OTAHUHU

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 284, 15 June 1917, Page 2

OTAHUHU

OTAHI7HU BOROUGH COUNCIL.

FORTNIGHTLY MEETING. At the meeting of the Borough Council held last evening there were present the Mayor (Mr A McDonald), Crs J. Brady, H. J. Hall, H. J. Moffitt, R. Todd, H. T. Clements, A. J. Wildman, H. V. Stringer, and P. R. Field, together with the Town Clerk (Mr C. T. Kent-Johhston). WATER 9UTPLY CHARGES

The minutes were read of a special meeting of the Council held on the previous (Wednesday) evening relative to further consideration of water supply charges, Mr Stanton (the Council's solicitor) being in attendance. The minutes stated that Mr Stanton explained fully as to the procedure to be taken and the Hitter was very carefully discussed by the Councillors. According to notice of motion Cr R. Todd moved and Cr Field seconded and it was carried that the following resolution passed at the special meeting of the Council held on Wednesday, June 6th, 1917, be rescinded, viz: "that the minimum charge for water be 5s per half year per 5000 gallons for ordinary supply." A motion for the suspension of Standing Orders having been agreed to it was resolved on the motion of Cr Stringer, seconded by Cr Wildman, " That the resolution passed at the special meeting of the Council held on Wednesday, June 6th, 1917, fixing tha non-consumers rate at a £d in the £be rescinded." It was also resolved that the turncock should turn on the water to Mr E. Wyatt's property, the meter to be inside the fence and on the property. The minutes of the Special Mooting were confirmed without comment.

REQUESTS AND COMPLAINTS Mr A. E. Woolley wrote asking for the formation of a footpath leading to his property in Water Street. He stated that the work had been sanctioned by the late Council.—The matter was referred to the Streets Committee to report. Mr Wm. Lawson, of Princes Street, renewed his application made to the late Council for scoria to be placed at the entrance to his residence as there was a good deal of water standing outside the gate. Mr F. J. Sanderson renewed bis complaint as to water overflowing on to his paddock and he asked that the holes caused thereby should be remedied at once.- The letter was " received." Mr S. De'ath, Golf Avenue, wrote complaining of the state of the road and footpath in front of his house.— Referred to the Works Committee.

A similar complaint was made by Mrs T. McCrory, of Church Street, and was refeired to tne Works Committee with power to act. DRAIN CONNECTION. A letter was received from Mr C. B. Whitmore relative to drainage connection for his two houses in Church Street. He was quite prepared, he said, to "agree to the requirements of the Council when the sewerage system was extended but as there was a doubt as to the level of one section adjoining he did not think the work would be practicable until then. The matter was referred to the Drainage Committee. KINO'S COLLEGE SITE. Messrs Bamford and Brown, of Auckland, writing on behalf of ihe Governors of King's College, in regard to the property purchased from the Auckland Golf Club as a new site for the College, asked that the Council should consent to a grant of right of way over a portion of the land which remained the property of the Golf Club. They pointed out the new drive would not be a road but a private entrance to both properties. The Mayor expressed the opinion that the question raised was one which should be referred to the Council's legal advuer and Cr Hall proposed that that should be done. Cr Field moved as an amendment that the Town Clerk should write to Messrs Bamford and Rrown for an explanation of what they actually required. Cr Springer seconded and contended that if any information wae required the Council should not bear the cost of legal advice On the amendment being put only the proposer and seconder supported it and the original motion to refer the ma'ter to the Council's legal adviser was then agreed to.

WATER BY LAWS CASES The President of the Otahuhu Ratepayers' Association (Mr H. E Wilson) made application for the reconsideration of the case ot Mr Ernest Wyatt and others who were prosecuted by the late Council for non-compliaDct with the Water Bylaws He pointed out that the ratepayers in question had been deprived of their wator for twelve months. He a ided that there appearei to be some vindictiveness shown by the late Council especially when it was regarded as a case to test the validity nf the by-laws. On the motion of the Mayor it was resolved that the letter sh mid be " received " and the Town Clerk was instructed to reply that the nutter had been dealt with.

