BOROUGH OF ONEHUNGA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19456, 12 October 1926, Page 6

BOROUGH OF ONEHUNGA.

THE NEW FIRE STATION. TE PAPAPA DRAINAGE LOAN. CHECK ON USE OF MATERIALS. The Oriehunga Borough Council met last evening, Mr. W. N. Mcintosh, Deputy-Mayor, presiding in the absence of the Mayor, Mr. J. E. Cowell, through indisposition. The Onehunga Fire Board advised that the new fire station would be completed by November 12, and ready for occupation on November 30. Permission was given to occupy the old premises until the latter date. It was decided to borrow an additional £3400 for the Te Papapa drainage, this being 10 per cent, on the loan of £34,000 authorised by tbo ratepayers., The council adopted the recommendation of the committee that it was practically impossible to furnish a return accounting for the number of drainpipes supplied and used, owing to the quantity broken, used for ramps and otherwise hidden from view. Mr. J. E. Green, who moved for the original return, said he had been under the impression that a system of accounting and stock-taking would enable the return to be readily prepared. He now found the system had been so loose that people could help themselves to the council's pipes with little fear of detection. It was satisfactory to know the system of allowing the council's employees to lay private drains had been stopped. He understood that some accounting system had now been instituted, so perhaps the matter had not been brought up in vain. Mr. W. C. Coldicutt asked if he had been correctly informed that the investigations made during his absence through indisposition had disclosed the fact that the council had used more pipes than had been paid for. Tho Deputy-Mayor: That is so. Mr. Coldicutt: Then our system was not so bad after all. The secretary of the Onehunga Band asked whether the council would accept the position of trustees, and forwarded a draft of the proposed rules. Mr. T. R. Gilbert said the band was rapidly improving its financial position, and on his motion the position was accepted, tho town clerk stating that no financial obligation would be incurred.