BIRKENHEAD BOROUGH COUNCIL

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 838, 5 December 1929, Page 6

BIRKENHEAD BOROUGH COUNCIL

TELEPHONE FACILITIES DISCUSSED

The Birkenhead Borough Council held its fortnightly meeting last evening, the Mayor, Mr. J. P. McPha.il, presiding. Strong exception was taken to the Hon. J. B. Donald’s reply to the council’s letter asking for better telephone facilities throughout the district, ; namely, the installation of the automatic telephones and a public callbox at Verran’s Corner, Birkdale. The Minister stated, in his reply that in view of the many applications of a more urgent nature, and the fact that a substantial loss was to be expected from an installation at Verran’s Corner, it was regretted that it was not possible to give the request favourable consideration. The Mayor said the Minister once stated he believed in service not profit, but it did not seem so with regard to Birkenhead Cr. Darlow said that the two boroughs, Northcote and Birkenhead, were within a stone’s throw of the largest city in New Zealand, and yet the telephone facilities were as bad as they were years ago. Cr. Jasper stated that he had been working for the automatic telephone for the past five years. He had collected between SO and 90 signed applications, and an officer of the depart - , ment had stated about 18 months ago that the automatic would be installed shortly. It was decided to ask the Northcote Borough Qouncil to join Birkenhead, in a strong deputation to the PostmasterGeneral the next time he is in Auckland. A ratepayer drew attention to the danger of the gangway on the wharf used by the ferries. A deputation comprising the Mayor, Crs. Kerruish and Hayiwan was appointed to wait on the Ferry Company regarding the question. Three'permits were granted for buildings valued at £1,955. About two or three months ago residents of Calliope Avenue in the Waitemata,County petitioned the Birkenhead Borough Council to join the Birkenhead Borough. The inclusion of this area in tlief borough would straighten the boundary line between the two districts. The petition was forwarded to the Governor-General, and last evening a letter was received from the Department of Internal Affairs advising that a commission consisting of Messrs. J. G. L. Hewitt, S.M., D. N. Campbell, Commissioner of Crown Lands, North Auckland, and W. G. McClintock, District Valuer, Auckland, had been set up to consider the application. The. inquiry will commence on December 13. It was decided that the Mayor and Town Clerk represent Birkenhead at the inquiry.