LOCAL BODIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 252, 25 October 1933, Page 3

LOCAL BODIES.

MOUNT EDEN COUNCIL. The Mount Eden Borough Council met last evening, the Mayor, Mr. T. McNab, presiding. Standard Wages.—A motion by Mr. W. J. Gatenby that the council take immediate steps to raise finance to enable it to pay standard wages for all necessary work in the borough was defeated, only the mover voting for it. Tram Sections.—lt was decided to join Mount Albeit Council in an endeavour to have floating sections instituted on the Mount Eden, Dominion Road and Mount Albert tram routes. The Transport Board wrote stating that no alteration could be made in the tram stop at Tennyson Street. The council decided to draw the board's attention again to its dangerous position.

NORTHCOTE BOROUGH.

The Northcote Borough Council met last evening, the Mayor, Mr. K. Martin, presiding. Town Clerk.—lt was decided to call applications for the position of town clerk to fill the vacancy caused by the retirement of the present clerk, Mr. H. W. Wilson, at the end of the year. Considerable discussion took place over the proposed salary. "I think that £300 a year is low," said the Mayor. "We must pay for services!," replied Mr. C. J. W. Taylor to a suggestion that the salary be £280. The salary was finally fixed a"t £300, Messrs. E. C. Fowler, A. G. Osborne, N. S. Davidson and J. Murdoch requesting that their dissenting votes be recorded.

Amalgamation.—Whether the poll of one borough was sufficient to effect the amalgamation of two boroughs was discussed. It was decided to request Mr. A. Harris, M.P., to oppose the clause in the Municipal Corporations' Bill, by which compulsory amalgamation would result from the petition of one body, the council considering a poll in each of the districts concerned to be desirable. Unemployment Problem. —It was decided to support a proposal from the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union to hold a meeting of all bodies interested to consider the unemployment problem. Christmas Day Pictures. —An application for permission to screen pictures at the King's Theatre on Christmas Day was granted. Water Supply.—The medical officer of health, Dr. T. J. Hughes, wrote stating that it was imperative that the council arrange for some treatment of the water eupiply" that would remove ' the objectionable tastes and odours before the coming summer. Since the council had extended the intake pipe in Lake Pupuke and installed an experimental plant, it was decided that Dr. Hughes be asked if he could recommend any other measures to ensure a better supply.

MOUNT ROSKILL ROAD BOARD. Tlie Mount Roskill Road Board met last night, the deputy chairman, Mr. S. Scarborough, presiding. Unemployment.—The board was asked by the New Zealand Farmers' Union it it favoured a general meeting of all bodies concerned in the unemployment question. Mr. R. F. Sanft moved that no action be taken. The motion was lost, and the board decided to refer the question to the Auckland and Suburban Local Bodies' Association for consideration. Amalgamation of Boroughs.—lt was resolved to request Messrs. A. S. Richards and W. J. Jordan, M.P.'s, to oppose the reinsertion of a clause in the Municipal Corporations Bill for the amalgamation of contiguous boroughs, previously objected to by suburban local authorities. Building Permits. —During the year 77 building permits were issued, of the total value of £12,757. These included 26 new buildings worth £11,174. Stormwater—The finance committee will report on an offer by the Wesley Training College Trust Board to indemnify the board against any implied obligation to construct roads on the Trust Board's estate, if the Road Board will provide the pipes necessary for the projected work; in addition the Trust Board will agree to pay overdraft interest on No. 5 scheme wages. PAPAKURA TOWN BOARD. Mr. H. E. McEntee presided at last night's meeting of the Papakura Town Board. Footpath Danger.—A resident of the south end of the town said that some protection was necessary on the footpath near the stock route which runs on to the Great South Road from South Street, lie .pointed out the danger of young school children coming to and from school meeting mobs of cattle. The matter was referred to the works committee. Railway Reserve. —The chairman reported that the Minister of Public Works had visited the railway reserve, and had inspected the plantation. The had expressed an opinion that it would be a tragedy if ever the specimens of bluegum were cut, and had promised he would do all in his power to have a portion permanently reserved. It was unanimously agreed that a vote of thanks be forwarded to Mr. J. N. Maesey, M.P., for his efforts in support of Papakura proposals. PAPATOETOE TOWN BOARD. The Papatoetoe Town Board met last evening, Mr. W. J. Nicholson presiding. Waikato Water Scheme. —A letter was received from the Newmarket Borough Council asking the board's support in a movement to assist the promotion of the Waikato water supply scheme. Mr. E. H. Burton stated that he could not understand the City Council's viewpoint in refusing to consider the matter. _ If, in another 10 years, the council wished to supply the surrounding boroughs that at present were working on their own schemes which, in some cases, were unsatisfactory, the Mangatawhiri and Mangatangi scheme at a cost of £2,700,000, would have to be considered. The board decided to support the Newmarket Council, and Mr. W. J. Nicholson was appointed to represent the board on the suggested committee. Accounts. —Mr. Nicholson pointed out that, in spite of the fact that rate demands had been issued late this year, £250 more had been collected than at the corresponding date last year. Of the total levy of £8207, £4253 had been collected, and £773 out of the £3046 arrears had also been paid. The fact that on October 25, 1932, the bank overdraft was £2463, and on October 24, 1933, it was £2018, showed a very satisfactory position.