MANUKAU COUNTY COUNCIL

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 539, 11 June 1920, Page 2

MANUKAU COUNTY COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Manukau County Council was held in the Council Chambers at Auckland oi Tuesday. Present: Crs A. D. Bell (chairman), D. A. Reid, F. M. Waters, A. E. Hattaway, J. Luke, S. W. House, together with the clerk (Mr. Edgar Ashcroft), and the engineer (Mr. W. J. Lopdell). An apology for absence was received from Cr. F. H. Brownhill. Assessment Court.

In connexion with the appointment of an assessor for the Assessment Court, it was stated that Mr. E. D. I McLennan, of Papakura, had been appointed, but the Department pointed out that as Mr. McLennan was a member of the Papakura Town Board he was not eligible, and asked that another name be submitted. It was decided, on the motion of Messrs. Hattaway and Waters, that Mr. Isaac Gray, of Epsom, formerly of Papatoetoe, be appointed to act on the council's behalf. Failing Mr. Gray, it was decided to ask Mr. A. R. Harris, of East Tamaki. to act.

Shell for Pakuranga.

The matter of procuring shell and shingle for Pakuranga Riding was left in the hands of Cr. Hattaway and the engineer. Roading Conditions.

The engineer reported that he and Cr. Waters had waited on the Papatoetoe Town Board with regard to the roading conditions for the cutting up of Dreardon's estate. It was resolved that both bodies adhere to the conditions set down. Alteration in Legislation Wanted. The Prime Minister (Right Hon. W. F. Massey) wrote regretting that he could not receive a deputation from the council prior to the opening of Parliament, with regard to the matter of Government subsidy on rates collected. It was decided to interview the member for the district (Hon. Sir Frederick Lang), urging that representation be made to have legislation introduced to provide that the loss of Government subsidy occasioned by the refusal of road boards to merge, be made either by altering the system of subsidies or by giving councils power to compel road boards to merge where the majority of such bodies in a county had merged. The clerk estimated the" loss of Government subsidy would amount to £ISOO annually, and this would continue until all the existing boards had merged. Manurewa Overhead Bridge. With regard to the Manurewa hi.shlevel bridge loan of £2OOO, it was reported that the money was now available. It was decided to communicate with the Manurewa Town Board urging upon them the necessity of proceeding at once with the approaches to the overhead bridge. £30,080 Mangere Loan. The Prime Minister (Right Jlon. W. F. : Massey) advised that the«*statc Advances Board had authorised £IB,OOO on account of the £30,000 Mangere loan. In connexion with the same matter the superintendent of the State Advances Board intimated the board had resolved to entertain the council's application for a loan of £IO,OOO for the purpose of reforming, remetalling, and tarring public roads in the Mangere Riding. It was pointed out that authority for a loan of £BOOO had been received some time ago. Councillors considered the position very highly satisfactory, and the clerk was instructed to write to the Prime Minister and Sir Frederick Lang thanking them for their efforts put forth on the council's behalf. It was agreed to tJlke steps to raise £BOOO of the amount. Special Rate.

On the motion of Cr. House, seconded by Cr. Reid, it was resolved to strike a special rate of 13-lGth of a penny in SI to defray interest and sinking fund on the Mangere loan of £30,000.

Formed Road Required.

Mr. F. C. Bull, Massey Road, Mangere, requested the council to form the road leading from Westney Road past Mr. Bodley's section as far as his boundary. A similar request was received from Mr. H. Bodley. -The matter was referred to the member for the riding, and engineer.

Metal Wanted.

Mr. T. M. Cumming. Mangere, urged the council to deposit a couple of loads of scoria in the Mangere pound before the winter sets in. Last year the pound was a sea of mud. He also requested a load of scoria for the main gate entrance to the hall. Left to engineer and riding member. Repairs to Road.

The condition of the road near Mr. McKerris' property from Redoubt Road was, brought under the council's notice by Mr. A. Holland, Papatoetoe. He urged that some of the huge holes be filled up with scoria so as to make the road safe to drive over.—Referred to engineer. Wairoa Bridge Loan, £3OOO.

The council's solicitors advised that they had the debentures in hand for the Wairoa Riding £3OOO bridge loan, and they were in readiness to forward them to Wellington when the council was prepared to receive the money. It was pointed out the bridges were badly needed, but cement was unprocurable.—Deferred until next meeting. Council and Board Agreement.

The council's solicitors submitted a draft copy of the proposed agreement between the council and the Manurewa Town Board in connexion with the latter body assuming sole control of its district as from April 1, 1920. It was decided therein that the Town Board should be responsible for the carrying out of the construction of the approaches to the overhead bridge, involving an expenditure of £2OOO. The council offered the sum of £SO towards the widening and rematalling of Reserve Road, Weymouth, on condition that a total sum of £l2O was expended on the road bv the Town Board. The Town Board asreed to forego all interest in the £9OOO machinery loan and £I2OO depot loan, the council to be responsible Tor the repayment of the loan moneys. After adjusting the assets and liabilities a sum of £79 is to be paid to the Town Board, also a share of any arrears of rates collected. The common seal of the council, and councillors signatures were afTixed to the agreement. Refusal* to Merge.

A letter was received from the East Tamaki Road Board in reply to the council's enquiry that they did not wish to merge in the countyReceived.

Duty on Roller Refunded.

The Collector of Customs advised that £258 duty on road roller would be refunded to the council.—Received Hospital Board Levy.

The Auckland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board advised that the council's contribution for the current vear would be £3OBB 7s lid. The council's rateable value was shown at £2,647,197. It was reported that the levy last year was £2486. It was resolved to strike a hospital rate of l-3rd of a penny in £l.

Finance. The clerk (Mr. E. Ashcroft) submitted the statement of receipts and expenditure for half-year ended March 31: The receipts, including rates and subsidies, etc., amounted to £13,561 6s 7d. The statement of balances; showed Mangere Riding in credit £159 9s 9d, Pakuranga (debit) i;iS9 Us 8d: Papakura (credit), £143 j 4s 3d Papatoetoe (.debit), £455 life 3d: Turanga (debit), £360 7s , Waiioa (debit), £B7B 5s 9d; s ors' deposit account (credit), £6B ss; Hospital ind Charitable Aid account (debit), £787 7s: Land Fund account (credit), £l2 15s lid: Government grant, Clevedon-Brookby No. 1 (debit), £137 7s lOd; ditto No. 2 grant (debit). £l6 15s; Maraetai wharf account (credit), £6 14s lOd; Clifton wharf (debit), £l6 5s Id; Whitford wharf (credit), £ll 17s 3d; Wairoa wharf (credit), £l6 13s; Papatoetoe lecreatioiyreserve loan (debit), £200; Ranfuiftßoad loan (credit), £156 Is 2d; Man#ere bridge loan account (credit), £585 16s sd; Mangere waterworks account (debit), £53 15s 6d; Papatoetoe Hall account (credit), £22 Is 7d; machinery loan account (credit), £7870 10s 6d; Turanga bridges loan account (credit), £2000; £2 interest Turanga loan (credit), £lO2 19s lid; interest on WeymouthPapakura Ranfu-ly (debit), £24 15s 9d; Papatoetoe Hall and Favona loans i (credit). £2B Ss 8d; interest water > supply loan (debit), £69 13s 9d. The ' bank overdraft was shown at £373 j7s 6d; unpresented cheques, £B2 143 6d; cash overbankad, £136 14s lOd. i The financial position was considered exceptionally good, the best the ~ council has been in for many years. The balance-sheet was received.