WATER BOARD PLANS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1012, 1 July 1930, Page 16

WATER BOARD PLANS

ONEHUNGA’S ATTITUDE MEETING OF COUNCIL When an invitation was received last evening by the Onehunga Borough Counci l to attend a conference of local Thursday next to consider the Bill for the formation of an A\n-k----land Provincial Water Board, considerable diversity of opinion was expressed as to the wisdom of appointing- delegates to the conference, and one councillor, after accepting appointment, withdrew, after hearing the history of tho movement. Or. F. w. Mountjoy held that as far as Onehunga was concerned. the Bill could be Ignored, but it would be as well for the council to be represented at the conference if only as an onlooker. lie predicted that the Bill would be passed by Parliament: that the water board would take over the City’s interests, and that Onehunga. although it had its own supply, would be compelled to merge it into the board. Other councillors contended that by attending the conference the council would be mulcted in the costs of the Bill. The Mayor: It does not concern us in any way, and there is no necessity for the council to be represented. We have already had to pay £9l toward the cost of the Water Commission, and representation at this conference will cost us further sums. Ci*. VV. C. Ilill, chairman of the Waterworks Committee, contended that no water board could possibly supply water at a cheaper rate than that now being charged to Onehunga residents. It was ultimately decided by a small majority to appoint Crs. Mountjoy and Hill as delegates with instructions not to commit the council in any way, but merely for the purpose of reporting proceedings. In response to an Inquiry by the Railway Department as to the nearest point from which the council could supply water for the Otahuhu station and the price, the Mayor, Mr. E. Morton, reported that it was i question of either taking the water from the Auckland City Council’s main in Church Street East, or from the present point of supply at Penrose. He had therefore agreed to supply the water at Penrose at :ild a thousand gallons. The Mayor’s action was endorsed. A large deputation representing the Merrilands Ratepayers’ Association submitted a comprehensive list of requirements in the nature of better roads and footpaths, more street lights, name posts and house numbers. They also asked for representation on the proposed Fergusson Domain Board as they intended to lay out this reserve with a children’s play ground, tennis courts, croquet and bowling greens, and announced that they were raising funds for the erection of a public hall on the property. The council-in-committee’s recommendation to agree to the representation of the association on the Fergusson Domain Board was adopted at last evening’s meeting of the council, and the names of Messrs. T. R. Davies, A. P. Neil and L. F. Catt were accented together with the Mayor, Crs. T H Geraghty, P. R. Lipscombe, G. A. MeKendrick, J. Pilkington and A. C Tonkin. The Commissioner of Crown Lands is to be notified that Monday, August 18, will be a suitable date for the first meeting of the newlv-ap-pointed board. The Mayor. Mr. E. Morton, reported that he hoped to receive a report from the Transport Board favouring the erection of a tram shelter at the corner of Grey and Queen Streets as requested by the Onehunga Chamber of Commerce.