NORTH SHORE RUBBISH.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 208, 3 September 1929, Page 8

NORTH SHORE RUBBISH.

DESTRUCTOR PARTNERSHIP.

NORTHCOTE STANDS ALOOF.

LEGAL STEPS TO BE TAKEN

The joint standing committee controlling the operations of the North Shore destructor met at the Takapuna Borough Council Chambers last evening, and after hearing a statement from Mr. A. E. Greenslade that Northcote had no intention of paying the account for its proportion of the running costs of the destructor, decided to take legal steps for the enforcement of the claim. Mr. J. W, Williamson, Mayor of Takapuna, presided. Other representatives present were Messrs. E. Aklridge and F. J. H. Ellisdon (Devonport), A. E. Greenslade and A. Facer (Xortlicote) and J. Powell (Takapuna). Messrs. A. Slinger and A. T. Griffiths, borough engineers of Takapuna and Devonport, were also present. The meeting opened with a discussion on the present method of working the destructor. Mr. Aldridge said that there had been newspaper correspondence on the smoke nuisance. Mr. Slinger in reply to the chairman said that the refuse from the two boroughs was now being consumed in three days, and that there had undoubtedly been*a great improvement in the smoke conditions. They were now burning eighteen tons of garbage a day. Mr. Williamson then asked Mr. Greenslade whether Northeote council had come to a decision on the matter of paying its share of the current operating costs. Mr. Greenslade: Yes, we are not going to pay. - Mr. Williamson: Well, you know, you signed a partnership agreement in the matter. Takapuna is at present, financing the concern. It is my opinion that you should pay your share. Mr. Greenslade and Mr. Facer: Why should we pay for it if we don't use it? The chairman explained that Northcote had agreed with Devonport and Takapuna to the erection and u=age of the destructor on a partnership basis, (according to population. If they did not

choose to use the facilities provided, that did not relieve them of their partnership obligations. Mr. Ellisdon: Would Mr. Greenslade mind telling us how many meetings of this committee he has attended. Mr. Greenslade: Every meeting except one at which I could not possibly be present. Mr. Ellisdon: That is, you have taken an active part in the management of a concern towards the expenses of which your borough declines to contribute! Mr. Greenslade said that Xorthcote's interest in the destructor was confined to its contribution to the capital cost._ Mr. Williamson: Then 1 am afraid there is no alternative but legal proceedings. _ . , Mr. Greenslade: Go ahead —we'll stick to the agreement. Look out you clout fall in! On the motion of Mr. F. J. H. Ellisdon. seconded by Mr. Williamson, it was decided to submit the whole matter to the committee's legal adviser, to tak< 1 whatever steps might be necessary in the best interests of the contributing partners, Devonport and Takapuna. At a later stage in the proceedings Greenslade said" that his finance committee had agreed to let the matter to a friendly test case in the Supreme Court, preferably under the Declarator Judgments Act. Members in chorus: Well, you nc« l old us that before. It was decided to proceed on the - of the previous resolution.