BOROUGH COUNCILS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16590, 13 July 1917, Page 7

BOROUGH COUNCILS.

BIRKENHEAD.

The Birkenhead Borough Council met last night. Present : The Mayor, Mr. J. P. McPhaii, Messrs. C. E. Campbell, E. G. Skeates, A. Hadfield, C. Mason, P. J. Stewart, and E. C. Walton.

Votes of sympathy with Mr. J. Leonard, a member of the council, in his illness, and of condolence with the relatives of the late MrV E. C. Bell, formerly a (member of the Harbour Board, were passed. It was decided to inform the Department of Internal Affairs, which wrote regarding funeral and burial expenses of members of the Expeditionary Force'' who die prior to discharge from the force, that the cemeteries in the district were Church property, but that the council would communicate with the trustees.

The Marine Department intimated that the Birkenhead and Northcote Gas Company had been authorised to carry out the construction of a canal in Little Shoal Bay. The matter was referred to the Reserve Committee for consideration.

The appointment of Mr. F. Fisher as scoutmaster to the Birkdale troop was confirmed.

The Department of Agriculture wrote with reference to the gcrse in Palmerston Road, that an inspector would visit the district. The "Council urged that immediate action be taken to have the gorse removed. . NORTHCOTE. A special meeting of the Northcote Borough Council was held on Wednesday to consider the estimates for the current year. Present: The Mayor, Mr. J. B. Tonar, Messrs. H. Crowley, J. Broady W." H. Barnes, E. W. Herrick, A. E. Greenslade, G. H. Lyon, and E. L. Flay.. It was decided to take steps daring the present session to have the £1800 "loan raised some months ago validated by a clause in the Washing-up Bill, the Audi-tor-General having pointed out that the loan wag illegal to the extent that portion of it, amounting to £1275 17s sd, was raised to make good past expenditure, whereas a loan by poll could only be used for future work. It was resolved to communicate with Mr. A. Harris, M.P., seeking his assistance to spcure the passage of the clause. It was also decided to endeavour at the same time to have the £200 raised for a manual school to be erected in brick altered so that the money could be applied unconditionally to the purpose of a manual training , school, provided the Borough Council was satisfied that adequate provision was made. Estimates were drawn up for submiss3<. <. to a future meeting. The total rates, if adopted, would be 2s lid in the £ "on the annual value, as against 2s 8d for the previous year. The water and sanitation charges recommended are the same as last year.