 Glenferrie Road. T. Grant, I I Waverley Road. J. Morgan, 71 Glenferrie Road.

M. A. Angus, p29 Malvern Road. H. Joyce, Kiosk, Central Park. J. R. Liston, Malvern Road. L. Hunt, 210 Glenferrie Road. E. Sharp, 122 Glenferrie Road. A. Thompson, 8 j Glenferrie Road. E. Stubbs, g Station Street. M. Macmillan, 37 Station Street. J. Pearson, 3 High Street. G. Lawson, 220 Glenferrie Road. F. Hird, Kiosk, Malvern Gardens. S. Copeland, High Street.

ICE CREAM. J. Elmore, Dandenong Road.

24

Day and Lewis, Glenferrie Road. E. Carthew, 28.5 Glenferrie Road. C. Warrell, 333 \Trattletree Road. L. Donnelly, Dandenong Road. E. J. M'oods, Dandenong Road. J. Hearson, 73 High Street. 1':. Wect. 7 Clareniolit Avenue. H. Joyce, Kiosk, Central Park. T. Pearson, 3 High Street.

SODL4 FOUNTAINS. H. IYoodleigh, 26 Glenferrie Road. C. Sharp, 122- Glen ferric Road. l\. Thonipson, . 85 Glenferrie Road. E. Stubbs, g Station Street. .l. Poulter, Wattletrec Road. E. Thomas, Glenferrie Road. D. I,awford, I5 Glenferrie Road. L. Pater, Wattletree Roacl.

BOARDIKG HOUSE. G. Leaver, Station Place. A. Cottee, 32 Mercer Road.

POULTRY DRESSIXG. R. Greenbury, 223 High Street. Coleman S: Graham, 92 Glenferrie Road. 1 b ~ - & Co., 81 Glenferrie Road.

OFFEKSIVE TRADES. l'artington Liros., 79 Glenferrie Road. M. Rovane. IVattletree Road. \\' I'egler. 187 Glenferrie Road. 11. Rovane, Junr., High Street. Cornwell Pty. Ltd., 155 Glenferrie Road. \V. \.lTallis, Xalvern Road.

FACTORY APPLICATIONS. The registration by the Department of Labour of the following premises as Factories were

approved by the Council during the year:-

MOTOR REPAIRS. Hollywood Motors, 295 Glenferrie Road . . . . 5 employees East Malvern Garage Pty. Ltd., High Street . . 5 j j

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S. H . Short 3 11

Martin & King, 83/7 High Street . . . . . . . . 5 0 ,,

PRINTING. . . . . . . . Tooronga Press, 266 Malvern Road 2 employees

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Perry Press, Burke Road 2 ,, . . . . . . . . . . W. Purcell, 9 Union Street 3 , ,

' ROBES AND DRESSES. Provisional Fur Coy., rear 118 High Street . . 5 employees

. . . . . . ., H. Williams, 171 Glenferrie Road 18 . . . . . . Jedwab Sr Levy, 117 Glenferrie Road 31 ,

R. Phillips, cr. Glenferrie Road and Earkly AV. 8 ,, . . . . . . . . . . . . .4. Culpan, 94 Union Street 4 l

FURNITURE. . . . . . . Clancy & Phipps, 211 Malvern Road 5 employees

. . . . T. Williams & G. Rich, 328 High Street 3 ,,

PHOTOGRAPHY. Muntz Studios, I I O Glenferrie Road . . . . . . 2 employees

25

PASTRY. S. G. Sneath, 117 Station Street . . . . . . . . 2 empolyees

. . . . . . . . . F. W. Fisher, ' 30 Station Street 5 ,I

. . . . . . . A. K. Johnston, 95 Station Street 2 ,, J. D. McFarlane 250 Glenferrie Road . . . . 2 , l

BOOT REPAIRING. . . . . . . . . D. Bennett, 97 Waverley Road 4 employees

KNITTED GOODS. A. & N. Payne, 180 Glenferrie Road . . . . . . 6 employees

. . . . Mrs. B. Adamson, 227 Glenferrie Road 22 I t

MEN'S AND CHILDREN'S CLOTHES. A. & V. Spittle, 156 Waverley Road . . . . . . 8 employees

JOINERY. L. Ransom, rear 253 Wattletree Road . . . . 3 employees

LAUNDRY. F. Hirst, 26 Winter Street . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 employees

WHITEWORK. . . . . . . T, & M, Gale, 116a Glenferrie Road 21 (employees

ICE CREAM. J. Elmore, Dandenong Road . . . . . . . . . . . 2 employees

PETROL PUMPS. The Council granted the undermentioned applications to place Petrol Pumps on the kerb out-

side Motor Garages under the conditions as laid down by the Council:-

Kooyong Motors, Glenferrie Road . . . . . . . . . . . . I Pump . . . . . . . . . . . . Crown Garage, Glenferrie Road I

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E. Birt, Glenferrie Road I . . . . . . . . . . . . Malvern Central, Glenferrie Road I . . . . . . . . . . . . Malvern Buick Taxi, High Street I

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Malvern Motors, High Street 2 East Malvern Garage Pty. Ltd., High Street . . . . I

. . . . . . . . . . Hollywood Motors, Malvern Road I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T. Meaby, Malvern Road I

. . . . . . . . . . Ballantyne's Garage, Malvern Road I

Glen Iris Valley Motor Garage, Malvern Road . . I . . . . . . . . . . J. Whatley Matthews, Burke Road 2

. . . . . . . . . . Benzley & Curnick, Station Street I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fiske Bros., Dandenong Road I

. . . . . . . . . . Reliance Motors, Dandenong Road I

. . . . . . . . . . h. H. Patterson, Dandenong Road I . . . . . . . . . . 13. S. Boardman, Dandenong Hoad I

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . S. W. Jenkin, Waverley Road I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A. G. Papps, Waverley Road I

. . . . . . . . . . Central Park Garage, Burke Road 2

FINANCIAL STATEMENT. The Government Auditor (Mr. George D. Meudell) has completed his audit of the Council's

books and accounts for the financial year ended 30th September, 1925, and submitted his report thereon to the Mayor and Councillors, which with the Annual Statement of Accounts, will be considered by the Council at a Special Meeting to be held on the 21st December, 1925.

