EMILY PLACE WORKS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 4115, 14 September 1883, Page 2

EMILY PLACE WORKS.

Lovcls and Agroomcut under Coniuora

tion at City Council,

The question of fixing the levels of Emily Place works came on for consideration at the City Council towards the close of the meeting last night.—Two written objections had been received, one being from Mr Wright, and the other from Mr A. H, Nathan, on behalf of the Hebrew congregation.—Mr AY right did not appear, but Cr. Aickin said he had a conversation with that gentleman, in the course of which he practically abandoned bis protest. Mr Wright's objection was not to the levels, but to the work boing carried out without any compensation for lowering his house. The point had been arranged, and Mr Wright hael signed v document with the Freezing Company which provided for the payment of compensation by that body. He was desirous that the cutting should be mado so long as ho was not put to the expense of lowering his house. —Cr. Maselield inquired whether, in tho event of -the grade being altered from the present level, this agreement of Mr Wright's would hold good.—Cr. Aickin replied in the affirmative.—Cr. Orowther opined that any understanding arrived at between Cr. Aickin and Mr Wright in tho courso of conversation could not be accepted as au abandonment of tho objection.—His Worship, however, pointed out that Mr Wright hoving failed to appear in support of his objection, it was void.—Mr A. If. Nathan, who was present, then explained that if the levels were adhered te, the Hebrew placo of worship would be left forty feet in tho air. Compensation was required to defray the cost of lowering the building, See., and if this were paid, they would have no objection to the work. They had mado an offer to the Freezing Company, but pending a reply, an objection had been sent in in due course. —In reply to tho Mayor, Mr Nathan repeated that if compensation wero allowed, they, would offer no opposition tothework.—. The Council then proceeded to consider the letter from the Harbour Board giving the basis of the terms for tbe carrying out of the Emily Place works agreed upon at a joint conference of delegates from the Harbour Board, City Council, and Freezing Company. — The Mayor said he had indicated at the last meeting that he was prepared to move that these proposals bo agreed to, provided that the authorities of St. Paul's Church and the Corporation could agree upon a site to be exchanged for St. Paul's Church site. He thought tho Corperation could not do wrong in entering into this transaction. As regarded the levels of Emily Place as advertised, he should be inclined to move thefollowingresolution:—"That the Council fix these levels when tho arrangement referred to above are completed, and that for that purpose the consideration of the levels bo deferred, say for a fortnight." If they attempted to alter or fix the levels as advertiseel, before arrangements were made, in the event of such arrangements failing, and the Council losing the opportunity of currying out the work, it would be awkward to have levels fixed at such a low level. It would also be well for the Council to consider a report which %he Engineer had prepared to submit on the matter. Tho Engineer had been asked to report upon a bettor grade, if such could be got for Emily Place, that was a better grade than that advertised, viz., 1 in 10. Accordingly a report had been drawn up, showing a grade of 1 in 1G from Customs-street to the junction of Emily Place in Customs-street; 1 in 10 from that point to the junction of Emily Place and Shortland-street opposite Bank-street; 1 in 13 for the top of Short-land-street and Princes-street up as far as Bowen Avenue—reducing the "bump" in front of the Club by about 4 feet. In connection with that, as giving an easy grade, a grado of 1 in 10 would strike Short-street at its present level, and then coming along Jennyn-streetat the level fixed gavel in 20 ; and from Eden-Street up to Kymondsstrcet he thought was about the same. This practically gave a ready exit from the town. Avoiding Princes-street altogether, traffic could come down Symonds-street and cither sweep outside the Court, or come into Eden-street or Jennyn-street, and on to Customs-street. This would render tho widening of Jermyn-street from its present width of 33 feet necessary. This matter was too important to elecide upon on the fust day that the report had been considered, and if the further consideration of the matter was deferred, he would bo inclined te movo : "That tho Council will decide upon cutting down Emily Place and the surrounding streets to the level suggested by tbo Engineer on two conditions, viz. : (l) that the owners of property execute a deed that they agree to the cutting without compensation ; (_) that the Harbour Board and Freezing Company remove tho earth at their, own cost to the lower level in tho same way as they proposed to remove the earth to give a grade of lin 10." That would deal with Kniily Place and thestroots immediately around it. As to making the road from Customhouse-street to Symonds-street, he proposed to movo: "That the work being desirable, tho Council tako steps to ascertain upon what conditions the property could bo sccurcel." He moved : " That the proposals mado by tho Harbour Board in their letter of September sth be agreed to, with this proviso added to clause 2 : Provided that tho City Council and the authorities of St. Paul's Church can agree upon sites in oxchango.—Cr. Thompson objected to tho wording of the sth clause in tho conditions. It provided that the Freezing Company should divide any profit, but it did not say amongst whom.—The Company might divide the profit in quostion amongst it own shareholders and yot obey tho conditions.—Council went into Committee, and on the motion of Cr. Thompson, the clause was altered so as to read that the profit bo dividetl between the three bodies in equal proportions.—On tho 7th clause, Cr. Thompson wished to know what was the nature of tlie indemnification thoy wero to have. He would not agree to anything unless it were in black and white. There had been understandings and mis understandings in tho past, and ho could mention, as a case in point, the Freeman's Bay dilliculty, whero ILGOO was lost to the Corporation through a misunderstanding.—. Tho Mayor said tho matter was simply one of detail.—Cr. Mackechnie nlso objcctcel to the wording "of the 7th and other clauses. The 3rd clause provided that they should form and channel all roads, but he thought they should first obtain from the Surveyor an estimate of the total cost.—Cr. