Province and Suburb

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 119, 10 August 1927, Page 13

Province and Suburb

(From THE SUN'S Correspondent#.)

OPOTIKI HOSPITAL X-RAY INSTALLATION At the monthly meeting of the i Opotiki Hospital Board the resignation ! of Sister Jones was received with re- | gret. The superintendent advised j that the grounds were being improved , and already a considerable change had been effected- The chairman made a special report on the state of the Xray fund, advising that £425 was already in hand from the recent appeal and that £l5O was still to come in. Apart from the appeal the board had £ 300 collected. It was decided to arrange for the purchase of the X-ray apparatus as soon as possible. The chairman intimated that Dr. Budd had informed him that the Opotiki maternity home would cease operations about April next, and the question arose as to whether the hospital would take on maternity -work. The secretary stated that it would cost the board another £1,500 to enable it to take this step. The matter was deferred. A lengthy letter was received from the Matakaoa Hospital Board on the matter of a district nurse for the Waihau Bay and Cape Runaway districts. During his recent visit to the district Dr. Valintine had promised to consider the matter, provided the settlers concerned guaranteed a reasonable contribution toward the expenses of a nurse. An effort is now being made to secure the required guarantee.

Mr. G. T. Guide, proprietor of the Opotiki wireless station, has received a message from White Island stating that the gannets have started to arrive at the island. This is much earlier than usual and according to expert advice is a sign of an early spring. GREATER EFFICIENCY CHANGES AT NEW LYNN It is evident that the New Lynn Town Board, under its new chairman, Mr. J. Titchener, intends having a thorough clean-up in so far as the board’s operations are concerned. Last evening various matters pertaining to the outside staff and outside control, also in regard to tools, etc., were considered, and the chairman gave notice of motion that he would move at the next meeting of the board that the clerk, Mr. Greenslade, be appointed to a capacity equal to that of a general manager. Mr. Titchener is to place the notice in writing. Mr. Greenslade will be made responsible for the whole activities of the board. He will decide whether the employees shall cease work during wet intervals, and be responsible for all purchases. The permanent staff is to be appointed and paid off by the board, while the casual staff will be appointed by the foreman.

BUILDING LINE OUT NEW LYNN’S PREDICAMENT New Lynn appears to be in a bad way in regard to the building line on a portion of Great North Road and its kerbing and channelling contracts. That everything is not as it should be was revealed at the meeting of the board last evening, when Mr. I. Hughes ventilated matters that by no means left the members at ease. He contended that as a result of the building alignment not being in accord with the board’s decision, the footpath adjoining would not be parallel. On the motion of the chairman, Mr. J. Titchener, it was decided to hold a special meeting next Tuesday, to go more fully into both questions. NORTHCOTE BOROUGH MEETING OF COUNCIL A special meeting of the North cote Borough Council was held last evening. The Mayor, Mr. A. E. Greenslade, presided. The council unanimously endorsed the selection of M.r. E. C. Skeates to fill the vacancy on the Waitemata Power Board. The question of the vacant seat on the Harbour Board was also discussed. The Mayor pointed out that the appointment would probably be made by the Minister of Marine. He further stated that the Devonport Council had wired to Wellington asking for the appointment of Mr. Hislop, deputy - Mayor of Devonport. On the motion of Mr. A. T. Munn, seconded by M,r. E. Fraser, the council unanimously selected the Mayor of Northcote as its candidate for the seat. Letters asking for support are to be forwarded to the Takapuna and Birkenhead Councils. A letter was received from the medical officer of health, Dr. H. Chesson, stating that he could not agree to the council’s proposal to instal separate septic tanks on the properties that were not connected with the sewerage system. He pointed out that that form of sanitation was only looked upon as a temporary measure and soon became a “glorified cesspool.” General dissatisfaction was expressed by the meeting and it was decided to ask Dr. Chesson to meet the council in conference on the whole question. STILL HAGGLING MAIN ROAD MAINTENANCE Advice lias been received by the Waikato County Council from the No. 2 District Highways Council that in connection with the county's offer to contribute £1 for £3 toward the cost of maintaining the Ohinewai-Ngarua-wahia section of the main South Road, the highways council will adhere to its former decision that the contribution should be on the basis of £1 for £2. A communication received by the county states that a long stretch of main road through the county from Mercer ‘ to Oliinewai had been constructed without any contribution at all from the local body and the board was still maintaining the section. It .was considered by the board that the Waikato County could find £1,400 and payment would not be demanded immediately, but could be taken in instalments. As regarded future maintenance, if the council gave an assurance that the road would be adequately maintained the board would be prepared to hand back the money to the county as a maintenance subsidy on the basis of £2 for £l. The Waikato County Council decided to reply that it could not see its way to increase its contribution. WAITOMO POWER BOARD EXTENDING SERVICES The monthly meeting of the Waitomo Power Board took place at Otorohanga on Monday. The following members were present: Mr. >V. A. Lee

