MAUKU RIDING ELECTION.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 356, 1 March 1918, Page 2

MAUKU RIDING ELECTION.

Mr Montgomerie Returned Polling took place on Wednesday for the representation of the Mauku Biding on the Frankiin County Council, the previous election having been declared void by the Magistrate as the result of irregularities committed by some of the deputy returning officers. The candidates, as before, were Messrs Joseph Henry and J. S. Montgomerie, the former being the ex-member who was defeated in November by Mr Montgomerie by a majority of four votes. Tho supporters of either candidate were again very active on Wednesday and a few more votes than on the previous occasion wore polled, the result being that Mr Montgomerie was successful by 292 votes to 239—a majority of 53 The votes as cast at the different polling booths wore as follows, th«previous figures b>>ing given in parenthesis in each instance, viz:

OTAHUHU OTAHUHU BOROUGH COUNCIL LAST NIGHT'S MEETING At the fortnightly meeting of the Otahuhu Borough Council held last evening there were present the Mayor (Mr A. McDonald), Ors J. Brady, H. J. Hall, H. J. Moffitt, R. Todd, A. J. Wildman and H. V. Stringer, with the Town Clerk (Mr W. J. Dinnison).

PACIFIC islands' ownership

In a circular letter from the Town Clerk of Auckland the Council wai asked by the City Council to support the resolution passed by them as follows : "In view of the great public interest now being shown regarding the question of the disposal of Samoa at the conclusion of the war this Council urges upon the New Zealand representatives at the forthcoming Imperial Conference the necessity of strenuously advocating the retention of that portion of the Samoan group taken from Germany in British hands and that the Municipal Councils and other public bodies throughout the Dominion be requested to co-operate in this direction, thereby strengthening the hands of our Representatives when the time arrives for dealing with this most momentous question." The Mayor remarked that he hardly thought the resolution went far enough as it should have included other places besides Samoa. On his motion, however, the Council heartily supported the resolution. ACQUISITION OF QUARRY

The Mayor formally reported on the Council's inspection of the St Ann's bridge quarry and said that all the Councillors who attended were impressed with the quality of the stone and the accessibility of the quarry. As an offer for its sale had been received from the Auckland Hospital Board the Council had the option of acquiring the quarry. Cr Brady supported the Mayor's views and expressed the opinion that the Council should take steps to acquire the property as it would be a great asset to the town. After an informal discussion the question was referred to the Finance Committee, it being unanimously agreed that the acquisition of the quarry would be in the interests of the Borough. MAYOR AND COMMITTEES Cr Todd, referring to the Mayor's recent retirement from membership of Committees, suggested that it was advisable that His Worship should act on the Finance Committee. He moved that the Mayor should be a member of Finance Committee.

Cr Brady seconded. The Mayor explained that when he took the position of Mayor he was Chairman of* every Committee but as he found he had,not the time to carry out the duties satisfactorily he resigned from them all, He, however, recognised that it was a question of policy and he was prepared to act in accordance with the wishes of the Council. The motion on being put to the meeting by Cr Todd was carried unanimously. MIDDLEMORE ESTATE DRAISAOE In connection with the drainage of tne Middiemore Estate and the formal notice given to the respective owners to carry out such work it was decided that a surveyor Bhould be engaged to prepare plans for the same.

WHAT IS THE TROUBLE?

Friction in connection with the Council's night-soil staff was indicated by the following report presented by the Water and Drainage Committee, viz. : " Tour Committee has to report that since the last meeting of the Council the sanitary men (Messrs Burns and Kelly), tendered their resignations as from February 21st. At a meeting of the Committee, which was immediately called for the purpose of dealing with this question, the resignations of the men mentioned were accepted and the chairman was authorised to engage two new men for the work, Messrs J. Wilson and S. Carter being appointed." Following on the reading of the report, Mr J. Wilson, one of the new " hands " appointed, who was in attendance at the meeting, announced that he wished to give up the work. He added that he would not work under the Borough Foreman.

This resignation was accepted by the Council.

Cr Todd thought a little bit of tact would clear the matter up. " Yes," said the Mayor, " I am afraid that more language is possibly used than tact. But is there anything behind all these little breezes?" The matter then dropped, Cr Moffitt (chairman of the Committee) being empowered to act as he thought best. GREAT SOUTH ROAD.

