Province and Suburb

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 299, 9 March 1928, Page 12

Province and Suburb

(From TUB SUN’S Corraspondenf J

TAMAKI BRIDGE UNSAFE NEW STRUCTURE URGED The dangerous state of the Tamaki Bridge was reported by the foreman of works at the Otahuhu Borough Council meeting yesterday evening, when he advised that repair work was urgently needed. Several motor-trucks had collided with the retaining wall, and some had gone over, but fortunately without loss of life. In parts, the parapet is level with the roading, and affords no protection, and the bridge is out of alignment with the concrete roadway. An estimate of £33 was submitted for the necessary urgent work, but he strongly maintained, that as the bridge was a connecting link on the main highway, a new structure was urgently needed. The question will be considered by the works committee. AFTER THE RACES LAW-BREAKERS IN OPOTIKI A number of delinquents appeared in the Opotiki Police Court yesterday to answer charges arising f-ront offences committed on show and race days. James Wood, for using obscene language on the Opotiki racecourse, was fined £5 and costs. Dan Taukano, a native who stole a car belonging to J. Beaver and went for a joy ride, finally abandoning the car badly damaged lying in a fence in the borough, was convicted and fined £2 10s. Tui Hunt, charged with disorderly behaviour while drunk, and further with using obscene language on the racecourse, was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence within 12 months if called upon. On a third charge of resisting Constable Clist in the execution of his duty, he was convicted and sentenced to a month’s imprisonment. Taku Mora and Milii Honatana were charged with disorderly conduct while drunk and both were convicted and fined. OTAHUHU RETURNED SOLDIERS QUARTERLY MEETING The quarterly meeting of the Otahuhu Returned Soldiers’ Social Club was held on Wednesday evening, when President Padre C. B. W. Seton sided over an attendance of nearly CO members. It was decided that a smoke concert be held in the Gas Company’s building on Arpil 21. The poppies for sale on Poppy Pay, on or about April 23, have been ordered. It was decided that the annual meeting be held in the first week in June, when tradesmen’s discount.books would be issued to the members, who would thereby effect a saving from 7$ to 25 per cent, on all purchases from the approved shopkeepers. The club has assisted six cases of distress during the present quarter, and still has a substantial credit balance. It was decided that the club cooperate with the borough council in the services on. Anzac Day. At the close of the meeting, light refreshments were servedPAPATOETOE WELFARE LEAGUE FAVOUR EMPIRE TRADING The Papatoetoe Ratepayers* Welfare League met on Wednesday evening, Mr. J. Browne presiding. Members reported that the work of the league in the district was ' being watched with interest, and was much appreciated by the residents. The question of the purchase by the Town Board of fire-fighting appliances was discussed, and it was decided to ask the board, in making its decision, to give preference to a British article, even if the price was in excess of the foreign machine. The question of recreation reserves was also under consideration, and it was decided to draw the board’s attention to the need for pushing ahead with the work, in the direction of improvement, especially with regard to the recently-acquired area at the rear of the Town Hall, and also the advisability of procuring the services of a practical landscape gardener in the laying out of the grounds. The need for improvement to the road at Toonmn’s Corner was also stressed, and it was decided to draw the board’s attention to the matter. FRANKLIN POULTRY CLUB NEW OFFICERS ELECTED The annual meeting of the Franklin Poultry Club was held at Pukekohe on Wednesday'evening, Mr. A. G. Rowles presiding. The balance sheet, which showed receipts totalling £ 160 11s 2d, and a small credit balance, was adopted. Officers elected were: Patron, Mr. E. D. McLennan, M.P.; president, Mr. A. G. Rowles;; vice-presidents, Messrs. P. Gallagher, D. R. Hamilton, J. Tuohey, T. C. Thompson, E. H. Keating, R. Gee, C. J. Mitchell and J. J. McKinney; secretary, Mr. V. R. Morris; auditor, Mr. P. Gallagher; committee, Messrs. H. Nightingale, P. Gallagher, A. Tozer, A. J. Rowles, E. L. Curnow, E. Harrison, B. A. de Vries, J. J. McKinney, with the president and secretary. After careful consideration, and in view of the financial depression and the fact that only two pigeon championships had been allotted to the club, it was decided not to hold a show this year. Trophies held by last year’s winners are to be called in on due date and placed into safe custody. CULL-COW DRIVE Another cull-cow drive will shortly be organised by the Te Awamutu branch of the Farmers’ Union. The last drive, which took place in January, was a success, as prices were fair, and much useless stock was got rid off. MAORI GIRLS RESCUED When two Maori girls, Agnes Moon, aged 10 years, and Horiata Heenu, aged nine years, were bathing in the Waikato River on Thursday, they got into difficulties in the swift current. Hine Garmensway, another Maori girl, aged IS, jumped in to rescue them. She was fully dressed, but with the help of her sister she got the two girls safely to the bank. FIRE IN WAIHI A five-roomed house In Bulltown Road. Waihi, was destroyed by fire shortly after S o’clock yesterday evening. The house was owned and occupied by Mr. Patrick Hayes. Although the brigade arrived soon after the outbreak was discovered, they could do nothing, as the house was a mass of flames, and no water supply was avialable. Mr. Hsyes is understood to be a heavy loser.

