NORTHCOTE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 159, 6 July 1921, Page 8

NORTHCOTE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the Northcote Borougli Council was held last night. The Mtiyor .Mr \V. K. Itichardson. presided, ami Crs. J. B. Tonar, Alfred Parrish. Alfred .Hurley. W. .11 Barnes. Kinnear Smith, W. C." Smith. A. W. Smith. 0. It. Brinsden. and W. K. A. Stewart were also present. Water.—The. waterworks engineer dr. John Williamson) reported that during June 3,087,000 gallon's of water had been pumped, of whicii quantity 2,146,000 gallons level of 'Lake Takapuna was 8 feet 3} inches above sea level.

Narrow 'Hoad. —It was agreed to take steps to have Faulkner Iload exempted from the provisions of the Public Works .Act in respect to width. It was stated the street warn forty feet wide, and met the requirements of the locality, intersecing Queen and Church Streets near Onewa (Road.

county ridings of Takser.una and Birkeuhead wrote requesting a reduction of the annual minimum of £3 charged Tor water taken by meter outside the borough. It was pointed out that these consumers did not pay the special loan interest rate, but for water supplied only, with the mlmimuim -stated. The Mayor considered £3 inequitable, but the council could not discriminate between the applicants and those who had paid. Cr. Touar said the mini'muni of £'* was an incentive for a consumer to waste water. It was decided to reply that the council was unaible to remit the charges made -by past councils, but would reconsider the matter for the current year.

Ferry Steamers.—(Mr. Adams forwarded a copy of a letter he had sent to tlie Devouport Steam Ferry Company objecting to the pnddlc steamers Osprey and Kagle taking the 12.30 p.m. Saturday trip from .Auckland, and requesting the council's cooperation. Consideration was deferred, as it was the Intention of the company to run the s.s. Kestrel permanently on the NorMicote service in conjunction with the AJbatross.

Electricity.—The Mayor stated tJiat he had received a coniuiunicsition from the ißlrkenhead Council relative to a snitablo date for the next conference. Before deciding this, the council decided to consider the recommendations of the past council, tricity and sewage, in committee, next Tuesday.

Pine Trees.—Fonr ratepayers in Lower Queen Street requested fhe removal of the pinus insignis trees in the wharf approach cnttlng. and advocated the substitution of more ornamental shrubs. Power to act was conferred on Oie Reserves Committee.

Waterworks riant.—The Jlayor reported that an option had -been secured over an onjfiue. recommended the council to procure, us a step in the scheme for the duplication of the w«terworks pumpin X plant. The engineer, Mr. .ToJin Williamv|p«d its purchase after an inspection. Cr. Kinnear Smith pointed out the present engine was In good running onder. The present water plant had sufficed, to supply 'Xorthcote and adjoining districts for so ■many years, yet here they were. «n the second night of meeting durlnjr their term of oflice, talking of spending money which he felt was not warranted. Cr. Tonar so i*l tho plsint was on tlie small side. Cr. A. W. Smith referred to the steps taken for the formation of a 'Water Supply iltonn] for the .North Shore, and In the event of the board being formed, the pumping would be performed by one plant few the whole shore, and the suggested expenditure on the Northeote plant would be useless. Cr. Barnes contended that the matter required fnller consideration, as their .policy should be contingent on Takapuna continuing as a customer. It would be unwise to commit the council to the purchase at present. Cr. Stewnrt moved, and Cr. W, C. Smith seconded, th:it ,Hie council purchase the engine. An amendment, proposed by Crs. Barnes and iK. Smith, referring the matter to the ! Conncil-in-Tommltee. was carried

Waterworks Plant.—At 11.43 p.m. the Council adopted the recommendation of the Counril-m-Cwnmlttee to purchase the enjrino for s!ipplenir.:i'inK the waterworks plant for the sum of fl,">o. which with other costs is expec-ted to ho delivered in position at the station within £200.