NORTHCOTE BOROUGH COUNCIL

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 89, 6 July 1927, Page 11

NORTHCOTE BOROUGH COUNCIL

Much dissatisfaction was expressed at the meeting of the Northcote Borough Council last night with the manner in which the contract for improvements to Queen Street was being carried out. A letter was received from the contractors asking for an extension of three time in which to complete the work. The Mayor expressed much displeasure and said he had consulted the engineer. r * Greville Walker, who had written m strong terms to the contractors. It was finally decided to defer .the question until the next meeting on Thursday, when the engineer will he asked to attend. It was decided to purchase a secondhand truck for work in the boroug.i. The necessity for repairs to Onew.i Road was discussed, and £llO will be spent on an experimental section. Cr. H. Weaver was appointel chairman of the Works Committee. MR. SPARROW FAREWELLED Mr. L.C. H. Sparrow, who took over , e position of engineer-managrer of the Devonport municipal electrical undertaking in 1923, and subsequently continued with the Waitemata Electric Power Board when it purchased the Devonport plant, has severed his connection with the power board, and was last night tendered a complimentary social by his fellow-employees and the Devonport Borough Council. Tho Mayor of Devonport, Mr. E. Aldridge presided, and paid a high tribute to the energy and ability displayed by Mr. Sparrow in his job at Devonport. When he took over the managership the revenue was £ 8,000 a year, and owing to the overloaded condition of the plant new consumers were only added on “a doctor’s certificate,” and the troubles of bridge-playing people to obtain the necessary certificate had been considerable. This year the revenue would be £IB,OOO. Mr. Sparrow, in acknowledging the gift to himself and Mrs. Sparrow of a travelling rug, silver-mounted decanter silver tureen and silver fruit dish, said that the years spent at Devonport had been very happy. In recommending the borough to sell its electrical plant to the Power Board he had put himself out of a job, but he would advise the borough the same way under similar conditlons / He advised the Power Board staff to play the game. Retrenchment was going to touch many of them, but progress could not study individuals. Items of entertainment were supplied by Mr. and Mrs. Cusworth, Mr. Sparrow, Mr. Patterson, Mr. W. Marks and Mr, Rushen. Mr. Sparrow leaves on Thursday to join the ranks of “mine host” at Longburn. DESTROYED BY FIRE In the early hours of this morning a four-roomed cottage with a confectioner’s shop attached to the front, situated in Queen Street, Waiuku, was completely destroyed by fire. The property was owned by Miss E. Newth, and was occupied by the Misses E. and A. Newth, and Miss L. Laws. The outbreak occurred at about 4.30 o’clock, the origin being unknown, The occupants were awakened after the fire had gained a good hold, by the noise of falling pictures. They had only time to collect a few personal belongings and make their escape. The building was- insured for £4OO, the furniture for £IOO, and the stock in the shop for £IOO, all in the South British office. THEFTS FROM CHURCH Kenneth David Murray and Charles Leonard Busst, who were arrested last week in connection with the disappearance of several articles of clothing from the Anglican Church, Te Awamutu, appeared on remand at the Te Awamutu Police Court on Tuesday. Messrs. S. H. Dunkley and B. McGechie, J.P.’s, presided. Constable P. J. Doyle gave evidence regarding the recovery of the missing articles. When the missing property was found at the camp Murray assumed all the blame, but Busst was also culpable, for he had been with Murray all the time. The thefts were contemptible ones, for people attending Divine worship should surely be able to leave their overcoats and hats in security. Busst was also charged with the theft of rabbit traps belonging to one Lethbridge. All the offences were admitted, and counsel for accused elected that they be dealt with summarily. Constable Doyle said he would not oppose probation being granted Busst, provided the conditions were strict. He asked for a remand in the case of Murray, alias Polinsky. until Friday morning, to allow of further inquiries. The Bench decided that in view of Busst’s past behaviour probation would be granted for two years. Busst would also have to pay his share of the cost of prosecution. Murray would be remanded until Friday for sentence. WAIPA RUGBY UNION The usual weekly meeting of the Waipa Rugby Union took place on Monday evening. Mr. F. Quin presided, and there were also present: Messrs. E. T. Crump, G. Jeffs, G. Reyonlds, G. B. Melrose, W. Cavanagh, S. A. Menamara, H. T. Haselden, G. W. Mairs, and W. M. Winter, secretary. The Waikato Union notified that Mr. S. A. McNamara had been appointed to referee the Finlay Cup match between Morrinsville and Matamata. Saturday next was definitely fixed for the junior rep. match between Waipa t and Otorohanga, at Te Awamutu. Auckland University Club wrote stating that it had arranged for a visit by a Fijian Rugby team, and an itinerary had been drawn up. Saturday, August 20, bad been left vacant, as it was hoped to meet the Waipa representatives at Te Awamutu on that date. The visit was favourably considered, and it was decided to accept the match with the visitors. BOROUGH OF TE AWAMUTU The Mayor, Mr. L. G. Armstrong, presided over the usual fortnightly meeting of the Te Awamutu Borough Council. There were also present: Crs. G. Spinly, C. Bygrave, W. Swain, W. J. North, J. G. B. Gifford, J. Marshall, and J. C. Montefiore. Messrs. G. D. W. Osborne and J. Oliphant, representing the Returned Soldiers’ Association, waited on the council asking for a £ for £ subsidy on expenditure incurred by the Returned Soldiers’ Association in relieving unemployment among deservng cases. It was resolved that £2O be provided for the relief of distress. The acting manager of the A.M.P. Society agreed to grant the loan of £4,000, being 10 per cent, additional on the £40,000 streets’ improvement loan, the rate of interest be be 5| per cent, under table “F,” term 36J years. The secretary of the Te Awamutu Fire Board asked the council for a plan of the reticulations of the borough, showing in all cases where the fireplugs were. Matter referred to engineer.