26

The -4nnual Statement referred to discloses the following information regarding receipts and expenditure, as compared with the years ending 30th September, 1923, and 30th September, 1924:-

Expenditure.

GENERAL. ACCOUNT.

1922-23. . . . . . . Day Labor £16,403

Contracts-Metal, Tar . . . . . . and Labor 19,342

Contract-Pan Service I ,159 Contract-Scavenging 3,209

. . . . . . . . Materials 1,633 . . . . Steam Roller 1,234

Loans-Redemption & . . . . . . Interest I 1,150

Donations & Contribu- tions to Institutions 4,120

. . . . . Public Parks 6,370 Trees on Roads . . . . 2,539

. . . . . . . Tar Paving 9,092 . . . . . . . . Lighting 3,856

* Including destruction.

Receipts. 1922-1923 . . . . . . . . . . . . 182,321 1923-1924 . . . . . . . . . . . . 104,038 1924-1925 . . . . . . . . . . . . 118,158

The following figures show that of a rate of 2/6 in the £. on the valuation for the year the prin- cipal items of expenditure account for :-

Expenditure. 1922-1923 . . . . . . . . . . . . f80,771 1923-1924 . . . . . . . . . . . . 106,080 1924-1925 . . . . . . . . . . . . 116,604

Street Maintenance and Lighting . . . . 17.14d. . . . . . Loans-Redemption and Interest 4.64d.

Public Parks and, Trees on Roads . . . . . 4.07d.

The Principal items included are :- Receipts.

1922-23. 1923-24. 1924-25. Rates and Meres t . . f74,643 £84,701 fg1,042

. . . . . Building Fees 934 714 743 Permits . . . . . . . . . . 600 644 828 Dog Fees . . . . . . . . 475 Pan Fees

506 569 . . . . . . . . 1,259 1,217 1,290 . . . . . . . Tar Paving 3,388 5,065 3,781

Rents-Town Hall etc 1,158 1,252 1,392 Government Grants :-

Highways, Publicans' . . . . . Licenses, etc. 573* 643* 1,638

*Do. grant for Highways.

PRIVATE STREET ACCOUNT.

Receipts. 1922-23. 1923-24. 1924-25.

. . . . . . Construction f 13,781 f 10,312 £22,670 Interest . . . . . . . . 6g0 1,453 2,181

Expenditure. 1922-23. 1923-24. 1924-25.

Construction . . . . . . . £8,865 f32,062 f 21,008 27

Orders to the amount stated hereunder were made for Private Street construction in the yeat ending 30th September :-

LOANS.

Receipts. 1922-23. 1923-24. 1924-25.

Proceeds-Loan . . . . f I 5,000 f 10,oco f ao,ooo

Expenditure. 1922-23. 1923-24. 1923-25.

Drainage and other Permanent 11-orks f 18,567 f 15,129 f 7,565

QUARRY

Receipts. 1922-23. 1923-24. 1924-25.

. . . . Sale of Metal f10,574 f11,049 fg,572

Expenditure. 1922-23. 1923-24. 1924-25.

. . . . . . . . . Wages £5,634 f6,188 £6,337 Other Expenses, in-

cluding depreciation 3,218 2,843 3,223

CHARITABLE APPEALS.

His Iliorship the Mayor (Cr. Henry Matthews) and Mrs. Matthews were at all times ready to answer the call to assist any Charitable Appeal which was made to the public. With the assistance of an influential Citizens Committee the following amounts were raised during the year, viz. :-

. . . . . . . . State War Council Appeal 1459 6 4 . . . . . . Eye and Ear Hospital Appeal 291 I I

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hospital Day 158 16 11

. . . . hlelh. District Nursing Society 190 5 C

CONCLUSION.

I desire to express the thanks of the memlm-s of the staff to the Council for the kindly con- sideration which has at all times been extended to them and I also wish again to thank the members of the staff for their loyal support and co-operation throughout the year.

Yours obediently,

B. CROSBIE GOOLD, A.C.I.S., L.I.C.A.,

Town Clerk and Treasurer.

City Surveyor's Report .

TO H I S I\TORSHII' THE MAYOR AND COUNCILLORS.

CITY OF MALVERN .

Sir and Gentlemen..

I have the honotlr to submit the Annual Report for the year ending 30th September. 1925. of works carried out under my supervision .

The amounts expended on Public Works for the !.ear are as follows:-

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Expenditure out of Revenue f 7911 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 'Tar Paving Loa11 .4. 226

Other Loan Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75f35 Private Street Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 r . 008

£111. g16

The estimates allowed for the various works of the (.it? and the amounts expended are as follows:

Estimate . Amt . Spent . Contracts. Materials. and Supply of Metal . . . . . . f I 4. gno f I 3. 680 Labor. Cartage. Scavenging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24. 660 24. 908

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Steam Roller I . 300 1. 353 Sanitary Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I . -377 919

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tar and Labor I 1. 970 12. 945 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pathways 750 2. 124

Loan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - 4. 224 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lighting 49746 4. 681

Public Park\ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6. 13s 6. 912 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trees on Roads 3. 580 3. 165

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nursery 67'0 824 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joint Works 5 50

- 923

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T, inemployment Fund - I. 373 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Golf Links 80

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pia)-ground\ 200 151 Pound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 193 Tenn;s Courts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - 345

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Waverley Park Pavilion 57

Contracts . The an~ounts paid to Contractors during the year were as follows :-

General Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $14. OI j . . . . . . . . . . Private Street Contracts 17.714

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Loan Contracts 5. 750 29

Labor and Oartage.

