OTAHUHU

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 292, 13 July 1917, Page 2

OTAHUHU

["The Otahuhu Agent for " The Times" is Mr Bathe, from whom copies of the paper may be ordered. Mr Bathe is also authorised t« mceive advts. and printing orders on our behalf. ]

Military Medal Recipient

Sei'gt. A. H. SAGE. Sergeant A. H. Sage, who has been awarded the Military Medal for gallantry at the battle of Messines, is the younger son of Mr J. A. Sago, who prior to his transfer this week to To Kauwhata has been a member of the local Permanent Railway Stalf for three or four years. Sergt. Sage enlisted with the Nintli Reinforcements and was attachod to the Auckland Infantry, lie saw servico in Egypt, Armentioresandwas through the Somme offensive. He is 22 years of age and was educated at Waikumete and Now Lynn schools. As a school boy he showed great promise, on seveial occasions carrying off the honours in his class. Prior to enlisting ho was employed as a clerk in the Railway Department His grandfather, the late Sergt. Jesse Sage, took part in the Maori War.

BoROUGn COUNCIL MEETING

At the meeting of the Borough Council hold in the Council Chambers last evening there were present the Mayor (Mr A McDonald), Crs J. Brady, H. J. Hall, R. Todd, H. T. Clements, A. J. Wildman, and F. R.Field with the Town Clerk (Mr C. J. Kent-Johnstrn). Cr H, J. Moffitt wrote apologising for non-attpndance and Cr H. Y. Stringer was absent through illness. AI'MT Oi ACCOUNTS In compliance witli the request of the Town Clerk for an audit of the acemm's to be made before ho left the service of theCounciltlie Council .xraimunicated with the Audit Inspector. A reply was received from Mr Ft. Wylie, Audit Inspector, to the effect that he was unable to c imply with the request but pointed out that as the accounts had been audited during the past two months the audit did not appear necessary. i;Ui:i \i. or soldiers The Minister of Internal Affairs iu a circular letter enquired if the Council would agree to providing free burial plots in the Council's Cemetery for members of the Expeditionary Force who died prior to tlioir discharge. It was resolved that the matter should be referred to the Public Service Committee ami the Clerk was directed to rej:ly accordingly Cr Brady suggested that a special plot should be set aside at the Cemetery for the purpose. AI'I'KAI.S 10K IMI'IiOVEIIEN'TS The Manukau County Clerk wrote complaining of the bad state of the small portion ef roal leading from \Valm>ley road to overhead railway bridge giving access to Eccleston Settlement. It was pointed out that although the portion of the road in question was only 3A chains in length it was absolutely impassable in wot weather as it became a quagmire. On the motion of the Mayor it w is resolved to reply that the mat'er was under the c msHerati m of the Council. A letter was als) received from Mr A. Gibson, of the Ecclestone Esta'e, complaining of the bad state of the road between Waluisley road and the bridge ov- r the railway liue at the approach to the Ec.les'on and Favoua Estates. He mentioned that the stretch of load in ques'ion was formed two years ago and had never been metalled and as it wa<* the only outlet from the estates and was used by a large number of vehicles and pedestrians, especially by children attending the school, he thought the condition was such as called for attention.

Cr Brady explained that as fir is could be ascertained it did not appe.ir that the approach to Wtil nsley road had been dedicated and the Works Committee recommended that application .should be m ule to Sir F Ling and the Rt. It on W. F. Masj-ey, who owned the pr >p Ttv, f>r the road to be repaired. Cr Brady expressed the opini m that ho anti-Mj» ited tint tin re»ult of Mich applici'ion would be in everv way satisfactory. The Works Committee's recom mendation was agreed to. xv.xu 11\i 1: economy out of a recommendation of tho Works C ramitteo to dispense xx i;h the set vices of two men, the M lyor explained that one hid alr-a.ty left. ('r Brady, suppo.ting the recommendation, urged that economy was r.<jiiired and said that although work mi,u r ht take longer to carry out the Comuiittee considered that they could dispense xvi h the other man at tho end of the month. If necessary, said Cr Brady, a casual m in could be employed. Cr Field i|U:\"ti<'iied tho wisdom of 'he recommenda'ion when so much work xx as xvaiting to b> done. The recommendation was adopted, ; Cr Field dissenting. ! l «|\i:- s I KO« 'EMUHE KoftT! i!i{4" t ( > now system adopted of typ"d copies of reports of various Committees being submitted i to members and not read in open | Council, Cr Brady gave it as his , opinion that such reports should be

read, contending that the public present at the meetings should be considered.

