WARD SYSTEM PROPOSED

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 711, 10 July 1929, Page 7

WARD SYSTEM PROPOSED

disgruntled ratepayers ftf. ROSKILL ROAD BfrAM) Tho Mount Roskill Road Board lias a strong aversion to the erection of advertising hoardings In its district and, in order to discourage them, it has a by-law stipulating that the charge for this erection shall be 10s a square foot annually. An advertising firm in Auckland has, however, taken exception to this fee and, at the meeting of the board last evening, wrote to say that the board had no power to prohibit the erection | of hoardings nor to excessively tax advertisers. As a consequence the board’s solicitor is to be asked for an opinion as to whether the by-law in question is unreasonable. The Mount Roskill Fire Board sent an appreciative letter thanking the Koad Board for reconstructing paths and roadway in the vicinity of the fire station in Mount Albert Road. The chairman, Mr. E. F. Jones, complimented the officials of the Fire Board on the appearance of the fire station and said that very few private houses presented a cleaner or more orderly interior. He suggested that steps be taken to assist the brigade in securing a billiard-table for the amusement of the men in the evenings and on Mr. G. E. Tansley’s suggestion it was decided to support any movement in the district for the furtherance of this object. Mr. J. Donald introduced a large deputation of residents of Selwyn Road, who objected to the width of the roadway, which is under reconstruction, being limited to 27 feet. This involved extra wide foothpaths and the labour of mowing the grass margins. They suggested that the roadway be increased to 36ft. The engineer, Mr. J. D. Whitmore, pointed out that the Main Highways Board had established the principle that 26ft was sufficient for main roads and that 27ft was ample to accommodate any traffic ou Selwyn Road for many years to come. Other members of the board considered that the residents of Selwyn Road were fortunate in having their thoroughfare improved and told the deputation that, if it was not satisfied, the work could be abandoned and the money spent on roads more in need of repair. The chairman stated that the board would go into the question and communicate its decision later. Mr. S. Scarborough questioned the propriety of the chairman's action in overriding the board’s decision to construct concrete kerbs and channels in Prince's Avenue and King’s Road by ordering the work to be done in stone kerbs and pitchers. After a somewhat animated discussion ,in which the engineer said that stone kerbs would be as cheap, if not cheaper, than concrete, it was decided to rescind the previous resolution and confirm the chairman s action. WARD SYSTEM SUGGESTED

The tender of H. Bray- and Co. (£153 11s lid) for laying a stormwater drain in Melrose Road was accepted. A lower tender from Mr. A. R. King (£153 10s 9d) was rejected as informal, owiug to his failure to enclose the necessary deposit. Mr. S. Scarborough gave notice to trove at the next meeting that the district be divided into four wards, the southern and western areas to have two members each and the central and western areas three members each.