The minimum \ITage paid to Municipal employees during the past year was as follows:---

I qt October, 1924 to 31st October, 1924 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~4'1 1st November. 1924 to 31" January, 1925 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I ~ / I

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1st February, 1925 to 30th April. 192; 13/11 rst May, 1925 :O 31st July, 1925 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14/3

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1st August, 1325 to 30th September. 1925 14./5

During the year. the following works weFe carried out h!; day labor :-

Metalling- the following streets :--

Waverle!. Road from Relqrave koad to Batesford Road. Wattletree Road from Kooyong Road to Glenferrie Road. Oxford Street. UTarragul Road from Waverle!; Road to Dandenong Road (with bitumen penetration). Tooronpa Road from Wattletree Road to Claremont Avenue. Winton Road. Lower R4alvern Road from High Street to Dorrington Road (with bitumen penetration). Toorak Road from Glenferrie Road t o Bridge. Pars!ow Street from Milton Parade to Silver Street. Corner of Burke Road and Dandenong Road. Corner of Relorave Road and Dandenong Road. Corner of \Yaverlev Road and Lower Malvern Road. Burke Road, from Waverlev Road to Dandenong Road.

Channelling ~vas completed at lower part of Honetoun Road. The chantlels in Toorak Road below Elizabeth Street were continued to the Creek. Channetq in Dandenonq Road were continued from Darling Road to Sutherland Street. -4 short length of channelling was done in Waverlev Road near A41mn Street.

Two P~iblic Tennis Courts were constructed in 'CTnion Street Reserve.

Alterations were made to Kiosk. Malvern Gardens. More living accommodation was provided.

A fence was erected around the Oval at Tooronya Park.

.4 substantial fence was erected around the Pound Reserve at Waverley Park

Necessary repairs 11-ere cnrried out to bridye over Scotchman's Creek. MTarragu1 Road.

Alterations to hot tar pump and tank were made at Tooronga Depot. A brick shed for storage of fuel was also erected.

The old cottage on Council's land, Wattletree Road near Glenferrie Road was removed.

'4 pipe culvert was laid at the corner of Toorak Road and Glenferrie Road.

Toorak Road was widened to full width bctween Elizabeth Street and railway gates.

-4 level crossing was contructed at the corner of Waverley Road and Darling Road.

-4 cricket pitch in concrete was laid in Waverly Park. and two hard wicket cricket pitches were laid in Darling Park.

Six tram dummies wc!re purchased and erected in various Parks as shelter sheds.

Tar and Bitumen. The fol lonhg streets were tar painted during the pear :-

, Dandenong Road. Station Street, Meredith Street, Warner Street. Xshley Grove. Beamsle\r Street. Ifalvern Road. W a v e r l e ~ Road, Finch Street. Elirabeth Street, State Street. Acre Place, Mountview Road, \\'alnut Street, Willow Street, Hornsby Street, Silverstreet, Bevan Avenue, Miiton Parade, Parslow Street,

30

Eva Street, Park Street, ,4scot Street, Spring Road, Glenview Avenue, Cressy Street, Embling Road, Bride Street, Plant Street, Woodmason Street, Stonnington Place, Tiagner Street, Chesterfield Avenue, Mayfield Avenue, Sorrett Avenue, Northbrook Avenue, Dalny Street, Harvey Street, Fraser Street, Ox- ford Street, Stanhope Street, Winter Street, Grace Street, Thanet Street. Dixon Street, Jordan Street, Alice Street, Euston Street, East Street, McArthur Street, Cawkwell Street, Creswick Street. Weir Street, hIilton Parade, Maitland Street, Frederick Street. lrving Street, Shaftesbury Avenue, Ronview Road, Valetta Street, Parkside Street, Ray Street, Glenferrie Road. High Street, Edsall Street, Too- ronga Road, Wattle Grove, Washington Avenue, Boston Avenue. Lane off Darling Road, Nicholls Street, Drysdale Street. Coonil Crescent, Kyarra Road. Canberra Grove, Derril Avenue, Horace Street, Evandale Road, Chandlers Road. Soudan Street, R x k e Road, King Street. Allenby Avenue. Lower Malvern Road, Gordon Grove, McKinley Avenue, Glendearg Grove, Wheatland Road, Gavnor Court Park. Staniland Avenue. Lvsterville Avenue, Claremont Avenue, Llaneast Street, Duncraig Avenue, Gillman Street. Royston Ave nue. Tiestgarth Street. Devonshire Road, Man- ning Road, Serrell Street, Baker Street, Inverness Avenue, Valentine Grove. Rushmead Street, Raleirrh Street, Johnstone Street. Finlayson Street, Chaucer Street, Orville Street. Olive Street, Wattletree Road, Isabella Street, Union Street. Murrav Street. Horsburgh Grove. Erskine Street. Mervl Street. Orchard Street. Sutherland Street. Goode Street, Sycamore Street. Alhert Street. Hump Street. William Street. Clarendon Street. Ardrie Road. Moamo Road, Paxton Street. TZoovonc Road. Toorak Road, .Zlbanv Road. Denham Place, Russell Street. Lambeth Avenue, Seymour *4venue, Stuart Street. West Street. Relgrave Road, Hurstman Street, Illowa Street, Clvnden 4venue. Yoira Street, Rrunel Street. Steele Street. Wilmot Street. Clyde Street, Hone Street, Honrard Street, Pavne Street. Nctherlee Street. Anthony Street. Erica Avenue. Victor Road. Heaton .4ven~je. Hillside .Avenue. Ellis Road. Hume Street. Hunter Street, Ewart Street. Childers Road. Heywood Street, l o h t ~ Street, Chanak Street. Wehster Street, Middle Road. Findon Street. Clarence Street, C o p ~ i n Street. Willis Street, G e o r ~ e Street. Nott Street, Relson Street. TTiewhank Road. Kinqston Street. Anderson Street. Trvmple Avenue, Qlm:, Street. Castlebar Road. Chadstone Road, Karnak Road York Road. Wills Street. Kvarra Road. Great Vallev Road. Glen Road. Power Avenue, Power Street. Gletlbrrvie Strect Fdcvr Ytreet narlinm Road. White Street. Moong-a Street. Wilson Street. TTiva Street, Yollny 5treet. T.eonolr! Street. Vamhi Street. Summerhill Road. Rothsav Avenue. Fell Crescetqt. T,lol-d Street. Winton Road. Pauton Stre-t. Carroll Crescent. Lindsav Lane, Moorhouse Street. Flete Avenue, Rald~~rvn Street. Martin Creccent. Grnnt Street. Tennyson Street. Rent Street. Warragul Road. Ilonome2th Avenue. Toorak Avenue. Warra Street. Talbot Crescent. Vickerv Street. Emo Road: The Crr~nge. The .4vent1e. 4sh Grove, Oak Grove. Beech Street, Kilmuir Street. Repton Road. Glendehoume .Avenue. ]\lcC,t-eoor Street. Huahec Street. Maroora Road. Fisher Street.