Cr Field endorsed Or Brady's remarks and thought also that more time should be given to the consideration of the reports. The Mayor said the practice was as adopted by the City Council and expediated business. Continuing, his Worship said the Council had nothing to hide but they did not wish talk unnecessarily. Personally saw no reason to change the pract^^^JH Cr Field moved that the should be read aloud, contending that the ratepayers present did not hear what was gang on. Cr Brady seconded. Crs Wildman, Clements and Hall expressed themselves in favour of supporting the existing practice as it facilitated the business of the Council Only the proposer and seconder voted for the proposition, which was accordingly lost. RANGER On the recommendation of the Public Services Committee the question of the appointment of a Ranger was considered. Cr Brady said that the salary should be fixed and moved that the salary should be £2O a year. Cr Wildman seconded. Cr Field mentioned that he thought a suitable man could be obtained for £l2 and moved as an amendment that the salary should be £ 12, the same as was formerly paid. Cr Todd seconded the amendment. Cr Hall considered that £2O would have to be paid to secure a good man. The amendment on being put to the meeting was lost, Crs Field and Todd only voting in its favour. The original motion that a Ranger should be appointed at a salary of £2O was then carried, Crs Field and Todd voting against. It was resolved that the position should be advertised in the "Times" and the Public Service and Works Committee should have power to make the appointment WATER METERS In accordance with notice of motion given, the Mayor moved "That all water meters at present outside the boundary of any consumer's property should be removed at the Council's expense and placed inside the boundary." His Worship, in moving the motion, said that the Council had the right to fix the position of the meter and he desired that all consumers should be treated alike The adoption of the practice would then secure uniformity. Cr Hall seconded and the motion was unanimously carried ALLEGED OVERCHARGE Complying with the decision arrived at the last meeting, the Turncock reported that the sum of 6s charged for cleaning out the sewer connection for Mr Patrick J. McKernan, of Avenue Road, was a reasonable charge Mr J. McKernan attended and said he objected to the amount as the Turncock was only engaged about one hour and 40 minutes. He said he was prepared to pay what was reasonable but considered he was overcharged. Cr Field said it was a " trilling matter " and moved that the matter should be referred to the Water and Drainage Committee. The Mayor expressed the opinion that it was not a trilling matter as it was a question of upholding a servant of the Board. The Council adopted the report of the Turnc ck, Cr Field being the only dissentient. Mr McKernan excitedly endeavoured to reopen the question, but the Mayor informed him that the matter was " finished." Angrily Mr McKernan exclaimed that it was not fi ii»hel as far as he was concerned and threatening to make the matter public he left the Council Chambers. REMISSION" OK RATI:S. Two applications for the remission of rates were considered and granted. Cr Field urged th<t th<3 whole question of the remission of rates should be referred to the Legal and Finance Committee and that suggestons should be made by the Committee where leniency was desirable. Cr Brady disagree! with Cr Field and thought ihat each case &li >«ld j he de;»l f . with on i's me;i?s Cr Clements thought that Cr Field's propts il would induce people to make applici ion for remission, which would be umb siraMe Tne matter th>;n dropped CoMI'J.UXTS AND RKiJI'E.-TS. Mr Thos Erne, of Q leen Stieet, wrotj that Oil-en i v "t eet f:«m Montgomery's Gate towards P»;k Koad was in a rough and daug *r >us sta-n and asked for some rep its to be done. - Cr Brady explained that thu work would be put in hand as soon as possible.—Tlii nutter was referred to the Works Committee.

Mr P. and Mrs H. both of Golf Avenue, compiling of straying cattle in Oolf Av nun —lt w-ts resolved to reply that the matter was being iloalt with.

A letter was received from Mr W. ;(i MeAnulty, of fluttm Street, j complaining of the defective water I meter which had been supplied by a former Council.—Referred to the • \Vat*r and Drainage Committee. | Mr S A Fearnley wrote drawing attention to the overt! iw of tlood water on to his property in Empire Lane.— Referred to iln Works Committee. Mr Albert Koss drew atten'.ion to the bad state of Railway Street due to the storm water running down the centre of the roadway. A ' proper water table, lie suggested, wo i!d obviate the nuisance.—Referred to the Works Committee. 11AXI> l>l-li XliF.I) Cr Clements reported on behalf of the Otahuhu Band that owing to the depletion from the ranks of the band, many members having already left for military service and five more being soon dae to simifßtty Jeave, only four members would remain and the Band had expressed the wish that they should disband a% the circumstances they would not be in a position to pay the conductor's ►alary. It was recommended that the four remaining members should retain their uniforms and instruments. Continuing, Cr Clements

said that when the next subsidy was received from the Council the Band would be in a satisfactory financial position. Cr Clements also stated that the value of the Band's instruments and uniforms and property was about £290.

