AFFAIRS OF THE CITY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21277, 2 September 1932, Page 14

AFFAIRS OF THE CITY

/ FIRE BOARD SCHEME APPROVAL OF PRINCIPLE JHE PAYMENT OF RATES The formation of a metropolitan fire boi/rd for the Auckland urban area was approved in principle by the City Council last evening. The deputy-mayor, Mr. A. J. Entrican, presented an oral report on the recent conference. He moved that the consideration of details of the scheme be referred to the Finance Committee, with a view to making representations to the Parliamentary Committee on the proposed bill for /adequate representation of Auckland City on the new board. Mr. Entrican said the proposal was to give the City Council two seats on tlio board and the suburban bodies two seats. Considering that tho city would provide more than twice as much of the board's revenue as tho other bodies, he felt that tho council should endeavour to secure an equivalent proportion of the seats allocated to local bodies. The motion was carried.

The city treasurer, Mr. A. Mtsser, reported that rate payments for the current financial year amounted to £17,566 at August 17. Arrears from 1931-32 had been reduced by £9480 since March 31, and stood at £60,710. Earlier arrears, from 1925 onward, had been reduced by £5151, and stood at £40,987. It was decided to hold a special meeting, postponed from August 18, on September 15,' to consider the following matters:— (1) A decision as to tho next step in the city's water development; (2) recommendations of the Public Services Committee in/regard to amendments to the waterworks by-laws; and (3) the application of thp Auckland Hospital Board for a reduction in water charges. Following correspondence with the Municipal Association of Now Zealand, it ■was decided to take steps to support tho retention of the provision in the National Expenditure Adjustment Act, 1932, that grojund rents shall not be compulsorily reduced below 5 per cent of tho unimproved value. On the recommendation of the Property Committee, tho council declined a request by Mr. A. J. Hutchinson, on behalf of the Civic Theatre proprietary, for a further temporary reduction of 12£ per cent in the ground rental of the theatre propefty-