ONEHUNGA BOROUGH

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 40, 10 May 1927, Page 12

ONEHUNGA BOROUGH

MEETING OF COUNCIL Making his debut as the new Mayor of Onehunga, Mr. W. C. Coldicutt presided over the first meeting of the recently-elected Borough Council, held last evening. The Bistrict Railway Engineer wrote respecting extended use of the scoria pit at Mount Smart. It was pointed out that the Railway Hepartment had already, for a very long period, had the use of the pit to the extent of 75 per cent., and the council decided to give the matter more serious consideration before arriving at any decision. The Medical Officer of Health again reported most favourably upon the satisfactory nature of water supplied by the council. Auckland Hospital Board notified that the levy upon the council for this year would amount to £2,526 6s 4d. Additional to this sum would be a levy of about 7 per cent. (£108), upon the portion of One Tree Hill just transferred to the Onehunga district. Onehunga Municipal Band expressed desire to rent the old fire station for use as a shooting-gallery and variety attractions, in order to raise maintenance funds. The mayor having reported that other similar applications had been made (one for converting the station into a motor-garage) postponement of definite decision resulted. Mr. R. Smith sought a conference with the council to explain certain grievances, views and opinions, concerning One Tree Hill loan affairs, as affecting the area now transferred to Onehunga. Previously the council had denied an interview on the ground that the persons who had the grievance were not then ratepayers of Onehunga. Now such argument had become void by virtue of the amalgamation, and a long discussion ended in the council’s resolve that if the subjects involved were first explained in writing, the council would agree to the conference, and thoroughly investigate the same. According to advice from the Municipal Corporations’ Association, the responsibility of keeping free from obstruction all fire-plugs in the borough, and renewing white-washed identification marks upon the same, rests with the council and not the fire board, a point strenuously argued at the previous meeting.

Preceding the appointment of committees, the mayor said he had decided to appoint Cr. E. Morton as the deputymayor. In so doing he urged that Mr. Morton had secured wide and useful experience as a councillor, and also in public affairs outside that membership. His deputy had the confidence of the people, and would never stint support to the chair and the council as a body.