OTAHUHU

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 288, 29 June 1917, Page 3

OTAHUHU

[The OtahUhu Agent for u The times" is Mr Bathe, from whom copies ot the paper may be ordered. Mr Bathe is also authorised to receive advts. and printing orders on our behalf. | OTAHUHU SCHOOL COMMITTED The ordinary monthly meeting of theOtahuhu School Committee was held on Thursday, Tune 21st. Present: Messrs Hunter (chairman), Nodwell, Clarkson, Curry, Henry, Moffitt, Arnold, and Kemplay (secretary). Mr West was absent through illness. The Headmaster reported that the roll call was 467 but the average attendance was considerably lower owing to prevelancy of severe colds and whooping cough, especially amongst yoUnger children. As the assistant master (Mr E. W. B. Caddy) had been passed for home service, it was decided to apply to the Efficiency Board to allow Mr Caddy's services to be retained at the school. The Committee decided to ask the Borough Council and Labour Department for an approach to be made to the FavoUa road Estate, as about thirty children were attending the Public School and it was a matter of some danger to small children having to scramble through the thick mud. A footpath would be appreciated by parents if a roadway was out of the question. The Secretary reported that con-1 tributions to the Technical School equipment funds had been well responded to, the following having subscribed, viz, Otahuhu Borough Council £lO, Manakau County Council £lO, Mangere Road Board £5, Manurewa Road Board £5, Papatoetoe Road Board £5, Messrs Fletcher, Westfield, £2 2s, Messrs Kempthorne, Prosser and Co. £2 25,, Union Oil and Candle Co. £l, total £4O 4s. He added that a few replies had yet to come to band, so that a good fund would be available to'fit out the classes thoroughly up to date.

Mr Curry, delegate to Conference of School Committees at Henderson, submitted his report of the meeting and he was accorded a vote of thanks for his attendance. OTAHUHU BOROUGH COUNCIL At the fortnightly meeting held in the Council Chambers last evening there were present the Mayor (Mr A. McDonald), Crs H. J. Hall, H. J. Moffiitt, B. Todd, H. T Clements, A. J. Wildman, H. V. Stringer and F. R. Field with the Town Clerk (Mr 0. J. Kent-Johnston). Cr Brady sent an apology for his absence, having received that day notification that a nephew of his had been killed and another nephew seriously wounded.—On the motion of Cr Field, a vote of condolence was passed with Cr Brady in his bereavement. TOWN CLERK'S RESIGNATION. The Town Clerk (Mr C J. KentJohnston) notified the Council that he had been appointed accountant to the Auckland War Relief and Patriotic Association and in consequence tendered his resignation as Town Clerk. As he was desirous of taking up his new appointment on the Ist August next he asked that arrangements should be made accordingly. The Mayor paid a tribute to the Town Clerk for the fiithful way in which he had carried out his duties and Cr Hall also added his testimony to the work done by Mr KentJohnston. Arrangements were made for the vacancy to be advertised. 10WN CLERK'S A9SISTANT. Miss Olive G. Thwaite, Town Clerk's assistant, wrote making application for an increase in salary stating that she had been in the Council's service for the past three years.

On the motion of the Mayor the matter was referred to the L»gal and Finance Committee. fISTJtOLEUM STORAGE. The Under-Secretary erf the Department of Internal Affairs, in a circular letter, drew attention to the fact that few local bodies provided public places of deposit for the safe custody of petroleum and dangerous goods as provided by section 28 of the Explosive and Dangerous Goods Act and desired to ascertain what provision had been made by the Council to carry out the regulations referred to. The letter was "received," it being understood that the regulations referred to would be embodied in the by-laws as early as possible. METERS ON FOOTPATH Mr T. P. Martin, counsel to the Municipal Association of New Zealand, advised that in respect of water meters on the footpaths that unless there was anything provided for to the contrary in the by-laws meter hire was payable by the consumer although the meter was outside the consumer's property. The Mayor gave notice that at the next meeting he would move that meters should, at the Council's expense, be removed from the footpaths and placed inside the respective private properties. AN INDIGNANT RATEPAYER Mrs M. E. Cook wrote that a resolution passed by the Council to re-connect the water iupply to her house had not been complied with and she again complained that the water was illegally cut off by order of the Town Clerk. She asked that an inquiry should be held so that the facts of the case could be laid before the Council. Cr Hall said that the matter had already been dealt with. Mr A. 0. Cook (who was in attendance) excitedly referred to his intention to have an inquiry on the subject. The Mayor remarked that it was not for ratepayers to cone to Council meetings to make speeches. He also drew the speaker's attention to the fact that "M. E. Cook" was the ratepayer on the books. Mr A. Or. Cook : I represent her. The Mayor stated that he would refuse to take any notice of Mr Cook and the matter then closed.

