LOCAL BODIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 300, 19 December 1929, Page 28

LOCAL BODIES.

DEVONPORT BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The Devonport Borough -Council met last evening. The Mayor, Mr. E. Aldridge, presided.

Holiday Vacation.—Arrangements were made for the conduct of borough business during the holidays. The Mayor and Messrs. F. J. H. Ellisdon and T. Walsh were appointed an executive committee till the next council meeting, on January 22. The public office will be closed from December 24 to January 11, to permit of the staff's annual holidays; the town clerk, however, will be in attendance daily from 9 a.m. for an hour or so, to attend to any urgent business. The borough's outside staff will maintain all public services as usual.

Devonport Library.—A deputation from the Devonport Library Committee reported the progress of the fund. They stated that they had secured suitable premises in Clarence Street for a reference library and reading room, and would be ready to commence cataloguing aad indexing early in March. The council agreed to guarantee the rent of the premises until the end of the financial year.

Licensing Authority.—The Mayor and Mr. Hislop were appointed Devonport's representatives on the No. 2 Licensing Authority, which will be newly constituted from January 1.

Wairoa Koad Croquet Lawns.—The engineer reported on the estimated cost of new croquet lawns in Wairoa Road as being nearly £1500. After full consideration the council decided that it could not undertake the work, but that the land would be available at a peppercorn rental for any sports body able to finance the proposition.

Refuse Destructor.—The Destructor Committee reported that after a daily inspection by the Takapuna sanitary inspector the smoke nuisance was reduced 50 per cent, and that the installation of an oil burner to consume the smoke had proved highly satisfactory.

Engineer's Department.—Mr. F. J. H. Ellisdon gave notice of motion that the position of the engineer be reviewed. This will be discussed at the first committee meeting of the council in the new year.

Seasonal Greetings.—At the conclusion of the council business the Mayor entertained the councillors and st-aff at a friendly function, at which the seasonal greetings were cordially, exchanged.

BIRKENHEAD BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The final meeting of the Birkenhead Borough Council prior to the vacation was held last evening. The Mayor (Mr. Jas. P. McPhail) presided.

Welcome.—The Mayor extended a welcome to Mr. L. R. L. Moller, who has been absent from several meetings owing to ill-health.

Fire Brigade.—A cheque for £200 was 'forwarded by the Colonial Sugar Refining Company towards the equipment of a local fire brigade, and the provision of fire-fighting plant. Office Assistant.—From several applicants Miss M. Cofield was • selected for the position of typiste in the town clerk's office.

New Buildings.—Six permits for new buildings were issued. Highways Maintenance.—Notification of the approval of a subsidy of £519, on a £2 for £1 basis, in respect to the estimated cost of maintenance of the main highways, £778, was received.

, Christmas Pictures. —Permission was given to screen a picture programme at the Birkdale Hall on Christmas Day. .

Permanent Work. —On the recommendation of the works committee, it was agreed that work of a permanent character should he undertaken in Mokoia Road (from Wairoa Avenue to Highbury) to reform footpath to fixed levels; in G-lenfield Road (from Highbury Corner to Onewa Street) to kerb and channel, and reform footpath to fixed levels; in Wairoa Avenue, retarring of footpath on western side; and in Oarlton Terrace, retarring of footpath on southern side. In the case of Mokoia and Glenfield Roads, an engineer will prepare levels and estimated cost of the proposed work.

TAKAPUNA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The Takapuna Borough Council met last evening, the Mayor, Mr. J. W. Williamson, presiding.

A plan submitted for the lay-out of Quinton Park, the gift of Mrs. Caughey Smith, was approved. The plan provided for ultimate development of the property in pathways, flower beds and lawn. It was decided to call for tenders for the first section of the work, battering back the slope between Marine Parade and the park.

The Mayor and Mr. B. C. Hart were appointed to represent the council o-n the new No. 2 Licensing Authority, which comes into existence on January 1.

A sum of £1851 was mentioned as the cost of bitumen-surfacing Sheriff's Hill Road, in an estimate submitted by the assistant engineer. The matter was referred to the works committee for consideration in March.

FRANKLIN COUNTY COUNCIL.

The Franklin County Council met at Pukekohe yesterday,- the chairman, Mr. J. N. Massey, M.P., presiding.

The engineer, Mr. J. F. McArthur, reported that authority had been received from the Public Works Department for the expenditure of Government grants as follows:—Constructing Puwhenua Stream Bridge, New Brighton to northern county boundary, arjd forming 188 chains of road, £999,. freer forming and metalling Taurangaruru Road, Waiuku, £760, pound for pound; forming and metalling Ostrich Road, Patumahoe, £500, pound for pound; further metalling on Hunter s Road, Patumahoe, £100, pound for pound; ■forming and metalling, Hull-McNaughton Road, Aka Aka, £250, pound for pound; forming and metalling Clark's Road, Waiau, £380, pound for pound; forming and metalling McKenzie's Landing Road, I Waiau, £360, pound for pound. Arrangements were being made to co-operate with relief workers in metalling on,the Papa-rimu-Maungatawhiri -Road, which was being formed and widened as an unemployment relief scheme. It was proposed to ease the grade around a rock face and cart stone direct to the road with a'county teams' plant. This would enable a longer length of metal road to be laid with the available loan and subsidy. The Local Government Loans Board forwarded its sanction to the raising of the Maketu settlement roads loan of £500 and the Ellett-Carpenter Road', loan of £200, the interest .not to exceed 5Yz per cent, and a sinking fund of 3 per cent to be provided. It "vVas decided to raise the l° aTle - , m ,-r , , ; The chairman, Mr. T. J Lockwood, councillor for the Hunua Riding, and the engineer, will meet the settlers at Ponga soon after the holidays to confer regarding better road access to the Ponga settlement.