The above represents a total lenqth of 59 miles, o r an area of 812.608 square vards. at an average cost of 2.8 pence per square yard.

The followinq streetq -were treated with a surface coat of bitumen and screenings:-

Lara Street, Ethel Street, Mary Street, Manning Road, TTiewhank Road, Kyarra Road. This represents a total length of 1% miles, or an area of 12,310 square yards. The cost was 4d. per square yard.

The following streets were treated with bitumen penetration and screenings :-

Burke Road, Warragul Road, Viewbank Road, Moonga Street, and part of Lower Malvern Road. The length done was 2 miles, or an area of 21,704 square yards. The cost was 1/3 per square yard.

The total length treated with tar or bitumen was 62 miles, which is much greater than the length treated last year. The use of bitumen will increase. The life of a bitumen coat is much longer than one with distilled tar.

The following channels and rights of way were grouted with tar and sand:-

Right-of-way South Waverley Road off Darling Road, Right-of-way South Waverley Road rear Darling Road, Right-of-way Creswick Street to Milton Parade. Right-of-way The Grange to Tennvson Street, Baker Street single pitcher on concrete channels, Chaucer Avenue single pitcher, Wattle Grove single pitcher, Washington Avenue single pitcher, Washington Lane 5 pitcher, Boston Avenue single

81

pitcher, Tollington Avenue 5 pitcher, Relgrave Road 4 pitcher. Sycamore Street single pitcher, Goode Street single pitcher, Sutherland Street single pitcher, J,ower Malvern Road Jessie Street to Darling Koad.

This represents 5% miles, or 7,137 square yards. The cost was I / per square yard.

Tar and Labor.

The following table shows the amount of tar carted from the Gas Works and how it was used :-

Amount used Received from Amount .-\mount used in mixing stone Amount of

Month Gas Works. Distilled. in tar painting materials. Oils prod~iced. Gallons. Gallons. Gallons. Gallons. Gallons.

October, November December, January February March April Rfay June July August September

Footpaths.

The folloiving footpaths were tar paved during the year :-

Lloyd Street. Xott Street, George Street, Union Street Tennis Courts, Royanda Road,'Meredith Street, I'C'arner Street, -1shley Grove, Cawli\vell Street, Euston Street, Ifc.L2rthur Street, East Street, 1.ower 1\4alvern Road, nelson street. Beaver Street. \T7attletree Road, Eonview Road. Ranfurlie Crescent, Tllowa Street, Dene *lvenue, Hedgeley rlvenue, Milton Parade, Dandenonq Road. State Street, McKinley .\venue.

This represents a total length of 5 2-3 miles, or a total area of ~(),62r square yards. The --st was 3/6 per square yard.

The following footpaths mere concreted:-

Myamyn Street South side from -1delaide Street to Mercer Road, Glenierrie Road East side from Wattletree Road to Evendale Road. L,ower Rlalvern Road East side from Rurke Road t o King Street, Rlalvern Road Sor th side at Picture Theatre, Claremont Avenue Xorth side from Soudan Street to Chandlers Road. Corner Lower Malvern Koad and Illowa Street, l\lonaro Road West side from Yernda Road to Toorak Road.

2,511 square \ - ads were concreted at a cost of TO/ per square yard. This cost will be reduced i n residential streets. JTour Council has decided to carry out concrete footpath work on a more extensive scale and at half cost to the owners. Ratepavers favor concrete paths and the cost of maintenance will be less,

32 .

The quantities mixed for the past nine \-ears are as follows :-- . . . . 4985 cubic yards. . . . . G571 ,, , , . . . . 6058 ,, ,, . . a . 4241 9 , 9 ,

a . . . 9413 1 , 9,

. . . . 8410 ,, ,)

. . . . 11119 ,, , l

S . . . 11592 7, 7 2

. . . . 9325 ,t 2,

The quantity mixed is less than the two previo~ts years. This is due to the increased use of con- crete.

The following table sho\\rs the output for each month during the past year:-

Month. October, November December January February March April May June July August September

Tarred Screens.

410 283% 300% 340 526% 449% 38994 740% 561 599% 584 470%

Tarred Topps.

. . 102%

. . 132

. . 85%

. . 96%

. . 109

. . 61%

. . 63%

. . 78%

. . 94% . .

. . 74Ki

. . 104%

. . 88

Tarred Metal

+ 591 . . 321 . . I00

. . 514

. . 187

. . 143%

. . I22

. . 123% I57

. . I21

. . 129

. . 70

Total C. Yards.

. . 1~103%

. - 736%

. . 486

. . 950%

. . 822%

. . 65454 575%

. . 942%

. . 812%

. . 795%

. . 817%

. . 628%

. . . . 54555% r,ogo% 2,578g 9,325 C t ~ l i c Yards.

Hot Asphalt Plant. Your Council has for some time been considering the erection of a Hot Asphalt Plant. This

Plant would mix broken stone in the right proportions with hot bitumen. The inixed materials are spread on the road in a hot state and set hard very quickly. Thi5 will give a strong wearing surface to the road and will not requirc an annual surface coat. The A4unicipalities of ;\lalvern, Hawthorn, Camber- well and Kew have been considering the erection of a joint mixer at the Destructor Site in Auburn Road, but no finality has been reached.

Refuse Destructor. The joint Destructor in Auburn Road is still working most satisfactorily. The Manager re-

ports that the total consumption of garbage for the past twelve inontl~s was as follows:-

Octoher, Sovember December January February March April May

tons

June , , . . . . . . . . . . i,523 ,, . . . . . . . . . . July ,? 1,626 ,, . . . . . . . . . . ,4uguSt 9 1 1,513 9 ,

September . , . . . . . . . . . . 1,563 ,,

; 16,697 tons

The cost of destruction without interest and sinking fund was 5/1%d. per ton. The cost includ- ing interest and sinking fund was 7/8d. per ton. These costs shew a substantial reduction of those of last year.

