LOCAL BODIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 187, 9 August 1932, Page 3

LOCAL BODIES.

» I NEW LYNN BOROUGH COUNCIL. An ordinary meeting of the New Lynn Borough Council was held, last evening. The Mayor, Mr. Geo. Lawson, presided, and other members present were: Messrs. W. Piatt, Geo. Severne, M. Laing, S. James, A. Woolley aiid A. Jeffrey. Borough Staff.—As the result of a special meeting, when the borough permanent officials were again under consideration, it was unanimously resolved that two appointments be made instead of the existing three. There will be a town clerk and treasurer, at £5 10/ per week, and a borough foreman, sanitary inspector, and turncock at a salary of £5 10/ per week. Both officials will be required to take up residence in the borough. A cadet will be appointed to Assist the town clerk. It was further resolved to discharge all the permanent outside staff, and to employ a limited amount of casual labour in the future. Eating Sales.—The council's solicitor wrote informing the council that in about six weeks it would be possible for the registrar to sell five properties for nonpayment of rates. A fomteeu-acre block could also be offered at the same time. It was agreed that all the properties should be offered to the public at the one time. Koad Works. —The cost of road works during the past four weeks was reported by the foreman to have amounted to £110 6/4. The net cost to the borough was £67 4/5. City Water Charges.—A letter from the Auckland city treasurer intimated that, providing all arrears were paid in full, a discount of Id per 1000 gallons would be allowed on the account for the month of July if paid not later than August 25. The account for July amounted to £13S 15/. Bus services.—Arising out of a complaint made to the council relative to trips missed by the Auckland Bus Company, the following information was supplied by the company: —Mileage for July, 37,199.6, trips run, 3102; trips missed (July 13), 1. It was claimed by the company that the percentage of trips missed was very low. Henderson Bridge.—The Mayor was delegated to attend a conference to be held on Thursday next in the Waitemata County Council chambers, regarding the allocation of the cost of the new Henderson Bridge.

ONEHUNGA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The Onehunga Borough Council met last night, the Mayor, Mr. E. Morton, presiding.

Mtfnukau Flats. —Tlis council received a letter from the Mount Wellington Road Board stating that while the scheme for reclaiming the Manukau flats was worthy o£ consideration by the Government, it did not appeal to the board, as one to be undertaken by local authorities, as the overhead cost would be considerable. There were no compensating benefits, it being -unlikeiy that the reclaimed areas would be merged for future rating purposes. The Manukau County Council intimated that the proposal was now under the consideration of the chairman, riding members and the engineer. Water Supply.—Mr. S. Vella reported that a new electric pump had been installed at the pumping station, and was working satisfactorily. Cracks in Main Street.—The foreman of works reported 242 transverse cracks, and IXI longitudinal cracks in the concrete main thoroughfare, in addition to the original expansion and contraction joints. The worse sections were in Trafalgar Street, and Auckland Road, and the western side throughout showed much more deterioration than the eastern side, probably due to the thrust of the up-grade traffic. AH cracks are to be sealed with bitumen.

Resignation.—The council accepted the resignation of Mr. S. Barnes, turncock. Mr. A. F. Jameson, pumping engineer, will discharge the duties of turncock, assisted by Mr. T. Prior.

Street Names.—ln reply to the City Council, which asked Onehunga to consider eliminating the present duplication in street names, the Mayor* said he thought iit would be soon enough to deal with the matter when Onehunga joined the city.

Vegetable Gardens.—The council decided not to take any action at present with regard to forming relief workers' vegetable gardens.

PAPAKURA TOWN BOARD.

The Papakura _ Town Board met last evening, the chairman, Mr. D. Weir, presiding.

Subsidies.—Advice was received from the Public Works Department that, in regard to wages and plant hire rates, claims for subsidies were being received in which no attempt had been made to reduce wages and plant hire; a copy of the ruling Public Works Department, rates of pay was enclosed. Plant hire rates were now being considered by the Main Highways Board. Members decided to protest against the Department's action in _ forcing down already low pay rates, pointing out that the ruling rate of pay now being adopted by the Public Works Department was less than the rate in the award by which the local bodies are governed, and in the board's opinion plant hire should be a matter of negotiation.

War Memorial. —It was reported that the War Memorial required attention, and the board resolved to obtain expert advice as to the most effective cleaning process. It was also decided to clean the base of the memorial.

Maoris and Marriage.—lt was decided to protest against the Unemployment Board's action in framing a regulation requiring Maoris to go through the form of marriage in accordance with European custom, before they may obtain relief. Members said the regulation was an absolute scandal.