Cr Todd drew attention to the lengthy time usually spent on Fridays by the Council's three men and a horse and dray sweeping the Great South Road. It seemed to him that the road was getting into a bad state and the question of its condition required to be seriously considered. He urged that the matter should receive the attention of the Works Committee. They were not getting; value for their money and he thought there was too much waste of time on the road.

Cr Rrady expressed the opinion that the channels and cesspits should be cleaned out and that the carriageway should not be swept as at present. He was afraid the metal on the road was affected by the present action.

The Mayor remarked that if in the opinion of any Councdlor a road waa being damaged as the result of work done they were quite justified in drawing attention to the matter. He moved that the matter mentioned by Cr Todd be referred to the Workl Committee to report why three men and a dray had been required the whole day on Great South Road on Friday, the 22nd February, and as to the advisability of sweeping the road.

Cr Moffitt remarked that tho road had been carrying a good deal of motor bus traffic since the curtailment of the train service. The Mayor's proposal was adopted.

AVEfCE ROAD BATHISO SITE. Cr Hall enquired the position of the Council on the question of the proposed bathing facilities for ladies on die Avenue Road site. Cr Todd remarked that the Council had agreed to find £3O and the ladies would provide £lO. The contract price for the erection of a suitable building was £4B and the question was as to the provision of

the balance of £B. Cr Hall moved that the additional amount required should be provided by the Council. The Mayor reminded Cr Hall of the resolution passed on the 10th January last relative to the Council expending the sum of £3O and suggested that before anything could be done he would have to give notice to rescind such resolution. At the suggestion of the Mayor Cr Hall gave notice that at the next

meeting he would move that the resolution referred to should be rescinded. MI9CEUAXEOUB. Application for a load of shingle for, the entrance to his property in Railway Street was made by Mr W. H. Harrison who stated that it was required for asphalting the approach to bis house—On the motion of Cr Brady the request was referred to the Works Committee with power to act

A complaint was made by Messrs Richards and Thompson that storm water was being conveyed directly on to their section in King Street and they asked that the complaint should be rectified.—lt was resolved to reply that the matter would receive attention.

At the meeting of the Auckland Education Board on Wednesday Mrs E. Latta and Mrs F. W. Clarkson were appointed as the Board's representatives on the Otahuhu Technical School Advisory Committee. The Committee in charge of the patriotic carnival to take place on Saturday of next week intend to make the event eclipse everything every before attempted in the district and judging from the preparations being made the response by the public to the Patriotic Committee's venture will not be lacking. The attractions are not only varied but provide a certain amount of fun for the speculator, while the children's sports to commence at 10 o'clock comprise a well arranged programme. No less than 3000 lucky envelopes will be on sale and the prizes offered in this connection include a valuable section of land adjoining the Auckland harbour, a well-bred hack, and numerous gifts of grocery, flour, and other household articles. There is likely to be a great rush for these lucky envelopes

at Is as it is announced that the * value of the minimum prize will be 9d. Music will be provided by the Auckland City Band, the Fonsonby Drum and Fife Band and the Highland Pipers. In the sports programme the fire brigades have not been overlooked and most of the teams in the Auckland brigade area are likely to compete for the two handsome cups to be awarded the winners Another attraction will be the baby competition and a good many " wee " contestants are likely to be entered for this competition. In cookery and produce every inducement is made for ladies of the district to compete. Under the control of local ladies light refreshments will be provided in a large marquee. Races for married men and returned soldiers will attract a large number of sportsmen while the stockmen's bending and bottle competitions are sure to create much excitement. Patrons are asked to arrange to be on the ground as early as possible as a large crowd is expected. Among those present at the Methodist Church Conference now being held at Dunedin are the Rev W. G. Slade the pastor of the Otahuhu and Papatoetoe Methodist Churches and Mr P Bridges (Circuit Steward) of Otahuhu.

Polling Booth Henry Montgomene Pukekohe lit P! 17 (15) Auckland 17 fl6) 51 (.'55) I'uerata (h 43 145) Patumahoe 150 (16.",) •29 (11) Drury 12 (9) .".'.I (37) Karaka '1 Ml ,",6 (78) Waiau 'IV Midi 39 (36) ( ) 10 (12) 41 (21.) 239 f'5S' : J 92 rliW