Lighting.

The follo~ving additional lights were installed during the year:-

7 Globe Gas Lamps. 10 500 Watt Electric Lights. 31 120 C.P. Electric Lights.

The principal improvement in lighting has been in the East \Vard. The Lighting Companies have exteitded their mains, and street lighting has followed.

1 "-

The City is ~ l o w lighted by :-

531 Gas Lights. 3 Acetylene Lights. I Kerosene Light.

2.5 500 \\:att Electric Lights. 3 200 C P . Electric Lights. 7 120 C.P. do. in Parks.

1.53 60 CC.. Electric Lights. 123 A-lll night lights on tram lines.

Quarry.

The output from the Quarry during the year was as follows:-

Month. October November December January February March April May Tune j u l ~ August September

Screenings. Toppings. C. Yds. C. Yds.

. . 633 . . 264

. . 516 . . 239

. . 491 . . 234

. . 495 . . 236

. . 590 . . 281

. . 688 . . 335

. . 569 . . "34

. . 789 . . 316

. 893 . . 345 . . 849 . . 293

875 . . 33') . . 802 . . 320

Total C. Yds.

. 2,750 . . 2,194 . . 1.739. . . 2,115 . . 2,299 . . 2.573 . . 2,031 . . 2,406 . . 2,780 . 2,484 . . 2,710 . . 2,571

17,016 8, 1 90 3,446 . 28,652 Cubic Yards

The net cost per ton of metal without royalty is 5,/4gd. and screenings 6/4gd. per ton. The costs last year were 5/oscl. and 6/o%d. This is due to an increase of troq in Fuel, Repairs £154, Office Expenses £100 antl Wages f 149. This is caused b y the larger amount of screenings produced during the year antl the harder nature of the stone crushed. The Quarry Account is cred.ited with G / for metal and 7/ for screenings ancl toppings. These ratci are 1/3d. below the market rates. Even at these low rates, the Quarry s11on.s a profit of f 165 after allowing L ~ O O for renewals fund and £530 for deprecia- tion.

Your Council has installed Overhead Gear for removal of Overburden from top of the Quarry and its disposal- in an unused portion of the land. The Plant cost £530 Thc top soil can now be re- moved cheaply and the Quarry kept in a very clean state.

Your Council decided to still further increase the efficiency of the plant by the substitution of the present suction gas engines by electrical power. .i contract has 1)een let to the lletropolitan Vicliers Pty. Ltd. for the conversion of the machinery.

Your Council has purchased the land on the main road at Ferntree Gully 1)elow the Quarry. This will prevent houses being erected too close to the worliing area.

The value of stocks of material on harld a t Quarry on 1/10/24 was i415, and value on hnnd 30/9/25 was f 541.

The expenditure was as follows :-

Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Oil and Grease . . . . . . . . . . . . Repairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rent and Maintenance of Siding Office Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . \Vages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Royalty on Stone . . . . . . . . . . Explosives . . . . . . . . . . . Insurance and U'orkers Compen-

sation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \Vater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . House Expenses . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . 3liscellaneous

The output for the past five years is as follows:-

. . . . . . . . . . . . 1920-21 20,638 tons

. . . . . . . . . . . . 192 1-22 22.320 ,, 1922-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . 27,634 ,. 1923-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . 28,364 ., 1924-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . 28,652 , ,

Loan Works.

During the year a Loan of £30,000 was raised for the following works:-

Glen Iris Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardrie Park

Tooronga Park and T-Iedgeley Dene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \\-averley Park

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Central Park

('hannelling Nail1 Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,evel Crossings

. . . . . . . . . . Tar Grouting Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Motor IVaggon

Drainage--Stanhope Street . . . . . . . . Town Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . Pavilion, AIalvern Cricket Ground . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tennis Courts

Reconstruction of Channels I ia t t le t ree Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The drainage work is being carried out. The channds in \ITattletree Road are being converted so as to give eighteen inches of additional roadway on each side. The principal deep pitched road cross- ings will he taken up and replaced by level crossings.

The construction of reinforced concrete bridge over Gardiners Creek a t Darling has been commenced. The contract price for excavation and bridge is f5,zgo.

Gardlner Valley l mprovement Scheme. Your C o ~ n c i l has had several conferences with the Camberwell ant1 Hawthorn Councils with a

a vieu of acquiring the low lands on each side of (;arcliner's Creek and their iruprovement. Your Council has pursued this course for a number of years, ant1 has already obtained 130 acres. Negotia- tions have been entered into with the owners for the balance of the lands. The atlval~tages of the muni- cipality holding these lands are mallifold The erection of poor houses on unsuitable land will be preven- ted. There will be n o clanger of objectionable factories being built in this area. The Council will Iw able to provide more sports Sro~~ncls. I t will be possihle to construct a boulevard from the Yarra alonq the Gardiner's Creek and Scotchman's Creek t o Oakleigh. The areas will be planted and uill improvc the values of properties gencrall!. Your Council has already carried out great improvements in Tooronga Park, Glen Iris Park, and is now constructing Golf Links in IYaverley Park.

Private Street Construction. Contracts for the following private streets were in procress during the year :-

Webster Strcct and Middle Road. Boston a2venue. \Ya\hington ,2vcnuc extension and Ifrattle Grove, 4llenhy Street. Rennisley Street. Albert, Orville and Olive Streets, Baker Street, Chaucer lj,enue. Alma Street. 1Toonca Street. Viewhank Road. \Ilaines .\venue. Rrettoneaux Square, JTilliers

Square and Sirvana jlren,~c. Zllenhy. Ferguson and Stanlcy Streets, -2ilsa Avenue, Alerrimee .%venue. Sirvana .Avenue.

