OTAHUHU

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 348, 25 January 1918, Page 2

OTAHUHU

OTAHUHU BOROUGH COUNCIL LAST NIGHT'S MEETING. At the ordinary fortnightly 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, A. J. Wildman and H. V. Stringer, with the Town Clerk (Mr W. J. Pinnison). BTANTIINO ORDERS.

Before commencing the business of the Council the Mayor reminded the Council of the announcement be made at the previous meeting that the business of the meetings would in future be conducted strictly in accordance with the Standing Orders of the Council. Such, said His Worship, would be strictly observed.

cr field's absence. The Mayor said he had been asked by Cr Field to apologise for his absence, Cr Field having explained to him that he had been in indiffer* ent health for some time past. Cr Hall enquired if Cr Field had not been absent sufficient times to forfeit his seat as a member of the Council.

The Mayor replied that that night's meeting would be the fourth consecutive occasion on which Cr Field had not been present and he would accordingly forfeit his seat unless leave of absence was granted him.

On the motion of the Mayor, seconded by Cr Hall, leave of absence was granted.

BPECIAL WATER CHARGES. The Town Clerk asked for instructions as to a consumer of, water outside the borough, who had hitherto been paying a lower rate than provided for in the by-laws. — Keplying to Cr Todd, the Town Clerk mentioned that a special arrangement was made in some cases,—Cr Stringer said he did not know why the consumer in question should be singled out to pay the higher rate and he moved that the person concerned should make formal application for a supply by special agreement.—This was agreed to.

The Lady Superintendent of St. Mary's Homes, Otahuhu, in a letter to the Council enquired on what terms water could be supplied to that institution. She stated that the number of inmates was %, viz., 50 iafants and 46 adults.-An enquiry by Cr Hall whether charitable institutions were supplied with water at a reduced rate elicited the reply that they were granted a reduction of 50 per cent.—On the motion of Cr Todd it was decided that the request should be granted at the reduced rate as provided by the By-laws.

school committee's thaxks. The Secretary of the Otahuhu School Committee (Mr G. W. Kemplay) in conveying the thauks of the Committee for the assistance given them by the Council in their efforts to secure better school accommoda tion stated that a grant had been made by the Education Board towards new school buildings, which would be erected soon.

NOXIOUS WEEDS. Mrs Mary Andrew, of '-Trevarnick," Great South Road, complained of the state of the property opposite her house at the junction of Great South Road and Park Road and pointed out that the growth of gorse, docks, blackberries, etc., rendered the paddock a menace to the adjoining properties. Mr J. Hunter, her tenant, had, she said, spent a considerable sum in improving the property and she submitted that it was unfair to have seed from noxious weeds blown on to it from the adjoining property. She asked the matter should have attention. The letter was referred to the Noxious Weeds Inspector. " Unfortunately docks are not noxious weeds and a good job for some of us " said the Mayor.

AN ALLEGEH NUISANCE. A letter was received from the District Health Officer, Auckland, stating that complaints' had been received by the Health Department of the offensive smell from the tannery and septic tank in Luke Street. A visit to the place at dead low water, he said, disclosed two leakages—one from the end of the tank nearest the creek or from a pipe going to the wooden fluming and another from the tluming itself. He pointed out that the tannery was in a very dirty condition and that hides were being dressed in a recently erected building for which no permit had been granted. The Health Officer, in conclusion, said that unless the building was put into a better condition the tannery would have to be closed down. The Town Clerk mentioned that permission had been granted for the building referred to. With reference to the offensive smell Cr Clements, who mentioned that he was familiar with the works, expressed the opinion that there was very little cause for complaint. Cr Brady said there was a leakage which should be attended to.—lt was resolved on the motion of Cr Moffitt that the matter of this complaint should be referred to the Water and Drainage Committee.

As to the complaint with regard to the building used as a tannery it was decided to forward a copy of the lettter to the owners. worrers' rrcN'io. Mr Bernard Clews, Secretary to the Local Bodies Labourers Industrial Union of Workers, Williamson's Avenue, Auckland, wrote asking for the Council's usual donation towards their annual picnic to be held on the 9th February next. Cr Clements moved that the usual donation, which he believed to be £2 2s, should be granted. The Mayor presumed that other local bodies would contribute and such being the case he moved as an amendment that a donation of one guinea be given, remarking that their financial position hardly justified the Council being unnecessarily liberal. On the amendment being put to the meeting it was cirried, Cr CI amenta and Moffitt dissenting. POUNDKEEPER. No applications having been received for the position of poundkeeper Cr Brady was empowered to

make arrangements for filling the appointment. PURCHASE OF QUARRY. The Town Clerk having repotted on the question of acquiring the Bt. Ann's Bridge quarry from the Auckland Hospital Board, Or Hall expressed the opinion that it was desirable that the Council should acquire the quarry on reasonable terms, remarking that the blue metal, which it contained, would prove suitable for the roads and a saving of money to the Council. He accordingly moved that negotiations should be entered into with the Hospital Board for the purchase of the quarry. Or Moffitt seconded and agreed with Ct Hall that it would be desirable for the Council to acquire the property if possible. Cr Brady remarked that previous negotiations for the purchase from the Board had failed as they declined to sell. He was in favour of endeavouring to purchase part of the Panama Estate which contained a quarry and could, he thought, be acquired ov better terms. The motion was carried nem con. ladies' bathing shed. CrHall reported that plans and specifications had been prepared for the proposed ladies' bathing shed at Avenue Road and that tenders would be invited for the work. The £lO promised by the ladies towards such expenditure would, he said, be forthcoming when required. PATRIOTIC CARNIVAL. The Mayor, on behalf of the Patriotic Committee, who have in hand the arrangements for the Monster Carnival to be held on Saturday, February 16th, asked that a donation should be given towards the gathering. Cr Wildman moved that a donation of £lO be given.—Cr Todd seconded and the proposition was unanimously agreed to.' SHELTER TREES. Cr Brady drew attention to the desirability of planting trees in Prince's Street and other places. The same, he said, would not only prove attractive but a convenience for shelter in summer time Crs Clements and Todd spoke in support, the last-named adding that the width of Otahuhu roads and streets wonld admit of trees being planned in several places. Station Road was also mentioned by Cr Clements as a thoroughfare which could be much improved by the planting of trees. The Mayor and Crs Brady and Clements were empowered to carry into effect such tree planting as they thought desirable. XO TIME WASTED. The meeting terminated at 9.15 p.m., the briskness with which the Council's business was carried through being attributed to the enforcement of the Standing Orders, which prevented the introduction of much unnecessary discussion. Councillors regarded the innovation as an improvement.