LOCAL BODIES

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 136, 10 June 1936, Page 17

LOCAL BODIES

OTAHUHU BOROUGH COUNCIL

The Otahuhu Borough Council met on Monday evening, Mr. Murdoch presiding in the absence of the Mayor.

Borough Labourers' Union.—A communication was.received from the Napier Borough Council asking for co-operation in forming a national union for borough employees. The letter stated that at present employees were governed by about ten unions and they were taking the initiative in forming one union. The town clerk was instructed to reply that several years ago the Auckland Local Bodies Employees' Union was formed and the matter did not concern Otahuhu, which belonged.to the Auckland organisa-

Amalgamation..—A letter was received from the Manurewa Town Board stating that the following resolution had been passed at a recent meeting: "With a view to assisting the present Government in its early intention to bring about the amalgamation of local bodies (eompulsorily or by arrangement), tho Manurewa Town Board urges the desirability of a conference of all local bodies (within the Manukau County area), with a. view to amalgamation or at least a co-ordination of essential services. The Manurewa Town Board considers that to have their united wishes respected and perhaps finalised would be pi-eferable to a forced amalgamation, pigeon-holed, centralised and controlled from Wellington." During the discussion which followed several councillors were not clear as to in which parish or county Otahuhu lay, and it came as a surprise to many to learn _that in the original land titles the borough of Otahuhu was described as being in the parish of Manurewa.

Drinking Fountains. —• Mr. Murdoch roported that the drinking fountain in Station Road was out of order and had been ho for several months. As this fountain bore the names of former councillors, it was a kind of a monument to them, and .he thought it hardly fair to them to let it remain out of order. He admitted that in the past it had been broken at least once a week, but he thought that if a much stronger mechanism was installed it would meet the position. It was decided to ask tha engineer to bring down a report on this fountain and also the one in Sturges Park, with a view to jjutting them, both in working order. Finance. —The town clerk reported that the balances to date were as under: Temporary loan account, debit £99t26; district fund account, debit £2623 5/4; cemetery account, credit £369 0/2; park account, credit £201 5/7; domain account, credit £42 0/1; drainage advances repayment account, credit £41 7/3. Reservation of Graves. —The town clerk reported that it had been a practice in the past to reserve graves by pencilling in the name in the cemetery. In this manner many graves had been reserved that would never be bought, as in some cases the people reserving them had left the district and some had died and been buried elsewhere. It was decided to instruct the town clerk to notify all persons who have had graves reserved by this method that they will be sold unless they are paid for. Building Permits. —The engineer reported that since the last meeting building permits of a value of £2994 had been issued, including six for residences. Fire Brigade.—lt was decided to pay the fire brigade its usual subsidy of £60 per annum. An invitation from the lire brigade to its annual smoke conccrt on June 20 was accepted. Resolution of Thanks. —On the recommendation of the parks committee it was decided to send a resolution of thanks to the Otahuhu Rugby Football Club for its donation of the new football posts and also for its able assistance in erecting these posts. Mr. Grey, who moved the motion, which was seconded by Mr. Morton, included a resolution thanking the engineer, members of the staff and Mr. Haslip for their efforts in assisting with the erection of the posts. Labour Department. — Several circulars were received from the Labour Department re unemployment scheme. The Department notified the council that until the position had been reviewed no more than 12 men could be employed on Sturges Park under No. 5 scheme. Sturges Park.—The works committee was asked to see that any scoria taken from Sturges Park was taken in such a way as not to interfere with the plans of the finished outline, the committee to inspect the park and instruct the engineer. The parks committee reported that it had decided that the site of the proposed dressing sheds should be on the south side of the playing area, just opposite the half-way mark. With regard to proposed alterations to park entrances, this matter had been referred to a sub-committee for report. The committee reported that it was going to push on with the work as soon as possible.

HENDERSON TOWN BOARD. Mr. H. Norcross presided at the monthly general meeting of the Henderson Town Board last night, all members being present. Mr. S. Cossey, who was the only candidate for the seat vacated by Mr. W. Haythornthwaite, was welcomed, and appointed to the fire brigade and parks committees. Access Footpath.—The town clerk, Mr. Roberts, reported, that, consequent to the appeal by South Road residents, the Waitemata County Council had agreed to contribute to the cost of an access footpath along that road. Purchase of Property.—An offer to purchase fifteen acres of Town Board property in the South Koau district was deferred for further inquiry. Morningside Tunnel. —It was resolved .to communicate with the Hon. H. G. R. Mason to request particulars' of progress in the Morningside tunnel project.