LOCAL BODIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 128, 2 June 1927, Page 5

LOCAL BODIES.

DEVONPORT BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the Devonport Borough Council was held last evening. The Mayor, Mr. K. Aldridize, presided, and there were present: Messrs. J. Hislop I. Massoy, T. C. F.nright. H. A. Campbell F. J. Ellisdon. W. C. Campbell, P. J. Sheehan, and S. Lyon.

New ]>oan Proposed.—The Melrose Ratepayers' Association wrote proposing that a special unemployment loan should be raised for the permanent formation of the end of Victoria Hoad. Messrs. Enlisht, Lyon and Massey supported the proposal, but Mr. J. Hislop opposed any proposition -which <lid not give the ratepayers the option of voting on the matter. Ultimately it was decided to postpone decision until an opinion rould be obtained lrom the Minister of Kinauce with regard to Government pohey on unemployment loans.

Pumping Station Building.—Tenders are to be called tor a structure to house the new clonic pumps at Lake Pupuke. Plans jointly prepared by the borough engineer and the Waitemata Power Hoard were passed. It is proposed that the installation be complete by July 1.

Queen's Parade Fences.—Residents oi Queen's Parade requested the couin.il to replace their present motley feme line with a uniform rockery along the esplanade. Signatures of all property owners accompanied the petition. Council regretted that they could not at present embark on such a programme, lv.it thanked the petitioners for an ofu-r of onirinient-al palms for the are.i to l>e reclaimed.

St-anley Bay Park Level.—The proper level of the Stanley Bay Reserve came up for decision. The council received the report of an inspection committee which stated that the Auckland Harbour Hoard had deposited 32.000 cubit yards on the area, and that there had since Ixt-n deposited by contractors spoil ti'Jls yards. The engineer suggested that the finished level of the area sliould be six in< lies al>ove the mean level of high water spring tides. This would prevent any flooding of the area at high water, and would leave avaUable for spreading over the area about 2500 yards of material. It was decided to adopt the committee's proposal.

BIRKENHEAO BOROUGH COUNCIL. The fortnightly meeting of the Birkenhead Borough Council was held last evening. The Mayor (Mr. K. .G. Skcates) presided. Estimates.—The estimates adopted provide for a consolidated late of 6 1 4<1 in the £ on the unimproved value, which is the same as collected last year. The special rate for interest and sinking fund payment."! on the £7000 balance of the street,* improvement £17.000 loan necwssilated an increase from V:d to v*d. but the general rate is to be reduced to an equivalent amount. The consumers' water late is to be Id and non-consumers" Vsd. Meter supplies are to be charged at the rate of 1.6 per 1000 gallons. A uniform annual fee of £1 14/ is to be charged lor sanitation purposes.

Waitemata Bridge.—The Controller and Auditor-General. Wellington, wrote that in the opinion of the Audit Office section 164 (b and d) of the Municipal Coiporations Act. 1920, read in conjunction with section 119 (2) of the Public Works Act, 190S, afforded sufficient authority for the borough to contribute out of its district fund towards the preliminary surveys, etc.. in connection with the proposed Waitemata harbour bridge. This information was sought by the council as it was desired to contribute towards the preliminary •work, such as a Purvey of the harbour bed and possible bridge approaches. The ultimate site of the bridfre not being known, it was impossible to limit the expenditure to one particular body upon whose particular territory the bridge would eventually l»e annexed.

Automatic Telephones.—With reference to the proposed conversion to automatic working of the Birkenhead Telephone Exchange and the points brought forward l>y the deputation in March last, the district telegraph engineer (Mr. "E. C. Gage) advised, by direction of the head office, that the matter had been reconsidered, but it was regretted that the minimum number of subscribers required, vj.t.. 200. could not be reduced. It was decided to ask the Department if the Birkenhcad-Korthcote (-uiisctilhis could l>e linked up with the Takapuna Automatic Kxchange, which was understood to be designed for 10,000 subscribers. New Buildings.—Six building permits were granted. Water for Glenfield.—An estimate of the cost of the suppcj-ted extension of the water service from Gooch's corner to Wheeler's corner at Glenfiold. a distance of about IVi miles, was furr.ielied by the waterworks engineer. He uted out there would be between 25 an.. M ratepayers immediately concerned, the majority of whom would be fairly heavy consumers. A two-inch palvanised pipe would meet the present requirements, and the cost would be £600. To make provision for future increased settlement a four-inch cast-iron main, with rire hydrants, would be advisable, the cost of which would be £2400. It was decided to intimate to the 2-i Glenfield ratepayers who had petitioned for the extension that the council was unable to supply water in the country beyond the limit of the present water mains.

Electric Street Liphts.—The cn(rincer of> the Waitcmata Power Board, reviewing complaints about faulty street light.*, pointed out that bulbs would occasionally burn out nnd that residents could materially assist the hoard ii they would notify the board's office or the Takapuna depot (Telephone 23-330 when a lamp was seen to be out. Heavy Traffic Licenses.—The chief traffic inspector of the Auckland City Council wrote that officers of the department had insnected the North Shore districts and vehicle owners concerned warned to obtain licenses as required by the r< filiation.--. Power V.c-.i • V, --. • • to the councils representations that- an individual IS,ik.-iilj< .. : ~. .. . ... elected, the WaitemaLi Puwor V. i;.;<! wrote that information was being obtained as to the actual representation on the basis adopted by the Public Works Department —population ami capital value—for the whole of the board's area. When this was obtained the request for separate representation for Birkenhcad would receive further consideration. Beach Haven.—A donation was soupht by the Beach Haven Progressive League towards maintenance of the conveniences at Tin Park. The leajrue is to Ik- reminded of the condition voluntarily undertaken in this respect.

I Birk«ialc Tennis.—The Parks Committ<?e was empowered to act in respect to a supgestion by the Birkdalc Tennis Club for the removal of pine trees on the Victoria Road East frontage of the John G. Kay Park.