INFORMATION WASTED. Messrs W. and R. Fletcher, Ltd , I wrote enquiring if the increased rate for water supply was likely to be regarded as a permanent increase. The Mayor having explained that this was a somewhat difficult ques | lion to answer tho Town Clerk was instructed to reply that the increased rife would certainly he for one year 11 YDKO-EI.EOTKIi' PJWF.R The Town Clerk, of Mount Eden, i wrote that a deputation proposed to ! wait on the City Council on Wednes* 1 day next relative to the consideraI tion of furthering the provision of hydro electric power and it was ' asked that a representative from tho Council should attend. 1 The Mayor was appointed as the Council's representative ESTIMATES ANl> KATES On the estimates for the curient ! year being submitted a good deal of discussion ensued but they were 1 ultimately adopted, the Mayor giving

notice of motion that at the meeting to be held on July sth he would move that a general rate of one penny and nine-sixteenths of a peany in the £ should be levied. —A report of the discussion will appear in our next issue.

FINANCE The minutes of a meeting of the Legal and Finance Committee held on Wednesday, June 13th, set forth as follows: " That the treasurer's statement be adopted and that accounts amounting to £583 7s 6d as submitted by the treasurer be recommended for payment." Further, " That the various committees be written to and requested to review the departments under their charge with reference to any suggestions for improvements in methods with a view of economy." The report was adopted without discussion. DUAL DRAINAGE CONNECTION As a result of the recommendation of the Water and Drainage Committee *' That Mr Nutter should be permitted under By-law 19? to connect with his neighbour's drain." Cr Field said at the time the Committee originally inspected the premises he was of opinion that there was nothing in the by-laws to allow such a connection to be made but he had since understood that the Health Officer had given way and that the by laws allowed that to be done. Cr Brady said that it appeared to be a reasonable request on the part of Mr Nutty and that if they had power to give such a permit they should do so.

Or Hall suggested that the consent of the Health Department should be obtained.

Cr Brady contended that it waa unwise to introduce the Health Officpr. It would be better, he said, to keep away from that Department and conduct their own business without interference.

Ultimately the recommendation was agreed to and it was resolved to notify the Health Officer of the proposed connection.

OTHER BUSINESS A report of other matters dealt with will appear in our next issue.

Mr A. G. Cooke, one of several of the general public in attendance at the meeting of the Borough Council last night, at the close of the Council's business produced a letter received from the Town Clerk relative to his water supply being discontinued. He asked the Mayor if it was sent by the authority of the Council. The Mayor, after reading the letter, said there was nothing irregular in the communication referred to. Mr Cook excitedly re-v marked that it was pure "cussednesa" on the part of the Town Clerk. A threat to take the Council to the Supreme Court was made as the Council proceeded to disperse. Cr Field made a suggestion at the Council's meeting last night in the interests of small property owners that a clause should be added to the by-laws to the effect that sewer connections should be paid for by instalments when desired by the owner. No action was, however, taken.

Considerate recognition of effort* of certain residents in their fight against adversity, waa forthcoming from the Borough Council last evening when Cr Field asked that there should be no charges made for sanitary service in two cases mentioned by him. He was acquainted, he said, with the circumstances of the occupiers in question After some enquiries by other members, Cr Field's request was accjeded to. A most successful and enjoyable euchre afternoon was held in the Masonic Hall on Wednesday last under the auspices of the Otahuhu Ladies' Croquet Club. Euchre and games were engaged in and a produce stall, the goods on which were supplied by the members of the club, was very ft ell patronised, every article being sold. The winners of the euchre tournament were : Miss Woods Ist, Miss Farley 2nd. The next euchre afternoon will be held in the Masonic Hill on Wednesday, July 11th at 2p m