. (chairman), Messrs. J. M. Boddie, P. O. j R. Phillips. Henry Rothery, W. Irvine, j E. H. Oudaille, W. Blackman, and J. j I Kiernan (secretary-manager*, j The manager reported that the reve- i I nue receipts for July were: Light and j j power, £1,224 18s lOd: sales of j j material, £173 13s ; instalations*. £614 |Os 7d: sundries, £ll 13s lid; total, | £2,013 6s 4d. The following installations had been carried out by the wiring staff since last meeting: New installations, 5: overhaul jobs, 17; change-over motors, S; extensions to existing installations, 3. There are 100 contracts in hand. f The Te Kuiti change-over had been ( pushed ahead quickly, and the board j was able to close down the Te Kuiti ! plant on July 29. All of the consu- | mers in Te Kuiti are now on alternat- ! ing current. The total number of consumers is now: Te Kuiti borough, 692, Otorohanga town, 151: country districts, 197 —total, 1,040. These connections include: Motors, 103; ranges, 31; water heaters, 91; pumps, 3. The demand for power for milking motors and lighting of residences in the country is steadily increasing, and the board will be putting in approximately 20 more milking motors during the next few weeks, and lighting some 30 more residences.

THEFT OF HEIFER POUNDKEEPER FINED In the Dargaville Court to-day before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., Jack Repia, poundkeeper for the Hobson County, a Maori, married, with six children, was convicted of stealing one heifer valued at £lO. He was fined £lO, or one month’s imprisonment. UNIMPROVED RATING PROPOSAL FOR WAIPA The petition in favour of a change in the present system of rating to that of unimproved values was presented at Monday’s meeting of the Waipa County Council. There were 2,410 names on the ratepayers’ roll, and of these 435 persons signed the petition. clerk presented a tabulated statement showing the general rates levied on the present capital values of European lands, with estimated equivalents on unimproved values. The total capital value of the county was £5,524,380, and the unimproved value was £3,420,145. The percentages to be added to the present general rate to produce -its equivalent on the unimproved values were: Orakau, 65; Rangiwahia, 55; Kakepuku, 73; M/mgapiko, 57; Pukekuru, 52; Kaipaki, 51; Tuhikaramea, 55; Pukuhia, 56; Hamilton, 64; Newcastle, 80. Over the whole county the percentage was 62 The clerk suggested that the poll be taken on Monday, September 5. The cost of the poll would be between £7O and £IOO. After discussion, it was decided to hold the poll on Monday, September 6. The chairman said he was prepared to address meetings in opposition to the request of the petitioners if so desired.

