OTAHUHU

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 314, 28 September 1917, Page 3

OTAHUHU

OTAHUHU BOROUGH COUNCIL. LA.ST NIGHT'S MEETING. At tlie fortnightly meeting of the Borough Council held last evening there were present the Mayor.(Mr A. McDonald), Crs J. Brady to H. J.Hall, H. J. Moffitt, R. Todd, H. T. Clements, A. J. Wildman, H. V. Stringer, F. R. Field, with Town Clerk (Mr W. J. Dinnison). KING STKEET RF.rAIRS. With reference to the Council's application to Messrs Gavin Wallace and Son to make a contribution towards repairing King Street adjacent to their property the tirm wrote declining to do so, stating that it would be iu their opinion a bad precedent to set up as they were only distributing agents to the ratepayers who paid their rates for the maintenance of the roads as a whole. It seemed to them that just because tliev chanced to be at a spot here tralii.! was congested the Council thought it was their duty to pay. They urged that it would be just as fair to ask the passengers by bus to contribute extra for those who stayed at home and created the work.

On the motion of the Mayor the letter was " received." I'.US SEKViI K WANT hi l Messrs Andrew and Andrew, in rpply to the Council's request to reinstate the bus service to and. from the station, wiote stating that under the existing arrangements they could not do so unless the Council would agree to meet them by exempting them from rates on their premises. On the reading of the letter the Mayor' remarked that it was not possible for the Council to remit the rates.

Cr Motfitt moved that the matter should be referred to the Finance Committee to interview Messrs Andrew and \ndrew and to repoit to the next meeting of the Council. In reply to Cr Todd as to the amount of the rates in question the Town Clerk replied that it was £C> Ms 2d.

Cr Todd said there were about 13 trains to meet and as the busses would he a great convenience to passengers the Council might consider the question of granting a subsidy.

Cr Moffitt endorsed tho opinion expressed by Cr Todd and for that reason thought it best that the Finance Committee should interview Messrs Andrew and Andrew. '1 his was agreed to by the Council. ITMI'IXO EN' l ; IXEElt's REPORT. Air li. A. King, Pumping Engineer, in his report stated that the shutter of tho gas producer inside was burnt out and the top of the producer also needed repairing and that with no shut-off there was an escape of gas. He asked that the town gas should be used for a few days and that tho producer should be sent away for repairs. On tho motion of the Mayor the Council agreed to visit the pumping station to-morrow (Saturday).

KfH.KSTOX SETTI.EM KXT AITRO.UiI. In regard to tlio approach road to Fccleston Settlement. Mr T. F. Martin, Counsel to the Municipal Association of New Zealand, advised the Council that if money had been appropriated hy Parliament for the construction or undertaking of the work of the road and the road had been in some way constructed hy the Government then the Governor could place it under the control of the Council. It seemed to him that the road would he said to be under the control of the Governor imless it was in some way constructed. The Mayor and other Councillors remarked that the actual meaning of the word " constructed " in such a case was somewhat obscure.

Cr Stringer pointed out that the Council had not had anything to do with the road. Cr Mofiitt remarked that all the construction work had boon done by the Government The Town Clerk suggested that the Council should obtain Mr Martin's interpretation of the meaning of the word "constructed" and he was arc >rdingly authorise! to communicate with Mr Martin on the subject. Cr lifill stated tiiat the Council were not liable in respect of the foad un!ess it had been constructed. Cr Field submitted that the Council might possibly consider the question of the thickly settled portion of the district, now in Mangere, being merged into the Borough area.

The Mayor remarkel that he did not think there was any desire on the part of the ratepayers for this and the subject was left over pending Counsel's opinion being obtained as indicated. To-morrow (Saturday) afternoon the Otahuhu Fire Brigade are to hold a competition in front of the Council Chambers for a gold medal, which has been presented by one of the members of the Brigade shortly going into camp. It is to be regretted that the residents of Otahuhu do not take a deeper interest than is now apparent in the welfare of the Brigade. By donating trophies to be competed for at intervals the firemen would be encouraged to practice. The Secretary of the Brigade, who is at present on a holiday in Pukekohe, is particularly impressed by the apathy of the Otahuhu public as compared with matters in Pukekohe, where he finds the business men and residents havfc presented 12 gold medals, two silver medals and a silver cup for competition among the firemen ,on Labour Day.