OTAHUHU

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 344, 11 January 1918, Page 3

OTAHUHU

OTAHUHU BOROUGH COUNCIL - LAST NIGHT'S MEETING. At the meeting of the Otahuhu Borough Council held last evening there were present the Mayor (Mr A. McDonald}, Crs J. Brady, H. J. Hall, H. J. Moffitt, B, Todd, H. T. Clements and H. V. Stringer, with the Town Clerk (Mr W. J. Dinni•on). povhdkeeper's resignation. The Poundkeeper (Mr Jas. Callagher) wrote tendering his resignation as poundkeeper. I The resignation was accepted and it was resolved that applications should be called for the position.

AN OLD GRIEVANCE. Mr Isacc Williamson, Avenue Road, wrote complaining that an overcharge haa been made by the Council for rates and that his previous application for a refund had bean ignored. The Town Clerk having explained the position it was resolved to reply that the Council recognised no responsibility in the matter.

PARK ROAI) DRAINAGE. Mrs Margaret Mullins, Park Road, again wrote drawing attention to the unsatisfactory state of the drain in Park Road. She pointed ' out that when there was heaVy rain the storm water from Queen Street and Park Road ran under the honse and carried the mud on to the verandah. Mrs Mullins added that the drains were a menace to wayfarers in the locality, some people to her knowledge having fallen into one of the drains at night. She considered the open drains were seriously damaging her property by loosening the soil around the fence posts and house blocks with the result that the house had dropped very noticeably on one side. She asked that the drains should be properly piped and filled in. Cr Brady explained that the pipe and channel had already been cleared out by the Foreman, but unfortunately the hou«e was built below the level of the road and it was not possible to do more than had been done.

Or Moffitt mentioned that if the drain was piped beyond the property, which work appeared necessary, he was afraid the water would be turned on to private property. Something, however, had to be dote if possible. Or Stringer, who was'familar with the drain in question, said he regarded it as dangerous and thought that the Council should remedy the complaint as the oveiflow on to Mrs Mullins' prop3rty was woise when the drains were blocked. He considered that the drain should be piped beyond Mrs Mullins' and the adjoining properties Mr Moffitt moved that the Foreman should inspect the site and subjait an estimate of the cost of the prork.—This was agreed to. WATERING. STREETS.

Cr Brady expressed the opinion that once a week the main street should be watered as it would prevent the dust accumulating and would keep the roai in a better state. He thought that this course could be carried out by hydrants and be would like it given a trial. No action was taken. MLTJARIJ ROOM LICENSE The application by Mr Charles Chamberlain for the renewal of his billiard-room license was granted. The Town Clerk stated that the police reported that the conduct of the saloon was most satisfactory and Cr Todd spoke highly of the way in which the business was controlled by Mr Chamberlain.

SCORIA PIT. The question or the Council acquiring a scoria pit on the Panama Estate, of which the Council had the • offer, was mentioned, Cr Brady remarking tha* he regarded the offer as a good one and thought that it would be a good speculation on the part of the Council to purchase it. He urged that the Council should give the matter serious consideration. After some informal discussion the Council agreed to inepect tho property on Saturday, the 19th inst. On the motion of Cr Moffitt it was resolved that the Town Clerk should obtain particulars from the Auckland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board as to the terms in which they would be prepared to dispose of the St. Ann's Bridge quarry. BATHING FACILITIES. With reference to the provision of a bathing shed for ladies at Avenue Boad as set out in a recent petition placed before the Council, Cr Clements reported that the erect-on of a suitable shed for ladies would cost from £3O to £33 and staging about £B. As mentioned at a previous meeting he was not in favour of incurring such expenditure as he considered the tarring and sanding of the footpaths cf rr importance, , which work had been deferred ow- | ing to lack of funds.

_ Cr Hall remarked that the petitioners were willing to raise ahout £lO towards the erection of a bathing ahed provided they received the Council's assurance that the work would be carried out.

Cr Brady doubted whether unless the proposed stage was firmly built on piles it would* withstand the effects of a high tide He suggested that a suitable place would ho on the southern side of the wharf. As, however, summer was running on he thought that the work should be deferred.

Or Hall suggested that if the petitioners provided £lO towards the costtiie Council might he prepared ' fj Clements strongly opposed the expenditure as the Council were not in a position to expend the money for that purpose. It was no good, said Cr Clements, preaching economy unless the Council consistently carried out that policy. The repairs to the footpaths were more necessary and the money could, in his opinion, he better spent in that wuy than pro- , Tiding for a hathing shed. Ct Brady contended that the Council would not be justified in I spending money as suggested when I they could not find sufficient money to repair the footpaths. Cr Todd was inclined to support Cr Clements bat suggested that pro-

bably the Couucil wouldjvote a sum of money towards the object and allow the petitioners to erect a shed subject to the Council's control. Cr Hall did not favour that suggestion. Crs Stringer and Clements expressed the opinion that several of those whose names appeared in the petition did not belong to the district.