ROSKIIL ROAD BOARD STORMWATER FLOODING The meeting of the Mount Roskill Road Board last night was presided over by the chairman, Mr. E. J. Jones. The chairman supported an application that the Hillsborough Bowling Club be permitted to make a sanitary drain connection with the board’s sewer, which passes through the club’s property and that the usual connection fee of £6 10s be remitted. Messrs. Belcher and Brewer protested that the board had no power to grant such a favour, especially to a sports club, Mr. Belcher moving a resolution of refusal in terms that caused Mr. Allen to suggest the use of more courteous wording in a style which he dictated to the board. Mr. Kerr: It isn’t what he says; it’s the way he says it. (Laughter.) The board decided that it could not see its way to grant the application, as it would be a breach of the regulations ordinarily pursued. * * + Crave and prolonged debate took place upon a letter from Mr. George Winstone concerning stormwater flooding through his property on Winstone Park Estate. It transpired that the drainage desired would involve an area of 800 acres, and as the questions of liability and possible litigation appeared to be involved, it was agreed to obtain counsel’s opinion, and further consider the subject. * ♦ * Mr. F. W. Bycroft wrote to the effect that he would allow the board to take a portion of his land in Selwyn Road to improve a dangerous corner, provided the board transferred the hedge to the new -boundary and built a low wall thereon. —Agreed that the engineer should first estimate the cost of the work. .* * * The Electric-Power Board, declining an application for the supply of power in White Swan Road, explained that the costs incurred would not be justified by the revenue promised. After expressions of disappointment, the board resolved to seek a supply for Ridge and Arkell Roads. Urging that he could not see the need for tramway transport along Mount Albert Road, Mr. H. Freeman suggested that the board should lay a slab of concrete along the thoroughfare. The writer is to be informed that the time allowed for lodging protests against the tramway extension is now passed. • * <1 The building inspector reported that 27 buildings were in course of erection in the district and that during the previous fortnight 17 permits for new buildings had been granted, representing a total sum involved of £11,013.' The clerk reported receipt of £544 11s 4d as the board's share of heavy traffic fees for the quarter ending June 30.

WAIKATO COUNTY COUNCIL LOAN FOR ORINI The monthly meeting of the Waikato County Council was held yesterday, Cr. W. Newell presiding. It was decided to raise an additional loan of £1,600 for Orini and to strike a rate of l-10d to cover the interest. A deputation of ratepayers from the Puketaha waited on the council and pointed out works of necessity required and was assured that attention would be given the roads as soon as the weather was favourable. The council was notified that no record had been kept of burials in the Hakanui Cemetery. A committee was set up to go into the matter. The county engineer’s report covered the month's operations, good progress

having been made, considering the adverse weather. The Rototuna Riding roads were in fair order, but maintenance had been difficult in the Ruakura Riding, owing to the weather. Owing to the volume of traffic on the Hamilton-Paeroa main highway it required constant attention to keep it in reasonable order. The Toutiri-Orini road was in good order, and other subsidiary roads were receiving attention. DARGAVILLE NEWS FARMERS’ DAY Saturday last was “Farmers’ Day” in Dargaville, the occasion being the annual meeting of the Northern Wairoa Co-operative Dairy Company. There were fully 500 farmers visiting the town, and trade was very brisk. FAREWELL A farewell social was tendered by the citizens on Friday evening to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Downs, who are leaving the district. Mr. Downs, who has been manager of the Northern Wairoa Dairy Company for 16 years, was the recipient of a valuable present and an excellent public testimonial from the chairman of the company. Mrs. Downs received a presentation in recognition of her splendid social work, especially for the Red Cross Society during the war. BENEFIT SOCIAL A benefit social was given on Tuesday evening by the Hibernians in aid of Mr. and Mrs. Martinovitch, a newly-married couple who had the misfortune to have their house and furniture destroyed by fire, besides being badly burnt themselves. The entertainment was well patronised and should result in a substantial sum being handed to the sufferers. FUNERAL The funeral of Mr. W. Frood, the victim of the recent motor-cycle accident at Whangarei-, took place on Sunday afternoon. Some 20 motorcars followed the hearse in its long journey from Whangarei, this number being considerably augmented on reaching Dargaville. After the religious ceremony, performed by the Rev. Father Campbell, of Whangarei, the Oddfellows rendered their last tribute of respect to their deceased brother, who had been greatly respected by all who knew him.