CITY COUNCIL

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 173, 24 July 1942, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL

DECISIONS MADE

OFFICERS REACHING 65 YEARS

The services of the town clerk, Mr. J. Melling, and the city engineer, Mr. J. Tyler, who are approaching the retiring age of 65, are to be retained by the City Council. This was a decision made at last night's meeting of the City Council on the recommendation of the finance committee. In a report to the committee the Mayor, Mr. J. A. C. Allum, said that the council's standing resolution passed in 1933 made exception in special cases, subject to a resolution of the council. Those under review were special cases in which the officers' services should be retained until such time as adjustments of staff could be effected and satisfactory appointments made. That time, in his opinion, would not arrive until all officers on active service had returned to civil life. Neither officer mentioned had made a request for retention. The finance committee was directed to report on the conditions under which the two officers should eventually retire, having regard to the fact that their responsibilities had prevented them for a long time from taking normal holidays. The council also decided to pay the lull superannuation contributions of all members of the permanent staff serving in the fighting forces, refunds to be made in all cases back to the date of enlistmenu In a report to the finance committee, the town clerk said the extra cost to the council this year would be approximately £2000 and in subsequent years approximately £1000. A letter was received from Messrs. T. /' .V, aley an< *.W. Campbell requesting that further consideration be given to a petition dated April 6, 1937, signed by 1152 persons regarding the statue at the gateway' of the Domain. It was stated that another petition had been signed by prominent citizens. The letter was referred to the parks committee, with power to act.

Ihe Housing Construction Department asked for approval of a large-scale scheme (or the rural area of Tamaki, the PilkingEstate, of 94 acres, being involved. 1 he town planning committee recommended that before further consideration was f' ver L to housing proposals in the area the Department should be requested to prepare and submit a comprehensive plan for the whole of the Tamaki area under its control, the plan to provide for a complete roading system and to allow full provision for allocation of lands for educational and recreational facilities. It was also recommended that the council should decline to accept dedication of roads before they were formed and drained. The city engineer, Mr. J. Tyler, said the council was being asked to approve and take dedication of the roads before they were formed and regardless ot the questions of subdivision and drainage. It was an extraordinary request, ana no reason had been given for it. The recommendations were adopted. A resolution was passed strongly supporting the University College Council in its endeavour to obtain full recognition r J, scflo °l of engineering in order to enable students to take the full course in Auckland.

An application by the New Zealand Society for Closer Relations with Russia tor permission to screen Soviet pictures in the Strand Theatre on Sunday nights was refused. A report from the city solicitor, Mr. J. Stanton, stated that it seemed to be settled that the screening ol a film, even of some educational value "I s . at } entertainment, and therefore prohibited by section 313 of the Municipal Corporations Act, unless the Council's consent had been obtained. Although in the case referred to it was stated to be a private screening with admission by invitation, it was apparent that members ot the public could obtain tickets both for themselves and their friends by attending certain lectures. He considered, therefore, that these entertainments would be regarded as open to the public.