Right-of-Way rear \\'averley Road, Rig-ht-of-\\'a\. lxtmcen Creswick Strcet and Tooronga Road Right-of-\Vay hetween Tcyarra Road and JVills Street, Iiight-of-\Vay between Reaver and Kerferd Streets (Finch t o George Streets), Right-of-Way lxt \wen l'ooronga Road and Maitland Street off High Street. Right-of-SVay South and rear Waverley Road (Emo Road to Tennyson Street), Right-of-\$Tay rear hialvern Road (Cressy t o Parslow Streets), Right-of-\\-ay rear IVattletree Road (Irymple Avenue to Kingston Street), Right-of-\\'ay between Bonview and Shaftesbury Avenues,

37

Drain rear IVattletree Road, Drain rear Viewbank Road, Drain rear of Jordan Street, Drain rear of I'allepview Road, Drain rear WTaverlep Road, near Darling Road, Drain rear Harold Avenue, Drain rear of R'lerriwee -Avenue.

Final apportionments were submitted and adopted by your Council for the fol1o~ving:-

Drain between Thlithgow and Hopetoun Roads. Extra charge 5d. foot. Drain between Boyanda and Wandeen roads. Extra charge 4d. foot. Ashley Grove Refund 1/6 foot. Chaucer Street. Extra charge 6d foot. Baker Street as estimated. Drain rear Viewbanlc Road. Refund r / ~ foot. Riqht-of-wa\- Kvarra Road and Tvillq Street (York to Great Iyalley Roads). Refund I / foot. Kvarra Road. Refund T / S foot. Roston 4venue and Tane Refund 2/; foot. Roston 4venue (between Wattle Grove and Lane). Refund 2,'; foot. Washinqton Avenue extension and Wattle C.rove. Refund 2/5 foot. Drain rear Vallevview Road as estimated. R i ~ h t - ~ f - W ~ ~ r rear T$TaverleTr Road (Etno Road to Grange). Extra charge 9d. foot. Reamslev Street. Extra charge 1/1 foot. 4llenbv Street. Extra c h r ~ e ? / foot

Drain rear Wattletree Road to T,ower Valvern F h d . Extra charge 9~1. foot. Ripht-of-LfTa\r between Toorone;l Road qnd Creswick Street. Extra charw d. foot Futensjon to T,lancast Street s c eqtimated ~'iewhanlc Road. Refund 6 /0 foot. Drain rear Tordnn Street. Refilnd T / foot 'b-xin rear \Talle\7vienr Road Refund od. foot. Tqrehster Street and Middle Roqd. Fxtrx charge r / h foot. Zlbert. Orville and Olive Streets as estimated. Alma Street as estimated, \Toot-rra Street Refillid ~ / 7 foot Riaht-of-T;lTa\- re l r TKT-rttlctrc~ Road (Tr\mple Avenue to Kinwton Street). Refund 9d. foot. K ' i ~ h t - ~ f - W ~ ~ rear Tvaverley Road ( F I P ~ Road to Tenincoil Street). Refund I,' foot. n ; r r l~ t -~ f -T ; l r~~ - off 2nd ~t re;lr of Him11 Street and Tooronya Road. Reftund I / foot. Ripht-of-TVaY rear ITalrern Road (Parslow to Cress\- Streets) Refund 2/ foot.

The type of construction for private streets adopted by this Council is gradualiy undergoing chanqcs. IJntil a few war s aqo the type was a metalled street, with itched channels and r2 foot nathq The pitched channels were then chanced to concrete channels. Uow the yhole road. channels 2nd kerl-, are constructed of concrete. The cost per square yard is more, 1n1t this extra cost is I~alanced hv a redilction in width of roadway. The width between ker l~s is non- redvced from 26 feet to 18 nr 20 feet. This type is proving verv satisfactory. The maintenance costs will be less.

Subdlvlslons.

During the year, the following subdivisions were approved :--

College Estate, rear of Toorak College, Moorakyne Heights Estate rear G!enferrie Road. Re-subdivision corner of Valency Street and Idon-er Malvern Road. Re-subdivision corner of I'liinton Road and T>o\ver Malvern Road. Re-subdivision ..\llenhy Avenue. Gaynor Court Park Estate. Re-subdivision corner Waverley Road and .Ilhert Street. corner. Wattletree Road and Glenhrook Avenue. Turnbull Avenue. correr Tocrak Road and Hope-

toun Road, Ferguson Street. 3 8

Bulldlngs.

New New Brick Wood Out- Total Ward. Brick. Wood. Alts. Alts. Rldgs. Value.

North . . . . . 59 20 28 15 62 f 158,8-t8 Central . . . . 16 2 18 6 38 29,812 South . . . . 2.5 2 9 4 33 37,802 East . . . . . . 191 103 10 I4 103 295,675

The number of new buildings is 23 more than last year. The value was slightly less. The greatest activity was in the area \Vest of Belgrave Road and near Olive and Orville Streets.

118 applications were made for dispensations under the By Law. Of these 78 were granted.

Street Openings.

The number of street openings was as follows:-

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . By Plumbers 1,132 . . . . . By M. CL M. Board of Works (Water) 715

By Met. Gas Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363 By 14. & M. Board of Works (Sewerage) . . 197

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . R y Postal Department 27 . . . . . . . . . . Ry M. & M. Tramways Board 2

The charge for road openings has been increased to 1.5,'. The charge for opening a path is S / .

Permits issued to occupy portion of footpaths 9 . . . . . . . . Permits issued t o cross footpaths 217 . . . . . . . . Permits issued to open footpaths 16

The following private crossings over paths were carried out at the cost of the owner :-

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Concrete crossings 3 Concrete crossings and culvert . . . . . . . . . . 2 Open Tarred Macadam crossings . . . . . . . . 68

. . . . Culvert and tarred macadam crossings 22 Pitched crossings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I I Alterations to channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

The total cost of these crossings was f760.

In order to abolish the necessity of openings in the new concrete streets that are being built under private street construction, the M. and M. Board of Works has been induced to lay the water mains along the path. Cement pipes are laid under the concrete road opposite each allotment. The gas and water services will then be threaded through these pipes: It is hoped that there will be no need to open the road surface,

3P

Reports. During the year, special reports with necessary plans were submitted on the following works :-

Drainage MacGregor Street. Quarry working conditions. Electrical plant at Quarry. Removal of Post L7erandahs. Type of co~istruction for Private Streets. Tcerferd Road Bridge. Jmprovements Kooyong Road and Toosal; Road. Footbridge over Creek at Glen Iris. Gardiner Valley Improvement Scheme. Reconstruction of l la in Roads. Sites for Baby Health Centre. Hot Asphalt Plant. Concrete Paving. Overhead Gear at Quarry. Electrical Gear at Quarry. Plans for Baths. Paviliot~ T~ i ion Street Gardens. Supper Room at Kiosk. Central Park Warragul Rcad Rridge. Sanitary Depot. Closing of Tip. Road Sweepers. Road Rollers.

