OTAHUHU BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 243, 13 October 1936, Page 10

OTAHUHU BOROUGH COUNCIL.

> The Otahuhu Borough Council met last evening, the Mayor, Mr. C. R. Petrie, M.P., presiding. , Annual Highway Estimates.—Advice , was received from the Main Highways Board that the council would receive th<? sum of £372 for maintenance work on the L Great South Road and £60 for mainl tenance of Atkinson Avenue and £495 for improvements and construction to Atkinson Avenue, All the grants were on the | basis of a £3-£ l subsidy. Footpaths.—Concrete footpaths are being ( constructed in Church Street. The section from Luke Road to Avenue Road has been completed and also 300 ft between Avenue Road and High Street. It will be necessary to remove a tree which obstructs the view of traffic meeting at the junction of High Street and Atkinson Avenue. Traffic Control.—A letter from the Minister of Transport pointed out the desirability of seeking the co-operation of the motoring public in the observance of the new regulations. It further asked if the council would kindly instruct local traffic officers to refrain from making prosecutions except in cases where a warning had not had the desired effect or where the breach has been a flagrant one. The Minister said that he wanted the traffic inspectors to be the guide and friend of the motorist and to do their utmost to secure co-operation. It was decided to defer consideration of the letter until after the meeting of the traffic committee, composed of representatives of neighbouring local bodies. . Permit ft*r New Bus.—An application was received from the Passenger Transport Company for permission to run a new bus on Portage Road. In moving that permission be granted, Mr. Sinclair stated that it was positive cruelty to passengers to run buses over Portage Road in its present state. Councillors were of the opinion that it would be much better to use Atkinson Avenue for bus traffic to Panmure, when the tar sealing had settled. It was also decided to instruct the works committee to bring down a report on the suitability of the present bus stops. Petrol Pumps on Footpaths.—Arising from the council's edict that all petrol pumps must be removed from off the footpaths by September 1, a local firm asked permission to run a pipe line under the verandan and deliver tne petrol to cars at the kerbside. An enclosed letter from the inspector of explosives stated that provided steps were taken to see the hose was protected from _ being knocked down, he saw nothing objectionable in the idea. On the motion of Mr. Murdoch, it was decided to inform this firm that the proposition was not acceptable to the council, and it expected the immediate removal of pumps. Sturges Park.—The engineer reported tlwt work on Sturges Park was proceeding satisfactorily and the wall on the eastern radius was nearlng completioh. Mr. F. W. Grey, chairman of the parks committee, asked if it would be possible to put on more men and expedite the job. He stated that during the last week the amount of spoil shifted was much greater than for any previous week and it more men were put on they might finish the eastern side in five weeks. Cemetery Footpath.—Mr. Grey stated that the footpath outside the cemetery was a disgrace and asked if it could not bo concreted while the concrete gang was at work. He stated that it would be better to use the cemetery fund than let it remain in its present state. The Mayor said that the cemetery fund was intended for internal paths and before anything could be done to the outside path a hedgp would have to be removed. He regretted that it would be impossible to consider doing anything just now. No. 5 Scheme Award. —The new award for No. 5 scheme workers was discussed and the opinion of the council was that while the new scale would increase the burden of local bodies, they would still be obtaining labour very cheaply. The town clerk was instructed to bring down a report to the works committee showing the increase in cost to the council under the new rates. Extra Cost of 40-Hour Week.—The engineer reported that the new award for subsidised works would mean a total extra cost t>f £8 per week for the concrete workers and £3 per week for subsidised road workers. Tho approximate incrcnsc would bo about £78 for six months' work. The report also contained an amended estimate of the cost of • proposed works, which were also affected by the new scale.