OTAHUHA

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 383, 14 June 1918, Page 3

OTAHUHA

OTAHUHU BOROUGH COUNCIL. LAST NIGHtTmEETING. At a meeting of the Otahuhu Borough Council held last evening there were present the Mayor (Mr A. McDonald) On J. Brady, H. J. Hall, B. Todd, H. J. Moffitt, A. J. Wildman, H. V. Stringer, with the Town Clerk (Mr W. J. Diunison) EDUCATIONAL IMPROVEMENTS. Improvements in the Education system of the Dominion was suggested by the Auckland Branch of the N.Z. Educational Institute, whose resolution on the subject was adopted by the Council. mraovniKNT sought. Attention was drawn by the Secretary of the Auckland Golf Club to the state of the Mangere road from the Middlemore Store to the Railway Crossing. Cr Moffitt reported that the work would be done and the Clerk was directed to reply accordingly. QCAKBT am. Referring to the negotiations with the Auckland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board relative to the transfer to the Council of the quarry site near St Ann's bridge the Secretary of the Board wrote that the Public Trustee as mortgagee of the property had intimated that the Council's offer would lapse if the transaction was not completed within three months. Authority was given the Town Clerk to complete the transaction. IKCBIASXD LIOHtIVO OHAROES. As a result of the notification from the Auckland Gas Company to increase the charges for street lighting as from Ist June the Mount Albert Borough Oounsil wrote enquiring what attitude the Otahuhu Council proposed to adopt with regard to the matter. A copy of a letter was enclosed, which it was suggested should be sent to the Gas Company as a protest "against the Company's action, the same appearing to have been taken without any consideration of the Local Bodies concerned.

The Mayor remarked that it was unfair that the Gas Company should raise the price of gas without special notice and time for Local Authorities to make their lighting rates on the basis of such extra charge as proposed. Or Brady, who moved that a protest should be made as suggested by the Mt Albert Borough Council, stated mat the sooner electric light was installed in the town the better it would be. The resolution was carried and it was also agreed that in the event of a joint protest being made by a deputation the Mayor should represent the Council. ▲ DBFEOCTK DRAIN Mrs Moffatt wrote complaining that the drain on her property was blocked and alleged that this was due to a defective drain adjoining. The complaint was referred to the Water and Drainage Committee with power to Act. AIXBOBD MANURI NUISANCE. Or Todd was about to present a petition containing about 30 signatures, when Cr Hall rose and contended that the Council should be notified before a petition was presented.

Cr Todd, speaking across the table to Cr flail, asked if he gave previous notice when his petition in favour of the erection of bathing sheds was brought forward. After some time had been taken up in discussing as to whether a petition could; be presented without notice the Mayor ruled that Or Todd was in order.

CrTodd then proceeded to read the petition which referred to the alleged nuisance caused by unloading of manure at the railway station. From enquiries made by Or Stringer and himself he said he bad ascertained that residents in the neighbourhood of the station were numerous, that the smell from such manure wu objectionable, flies therefrom also being a pest. The Mayor remarked that the Council had no control over the Railway Department and it was a question if the nuisance was a menace to public health. The matter had been reported to the Health Authorities but no finality had been reached.

Or Stringer contended that the Council should stop manure being brought through the streets under the powers of their By-laws. He regarded it as a " crying shame " tha* the Council had done nothing to abate the nuisance. After some informal discussion Or Moffitt moved and Cr Btringer seconded that proceedings under the By-laws should be taken against offenders for carting manure through the Borough but this proposition only received the support of its proposer and seconder and was lost A motion in accordance with the teims of the petition that the matter be brought to the notice of the Minister of Public Health was carried, Ore Todd, Wildman, Hall and Brady voting for and Ors Stringer and Moffitt against.

RED GROSS MEETING. The opening of the Red Gross Campaign to >k place with a public meeting in the Public Hall, Otahuhu, on Monday last, there being a crowded assembly. Mr 0. F. Bickford (Homrary Financial Organiser for the Province), gave a mo*t eloquent address. He outlined the plan of campaign, stirring np the feeling of emulation and at the close of nil speech everyone present, after giving him a heaity cheer, felt assured that Otahuhu would not only attain but would exceed the proportion of money allotted to it to raise. The objective for Manukau 0 ranty is 120,000 and it ia hoped t> start ac'ivities on Monday next. The eddies was followel by a musical programme amnged by

Mrs Leslie Neale, who acted as accompanist, the following taking Sart: Miss Mar]one Harper, Hon. ecretary of the Company, (contralto) ; Miss Violet Lambert (soprano); Master Hoffman (flutist); and Master Dan Callinan (bell soloist).

The usual monthly sitting of the Magistrate's Court at Otahuhu takes place next Monday. The concert arranged for June 22nd to be given at New Lynn under the auspices of the Otahuhu Fatiiotic Committee and promoted by the late Mi Albert Ross, has been postponed to a date yet to be fixed.

Particulars of the rates for the current year intended to be struck by the Otahuhu Borough Council are advertised in this issue.

The prospect of Otahuhu losing its only chemist through Mr H. Humphrey having been called up in Class B for military service again received attention at the meeting of the Otahuhu Borough Council last night. The Mayor reported that he had interviewed Mr Humphrey and found that he was not appealing personally but that an appeal was to be made by the residents for his re tention because as a chemist it was urged he was an essential man. A petition was also to be circulated and he had been approached with a view of the Council supporting an appeal and for him (the Mayor) to attend before the Appeal Board in the interest of the resiuents. Or Brady expressed himself in favour of such appeal. Or Hall strongly objected to support an appeal for any fit man. Cr Moffitt did not regard any man as indispensible and could not support an appeal on Mr Humphrey's behalf. Cr Wildman regarded the chemist in question as an essential man. Cr Btringer was against an appeal unless it was shown that a successor in the business oould not be found. Or Wildman moved that the Council support the proposed Sitition in the public interest, Mr umphrey being the only chemist in the district The voting was equal, Ors Wildman, Brady and Todd being in favour of the motion and Ors Hall, Moffitt and Stringer against The Mavor gave his casting vote '* for " the resolution which was thus carried. It was mentioned that the appeal would be supported by the Pharmacy Board.