LOCAL BODIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 172, 23 July 1929, Page 5

LOCAL BODIES.

NEW LYNN BOROUGH COUNCIL

A meeting of the New Lynn Borough Council took place last evening. In the absence of 'the Mayor through illness, the deputy-Mayor (Mr. Geo. Lawson) presided, other members present were: Messrs. W. Piatt, H. Dove, S. James and C. Shanly. Mayor's Honorarium.—-The annual allowance to the Mayor during his term of office was fixed at £100 Portage Road. —The lowest tender received for the construction of drainage works on Portage Road North was that of Mr. J. S. Sokolich. The council accepted this tender. Road Works.—The cost of road and footpath maintenance carried out from June 1" to July 10, amounted to £312. The sum of £67 was spent on Titirangi Road. Water Supply.—A communication from the Auckland City Council stated that the cost of the water supply would be increased from 1/ to 1/3 per thousand gallons as from the 19th inst. The council considered the charge ls excessive, and again expressed its opinion in favour of the formation of an Auckland Provincial Water Board. Proposed Municipal Choir. —Mr. S. Henderson's letter re the establishing of a municipal choir was discussed and the council decided it would give recognition to a choir formed on proper lines, with adequate membership, when it can be demonstrated that such organisation has reached a musically efficient stage. The rules governing the choir are to be approved of by the council.

Smith Street. —Messrs. Gray and Gulliver submitted plans and specifications for the reconstruction of this street. These were approved of by the council, and tenders will be called for the carrying out of the work. Street Name Plates—The town clerk submitted a report and estimate for the adequate provision of street name plates throughout the borough, utilising as far as possible the power poles at road intersections. This work was authorised. Parker Avenue. —It was resolved to improve the footpath and lighting facilities on this road.

Metropolitan Town Planning Committee.—The council's views on the above subject are to be forwarded to the Auckland City Council. It considers that "the proposals indicate a possible curtailment of the powers of local authorities, which is regarded as undesirable: local authorities are elected by residents of.the district they represent are familiar with the problems and possibilities of their own areas, which cannot be attained by any outside local body. The council is of the opinion that the powers of the local authority should in some direction be widened, and not in any respect curtailed. It therefore does not endorse the resolution carried at the meeting of local body representatives, except in thus far —that the Director of Town Planning may act in an advisory capacity." Train Service.—A letter was received from the Railways Department in respect to the council's request that the 4.5 p.m. Helensville train should stop daily at New Lynn. The Department stated that the speeding up of this train was under consideration, and .therefore could not accede to the request. The council resolved to reply pointing out that as the train often stopped for water two or three days a week and was scheduled to stop on Saturdays, the time occupied on the journey to Helensville would not be materially affected if the request was granted. Rubbish Collection.—Four tenders were received for this work, and the lowest, that of Mr. X. Matheson, was accepted.