LOCAL BODIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 263, 6 November 1928, Page 3

LOCAL BODIES.

ONEHUNGA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

A meeting of the Onehunga Borough Council -was held last night, the Mayor (Mr. W. C. Coldicutt) presiding. Finance.—The district fund is in credit £137 7/8. The loan funds are also in credit. Accounts amounting to £ 1847 were passed for payment. Petrol Tax.—The Public Works Department forwarded a cheque for £212 19/6, being the council's proportion of petrol tax collected by the Department for the quarter ended September 30 last. Tennis Courts.—The foreman of works was instructed to prepare an estimate of the cost of clearing the tennis courts at Te Papapa of weeds, coating with tar, putting in the necessary drainage with 6m pipes and erecting a retaining wall. An alternative offer was made to the Tennis Club that the council put the courts in playing order for the amount already paid, the club to do the tarring. Boundary Road.—The council agreed to the suggestion of the One Tree Hill Road Board to have a warrant issued by the Governor-General in connection with the maintenance of boundary roads. This disposed of any necessity for an agreement.

Road to the Wharf.-Mr. R. G. Speight moved, and it was agreed, to draw the attention .of the Railway Department to the bad state of the road from lower Queen Street, Onehunga, to the wharf. This short stretch of road belongs to the Government and is under the supervision of the Railway Department and is between two reserves belonging to the same. Mr. F. S. Morton said he was alraid of a serious accident happening any day on this road owing to its present state of disrepair. He hoped the Railway Department would do something at once that would be comparable with the work done on tlie two reserves by tlie Onehunga Borough Council. He suggested that if something is not done to the road immediately it will become so dangei ous that it might be necessary to close it to vehicular traffic.

Transport Board.—The town clerk reported that the recent poll of ratepayers agreeing to the setting up of a transport board did not become effective until it had been gazetted. He said when tfiat took place the local bodies would proceed to elect their representatives. Messrs. R. G. Speight and F. S. Morton were proposed. Mr. T. Moor questioned the wisdom of nominating two representatives from Onehunga. They might not get even one representative on the .Transport Board if they persisted in trying to get two men on. He thought Onehunga was the most important body in the group and should have at least one member on the board. Mr. F. S. Morton agreed with this. It was finally decided to put up the two members named to represent Onehunga.

MANUREWA TOWN BOARD.

The Manurewa Town Board met last evening, the chairman (Mr. G. Gallaher) presiding. Mr. F. Whyte was. the only member absent.

Compensation Claims.—ln reference to , Ho ' n i es ' c^a ini for compensation, totalling £460, in respect to alterations to the Great South Road fronting his pro- ?£ rt T* at the corner °f Mahia Road, Mr. W. Ferguson reported that several membere of the board -had inepected the locality and it had been decided to make certain improvements in the storm water drainage and to erect a fence. Mr. Ferguson considered the amount of the claim to be "absolutely ridiculous." It was decided to refer the matter to the board s solicitors, advising them of what had been done and that the board repudiated the claim.

Mrs. Blampied's solicitors wrote forwarding a claim for £137 3/3, in respect of work done by the former's employees, ,n completion of improvements effected by the board to her property fronting the threat South Road. It was decided to admit liability only in regard to the completion of carriage entrances. Train Service.—Mr. G. Oeborne reported that a deputation from the board had waited on the Railway Department with a request for certain improvements m the tram service. The Department had promised to consider the matter.

Brown's Road Drainage.—The clerk (Mr. H. Kay) reported having advised the various ratepayers concerned that they were required by the board to construct crossings in front of their respective properties, complete with 9in. pipe#. re P ! >' to hand reminded the board of its promise to instal the crossings if the property-owners provided the pipw. It was decided to act accordingly. Street Lights. A petition was asking for a light in the depression aa Weymouth Road, also one on the west-em boundary on that road. The matter ww deferred.

Great South Road Bridge.— The Maankau County Council wrote stating that the Mo. 2 District Highways Council had recommended that proposals be submitted at an early date for the renewal of the bridge over the Takanini Stream, on the southern boundary of the town district. It was stated that the county engineer was preparing plans and specification®, which would be submitted in due course Ihe board was asked to state what proportion of the cost it would be willing to bear, the total estimated cost being in the vicinity ,of £2000 to £2500. It was decided to confer with the council at its nest meeting. Drivers' Licenses.—The Manukau Countv Council wrpte asking for a refund of license fees collected by the board from drivers resident outside the town district. An opinion was expressed that it would be illegal for such a refund to be made. Ihe matter was deferred to the proposed conference with the council.