BEQUESTS AND COMPLAINTS Mrs Cook also complained of the water channel outside her property being filled With storm water and Overflowing on to her property.— Referred to the Works Foreman to report. An application by Mr Edwin Kemp, Station road, for the grant of two loads of metal for the entrance to his front gate was acceded to. Mr George Kemplay, Secretary of the School Committee, applied for an approach to be made to the Favona road estate, pointing out that about thirty children attended the school from that locality.—Referred to the Works Committee.

Mrs M. A. Heron complained of the Unsatisfactory state of the water table and sump at the corner of Great South and Canal roads, causing an overflow of water on to her property. She stated that as a result her tenant had given notice to leave the house.—Referred to the Foreman to attend to.

Mr Patrick J. McKernan, Avenue road, objected to paying the sum of 6s for cleaning out a sewer connection. He considered the charge by the turncock was exorbitant.—Referred to the turncock to report. BTRAYING CATTLE Mr J. 0. Rowley, Luke street, wrote complaining of the prevalence of 1 orses and cattle grazing in that thoroughfare and doing damage to properties. The Mayor mentioned that the matter of cattle straying in the Borough would have to be put a stop to and he suggested that someone should be appointed as Ranger so that animals should be impounded. Cr Todd stated that it was a complaint which cropped up with every council but was left alone during election time for obvious reasons Mr Rowley's letter was referred to the Works Committee. LIGHTING OF BOROUGH A petition, which had been before the previous Council, from residents of Gore and Pratt streets, was presented asking that a light should be placed at the junction of Gore and Pratt streets.—Referred to the General Purposes Committee. Cr Clements suggested that two extra lamps should be placed in Station road—one near Moa street and Great South road and another near Huia street.

Cr Field considered a light necessary at the intersection of Avenue road and Hutton street.

The Mayor thought that in the outskirts better lighting was required. (Jr Stringer * enquired the cost of each lamp and was informed by the Town Clerk that the upkeep was about £4 5s a year. The petition ami sujjgestio is wp* e referral to the Lighting Committee. AN ALLEGED OVERCHARGE. Mr Williamson attended the Council and endeavoured to reopen a question of alleged overcharge in respect of rates which had been considered by the late Council but the Mayor pointed out that tha matter had already been dealt with by the late Council and could not ba roopened. SEXTON APPOINTED. The Town Clerk reported that only one application, viz , from Mr 6. Enabling, had been received for the post of sexton. On the motion of the Mayor, Mr Embling was appointed. POWERS OK COMMITTEES. Some time was occupied discussing th "> question of control in respect of works to be done by the Works and other Committees.

The Mayor said the iustruetions from the various Committees should come from the office, otherwise there would be much misunderstanding. Cr Stringer thought that the instructions should come from the Works Committee to the office.

It was generally considered that if the Foreman were present at the Works Committee meetings it would be more satisfactory. WATER SUPPLY. Cr Field reported on the condition of the pumping station and the necessity for providing increased storage capacity for water. Cr Hall suggested that there was an engineer's report in the possession of the Council on the water and pumping plant. The matter was deferred for consideration to the next meeting. The whok-hearted support of the community of Otahuhu is being extended to the benefit concert to be held in the Public Hall on Wednesday evening next in aid of the widow of the late Mr T. C. Fitzsimmons, who during his life was always to the fore in rendering support to every deserving cause. The entertainment will be preceded by a march of massed bands from Portage road to the hall, to be taken part in by the Auckland City, Ellerslie Town, Onehunga and Otahuhu Municipal Bands. The programme to be submitted will include items by local and city artists and some membeis of Fuller's Vaudeville Circuit will also appear. A crowded house should be secured.

There was a good attendance at the lecture entitled " Paisley Buddies " delivered by the Rev. R. Inglis M.A., in the Presbyterian Church on Tuesday evening last, the Pastor (Rev. Currie) presiding. In humorous style the lecturer gave an interesting description of tho everyday life of the Paisley people their industries, life, education and religious upbringing. The choir under the conductors!] ip of Mr A. McDonald rendered several musical items which wore much appreciated.