LOCAL ELECTIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 200, 23 August 1940, Page 9

LOCAL ELECTIONS.

POSTPONEMENT QUESTION.

PARLIAMENT SHOULD DECIDE. The question of holding local body elections during the war period, which came before the City Council at a previous meeting, was again discussed. The Mayor, Sir Ernest Davis, considered that the council officially should decline to comment. Whether the municipal elections should be postponed on account of war conditions should be decided only by the Government of the day, having regard to the conditions theu prevailing. Sir Ernest said that hi* personal view viis that the elections should Iμ? held as usual, unless there was sonic development which made the holding of them unwise. Mr. -T. A. C. Alluns considered that the local erections should be held at the usual time, and that view was shared by other members of the council. The council decided that the question of postponing the local elections, in the light of conditions prevailing at the time, could only be one exclusively for determination by the Parliament of the day.

COUNCIL DECISIONS.

Various matters which were brought before the Auckland City Council were dealt with as follows:—" Library Congestion.—The chief librarian, Mr. J. Barr, brought under notice the need for more office and workroom accommodation at the Central Library, and the council decided to advise the Mackelvie trustees that, under the circumstances, the council desired to resume the use of the room at the entrance to the Art Gallerr at present used by the Mackelvie Trust for displaying pictures. Avondale Rest Room.—On the recommendation of the works committee it wae decided to approve a proposal to provide a rest room and Plunket nurse room at Rosebank Road, Avondale the estimated cost being £1150. The city engineer, Mr. J. Tyler, reported that the Avoudale Plunket Society was prepared to hand over a section to the council, and contribute £50 towards the cost of the rooms. Waterworks Loan.—Decision was made to proceed to raise £50.000, being portion of the waterworks development loan, 1940, of £221,800, for improving and extending the waterworks undertaking. The city treasurer, Mr. T. W. M. Ashby, reported that he had received an offer to take up £50,000 at 31 per cent for a period of 25 years. It wae decided that the raising of further sums, as required, should be left in the hands of the Mayor, Mr. J. A. C. AUum and the town clerk and city treasurer, the rate of interest not to exceed 3) per cent per annum. Rates on Sports Grounds.—Penalties on rates amounting to £10 14/ were remitted in connection with Blandford Park, and it was decided to write off £152 of ratee in connection with the recreation reserve at Market Road Remuera.