LOCAL BODIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 227, 25 September 1935, Page 12

LOCAL BODIES.

NORTHCOTE BOROUGH COUNCIL. The Northcote Borough Council, met last evening, the Mayor, Mr. It. Martin, presiding. Ferry Time-table.—"One of the most extraordinary things ever put before the council," was the description applied by the Mayor to the proposed vehicular ferry summer ' time-table, which eliminated evening trips to Northcote after the 5.20 o'clock boat from the city. Tlio first cargo 6teamer from Northcote was timed at 6.55 a.m., and the last at 5.50 p.m. On Sundays the first trip from Northcote was suggested at 8.25 a.m., and the last at 0 p.m. From Auckland the first trip was 9.40 a.m., and the last 8.40 p.m. Mr. E. C. Fowler said the present system was wretched, for frequently motorists arrived at the Northcote vehicular landing and watched the ferry steam past without calling at Nqrthcoto, necessitating a long trip to Devonport It'appeared to him that the company wished to make tho trip unpopular. The Mayor and Messrs. E. C. Fowler and E. W. B. Herrick were appointed to discuss the time-table with tho Birkenhead Borough Council with a view to making joint representations on the matter to the Devonport Ferry Company.

Bus Fares.—lt was decided that a deputation should meet, the directors of the Waitcmata Bus Company next month to discuss tho suggested reduction in bus fares.

Crown Rates. —Mr. G. E. Miller,' manager of tho Mortgage Corporation of New Zealand, Wellington,' wroto that the corporation had not bought in any of the Crown's reverted securities, and had the status merely of mortgagee in possession and not owner. The Corporation was unable to consider payment of rates other than, those which take priority to the mortgages held by it.

MOUNT ROSKILL ROAD BOARD

Mr. C. ?M.' McCullough - presided over the meeting of the Mount Iloskill Road Board last night.

Building Permits. —The building inspector, Mr. H. L. Jeesop, reported th.it 26 buildings were in course of erection in the district. During tho past fortnight permits had been issued for five dwellings valued at £2193. For the first eigiit months of the year building permits to the value of £32,021 had been issued, compared with £1(3,919 for the same period last year.

A Complaint.—The board received a complaint, made by Mr. Harnian, that some men were employed by tlio board on subsidised work who were neither ratepayers nor residents of Mount Roskil!, while others who possessed both these qualifications were debarred from such employment. It was decided that the ratepayers represented by Mr. Harman should meet the chairman at the board's office on Friday morning.

Waikowhai. — The parks and reserves committee will investigate a complaint received by the board of the shocking conditions existing for campers on the Waikowhai Reserve.

Petrol Tax. —A suggestion from Takapuna that the board join with it in a protest to tho Prime Minister at the meagreness of the petrol tax allocation to boroughs below 0000 inhabitants was referred to the finance committee.

Sinking Fund Commissioner. —Mr. R. S. Ward was appointed a joint sinking fund commissioner to operate in regard to conversion ipan No. 3.

Water Charges.—The Commissioner of Crown Lands advised that he could not agree to the board's suggestion that water by meter charges should lie outside the proposed arrangement of apportioning rates duo in relation to the period of tenancy of reverted properties to the Crown. The board agreed to include water charges in the agreement with the proviso that it have the right to review tlia position at the end of the present financial year.

Unpleasant Odour.—ln regard to a complaint of an unpleasant odour from a cowyard in Hillsboro' Road, the inspector reported that the trouble was caused through lack of drainage from the stockyard adjacent to the milking shed. The yard should be concreted, but the owner could not afford the expense at present and would keep the yard cleaned up and drained on tho lower side, which would help matters considerably.

PAPAKURA TOWN BOARD

Tho Papakura Town Board met yesterday, Mr. H.' E. McEntee presiding.

Cemetery Building.—The clerk was instructed to prepare a report in regard to a proposal to erect a building at the Papakura Cemetery. Details of finfence and prospects of obtaining a Government subsidy were requested by the board.

Old Wairoa Road. — Permission was granted during tho pleasure of the board to a resident of the Old Wairoa Road to enclose the road frontage of a property to a depth of 15ft so as to enable the thorough eradication of noxious weeds.

Redemption of Debentures.—As all the board's debentures are held by Government; Departments negotiations have been commenced to have the debentures redeemed in Wellington, thus obviating the payment of exchange.

Rate Reduction on Scout Property.—An application for a reduction in rates on the scout property was received. It was decided to draw the scout committee's attention to section 52 of the Valuation of Lands Act, 1925, which provides for a reduction by the Valuer-General where land is owned or occupied and used foi games and sports other than horse racing, and not used for private pecuniary benefit to any individual or individuals.