ONEHUNGA BOROUGH

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 18, 12 April 1927, Page 7

ONEHUNGA BOROUGH

MEETING OF COUNCIL Mr. J. E. Cowell, Mayor, presided over a meeting of Onehunga Borough Council last evening. Mr. W. J. Jordan, M.P. for Manukau, wrote to the effect that he had presented to the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, Prime Minister, a request by the borough council for the establishment of an elected transport board to control the transport affairs of No. 2 district. He had urged the Premier to refer the same to Government for favourable consideration. Mr. Jordan added that if favourable consideration did not reult, it would be because the Government had failed to accept the recommendation of a select committee of the House, which the Government itself had appointed, and he would then have pleasure in dealing with the matter in the House at the earliest opportunity.

Reporting upon the finances of the year, the Mayor stated that £6,000 had been estimated for street maintenance; there had been expended £5,315, and £Bl3 advanced on street loans. The water supply had produced an income of £9,123, an increase .of £1,353 upon the previous year. The expenditure of £5,727 left a profit of £3,396, against £I,BBO last year. Receipts from Hillsborough Cemetery were £2,904 and expenditure £1,494, exclusive of the new building. Waikaraka Cemetery receipts were £344, £45 less than the expenses, a feature that would be regular in future. Motor licences brought in £2,192, instead of £1,200 estimated. The fire brigade cost £ 565, £265 above the estimate. Quarry receipts were £1,212, £6l above the expenditure; salaries and administration costs, £2,673, estimated £2,815; drainage extensions, £Bl7, against £400; street lighting, £1,928, against £1,550. The library started the year £37 in debt and ended £9O in credit. Outstanding rates amounted to £2,850; penalties on rates amounted to £200; house refuse collection and sanitary fees, £1,000; and publicans’ licences, £1,200. The Commissioner of Crown Lands asked that steps should be taken to fix the permanent level of Mount Smart Domain at 115 feet, and he also asked that the revenue from the sale of scoria taken from the reserve should be allocated for the construction of a sports ground within the area. It transpired that the council had already adopted the levels according to law. The council refused to part with any revenue from the sale of scoria excepting for the original purpose decided upon, namely, as a reserve Park.

Discussion was repeated as to the proper authority liable for keeping all fire-plugs clear and placing whitewash identification marks on them. The fire board had placed the onus upon the council, which the latter repudiated. It was now suggested that the council should place a 2ft. rim of bitumen round each plug and thus keep it permanently free from grass and stones. Cr. Coldicutt obiected to such an expenditure over 32 miles of roadway, thus shouldering liabilities which concerned only the fire board and insurance companies. Cr. Gilbert warned the council of its probable serious responsibility if the brigade attended to a call and failed to find a plug which happened to be concealed or obstructed. It was decided to refer the subject to the council’s legal adviser. The council agreed that it was necessary to station a fireman in public buildings whilst entertainments or meetings were in progress, at a reasonable fee, and a by-law to that effect- is to be framed. In response to an application, Mangere United Football Club are to be informed that it was now impossible to find room for any more playing areas on the football ground. During the previous fourteen days the council issued seventeen permits for new buildings, additions and alterations. All orders given in future by the council to the value of £lO or over are to be countersigned by the chairman of the fund for the maintenance of Jellicoe committee concerned.