DEVONPORT COUNCIL.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 205, 30 August 1928, Page 10

DEVONPORT COUNCIL.

The Devonport Borough Council held its ordinary meeting last evening. The Mayor (Mr. E. Aldridge) presided, and there were present Messrs. J. Hislop, H. A. Campbell, T. C. Enright, W. S. Campbell, S. H. Lyon, F. J. Ellisdon and T. Walsh. Greeting was received from Mr. I. Massey, now aibeent in Great Britain, and sympathy was expressed to Mr. C. M. Browne, absent through illness.

Refuse Destructor. —The Mayor reported that the new refuse destructor was now almost ready, and was being warmed up to receive garbage in about three weeks' time. Messrs. Aldridge, Ellisdon and Lyon were appointed delegates to the management committee, which will be composed of representatives of the three boroughs of Devonport, Takapuna and Northcote, which are combining in this undertaking.

Alison Memorial Clock. —The Mayor reported the result of a visit by Mr. Lippincott (architect) and Mr. Colfcman (contractor) for the clock. The master clock was already in the borough council chambere, and the erection of the column would be proceeded with forthwith. It was agreed that the clock should be lit from the borough lighting circuit, and arrangements are to be made for the laying of an underground wiring conduit from the clock to the chambere.

Watson Bequest.—With regard to the expenditure of the £1500 available under this bequest, it was decided to level and sow in grass the promontory fronting Duder's Avenue. Council will inspect on Friday the whole area for which the bequest applies, and determine a plan of action for the expenditure of the money for the relief of unemployed.

Stalls on Wharf. —Mr. J. Hislop introduced the matter of trading stalls on the wharf, and protested against their establishment as being unnecessary and undesirable. This was further discused on consideration of a letter from the Auckland Harbour Board, which stated that a protest had been received from tobacconists and booksellers in Devonport against the proposal of the board to lease a stall on the new wharf. The 'board had deferred action .pending receipt of the council's opinion. It was decided to support the protest of the local shopkeepers, and to record the council's appreciation of the board's attitude. Lake Pupuke Lower.—The waterworks engineer reported that the lake was lower this year than at the same time last year, and considered it advisable to lower the intake pipe and small pump. Council instructed the engineer to report on the subject at next meeting, with an estimate of the cost. Football Grounds.—A letter was received from the Devonport United (League) Football Club complaining of the state of the football ground. The council decided that the club should be informed that to deal with the drainage effectively would cost approximately £1000; that it cannot see its way to put the work in hand at present, and suggests that the clubs endeavour to raise funds to assist with the work. Receipt of Rates.—The borough treasurer reported that up to discount day, August 16, £20,802 18/11 had bee received in the current year's rates. This was 55 per cent of the total collectable, and was an increase of five per cent over the sum received at the same date last year.