Cr Todd endorsed what Cr Clements had said and explained that the Band only desired to suspend operations for a time. Ths Mayor then formally moved Khat the should disband and *his was agreed to, Crs Clements and Tndil to report on the custody of tlie baud's property at a future Council meeting. APPOINTMENT OF TOWN CLERK The Mayor reported that in respone to the advertisement for the position of Town Clerk and Treasurer 30 applications had been received and after consideration in Committee the choice had been reduced to three candidates. The three applications, together with their testimonials, were then considered by the Council " in Committee," and on a vote being taken Mr W. J. Dinnison, at present Town Clerk of Taihape, was unanimously appointed to the position. TOWN CLERK'S ASSISTANT The Legal and Finance Committee recommended that the application of Miss Thwaites, assistant to the Town Clerk, for an increase in salary should be deferred until after the arrival of the new Town Clerk. The report was adopted. FINANCE The Treasurer reported that the balances on the following accounts were District Fund (debit) £4,2*74 8s 7d, Cemetery (credit) £lll 13s 7d, Park (credit) £l4B 18s 9d, Domain (credit) £3O 4s Bd. Accounts amountirg to £892 2s 6d were passed for payment, the main item being £402 Is 8d for interest. WOEKS COMMITTEE On the recommendation of the Works Committee it was agreed that a four feet wide footway should be tarred and shelled between the Convent and the Catholic Church gate. THE PUMPING STATION The Committee recommended that a report should be obtained from a capable man on the pumping station and storage capacity for water supply and they expressed the opinion that in the present condition of affairs the pumping station was being worked with all reasonable economy. Cr Field moved that this matter of obtaining a report on the pumping station should be referred back to the committee but this was not seconded and the Committee's recommendation was adopted. PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE The Committee recommended that immediate steps should be taken to enforce the by-law relating to straying stock and recommended that an advertisement should be inserted in the "Times" and Auckland papers warning owners of stock that proceedings would be taken against them. They further reeommended that the request for a light in Gore street should be granted but that other applications for lighting should be deferred. The repoit was adopted. THE NEW TOWNCLERK Mr W. J. Dinnison, who out of 30 applicants was last night appointed by the Borough Council as Town Clerk and Treasurer of Otahuhu, is at present Town Clerk at Taihape. He was previously for 15 years Clerk to the Bemuera and Epsom Road Boards. Mr Dinnison is a married man and is 39 years of age. He is classed in the Ist Division but has been rejected for active service by the Military Board.

Residents of Otahuhu will regret to learn that there is a likelihood of the Municipal Band being suspended until after the war. About six of its members go into camp in September and the ranks have been so depleted with enlistments and men leaving the district that there will only be four members remaining so that it will be practically impossible to carry on as a band The Otahuhu Band has had many ups and downs during its career but there was always a few solid pioreer members who kept the organisation in exist#nce, the late Mr T. Fitzsimmons being one of the oldest members Of late years the band has been subsidised by the Borough Council and although depleted of its members is in a healthy condition financially. Much service has been done to the community by the band, they having turned out on every occasion when requested to play at public functions and benefits. In this direction especially they will be sadly m'ssed A most succesful concert in connection with the Baptist Church sale of work was held on Tuesday evening last. Despite the wet night the church was crowded and a very good programme was gone through. The children of the Sunday School gave a number of selections, also a locally composed dialogue. Other items were : Pianoforte solos by Miss E. Moffit and Miss M. Lannen, vocal solos by Miss Kemplay and Miss Mina Lannen, cornet duet by Messrs Rosewarne and Collins, and a recitation by Mr J. Morris. At the conclusion supper was provided for the Sunday school children. A social evening was held on Wednesday evening last in connection with Miss Holt and Mr Wilisted's dancing class anil despite the very unfavourable weather there was a large gathering. The music supplied by Edwards orchestra was all that could be desired and a m-ipt enjoyable evening was spent. The class lias proved a great success and the management are to be congratulated on the efficient manner in which the arrangements are carried out. A most enjoyable euchre after' noon, under 1' ■ r.■. pices of the Ohilmtiu L'hlh- '>n|„.»t Club, was he!.l Lhe .Mali last Wednesday, Afternoon tea was par-takf-ii of. The winners of the Mo[ili;'-f worn Mesdanies House and \Vo'.;!«. As a result of the function tin- -i.iu of Ail was realised towards the working expenses fund of the Club. The final meeting of the Fitzsimmons Benefit Committee, comprised of members of the Municipal Band,

Fire Brigade, Patriotic Committee, and Foresters, was held on Wednesday evening, Mr Wildman occupying the chair. The Treasurer, Mr J. Mclvor, repoited that the sum of £sl 5s 6d had been raised by means of the concert and donations. After deducting the total amount of expenses, viz. £4 7s 6d, the sum of £46 18s was available for the widow of deceased. The following were appointed trustees for the payment of the fund, viz, Messrs Wildman, Mclvor and Moss. During the evening votes of thanks were passed to all those who had assisted in making the benefit such a pronounced success, Messrs F. Andrew and S. E Moe being especially mentioned, they having placed their motor cars at the disposal of the committee. The chairman thanked Messrs Rosewarne and Brown for their assistance as joint secretaries. At the conclusion of the business a hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr Wildman for the able manner in which he carried out his duties as Chairman of the joint committee, Rifleman H. W. (Billy) Wills, reported wounded, is the son of Mrs H. W. Wills, of Luke street, Otahuhu. He was a well-known sportsman in Otahuhu and prior to enlisting was in Mr J. Hall's omploy. Cr H. V. Stringer is at present a patient in the Auckland Hospital where it is feared he will have to undergo an operation. The Mayor (Mr A. McDonald) at last night's meeting of the Borough Council expressed his regret at Cr Stringer's illness and consequent absence from the Council meeting.