OLD BIRKENHEAD.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 83, 10 April 1922, Page 2

OLD BIRKENHEAD.

EARLY MUNICIPAL HISTORY. By way of comparison with the conditions obtaining to-day. and to iliusI tratc the growth of the district, as well ias to demonstrate tbe difficulties and j-lender finances at the command of the "municipal fathers" in the 'eighties, some interesting features oi the early records were referred to by the Mayor of Birkenhead. Mr. -f. W. Court, at the opening of the John G. Kay Park yesterday afternoon. He pointed out that Birkenhead was raised to the dignity of -.1 borough in ISSS. the first councii, which was el»>eted unopposed, comprising Messrs. C. E. Button (Mayor). Tom HadKeld, B. T Hawkins, R. G. Hill. J. G. Kay. A. F. Porter", and E. J. White (councillors). The first meeting was held in the Zion Hill schoolroom on May 18. when Mr. T. Seaman was appointed to perform the duties of town clerk, treasurer, collector, returning officer, and valuator at a salary of ten guineas per quarter. On May 28. an office was secured at 10/6 per quarter. attd it was arranged that the town clerk should attend one day per month, the council to meet the same evening. Ti'.e Works Committee was empowered n> employ a day labourer ""when required"" for any "necessary" repairs on the roads, wages 6/ per day. On dune 2d it was reported that the labour had been employed for several days repairing the main roads and clearing watcrtablets. The estimates for the current year were approved on July 11. tbe total expenditure anticipated being CViO, including hospital and eharitabie aid rate £38. and road construction and maintenance £184. The capital value was £02.14".'. and tiie annual value £4GOO. A tender was accepted on September 29 for 210 yards of sugar works ash. delivered on road« at 2/M per yard, royalty included. Another tender was accepted on October 18. for increasing the formation of footpath* to eight feet wide, from the wharf to Highbury corner ia mile distance), the contractor receiving £12 1 .">,'. On December 20 the treasurer reported total receipts since formation of borough £207. total expenditure £150, credit! balance .£57. On May **. ISDO, it was reported that the experiment of tarring, etc.. the footpath from Mr. A. Kcves' property for a distance towards the wharf wa* satisfactory, and it was resolved that the work lie continued to the wharf. On March 2. lS!)o, it was resolved that the Mayor communicate with other bodies interested as lo utilising Kauri Point Reserve as a National Park for Auckland. Ttp growth from sueii small besrinnings had been considerable, but modern Birkenhead had not been able to show a credit balance for many years.