LOCAL BODIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 200, 24 August 1937, Page 11

LOCAL BODIES.

NEW LYNN BOROUGH. I _____—. A meeting of the New Lynn Borough Council wae held laet evening. The Mayor (Mr. Geo. Laweon) presided. Xew Town Clerk. —At a special meeting application*? were received for the position of town clerk to the borough. From a large number four applicant* were advised that the council desired personal interviews before making a final selection. Proposed Public Domain.—The Commiseioner of Crown Lande acknowledged the council's communication relative to part allotment 363, Waikumete Parieh, in favour of the creation of the land ae a public domain, the area to be vested in the Auckland City Council in lieu of the New Lynn Council controlling came. The Commissioner etated that he wae taking the matter up with the Auckland City Council in order to ascertain whether it was prepared to concur in the suggestions offered. Schedule of Works.—A echedule of works proposed to be undertaken during the current year was submitted by the chairman of the works committee and approved. In the main the works provide for an extension of the council's policy of tar-sealing ae many of the roade and footpaths ae the council's finances permit.

Town Planning.—A communication wae received from the Department of Internal Affairs, arising out of Mr. Mawson's vieit ' to New Lynn, relative to the council's town planning proposals. Mr. Mawson was of the opinion that subject to the following observations the plan could be submitted to the Town Planning Board for provisional approval: — (1) The j arrangement and wording of the clauses r-lionld follow as closely as possible to the Dannevirke scheme. (2) Care should be taken not to over-zone the district for commercial purposes. A ratio of 35ft frontage to 100 of the estimated ultimate population should be adequate. (3) Further provision should be made for open spaces. Not less than five acres per 000 of estimated population should be provided for. A children's playground should be provided within a quarter of a mile of every home and a recreation ground with facilities for cricket and football within half a mile of every hpme. The Education Board should be negotiated with with a view to the reservation' of sites for schools in residential areas. MANUREWA TOWN BOARD. The Manurewa Town Board met last night, Mr. W. T. Cox presiding. Deputation.—A deputation from Takanini waited on the board regarding water supply for local residents from the Manurewa Town Board's supply. A list handed in showed 80 prospective consumers, who have agreed to the terms laid down. On the motion of Mr. E. S. Pegler it was decided to place on record the board's appreciation of the efforts made by the deputation in furtherance of this scheme. Overbridge at Weymouth Road. — A letter from the Minister in reference to the proposed overbridge at this point etated with regret that no assistance could be granted. Banking Facilities.—ln view of the fact that no banking facilities are provided at Manurewa, Mr. E. S. Pegler moved that the town clerk be instructed to write to the Government asking that euch much needed facilities be provided for Manurewa! This wae carried, members remarking on the lose of time suffered by business men and others '.a having to journey to Otahuhu and other adjacent towns to do their business.

