LOCAL BODIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 73, 28 March 1939, Page 4

LOCAL BODIES.

NEW LYNN BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The Mayor, Mr. A. T. Reiman, presided over the fortnightly meeting of the New Lynn Borough Council last evening. Helensville Highway.—The Main Highways' Board advised that the sealing of the shoulders of the Auekland-Helens-ville State Highway would be carried out as suon as possible, and that the question of the division of costs between the board and the borough would be decided later. In a further letter the board noted that the council's financial position did not make it possible to contribute, and hoped that in view of this the council would continue to supply the necessary water free of cost. This was agreed to in the meantime.

Memorial Approved.—The secretary of 1 the Auckland Provincial Centennial Council advised that the council's pro- j posed memorial was approved subject to ] pencil drawings being supplied. The coun- \ cil agreed to co-operate with other local f bodies in furthering the metropolitan memorial, ; rovided the matter of finance j was determined later. , Street Collection. — Permission was granted the Community Sunshine Associa- ; tion to hold a street collection on Friday, May 26. . Smoke Nuisance.—The Department of j Health wrote asking for information about the smoke nuisance arising from the Crum Brick and Tile Company's works, and it , was arranged for the health inspector to • interview the medical officer of health to '■ see if they coukl suggest means of abating j the nuisance. A complaint was received . about a similar nuisance from the New Zealand Brick and Tile Company's works, and the council decided to forward a copy • of the letter to the company asking them if they could deal with the matter. Housing Construction.—The Director of Housing Construction advised that the question of purchasing additional land in New Lynn is having further consideration. Fire Protection. —The Auckland Metropolitan Fire Board wrote asking if the council wished to renew the fire protection agreement for the 12 months ending March 31, 1940. It was decided to renew the agreement and to take steps to advise residents that the services of the Auckland Fire Board were available within the borough. Scheme 13 Workers.—The Department of Labour advised that all Scheme 13 workers over 60 years of age would be regarded as ineligible for employment under the scheme as from April 3 and that therefore the men should be notified that their services would be terminated as at the week ending April 1. The Department also advised that instructions would be issued in the next few days with regard to the continuation of Scheme 13 works beyond April 1. Taxis and Carriers.—The Municipal Association wrote asking the council if it had not already done so, to pass a by-law controlling and limiting the number of ' licenses for taxis and town carriers. The town clerk explainc-d that the number of I taxi licenses was at present limited under) ; an agreement with the City Council, but i that no limit existed in the number of [ town carriers' licenses. The council resolved that if the Transport Depart- . ment gave an undertaking not to take over the licensing that the council would * be agreeable to combine with other local • authorities in the control of town 1 carriers. House Numbering.—The State Advances 3 Corporation offered to supply the numB bers if the council would number the ;r houses in Bollard Avenue, Rewarewa r Street and Reid Road. The offer was accepted.

OTAHUHU BOROUGH COUNCIL,

Tile fort nightly meeting of the Otahuhu Borough Council took place last evening, the Mayor, Mr. C. R. Petrie, M.P., presiding. , Football Clubs.—A letter was received from the Otahuhu Rovers' Rugby League Club and one from the Rugby Union, seeking permission to use Sturgee Park for training purposes on the evenings of Tuesday and Thursday each week. The matter was left in the hands of the parks committee. Question of Sewerage.—As previously intimated, the State Housing Department has l>een negotiating with the Auckland Trotting Club with the purpose of acquiring their property on the southern boundary of Otahuhu. Difficulty in regard to evolving a satisfactory basis for sewerage disposal has caused a postponement of the project. The council is desirous of the scheme being completed, and as an effort towards finalising matters advises the Housing Department and the Railway Department to meet anil apportion each Department's liability regarding cost of sewerage. Old Fire Motor.—Having no further usei for the old fire motor, the works committee recommend that the Kaitaia Fire Brigade be offered it for £120, provided the Workworth Town Board does not wish to purchase it. No. 13 Scheme.—The works committee reported that it is able to provide work for able-bodied men on No. 13 scheme until they are absorbed in industry, and *he town clerk was instructed to notify the proper authorty of the council's decision. ■ A Building By-laws,—A report from the' works committee stated that on the advice flf the engineer it had approved the bylaws drawn up by the New Zealand Standards Institute, with the exception of allowing Bft to be the height of house studs. After considerable discussion by the council this recommendation was defeated. Rate Collection.—The borough treasurer reported that up, to the penalty date the sum ot £16,298 2/8, or 85.7 per cent of the current year's rates, had been collected. In comparison with last year an improvement is shown, when 81.9 per cent of the total had been collected. The amount of arrears pa-id is 38.9 per cent, as against 37.5 per cent last year. The Mayor remarked that he hoped for 95 per cent to be collected in these good times. Municipal Conference.—The Mayor, who attended the Municipal Conference in Dunedin, reported that though sceptical in the past pn the usefulness of such gatherings', he came from the recent conference with the conviction that much good was done and remits adopted which in time would become the law of the land.

ONEHUNGA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The Onehunga Borough Council met last night, the deputy-Mayor, Mr. J. E. D. McGuire, presiding in the absence of the Mayor, Mr. A. Garside, through illness. . Finance.—The treasurer reported as follows: Total current rates collected up to last Friday, £30.368 15/4; total rate arrears collected. £7200 10/5; bank overdraft, £4987 6/2; percentage of current rates collected, 88.3. Construction of Aerodromes.—The council accepted an invitation received from the town clerk, Auckland, to witness a demonstration of the use of modern machinery in the construction of aerodromes next Saturday at Whenuapai. Cycle Road Race.—Permission was given to the Northern Amateur Cycle Club to .hold its winter road race programme over the usual Te Papapa circuit. Proposed Loan.—The engineer, Mr. R. D. Baker, was instructed to check the details of the loan proposals prepared by his predecessor with a view to having them placed before the ratepayers as early as possible. He was authorised to submit amendments and, further, that a specal meeting of the works committee be held as soon as his report is available. Swimming Baths.—The engineer was instructed to prepare estimates and plans of a swimming bath 100 ft long by 40ft, and submit the same to the next meeting of the parks and reserves committee.

PAPAKURA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The Mayor, Mr. S. Evans, presided over the fortnightly meeting of the Papakura Borough Council last evening. New Councillor Welcomed.—The Mayor extended a welcome to the council's new member, Mr. W. G. Markwick, replacing Mr. A. Parris, who has left the district. Rates- on Empty Houses. —The council decided not to grant a remission of half rates to the owner of a dwelling which had been standing empty for the statutory period, after hearing an opinion read by the clerk as given by the City Council solicitor, through the secretary of the Auckland Suburban Local Bodies' Association. The opinion stated that in the event of an owner deciding not to let a house when there was a keen demand he was not entitled to a remission of half rates. Council's Future Policy.—For the purpose of a review of the estimates and the laying down of the council's future policy for the next financial year, the Mayor stated he intended to call a special meeting early in May, when these and other important matters affecting the borough would be discussed. Water Works Filter Beds.—With the idea of giving an increased pressure and I making preparations to increase their cap- \ acity the beds have been removed from the dechlorination filters. Railway Station Improvements.—A decision to seal the western footpath of Railway Street West from Chapel Street to Broadway and to provide a sealed crossing over the road at the new footbridge entrance which is to be opened shortly was agreed to. Footpath Sealing.—The foreman was authorised to bring down proposals for the essential sealing of footpaths before the winter season and supply estimates of the cost.