MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS AT OTAHUHU.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 279, 29 May 1917, Page 2

MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS AT OTAHUHU.

Following on the initial meeting early in the month for the installation of the Mayor and the appointment of the various Committees the newly-elected Otalmliu Borough Council settled down to real business at the first of its ordinary fortnightly meetings on Thursday last and the capable and zealous manner in which the proceedings were carried through made it evident that each and every member of the Council is prepared to give of his best to serve the electors he represents. With Crs Hall and Field alone having been members of the old Council, it might reasonably have been expected that both the Mayor (Mr A. McDonald) and his new colleagues on the Council would have taken some time to have accustomed themselves to the surroundings that were fresh to them but except for oue or two afppeals to the senior Councillors or to the Town Clerk for information as to the mode of procedure in the past there was no indication that any of them were novices in local government work. Indeed, there are distinctly refreshing and encouraging signs that an era of marked progress is in store for Otahuhu. Although less than a month in office the Council has already carried out an inspection of the roads in the borough and has noted improvements that will be carried out at the earliest possible opportunity, attention being paid to the claims of the district as a whole and to no special locality in particular. Again Councillors seemed well informed in regard to the different parts of the borough as to which various complaints were forwarded by residents and these are all to be fully investigated. We would suggest, however, that instead of all correspondence, whenever received, being first read to the Council, then referred to the Committee concerned, and the Committee's recommendations thereon being subsequently submitted to the Council, delays both in period of execution and in discussion by the Conncil would be averted if the letters were presented to the Committees concerned at their first meetings after receipt and the Committees' recommendations brought up at the succeeding Council meeting. Drainage connections, the system of water.charges, necessary repairs to the water-tower, and as already stated the roading problem, are all subjects that the Council intend to tackle resolutely and judging by the capable discharge of business last Tlntrs day the ratepayers can rest assured that the Council as now constituted will do everything possible to obtain efficiency with economy.