DARGAVILLE NEWS BIG KAURI LOGS Five huge kauri logs, which were brought down in the recent freshes in the river from the Mangakahia district, are to be seen at Anderson s mill, Dargaviile. The mill manager, Mr. A. J. Martin, states that they are the best logs he has seen for many years. The logs are estimated to produce nearlv 27,000 square feet of timber the largest one being 18 feet long and S feet in diameter. Explosives will have to be used to reduce their size to enable the logs to be cut with the local plant. * * * P.A. Bro. J. Lees has been installed District President of the U.A.O.D. in this district. mm* The recent rains have greatly benefited the district in giving the pastures a good start again. Mushrooms have also made their appearance in the district. KING COUNTRY BRIDGES WO NEW STRUCTURES Two new and important arterial bridges in the Central King Country are on the verge of completion, and the various local bodies concerned in their construction are making arrangements for their official opening. The Te Maire bridge, over the Wanganui River, is practically finished, and the new and handsome ferro-concrete structure over the Ongarue River at Taumarunui, on the main highway to New Plymouth, is within a few weeks of finality. The Taumarunui Borough Council has appointed Crs. Broad and Boles a committee to deal with openings, and the Taumarunui County Council has appointed its chairman. Mr. G. E. Manson, Crs. Street and Craig, and one other, representing Kirikau riding, for the same purpose. The Kaitieke County Council is making similar arrangements, and it is expected that a gala day will be made of the occasion, and the Minister of Public Works be invited to open both bridges on the same day. OTAHUHU BAND ATTACHED TO MILITARY At last night’s meeting of the Otahuhu Borough Council, the band committee reported that negotiations were now complete with the military authorities for the appointment of the Otahuhu Municipal Band to the position of band of the 3rd Auckland Mounted Rifles. Cr. H. .T. Hall, chairman of the band committee, submitted a report dealing with the negotiations with Colonel Aldred and Captain Johnson. The main conditions are that all instruments are to be lent to the military authorities and remain the property of the council; further in-

striiments purchased with moneys in hand and at present held by the council and band will remain the property of the council. A general committee of two officers of the regiment, two councillors and two members of the band be formed, and that 25 per cent, of all moneys received by the band, either by engagement or subsidy from the council, be passed over to such committee, the balance to be retained by the band committee, to dispense as they see tit. That the services of the present conductor be retained, and the subsidy of £75 received from the military authorities be used in payment of his honorarium. The members of the band committee were commended for the good work accomplished, thereby saving the ratepayers the necessity of purchasing new instruments and uniforms for the band. NGAROTO DRAINAGE PROPOSED NEW LOAN The question of whether the Ngaroto Drainage Board should take over control of, and responsibility for, the maintenance of all lateral drains in the district( was considered at a meeting of the board at Te Awamutu on Thursday. Tbe board did not view the suggestion with favour, but to secure an expression of opinion a general meeting of ratepayers was convened. Mr. W. G. Macky occupied the chair. He was convinced that if the board was required to take over the lateral drains a loan would have to be raised to meet the expenses or rates would have to be considerably increased. If the proposal were favoured it would mean extending the board’s area. Mr. Geo. Finch stated the £ 500 loan was to lower the lake by 7ft. This was done. Some years later a £ 2,000 loan was raised to further lower the lake. This was also done. The chairman stated the loan money was borrowed specifically to lower the lake. The mone v could not be used for any other purpose. After further discussion Mr. Speirs moved that a special rating area, or areas, be defined for the purpose of asking the engineer, with the assistance of the board, to decide which drains should be taken over. The motion was carried. OTAHUHU BOROUGH COUNCIL WORK IN PROGRESS The Otahuhu Borough Council met last evening, the Mayor, Mr. R. B. Todd, presiding. An application from Mrs.- S. A. Walsh, for repairs to the roadway fronting her property was referred to the works committee for report. It was decided that a rebate of the 10 per cent, penalty on rates be made to Mr. L. D. Chatfield. It was decided that £5 30s be paid to the Ellerslie Fire Brigade for assisting the local brigade at Clement’s lire. During discussion regarding the council’s metal quarry, Cr. Clements reported that orders on hand totalled 3,000 yards. The tender of W. H. Jacobs of £25 per annum for grazing rights on Stur-

