LOCAL BODIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 243, 14 October 1925, Page 14

LOCAL BODIES.

MOUNT ALBERT BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Mr. L. K. Rhodes presided at last night's meeting of the 'Mt. Albert Borough Council.

A letter was Teceived from the Minister of Justice, stating that the question of establishing a police station at Edendale would receive careful consideration.

The Maybr was appointed to renresent the council at the Municipal Associations' Conference, to be held in Dunedin in February.

It was reported that the now main from Xihotapu had been completed by the City Council and would be iv use shortly. Provision was made to give Mt. Albert" a 12in connection in Gladstone Koad.

The District Engineer for Railways intimated that tbe Woodward Road crossing was not considered as dangerous as other level crossings in Auckland district not yet protected by "wig-wag" signals. The council's application would be uoied fur future reference. It was decided to write again, pointing out the danger of this particular crossing being left unprotected.

NORTHCOTE BOROUGH COUNCIL. 'The fortnightly meeting of tbe Northcote Borough Council was held last evening. The Mayor (Mr. C. A. Deuxberry) presided, and Councillors J. B. Tonar, F. J. Maxwell, E. \V.,B. Herrick, A. R. Shutes, C. A. Clark, Chas. Bunker, A. W. Smith, and J. F. Jackson were also present.

Foreman.—Mr. P. Colvin was selected from 28 applicants for the combined position of foreman of works and building inspector, at a salary of £325 per annum.

Kerry Trips.—The Devonport Ferry Company wrote pointing out ■ that the steamer leaving Birkenhead at 5.5 p.m., and Chelsea at 5.10 p.m., was scheduled to call at Northcote at 5.20 p.m. on tbe journey to Auckland.

Water.—Two analyses of the water supply, forwarded by the Water Board, showed a satisfactory degree of purity. The Waterworks engineer (Mr. John Williamson) reported the month"s consumption of water to be 1,606,500 gallons. The level of Lake Takapuna was 4ft Sin above sea level. Questioned as to why there was so much "rusty water" on Monday mornings, the

engineer accounted for this by the abnormal quantity used on "wash days" scouring the small mains. He stated that the reservoir bad been cleaned recently.

Electric Light Poles.—ln reply to the Council's objections to the use of undressed poles at Northcote, the secretary of the Waitemata Power Board wrote that it had been decided to substitute tue dressed ironbark poles for natural round poles in Onewa Road and Queen Street so far as the hightension reticulation was • concerned, and that as far as possiible .the Board would endeavour to study the boroughs and the borough streets. Appreciation was expressed at the Board's decision, and To Mr. A. E. Creenslade for his advocacy of dressed poles for the borot:_rh.

School Band.—A communication from 1 Mr. H. A. Wernham. as hon. secretary of I the junior high school band committee, requested assistance towards that project. He pointed out that for the past two years the headmaster and staff had made "music appreciation" an important adjunct of the school through the medium of a gramophone and carefully-selected records. The formation of a full-sized military band had now been decided upon. It was proposed to select boys at the age of nine, and train them in accordance with the method of tuition laid down in the Imperial Army schools of music. The collection of £1000 wns aimed at. spread over five years. Mr. Marshall understood the School Committee was unfavourable to the proposal, which was rather a tall order in view of the many other claims on the district. The amount did not include uniforms. Mr. Tonar preferred that the improvement of the school grounds should take precedence. Mr. Clark, considered the aim was too high. A drum a,nd fife band would 6uffice. By the time the lads learned to play they would be aboutvleaving tbe school. It was resolved to reply that the Council had no funds for the purpose. PAPAKURA TOWN BOARD. The Papakura Town Board met on Monday evening, when there were present: Rev. W. C. Wood (chairman), Messrs. XV. Milne, C. Tueley, J. McCall, H. McEntee, and D. Weir. As there seemed to he a doubt as to the legality of the election of a chairman at last meeting on the clerk's casting vote, the appointment of the Rev. XV. C. Wood to the chair was confirmed. The board's attention was directed by the Beautifying Society to the dirty state of the Soldiers' Memorial. It was decided

to reply that it had recently been dressed with a liquid preparation by Captain Fel-don.-who guaranteed that it-would. last two years. The Minister of Lands informed the board that as the land adjoining the cemetery was not vested in the Aowa Board, the matter could not.be dealt with. The clerk was instructed to write to the member for Franklin. , A deputation from the Papakura Cricket Club appealed for the board's assistance in laying down a pitch and keeping the grass down ln the outfield. The members of the board ware sympathetic, and it is probable that the cricket club wm get a bitumen pitch in the meantime.

A. petition was received from the ratepayers and users of Arawa Street, praying for this street to be included ln the roading scheme. ' Mr. Guillard promised tne metal free if the hoard would pay the cartage and spread it. The board resolved to make an annual charge of 10/ for water meters,

The Fire Brigade's recommendations to the board were afe follow:—"That the brigade shall consist of 12 men; that the board pay 6/8 insurance on eight men, and the brigade pay insurance on the other four; rates of pay to be the same as the Newmarket Borough Council's brigade, ana that the lire inspector be tne chairman of the board." Mr. nv eir complained that the brigade only benefited the business area. Mr. Milne pointed out to Mr. Weir that if the factory got on fire and the brigade were able to save it, it would benefit all the suppliers, a great many of whom lived on the outer area.

Dissatisfaction was expressed by several members at the Auckland Electric Power Board not reticulating some of the outer portions of the town, viz., from Bunnythorpe Road to the boundary on the wairoa Road, Beach Road, southern end of the Great South Road, Settlement Road and other places. The clerk was instructed to write and ask the reason.