LOCAL BODIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 96, 23 April 1940, Page 17

LOCAL BODIES.

OTAHUHU BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The fortnightly meeting of the Otahuhu Borough Council was held last evening, the Mayor, Mr* C. R. Petrie, M.P., presiding. Air Raid Precautions.—ln response to a. letter from the Auckland town clerk, requesting wardens and sub-wardens under the auspices of the A.R.I*. organisation to be present at a conference to be held in the Town Hall, it was deeidcVl that Messrs. Murdoch and Morton represent the council Appreciation.—Dealing with a report from the Otahuhu Fire Brigade regarding •the firemen's activities at two recent fives, appreciation of the expeditious manner in which the calls were answered .was expressed by members of the council, and a letter to this effect is to be sent to the superintendent of the brigade. Valuation Assessor. —Tn compliance with a request from the Valuation Department for Otahuhu to appoint an assessor, Mr. H. C. Littler was appointed, his being the only nomination received. Loan of Equipment.—ln view of extensive concrete work to Ik? done by the Manurcwa Borough Council the use of concrete screeds and pins belonging to Otahuhu was sought. Whilst wishing to oblige, the Mayor said Otahuhu may be laying more concrete footpaths in the near future, with the result that the request was referred to the works committee.

Borough Engineer—Owing to the borough engineer being indisposed he was granted two months' leave of absence.

Town Planning.—On the recommendation of the legal and finance committee further consideration of the town planning scheme will be deferred for the duration of the war.

j Water Supply.—The council decided to hire a popper drill and compressor for the purpose of drilling holes at the pumping station. Nine thousand gallons per hour is now being drawn instead of 20,000 gallons as previously. If possible the- latter quantity must be obtained again stated the Mayor. Rent Charge.—On the advice of the legal and finance committee it was resolvdd to charge the League Football Club 5/ per week during the season for the use of the playing ground in Hutton Street, plus £2 12/ per ygar for the use of the ground on which the training shed stands.

Financial Statement.—Discussing the financial statement, the Mayor said the borough was in a sound position, the rates outstanding being the lowest- since 1926. Arrears of rates five years ago amounted to £16,000. whereas they now appear as £3143 18/9. During the .war £25,379 16/4 was circulated in the borough in wages. The amount overspent by the work* committee would have been offset

by distribution of petrol tax. which, owing to petrol restrictions, has been reduced Payment of nrrears of rates is steadily lmproving, some payments being made by instalinents.

lax-sealing.—The works committee has instructed the engineer that after" Golf Avenue is completed he is to top-dress Clevetlon Road. Lippiatt Road where required, the lower end of Church Street and Moa Street in the order mentioned.