Cr Brady then moved that the i question should be deferred for a year and this was seconded by Cr Clements. Cr Hall, in advocating the provision of a proper bathing shed, urged that the Council should rise to j the occasion and provide suitable accommodation. He incidentally reI ferred to the fact that he for years j had agitated for proper facilities i being provided on the beach. He then moved as an amendment that provided £lO was raised by the petitioners the Council should ex pend not less than £3O in providing suitable bathing facilities. Cr Moffitt in seconding the amendment remarked that he regarded the proposed expenditure as being for necessary work. On the amendment being put to meeting Cts Hall, Todd and Moffitt voted " for" and Crs Clements, Brady and Stringer " against." The Mayor mentioned that while he considered the work to the footpaths necessary he had intimated to the petitioners that if a sum were guaranteed by them towards the cost of the bathing shed he would assist them and for that reason he would give his casting vote in favour of the amendment, which was accordingly carried. His Worship added that whilst he supported the proposal for the erection of the shed under the circumstances he considered that the Council were making a mistake in neglecting the footpaths at that season of the year. Cr Hall enquired if the Council would put the work in hand at once provided the ladies deposited the £lO within a mcuth and the Mayor replied that thu work would be carried out as eailv as possible. On {he motion of Cr Todd it was resolved that the Mayor and Crs Hall and Brady should inspect and decide as to tne site.

UNSIGHTLY PROPERTY In accordance with instructions from the Council to interview Mr Partridge, the owner of unsightly property on the mam ?outh Road, the Clerk reported that ho had interviewed the owner, who had just re turned from America, and he had promised that the building should be either improved or pulled down. He assured the Council that he did not wish to cause any annoyance to the Council and the complaint would be remedied. The Town Clerk's report was regarded as satisfactory.

STATUTORY HALE HOLIDAY The Town Cleik having reported that a special meeting of the Council was required to be held to consider and decide upon the day for the statutory weekly half-holiday, it was resolved that such should be held on the same evening as the next ordinary meeting of the Council. SALEYAHDS NUISANCE With reference to the courjlaint recently made by Mr Murphy of the alleged nuisance which existed at thesaleyards the Town Clerk reported that he had interviewed the Secretary to the Bale Yards Association who promised that he and his Directors would do their best to remedy the complaint.

Particulars as to license fees payable for dogs for the current year ar« advertised in this issue.

On Tuesday last a number of ladies ac the invitation of Mrs Fred Andrews were taken for a motor trip to Gillies Park, Parnell. where a mnst enjoyable day was spent. All much appreciated the thoughtfulness shewn by their hostess who contributed so much to their pleasant outing. A number of Otahuhu residents, including members of the Ladies' Croquet Club, were on Wedmsday. atthe invitation of Mr and Mrs J. Allport, conveyed by Andiew and Andrew's char-a-banc to Titirangi. There the party amus»d therm elves in various ways, and before leaving three hearty cheers were given for the host and hostes3 for providing such an excellent outing. The first great sight-seeing trip fiom Otahuhu to Titirangi arrange! by Messrs Andrew acd \ndrew takes place next Thursday As this is regarded as the irjo.t in teresting drive within the subur'is of Auckland there is likely to be a large number to take advantage of the trip. The motor bus will leave Otahuhu at 10 oVock and patrons will be enabled to spend the whole day at Atkinson's Park where the magnificent scenery and heavy bush is unequalled, the beach also being a greit'attraction. Hot water will be provide! Patrons are asked to book eatly as no seats can be allotted after 8 o'clock on Wodneslay evening. The return fate is 'is. Attention was called by Mr A Me Dotal), the Mtyor of Otahuhu, at list night's council meeting to some remarks reflecting on the moral tone of the town and district made by Mr VVyvern Wilson, S.M., in connection w th a theft case bet', .re him nis Worship .-.aid lie should be wanting in his duly as Mayor iflie allowed sue 1 , rem. rk« to go unch illenged. Two boys, said the Mayor, were i rought before the Magistrate for stealing and as the boys had 1 been living at Oahuhu Mr Wilson had remarked that Otahuhu was really a hive of larrikins. Commenting on this His Worship said poople outside the district might thinkthat lauikinism was rampant in Otahuhu and that it was an undesirable place to live in. The Mayor points I out that the boys worked in thedis rift but had no parents there | and h-i lelieved they came from an I indusn I home at Takapuna. He contended that the boys of Otahuhu were as well behaved as elsewhere i'ii i be on- iti.. Magistrate male Hn.ii statements ho thought lie ought to he sure. f his facts