Statistics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~ \ r c a 3,989 acres

\rea of JVards- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Xorth 1,073 ,,

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Central 3-40 ,?

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . South 540 . j

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. East 1,936 Stu-ul~er of Ruildings . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.852

. . . . . . . . T,cngtli of 11latlc stl-eets 8 2/.3 tniles . . . . . . . . f,ength of unmade streets 17% .,

. . . . Tmigtli of unmade rights-of-wav 16 ,, T.cngtli of made rights-of-nay . . . . . . 1 6 s .. Length of made patli\va~ s . . . . . . . . . . @ , ,

Taengtli of utimade pathwal-s . . . . . . . . 91 S -

T,ength of u~itlerqrotind qtormn7ater drains I ,,

1 have the honour to be,

Yours faithfully,

1:. 34. COUTIE, M.C.E., City Engineer and Ruilditig Surveyor.

Inspector's Report.

TO H1S \ \ -ORSHIP THE JIAYOR AND CO'CZ%CILLOF&.

I have the honour to report the following Infectious Diseases.

,, I hat during the year ending 30th September, 1925, the foHowing cases of infectious diseases have heen reported :-

Diphtheria-27 cases (13 under 7 years, 3 l~etiveen 7 and 14 years, and 10 over 14 years).

Scarlet Fever-30 cases (11 under 7 years, 16 between 7 and 14. years. and 3 over 14 years).

Tuberculosis-18 cases, 5 deaths. Typhoid--. cases. Infantile Paralysis-2 cases, I death. Tetanus I , Encephalitis I , Tubercular Meningitis I, each of these proving fatal.

Again this year I am pleased to report that both Diphtheria and Scarlet Fever shows a decrease, as the following table shows :-

I923 1924 1925 Diphtheria . . . . . . . . . . 44 36 27 Scarlet Fever . . . . . . . . 32 48 30 Tuberculosis . . . . . . . . . 23 I 7 18 Typhoid Fever . . . . . . . . 5 2 2

Infantile Paralysis . . . . . . - - 2

Tetanus . . . . . . . . . . . . - I

Encephalitis . . . . . . . . . . - I

Tubercular Meningitis . . . . v - I

During the year 122 samples of food have been taken for analysis, viz :---g2 milk and 30 sausage- meat, and onl!- 1 sample of milk and I of sausagemeat did not comply with the standard, and proceedings were taken against the offenders and fines and costs amounting to £15 7 / inflicted. Of the 92 samples of milk take11 56 samples were taken from the retail dairymen and 36 from the dairy farmer in course of

delivery to the retail man.

PROSECUTIONS AND FEES COLLECTED.

The following have been taken under the Health Act:-+ cases for adulterated food and fines and costs a n ~ o ~ ~ n t i i ~ g to f 1 5 7/ inflicted; I for dirty baker's cart fines and costs £4 3/, and 3 cases for

lightweight bread and fines and costs amounting to i t 5 13/6 inflicted.

The following fees have also been collected:-Pan fees f 1,289/14/4, Diog Registration fees f 565, Pound fees £ 172/17/7, Kegistrations under the Health ilct £37/8/, and Weights and Measures £ I / I o / ~ .

42

During the pear 27 premises have been inspected, and approval granted to use the premises as factories :-Robes and dresses 5, Motor repairs 4, pastrj 4. Printing 3, knitting 2 , furniture 2, ice cream, boot repairs photograph?, men's clothing, joincry, laundry, white work, I each.

54 Registrations were granted under the Health Act :-Eating -houses 24, soda fountains 18, tripe and dripping 6, poultry plucking 3, boardinghouses 2. ice cream I .

62 Notices have been served to have nuisances abated, 7 to have house put in a sanitary condition and 85 to have proper rubbish tins provided.

The ranger started duty on July 17th, and for the 10 weeks ending 30/9/25 has impounded 80

head of cattle.

I have the honor to be.

Yours obediently,

WIM. BARNES,

Health Inspector.

Curator's Report.

TO HIS WORSHIP T H E MAYOR AND COUNCILLORS O F THE

CITY OF MALVERN.

I t is with much pleasure that 1 furnish your honourable Council with the following report on the present condition of your Parks and Gardens, and the work executed therein during the year now closing.

HIGH STREET GARDENS.

A11 labor employed in these gardens was for the upkeep and general maintenance.

They are now in first Class condition, and have little room for improvement.

The only nFw work likely to be required for some time is the removal of the Ascot Street fence. This will be attended to at an early date, and the footpath will be edged with rockery stone and a wire fence erected behind the shrubs.

CENTRAL PARK.

RIucli progress has been made here. The drives have been completed, two new beds which were formed last year have been planted, the lawns are established and are in good order, and the general appearance is of a pleasing nature.

Space has been allotted in this park f9r a conservatory, and, should the money be available, the work of erecting same will be commenced in the new year.

HEDGELEY DENE.

7 . l h e greatest development work of the year has been started on this property, and consists of giving effect to the design submitted by me, and approved and authorised by your honourable Council. l'his 1s a work of some magnitude, and although only four months have elapsed since the beginning of opera- tions, sufficient headway has been made to convince those who have seen it, that in its finished state, it will be one of the beauty spots of Malvern. The original poplar and eucalyptus trees which fit into the scheme have been retained, and the beds already formed have absorbed no less than 1500 trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants-with few exceptions, the product of your own nursery.

With the water service laid on, the grass on verge of lake has been established.

Excavatioii work and the stone breastwork is well advanced, and as soon as this, and the outlet is completed, I will be prepared to have the lake filled with water.

With ample evidence of the public's ready appreciation of this park, garden seats will be pro- vided without undue delay.

GLEN IRIS PARK.

