BOROUGH OF OTAHUHU.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20264, 25 May 1929, Page 15

BOROUGH OF OTAHUHU.

OPERATIONS FOR YEAR. REVIEW OF FINANCES. The Otahuhu Borough Council met on Thursday evening, the Mayor, Mr. H. T. Clements, presiding. A report on the undertakings before the Works Committee was submitted by the chairman, Mr. G. V. Pearce. With the very limited amount of money available, he said, it was to be regretted that no work of a permanent nature could be undertaken, and at the best only work that was absolutely necessary could be considered. Of the sum of £2750 allowed 'for all work within the borough for the next eleven months, already over £3OO had been spent, while work already authorised would entail another expenditure of approximately £4OO. The routine work of the borough, such as street cleaning, would absorb another £2OO, while £250 must be set aside for contingencies, leaving the small sum of £ISOO fo carry on the whole programme of works for the first year. The committee had gone thoroughly into the question of economy with regard to the borough outdoor staff, and already some small savings had been effected, while others were under consideration, and would be placed before the next council meeting. It was believed that considerable saving could be effectively introduced that would mean the gaining of several hundreds of pounds on the year's operations. With reference to unemployment relief works, it would bo impossible to carry out any programme of relief work during the coming year, but when the programme of work was completed, employment could possibly be found for a number of men from time to time. For such temporary employment first consideration would be given to married men with dependants. A deputation from the Workers' Educational Association asked the council to increase its usual annual donation to the association. The speakers stressed the fact that the association was handicapped for want of funds. The matter was referred to the Legal and Finance Committee.

Messrs. J. J. Graham and H R. Linkhorn were appointed tho council's delegates to the Auckland Suburban Local Bodies' Association. Mr. G. V. Pearce was appointed to the Local Traffic Control Board.

Notification was received from Mr. A. W. Hall, M.P., that he had again made representations to the Minister of Public Works with reference to a retrospective subsidy for work on the Great South Road. The Minister had again promised sympathetic consideration.