LOCAL BODIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 152, 30 June 1927, Page 9

LOCAL BODIES.

DEVONPORT BOROUGH COUNCIL

The ordinary meeting of tlie Devonport Borough Council was held last evening. The Mayor, Mr. E. Aldridge, presided, and councillors present were: Messrs. J. Hislop, C. M. Browne, H. A. Campbell, T. C. Enright, W. S. Campbell, F. J. Ellisdony S. H. Lyon, and P. J. Sheehan. Mayoral Chain.—The Mayor reported that all ex-Mayors of the borough, or their executors, had been communicated with re supplying memorial links on the Mayoral chain recently presented, and that all had contributed links of office. On the Mayor's motion all donors received the appreciative thanks of the council. Borough Administration. — Council approved the suggestions in the Mayoral review: That no_ alteration to staff be made without reference to the council; that no outside cartage contractors be engaged without the contractor's knowledge; that all purchases over £10 be referred to a Purchasing Committee consisting of Councillors Massey and H. A. Campbell; that the sanitation and refuse services be placed under the control of the sanitary, inspector; and that a member of the office staff should take charge of store office at depot, and supervise time sheets,' stores, returns, quarry dockets, and public works returns from that office. Cost of Water Commission.—From the Department of Health was received notification of the borough's apportionment of cost of the recent Royal Commission, amounting to £121 18/5. It was decided that payment be deferred pending conference with other boroughs on the matter. Tennis Courts on Stanley Park.—The secretary of the Ngataringa Tennis Club reported that they were actively collecting funds to lay down hard tennis courts on the Stanley Bay Park, and as the result of six weeks' work had now in credit £150. They asked for some of the wood from the old fire towers for pavilion purposes. This matter was referred to the engineer. Tenders are to be called for levelling the area required by the club preparatory to foundation work on the courts, while general appreciatory reference was made to the canipaign of selfhelp, so successfully carried on by the club.

BIRKENHEAD BOROUGH COUNCIL

The Birkenhead Borough. Council mefj-. last evening. The Mayor, Mr. E. G. Skeates, presided. Rates Struck.—The rates were struck in' accordance with the notice given, providing for the collections of a consolidated rata of CVid in the £ on the unimproved value, a water rate of Id, and a sanitation charge. o£ 34/ per annum. Meter supply of water is to be charged at the rate of 1/6 per thousands gallons. Automatic Telephone—The question whether the council might legally, guarantee to the Post and Telegraph. Department that a given number of connections with the proposed automatic telephone svstem would be applied for within a specified time, was referred to the legal adviser to the Zealand Municipal Association. Mr. T. F. Martin s opinion was that the council could not legally give the guarantee. Electoral.—lntimation was received that no deputations would be received by the North Island Representation Commission with regard to Birkenhead's representations against being excluded from the Parliamentary Constituency of Waitemata, and placed in Eden, but that only written objections or suggestions could bo con--81 Power Board—The secretary notified the resignation of Mr. J. D. Morison as a member of the Waitemata Power Board, and that the town clerk of fakapuna would convene a meeting of the combined councils of Takapuna, Birkenhead, and Northcote, to fill the vacancy. Dinghv Shelters-It was decided to inform the Harbour Board that the council would be pleased to have the leases terminated at the expiration of the present terms, with a view to building one shed for sheltering the small boats, and to request the board to vest portion of the foreshore in council. . . , Cemetery Extension— Approval Mas riven to a proposal to exchange a bush area of about six acres in the cemetery, cully for a similar area of flat land Oi. the Domain, for the purpose of cemetery, 'The New Zealand Allianca of Labour" wrote regarding the position created by unemployment. The council decided to reply that it was employing as many men as finances would permit. Town'Planning—lt was agreed that the whole of the members attend the Town Planning Conference. New Buildings. —Four building permits were granted,