MOUNT ROSKILL ROAD BOARD.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 238, 7 October 1936, Page 11

MOUNT ROSKILL ROAD BOARD.

A meeting of the Mount Roskill Road Board was presided- over last night by Mr. C. M. McCullougln

. Speed Limit.—lt was resolved that the speed limit of 30 m.p.li.' be made to apply to the whole of the Mount Roskill district. The Commissioner of Transport is to be informed accordingly.

Property Redeemed.—Reporting on the request of' a ratepayer to write off all collectable arrears of ratee owing, as he desired to take back his State Advances mortgaged property, but could not afford to pay the arrears of rates, the finance and legal • committee advised that , the applicant's attitude, when he met the committee, was totally unsatisfactory and carried no recognition of the loss of revenue borne by the district in consequence of his abandonment'of the property in 1932. ■The committee had terminated the interview with the ratepayer and had no recommendation to make. Further consideration is to be given to the matter.

Board's Right to Sell. —The board's solicitor • advised that the Mortgagors Rehabilitation Bill had come before Parliament and would shortly become law. This would affect the board's right to sell in certain cases. In other cases sales would no doubt be allowed, but fresh certificates from the board would be necessary, as the new Act would differ considerably in certain respects from the Rural Mortgagors Final Adjustment Act, which is to be repealed. x

Point in Doubt.—The State Advances Corporation of New Zealand advised that the proposal to Sipply portion of the revenues from reverted properties would relate to all rates payable to the local body concerned. The finance and legal committee reported that 'the phrasing of tho letter raised doubt as to whether the rates concerned were those in the proposed special sewer drainage area. The board would ask. for a clearly-worded assurance that the arrangement applied to all rates on all properties in the district, which had reverted to the corporation and were let by it.

Drainage.—lt was agreed, on the recommendation of the special committee, that in every case whgre a sewer connection was available paragraph 181 of the bylaws re sewer drainage be strictly enforced. Commenting on this subject, Mr. A. T. O'Donnell said a special committee had perused details of a list of contributors to the' unofficial sanitary service showing 24 properties in the sewered area, and the same number in the'Winstone Park estate. It was known that many other property owners were not contributors to the service, and that disposal underground of waste matter occurred* which procedure was prohibited in the by-laws. The board, he said, should take steps to regularise the position, i If inability to provide thfc necessary finance was pleaded, the board had for that specific purpose a loan balance which could be advanced to ratepayers, as provided in the Municipal Corporations Act, 1933. The board decided that an inspection shoukl be made and a report prepared by the inspector showing (a) number of premises; (b) number of sewer connections; (c) properties served with notice to connect to the sewer system within the prescribed period. As regards the unsewered area served by the sanitation contractors, this system of disposal appeared to be the only practicable method at present possible to deal with the position. Efforts should be made to ensure a wider use of 'the service, with that end in view the inspector is to carry out a visit to all premises not using the service or not fitted with septic tanks and serve a suitable notice under paragraph 182 of the by-laws.

Five-Day Week.—A motion by Mr. A. J. Fultjames that the board should introduce a five-day working week for all employees, except those under industrial awards at present in dispute, was defeated by six votes to two. Mr. Fulljames said the five-day week would cause no inconvenience to the public in Iris opinion and it would involve the board in no extra expense. Other local bodies had already adopted it. The motion was opposed by several members on the ground of inconvenience to the ratepayers, which would arise if the office were closed on Saturday morning. All employees were entitled to equal treatment, it was stated, and outside employees would h&v.e to be considered,. as well as the office staff. On the motion of the chairman it was decided to bring the subject up for discussion in March next. Building Permits.—A total of 94 building permits, of a value of £24,229, were issued during • the six months ended September 30. Of this sum, £22,090 was spent on 36 new buildings.