In the Park proper very little work was clone, the sports oval claiming most attention. This was top-dressed at a cost of f120. Coi~taining three cricket pitches, it is in constant use by the various clubs. and although it is now being again top-dresesd, I anticipate this will be sufficient for some consider- able time ahead. The entrance from Allenby Avenue is under construction, and both sides of the drive have received a number of plants, which will be increased as opportunity occurs.

Within the next few weeks, I hope t o see a cyclone fence and gate placed at the entrance of this Avenue.

44

ARDRIB PARR.

The drive (formerly impassable during the winter months through being submerged) has now heen boxed right through. drained and re-made.

Two pairs of gates presented by Mr. McCleery, have been erected at this gentleman's expense. One pair being placed at the end of Wilmot Street, and the other at the Repton Road entrance, they will prevent considerable wear and tear on the gravel drive from -4rdrie Park.

Two new mounds have been made and p lanted, and a big and beautiful display o f ' Polyanthus . .

was made during the winter months.

The attractiveness of its general appearance is making this park a very popular resort.

NURSERY.

Since making mv last report. an additional glasshouse has been completed, and this permitted a very fine display of Azaleas to be made. With this addition. T think T mav say that the nursery is suf- ficientlv equipped for some considerable time.

The demands made upon this valuable concern during the twelve months included trees and shrubs. herbaceous plants, seedlings. cut flowers for the Town Hall, palms, ferns. shrubs and flowering plants for decorating purposes upon go occasions, comprising 12 official and 18 private functions.

Such heavv demands prove the necessity for this up-to-date nursery, and its efficiencv is evidenced in the fact that all these requirements were promptlv met.

CRICKET GROUND. ---a !

For the reason that the crowds attracted hp the band performances forbid anv beautifying work that rnirht lend itself to destruction. attention has been directed solely t o the maintenance and general upkeep of this ground.

TOORONQA PARK.

A lot of levelling has been done here. The playing area has been fenced off, top-dressed and re- sown.

The Tooronra Road entrance has been suitably enclosed with cyclone f enc in~ and a set of four gates. (two large and two small).

.4 drive has hem made and edced with rocks, the borders have heen trenched and planted with a number of trees, palms and shrubs. which will he added to from time to time

All necessarv work in this park is well admvanced, and I venture the opinion that the coming winter will see its completion.

KOOYONQ GARDENS.

Nothing new was attempted in these gardens, the only expenditure being for their upkeep.

UNION STREET RESERVE.

As a children's playground this has proved an undoubted success. The controlling Committee have shown a live interest in their work, and the Playmistress is a capable woman, whose efforts are worthy of special mention.

The tennis courts are much favoured by the public, the revenue being £2 against an expenditure of f 2 .

QOLF LINKS.

This is a new undertaking now being prepared from Darling to Oakleigh. The ground has been cleaned up, and the swamp in Waverley Park drained.

45

The low-lying portion of the property presented by Mr. T. M. Burke has also been tlrained at a big cost. i \

Some of the putting grounds are already being constructed, and although lack of material has delayed advancen~ent, T expect these links to be ready for use next spring.

DANDENONQ ROAD, KOOYONG ROAD TO GLENFERRXE ROAD.

The general appearance and condition have been well maintained. On the reherve junctioning Glenferrie Road, the large cyprus trees were obscuring the traffic and providing a source of danger to motorists in particular, so to prevent serious accidents they have been removed.

The grass has been top-dressed. and is making good progress.

DANDENONC) ROAD, EAST MALVERN (Joint Works).

While nothing new has been done on this section, care has been taken to see that the existing work is kept in first rate condition.

STREET TREES.

The following streets have been planted with trees during this year. and the total now stands at I 07 miles.

Middle Road. Xlma Street, Albert Street. Olive Street. Orville Strezt. Moralla Road, Baker Street, Chaucer Street. Washington Street, Wattle Grove, Lloytl Street, Hurstman Street, Moonga I<oad, .Allenby Avenue, Viewbank Road. Kyarra Road, Alshley Grove. Meredith Street. Beamsley Street, Kooyong Road, Ranfurlie Crescent.

Yours respectfully,

F. T,. REEI-ES, Curator.

Health Officer's Report.

Malvern,

14th January, 1926.

THE MAYOR AND COIJNCILLORS, CITY OF lL;\LVERN;

Gentlemen,

I have the honour to place before you the Annual Health Report for the City of Malvern for the year 1925.

BIRTHS AND DEATHS.

The Birth Rate for the year has I>een 458 as compared with 537 for the previous twdve months. This is equivalent to I r.6 per 1000 on a population basis of 39,400, which is a reduction of 1 . 3 per rooo. The steady reduction in the Ixirth Rate duritlg the past thirteen years is shown in the following table :-

The Death Rate for the same period has heen 231, or j.8 per 1000 as compared nith 6.3 pcr rooo for the preceding twelve months. \'\%h regard to these deaths, 22 were under five !.ears of age, 105 over five years. and 134 over 65 years, thus, 166 occurred at the two extremes of life, 10; during the interval. Considering these deaths for the past thirteen years, the rate per 1000, unlike the Birth Rate, has remained fairly constant.

1913 . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.3 per 1000

. . . . . . . . . . . . 1914 6.7 , , ,,

INFECTIOUS DISBASES. -

The frequency of the infectious diseases for the year is shown in the following table, as well as a comparison with that of the previous twelve months.

1924. 1925. lcnteric Fever . . . . . . . . 2 2

Scarlatina . . . . . . . . . . 48 30 Diphtheria . . . . . . . . . . 36 27

. . . . . . . . TI‘ul~erculosis 17 I9 Puerperal Fever . . . . . . 2 - Infantile Paralysis . . . . 2

Tetanus . . . . . . . . . . - I Encephalitis T,ethargica - I

111 the above table a marked reduction will 1)e noted in the number of cases of Diphtheria and Scarlatina. In the former, the figures for the present year are the lowest recorded for eleven years, while there has been a considerable reduction in the number of cases of Scarlatina. Tuberculosis remains fairly constant year by year, the greater number of cases coming to Malvern from other suburbs.

I have the honour to be,

Gentlemen,

Yours obediently,

J. S. ORMOND, M.D.,

Medical Officer of Health.