LOCAL BODIES.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 190, 12 August 1919, Page 8

LOCAL BODIES.

ONEHTJNGA. A meeting of the OneJmngi? Baransi fornicil was held last night, Present: Mr. J. Park (Mayor) and Crs, W. Q. EasEett, L. J. 'Lloyd, I. Lomas, H. J. E, i. Higgins, W. Johns, J. Stoupo, Roads and Bridges.—The New Zealand Automobile Association asked the Council to unite in urging upon the Minister to give local authorities power to order die trimming, rpmoval or Jmvcrtajf of trees fences, or hedges on corners of roads where such obstruct the pohlic vio-w and are calculated to cause accidents en highways reserving to the owner the right of appeal to a -magistrate; also, that all bridges under the control of the Council should be painted white. The letter was received. Soldiers' Land Policy.—lt was agreed te support the amended land policy of the Returned Soldiers' Association, the town clerk to ascertain how this can best be done. Engineers.—ln answer to a rftqußst tram the assistant engineers at tho pumping station for an Increase of tvagoa, they were engine drivers' award or remain at the same rate as at present. Unpaid Rates.—The town cleric Was instructed to take legal proceedings for the recovery of all overdue rates. Good Roads Association.—Mr. J. Steope was appointed to represent the Council at a meeting of the above association to be held in Auckland next Friday night. 'Price of Gas.—The -Auckland Qua Company announced increased charges for public lighting amounting to £102 per annum for Onehunga. The lotter was referred to the Council in. committee far consideration. Breach of By-Law.—The BuHdlnjr Committee -was empowered to take what aetlea It thinks necessary against a person far erecting a dwelling, 16ft by 14ft, in Ami Road, contrary to the building hy-hrwa. Clean-up Week.—lt was resolved, on the motion of Mr. Lomas, 6econded by Mr. H. J. Davies, to have a clean-up wook, the details to be arranged by the Sanitary Committee. Employees* Holidays.—Mr. Bassebt mowed and Mr. Lloyd seconded, "That all Council employees of 13 months' standina or ever be granted two weeks' holiday par antrum on full pay. The 'Mayor pointed out that this would cost the Council £123 a year. The resolution -was carried. Leave of Absence. —Cγ. R. A, Ains worth was granted leave of absenco during the term of his present illness. Recommendations Adopted.—The ieUavriirg recommendations 'by the Cemeteries and Reserves Committee were adopted:— Cl) That W. Carson, sexton, be given eharee of both the Waikaraka and Hillsboroagh Cemeteries at a salary of £5 per week, the services of the other sexton he dispensed with. (2) That two 60gal. concrete troughs be placed Id Mount Smart reserve, and one in. Captain Springs reserve. (3) That all cattle grazing on the recreation reserve be numbered monthly, and any Sound thereon not .registered with The town clerk to b>. impounded.

TTEW IYNK. The monthly meeting of the New Eyini Town Board toot place last evening. Mr. George Lawson (chairman) presided over a fnll attendance of members. Workers' Educational Classes.—A letter was received from the hon. secretary (Mr. TV. J. Parker) of the Xew Lynn dasg asking tie Board for a donation to meet -the extra expense incurred in conveying the tutor from the classes owing to the inadequate railway service. The Board expressed regret at n>t being able to do this at present. Increase of General Rate.—"With reference to the Board's application to the Minister of Internal Affairs for power to increase this rate, the Minister replied: "That the limit of "he general rate in town districts is the sane as in boroughs, viz: 2/ in the £ on the annual value, or 6Jd on the capital value, -and after giving the matter careful attention I regret I cannot see my way to consider it further until something in the nature of a general request—for example, a resolution at the 'Municipal Conference—is made." It -was decided to wmmunlrate further with the 'Minister on the subject, also the solicitor of ■the Municipal Association (Mr. A. Martin). Municipal Conference.—The Board decided to ask Jlr. C. J. Parr, 'M.P., to represent them at the forthcoming conference, and to five support to certain remits. Increased Charges.—The Auckland Gas Oompanv informed the Board that they were compelled to increase the charges for public lighting as from October 1 by 17/ per Innip per annum. The supervisor reported that owing to the raihvay cut It was now necessary to obtain metal by road at a cost of 12/3 per yard as against 7/11 per yard by rail —pre-war cost '.%ing 6/6 per yard. H.M.s. New Zealand.—The Minister of ■Internal Affairs intimated that Cabinet had dec Mod that any expenditure by local bodies in connection with the forthcoming, visit of iHJM.s. New Zealand would be validated. The Board agreed to ask for public subscriptions'. Lighting the Railway Station.—The Board recently approached the Railway Department asking for an improvement in the lighting of the local railway station, pointIng out that considerable danger existed owing to there being no safe conduct to the island platform and suggesting that gas should replace the present kerosene lamps. The chief engineer has now informed the Board that it is considered that the present lighting is adequate, and no expenditure can be authorised in this direction until the many more urgent works nave been carried out. Members expressed themselves dissatisfied with the reply and expressed the opinion that no work could be more urgent than that which provided for the safety of the public. This view to t>e "conveyed to the Department. War Memorial.—A letter from the Auckland City Council on the subject of erecting a museum in tne Domain and the erection of a monument on the old dock site as a provincial memorial Tvas discussed at length by the Board. Eventually it was decided to reply that the Board would support the idea of a museum on the Domain but could not support that of a monument.