GREY LYNN BOROUGH AFFAIRS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12861, 9 May 1905, Page 6

GREY LYNN BOROUGH AFFAIRS.

A MUNICIPAL RETROSPECT. WORK OP THE PAST YEAR. Tin: .iatutoiy declaration by the newlyelected members of the Grey Lynn Borough Council, and the installation of the Mayor (Mr. John Parrel!), who was returned unopposed, took place at the Council Chambers last evening. Present: The Mayor, Messrs. W. S. Smith, A. A. Creamer, A. Donald, W. Dimery, G. Savers, W. 11. Murray, W. Martin, and C. B. King. ADDRESS BY THE MAYOR. The Mayor, on taking his seat, welcomed the members of the new Council, and then proceeded to refer to the more important works that had engrossed the attention of the Council during the past 12 months, and also alluded to the position of the finances up to March 31, 1905. The year had been devoted chiefly to completing the contracts as a.located in tho loan of £9000 raised in 1903. In all, eight contracts were finished in the old Surrey and Sussex wards. One of the most important oi them had been the making of the through road from Richmond Road to the Great North Road. Tho total allocution, amounting to £5900, bail been expended, together with a sum of £420 ironi general account. lticnnoxD works. In the Richmond portion of the borough works of great importance had been undertaken out of the amount allocated, among them being the initiation of a drainage system which would considerably benctit the residents and be a great factor in improving tho already excellent standard of health that the borough enjoyed. Several road formation contracts had been carried out, in the Richmond district. The unexpended portion of the loan allocation, amounting - to about £560, was to be devoted to the carrying out of drainage works in Hope-street, Maxwell Avenue, and in Marshfiold. Ho would see that the whole of the loan moneys (with the exception of the small amount, referred to above) had been expended. Another important work undertaken had been the extension of the water service around Surrey Crescent and Richmond Avenue. This had been accomplished out of a balance of the Surrey and Sussex water extension loan of £1500, the amount expended being £463 3s lOd. A connection of the Richmond water main with the Surrey and Sussex supply gave the Richmond residents the benefit of the extra pressure for fire prevention purposes. VARIOVS MATTERS. A branch fire station had been erected at a cost of abou £250, and was now fully equipped with the usual fire plant and telephone service. Two extra fire bells had been erected in tho borough. The question of new- by-laws had engaged the attention of a committee of the late Council for the past eight months, and as a result ot their careful deliberation the borough had now a complete and up-to-date set of by-laws, which came into operation and took effect on the 3rd insr. The Assets Board streets question had been carefully considered, and was still in the hands of the Council's solicitors. It was one of the matters that would require the close attention of the new Council. Anothei most important matter that had had the attention of the late Council was the disposal of nighteoil. Owing to the difficulty of securing a suitable permanent, depot the Council was forced to take into consideration the introduction of the w.c. system, and to this end plans had been prepared by the engineer for the treatment of the sewage, septicallj'. Through the action oi the Borough Council in the first instance the suburban boroughs had obtained from the City Council their shares of the tramway licenses, Grey Lynn's amounting to £25. The Greater Auckland question has received the attention of the late Council, a committee representing the local bodies interested having been set up to go into the question. Bach local body had been re- | quested to furnish detailed information for 1 the subsequent guidance of such committee. FINANCE. The unimproved value of tho borough lias increased by £72,000. The following were the receipts and expenditure during the twelve months ended March 31: —Receipts: General rates, arrears, etc., £1941 6s sd; Government subsidy, £187 10s; fees, £160 6s sd; refunds, £132 12s 4d ; sundries, £126 18s lid; water rate, £1490 10s sd: separate, special, and sanitary rate, £2043 19s 3d: Total, £5062 13s sd. Expenditure: Balance from previous year, £1779 4s Id: administration, £829: sundries, £96 12s 9d; publicworks, maintenance of streets, lighting, etc., £2009: water, wages, materials, etc., £2297 ISs 6d: Total, £7011 18s 4d. The amount for administration included cost of erection, and equipment of the Richmond fire station, and extraordinary expenditure on advertising, printing, legal and election expenses, in connecting with tho Greater Auckland poll and the abolition of wards. The amount, for maintenance includes about £500 spent on metalling footpaths, etc., caused by formation of new roads, and about £200 for private drainage. The first-mentioned amount of £500 was extraordinary expenditure, and should have been provided for out of loan monies. The latter amount will be refunded through contribution-in-aid account. With these exceptions the amount compared more than favourably with other years, considering the quantity and quality of the work done. Ho had prepared a detailed statement by the town clerk, showing clearly the exact position of the different accounts, and ho proposed laying the same on the table for the information of the Council. PROGRESS OF THE BOROUGH. As an evidence of the growth of the district generally, he mentioned that 63 building permits had been issued during the past twelve months. With regard to improvements, £563 had been expended in tarring and sanding the entire footpaths of the bolough. lie thanked the officers of the Council for then hearty -co-operation, and referred particularly to the town clerk (Mr. R. H. Irwin). He also referred to Mr. Haultain's clerical work. The outdoor department was in the hands of an efficient and capable foreman of works (Mr. J. Sadgrove), and the water department had been most- capably managed by Mr. das. McDcrmott. INSTALLATION OF THE MAYOR, The Mayor then vacated the chair, which was taken by Mr. Donald, senior member id' the Council, who conducted the installation ceremony. Mr. Creamer proposed a vote of thanks to the Mayor for his untiring work in the interests of the borough during his year of office. This was emphasised by the return of Mr. Farrell unopposed.

Mr. Smith seconded. .the Mayor, lie .said, was thoroughly impartial, and his courtesy to members of the Council was very greatly appreciated by them. The resolution was carried with acclamation. Mr. Donald expressed his great pleasure in conveying to the Mayor the. vote of thanks. In any little difficulty or friction that had arisen it was always Mr, Farrell who was foremost in a'llaying it. OUTLINE OF FUTURE WORKS. The Mayor then resumed his seat amid much applause. After returning thanks he gave an outline of the policy for the incoming year. He again referred to lie general account, which had been trenched upon somewhat- to provide money to complete road works in progress. On this account i lie. needed the heartiest co-operation of the Council in assisting him to expend the comi ing year's income in a careful and judicious manner. One of the most important mutters to be considered would be the comple- ! tion of the drainage system, with a view to the introduction of the water scheme, to supersede the present system. For this I work a loan would have to be raised. The I main feature of the scheme was the con- | struction of a. septic tank at tfie outfall of j the main sewer. With regard to Greater Auckland, he trusted that this would he fully considered by the VJouncil. Several additional lamps were necessary, and in accordance .with the pro- [ mise made to the Auckland Gas Company it was imperative that a fresh allocation for ! this work should be dealt with. In view : of the rapid growth 01 th- borough and the ' importance of its buildings a more expeditij ous method of dealing with fires was advisable. To this end he suggested that the Auckland City Council be approached with a view to ascertaining upon what terms they would allow their brigade to assist to suppress fires in the district. He thanked Dr. Frengley (the district health officer) for his valuablo advice and co-operation in everything relating to the sunitulioa. of the borough. (Applause.)