gess Park was referred to the parks committee, with power to act. The sanitary inspector’s application for assistance in regard to the upkeep and running expenses of the car used by him was referred to the legal and finance committee. The secretary of the Auckland Hospital Board advised the following terms for the purchase of the proprty at St. Ann’s Bridge: £250 deposit to be paid immediately, and annual payments of £SOO until the principal sum of approximately £3.500 is paid off, interest on unpaid balance to be charged at current bank rate. The pumping engineer reported the water in the well had inches since February 22 and 3.267,000 gallons of water had been pumped for the two weeks ended March 4. The building inspector reported that permits had been issued for new* dwellings valued at £2,495, alterations £69. plumbing and drainage £339, total £2,904. On the motion of the Mayor. the water and drainage committee was instructed to issue a report to the council regarding the reducing of the cost of water to consumers within the borough district. It was decided that the council make strong representation to the Main Highways Board for a subsidy towards the concrete roadways already laid in the district , It was decided that the council offer Mr. Howe £lO for the 161 ft strip of land necessary to widen Albion Lane, and that the council fill in the drain, set back the fence, and pay the legal expenses of the transfer. The borough engineer was instructed to proceed with the preparation of the necessary plan, and draft the town planning scheme under the Town Planning Act, 1925. BIRKENHEAD AFFAIRS VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE In answer to an offer by the Birkenhead Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association to form a voluntary fire brigade, provided the Borough Council supplied the necessary equipment, a letter was received at the monthly meeting of the association held last evening advising that the question of fire-fighting is to be reviewed when the estimates for the year are being considered. The association’s offer would not be overlooked. The chairman, Mr. E. C. "Walton, stated that it appeared the matter had been shelved. It was vital that the borough should have the brigade and it was time the assocation took a stand. In so doing it would have the support of the ratepayers. After some discussion it was decided that the association should approach members of the council in favour of the brigade, to have the decision of the council rescinded. A deputation was appointed to wait on the council at its next meeting.

The question of the provision of automatic telephones was brought up by Mr. G. Jasper, secretary of the Birkenhead Business Association. He had been informed by the Post and Telegraph Department that 200 subscribers must be guaranteed before automatics could be installed. At present there were 64, and with the assistance of the No.rthcote Association an additional 80 had been secured. Diffi-

culty in obtaining new names experienced because the had given a definite time as to nt the telephones would be installed the required number had been seen It was decided to wait on the t*u* graph engineer to gain further inf mation. tor *

Surprise was expressed that Borough Council had not included 3 * drainage scheme in its loan nrotv^ 1 , 4 It was resolved: ‘That th e ophSt; ratepayers regard:ng drainage be J? r tained by the council and that Dl _ ob ' sion for drainage be included inr' forthcoming loans.” lo * To ensure that this loan -will be i eluded it was decided to petition rat ' yers with a view to obtaining /U?' the question. v®The opinion was voiced that the nr,., office being not now central should*! moved to another site. It was asre2 to write to the council requesting* support in effecting the removal the office to Highbury Corner. 01 DEATHS IN THE PROVINCE MR. D. C. HAWKINS The death occurred at his resident. Lake House Hotel, Rotorua, yesterday morning of Mr. D. c. Hawkins. The la-» Mr. Hawkins was well-known In Op* tiki, having served several terms «. the borough council, acting as deputy. Mayor. He took a keen interest j* various sports. Until about a year ago ha was licensee of the Opotild Rotoj and then resided in Rotorua. He is survived by a widow and two sons aid seven daughters. MR. F. PARKER The death occurred suddenly hst evening of Mr. F. Parker, of Remuera an ex-bank manager. He was on a holiday visit to Rotorua at the time MRS. JOHNSON The death also occurred yesterday of Mrs. Johnson at King George y Hospital, Rotorua. She had lately beg* carrying on the business of an outfitter in Arawa Street. MR. J. E. O'NEILL One of the first white people bom in Hamilton died on Wednesday in the Waikato Hospital. He was Mr James Edward O’Neill, who was bora on February 29, 1868. His parents arrived in Hamilton in 3 864, as military settlers, and Mr. O’Neill has lived there ever since. He is by his widow and three daughters. HAMILTON MOTOR TRAFFIC At Thursday's meeting of the Hamilton Borough Council, Mr. J. Gilbert raised the question of motor-traffic in the town. He suggested that angle parking would possibly solve the problem in Victoria Street, and moved that motorists be allowed to park their cars there at an angle of not less thin 375 degrees for three months. The Mayor opposed the suggestion and it.was decided to take no action.