BOROUGH COUNCILS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15613, 20 May 1914, Page 11

BOROUGH COUNCILS.

jYORTHCOTE AFFAIRS. The Northcote Borough Council met last night. Present: Messrs. '• G. Eraser (Mayor), E. Stilwell, A. E. Greenslade, J. B. Tonar, J. T. Fearnley, T. S. Wallace, J. Broady, R. H. P. Hopkins, and H. Crowley. The resignation; of Mr. P. Colvin .as traffic inspector was accepted. . The tiro brigade asked for an additional 400 feet of new , hose, with two couplings and two '2-inch; branches. The request was referred to the Fire Committee with power to act. •

1 ; The ■ Devonport -Borough Council wrote suggesting that the boroughs on the north shore of the harbour should meetriTn-coh-ference for the purpose of discussing matters affecting their common welfare/ The proposal met with favour, and the council decided to co-operate,with the Devonport Council in the matter. ',

Tho iAuckland Harbour Board a communication it had received from His Lordship -the Roman' Catholic Bishop of Auckland,.in . which he stated • that .he understood that the Northcote Borough Council had made application to the board for permission 'to discharge the effluent from the Northcote borough septic tank to a spot adjacent to the land vested ;in him. The effect of discharging effluent from a septic tank would prejudicially affect the property and be, submitted that it would be an infringement of his rights to discharge the effluent at the spot proposed, and requested the board not to grant permission. ,/ The town clerk said he had replied, stating that the land referred' to (Lots 43 to 47) was situated to tho north of the lagoon, and a : considerable distance irom the proposed septic tank, the discharge from which would flow in a southerly direction, opposite Sulphur Beach../'* -. The, Lands and ." Survey, Department wrote declining, to make a further grant toKaruri Gully scenic reserve. The council's control had now expired (three years from January, 1911), i but the, Department would renew tho control if desired. The council . decided" to reply.' consenting to a further period of administration if an adequate grant were made. :■' -//

A request, from Mrs. Tarry to have the retaining wall in Princes Street continued into Callan's Road' was referred ; to the Works .Committee to' report. The Waitemata 1 County Council advised that tho arrangement made by the Northcote Council with , the .member for the Birkenhead Riding for the maintenance of boundary roads had been ratified by the County Council. It was' decided to inform , the latter body that the Northcote Council had''carried out its portion of the work,', and to ask' the county to complete its portion. * :; / > ; The present standing committees were reappointed. '■■ -,/' /

, OTAHUHU.; y GOLF CLUB'S" RATES. • A meoting of the Otahuhu • Borough Council was held on Monday, evening. The Mayor (Mr. A. Sturges) presided. "All the' members were present. The . secretary of. the' Auckland Golf Club wrote to draw ' the 'attention of the council to the burden imposed; on the club by the adoption of rating on unimproved values. In view of the fact that the, club had made no call upon tho borough for the. maintenance of roads, or for services, except water,, and that it had materially helped to improve the train 'service and the frontage to Mangere Road, the club considered it was entitled to a remission in the amount of rates. The club was advised that the council had power under Section 27 of the Rating Amendment Act, 1910, to remit rates in respect, of land hold by any body of person's exclusively for the purpose of any outdoor, sport, • and not for profit or gain. The. matter was deferred until the new rate is struck." „ The Finance and Legal Committee recommended 'the council' to' appoint the Public Trustee sinking fund commissioner in the matter ;of the . borough loans, of £11,500. : The committee also recommended that ■ the town clerk proceed to levy . the water : rate on the - unimproved value, and compute the same as nearly as possible', on . ;: the.,, charges set ; forth in, the council's by-laws. :.-.."■- The Mayor remarked that rating on the unimproved value, iso ; far as water : was concerned, ;•;:: was giving ; ; tho '; council much concern.; The water rate presented extraordinary; difficulties, and was likely to occasion?'; much '' controversy in ■.•■ the borough, owing to its unjust operation in many cases; Therefore,' the Finance .' Committee considered it would be wise for the -whole council to discuss the matter in committee. The council agreed to this course, and the committee's report was'adopted. ,