LOCAL BODIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 208, 2 September 1932, Page 11

LOCAL BODIES.

OTAHUHU BOROUGH COUNCIL. The Otahuhu Borough Council met last evening, the Mayor, Mr. H. T. Clements, presiding. Beautifying.—The works committee will consider a letter from the Great South Road Beautifying Society, suggesting that a scheme of improvement be carried out on the frontage adjoining the quarry. It suggested that this area should be fenced by the council and flowering shrubs and pohutukawas planted, and it drew attention to the number of rubbish tins deposited near the northern end of the Westfield railway bridge. Rates.—The town clerk reported that on August 24 he' received a telephone message, from the Valuation Department to the effect that the figures previously supplied as the rateable unimproved value of t!. ■ borough included the properties actually owned by the council, valued at £11,205. This meant that the proposed rate of 9%d in 'the £1, already advertised, would produce £443 less than the estimates. The rate for the coming year would now be 9 11-16 d in the £1, exactly the game as last year, and not a reduction of 3-16 d in the £1 as previously stated. The new rate would produce approximately £75 less than the estimate. Diphtheria.—One case was notified_ on August 13, this being the only one since July 4. The borough is now free from active cases. Fire Board. —The Mayor suggested that there might be advantages to the borough by linking up with the newly-formed Metropolitan Fire Board. They might find the terms fairly easy now, but more difficult in the future. They might get a reduction in fire premiums. The legal and finance committee is to report.

Tamaki Drainage.—The Public Works Department requested information about the Tamaki drainage, and notified certain conditions. The Mayor remarked * that this looked like postponing the commencement of the work for two months. "The whole thing is a '•'quibble," said the Mayor, "and it does seem ridiculous that we have to submit specifications after the scheme has been approved. Unfortunately we are in their hands." The Mayor was appointed to see the Public Works engineer and endeavour to expedite the work.