ONEHUNGA BOROUGH COUNCIL. - The Onehunga Borough Council met last night, the Mayor, Mr. J. Park, presiding, t Scheme Xo. 13.—An extension of the } £3 per week subsidy was notified by the Labour Department in respect of the full- t time employment of 20 men for a further j period of eight weeks. An additional com- -j mitment of £480 has accordingly been made. In respect of the increased subsidy a applied for by the council when the acting- j Minister of Labour and Mr. Bromley were j. recently in Onehunga, it wae explained , that they were anxious not to convert any j scheme No. 13 job to a £4 per week „ subsidy job. It was admitted that the !j council was certainly carrying an unusual j load of relief works, and in view of the a circumstance* the Department would i increase the No. 13 scheme rate to 50/ ~ c per week for married nven, to apply j ae from the beginning of August, and a , special authority No. 1937/60/6 has been 3 allotted to cover thin approval in respect ' t of 20 men for a period of three months meantime. A special commitment of £650 has been allotted to this authority, and ' this amount ie not to be exceeded without j the prior approval of the Department. Authority No. 1935/638 would terminate c as from the end of July. The council will ? seek further light on the subject. Waikaraka Reserve.—The Employment i Bureau advised that a»new authority No. ' 1935/638 had been approved for No. 13 ', scheme, Waikaraka reserve, for which the total commitment was £705, being subsidy ' of 55/ per man. Twenty men are engaged at the Waikaraka development scheme, 14 ' at Frederick Street, seven at Cameron ' Street, and three at Hillsboro' Cemetery, • all on full-time subsidy work. J Street Maintenance.—The District High- , ways Council has sanctioned the expendi- , ture by the council of about £2000 upon , streets other than extensions to main high- . ways. , The Lowest on Record.—The engineer reported that about three weeks ago the . water in the well at the Te Papapa pump- | ing station was lower than had ever I been recorded previously. Aβ the level continued to drop an extension was made to the suction line. This temporarily relieved the position. The engineer recommended that steps be taken immediately to lower the well bottom four or five feet to ascertain if the available supply could be increased by this means. One Month's Extension.—Three outside employees of the council, whose services are to be dispensed with, as they have reached the age limit, were granted an extension of one month, ceasing to be actively employed on September 1 next. Draft Plans. —Plans of the two cemeteries under the control of the council are to be furnished to the Funeral Directors' Association, after the secretary of the association has conferred with the borough engineer. Cemetery By-law. — All monumental 'masons are to be informed of the by-law prohibiting canvassing for orders, and that it is the council's intention to strictly enforce same. Loan of £7000. —The council confirmed a resolution to borrow an additional £7000 for the development of Waikaraka Park and cemetery. The Mayor explained that the currency of the loan would be 15 years, bearing interest at the rate of 3V4 per cent. The additional money, he said, would be used to continue a roadway completely round the reserve, which would add 800 burial plots to the cemetery. Soldiers' Graves. —A resolution was passed expressing appreciation of the active interest displayed by Mies E. M. > Statham in the soldiers' graves at the j Waikaraka Cemetery, and agreeing to ' make application to the Government for financial assistance in support of Mies t Statham's application to have the graves t renovated and kept in good order. t Electoral Boundaries.—Notice and plans > of the new electoral boundaries were rei ceived and endorsed by the council without - discussion Community Lighting.—The agreement r for community lighting of Queen Street, J Onehunga, was adopted and signed. The t Mayor said the work would be proceeded with immediately.

OTAHUHU BOROUGH COUNCIL. The Otahuhu Borough Council met last evening, the Mayor, Mr. C. R. Petrie, M.P., presiding. Public Hall.—The Mayor submitted the report of the committee eet up to inquire into the provision of a new public hall. The report stated that while the building planned by the recent deputation wae adequate for present need*, it was hardly large enough for the future growth of the borough. A larger building would be needed. The cite of tae~ present hall was too email and it was useless going further ahead with the scheme until a larger site was secured. The report added that there were few suitable eites available and recommended that the Mayor be given power to obtain an option on a suitable site and that a public meeting of ratepayers be called to consider the purchase of the site. The report was adopted and the Mayor was empowered to act as recommended. Concrete Footpaths. — The borough engineer, Mr. W. J. Hughes, reported that work in connection with concrete footpaths was progressing. Streets to be done in the second half of the echeme will be decided on after an inspection ■by the works committee. Softening of Water.—The worke committee reported that a representative of a firm interested in the supplying of plant for softening water had interviewed the committee and the cost of a suitable plant would be approximately- £4000. The running costs of the plant, including finking funds, would amount to 5d per 1000 gallons. A treatment plant which would not actually soften the water but would renfler it more pleasant for use would cost £2750, and the running costs of thie plant would be nil. The report was received, but no action was taken, the Mayor remarking that the echeme was fetill beyond the purse of the council. State Advance Rates. — The borough treasurer reported that the State Advances , Department had paid the rates on a large number of properties under the arrangement by which it ie to pay rates in proportion to the revenue received from such properties, and in almost every case full rates have been paid.

Storm water Drain.—The engineer reported that work had been commenced on the Railway Department stormwater drain in Lipniat Road and to date all the excavating had been completed and all the 18-inch pipes , laid. Five men had been left to finish the job and the remainder of the gang had started work on the stormwater drain in Tamaki Avenue and Cameron Street. Grant to Schools.—On the recommendation of the legal and finance committee the usual grant of £10 was made to the Otahuliu school committee, the amount of the grant to be credited to the committee's water account. It was decided to ask the committee to make a substantial payment in reduction of the arrears. The usual grant of £5 was made to the Convent school. Sunday Pictures.—The lejral and finance committee recommended that the local branch of the Labour party be granted permwsion for the screening of pictures on Sunday, provided that the performance starts no earlier than 8.15 p.m. and provided that the picture is approved by the committee. The recommendation was adopted without any diecuasion. Building Permits.-—Since the last meeting of the council four building permits of a total value of £ 1209 and three drainage permits of a value of £55 have been ksued.