LOCAL BODIES

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 93, 20 April 1932, Page 3

LOCAL BODIES

ONEHUNGA BOROUGH COUNCIL. The Onehunga Borough Council met last night. Mr. E. Morton, the Mayor, presiding. Stamp Duty.—The council agreed to support the application to the Government of the Mount Albert Borough Council authorising local bodies by statute to apply the suggested stamp duty on local body debenture coupons, as special discount on rates, as is the practice in counties. Relief Work.—lt was resolved to instruct the foreman of works to employ relief workers to-morrow, as this is "stand-down" week. If the Unemployment Board will not pay their wages amounting to £260, the council will have to do so, for one day only. Insurance Scheme. —Mr. J. D. Robb reported that the sickness insurance scheme offered to the council was an extremely favourable one, provided the age limit was extended to 60 years. The scheme was adopted on the basis of a weekly compensation of £2. The foreman stated that it had been approved by the employees. Water Meters. —The water meters at market gardeners' premises are to be read monthly from October to March, and it payment is not made by the 20th of the particular month, the water is to be cut Missing Tools.—-The Mayor reported that a tally of the council's tools had been made and a considerable number were missing, in spite of the fact that they were branded "0.8.C." The matter is to be put into the hands of the police. Hire Licenses.—The council will cooperate with the Rotorua Borough Council in protesting against the intention of the Government to transfer all applications for hire licenses to the Minister of Transport. The fees usually collected total over £10,000 per annum. . Standard Street Traverse.—A. circular was received from the New Zealand institute of Surveyors asking for the support of all local bodies administering roads and propertv subdivisions in laying down a standard street traverse when subdivisions of property are likely to extend. Great economy would be effected to property owners, as it would obviate the necessity for a separate new survey in the same street, and might reduce one or two days' work to an hour or two. Iheir object was to educate public opinion to press the Government to continue standard traverse work as a major and primary purpose of its Survey Department. The council approved of the suggestion.

HENDERSON TOWN BOARD

The monthly meeting of the Henderson Town Board was held last night. - llie chairman, Mr. A. W. Bussey, presided. Economies—A letter was received from the Prime Minister in reply to a protest from the board against the proposal to reduce wages and old age and soldiers pensions. Mr. Forbes said that 'he had noted the representations made and would arrange for them' to receive the careful consideration of the Government. Water for School.-A letter was received from the Henderson School Committee stating that the Auckland City Council made an allowance of 500 gallons of water per child per annum to the city schools and requested the board to grant the committee a similar concession. It was resolved to pass the request on to the City Council with a view to obtaining a similar allowance for the Henderson School. The Auckland City Council advised the board that its next meeting would be held on April 28 when an address on the water undertaking would be given by the council's engineers An invitation to be present was extended to all local bodies who were supplied with water by the council, and the board agreed that as many of its members as possible should attend. .. «•„_ Hospital Board.—The returning officer for the Hospital Board wrote that an election for a representative for the district would be held shortly, and it was agreed that the chairman. Mr. Bussey, should be nominated for that position. Other Business.—The Auckland Museum advised that the board's contribution for the 1932-33 period was £20 10/1. a slight advance on the previous year. Die Henderson Women's Institute was granted the use of the Town Hall. for a picture entertainment in aid of its funds, on the understanding that the institute would be responsible for the rent of the hall and other working expenses.

MANUKAU COUNTY COUNCIL,

The report of the engineer to the Manukau County Council for the month ended April 19, states that construction work had been carried forward successfully, and maintenance works on main highways and other roa'ds have been proceeded with and extended. AH claims for payment Of subsidies were completed, and lodged with the Main Highways Board and Public Works Department, upon the required date in March, and with one minor exception all due amounts were paid on or before March 31. Since March 31 a considerable number of items which had been deferred for financial reasons have been taken up for action, in addition to current matters, and the amount of work and business in hand at the moment is somewhat pressing in volume. Government Grants.—ln response to application, the Government grant for metalling the Clevcdon-Takanini Road was reinstated, and the work has proceeded.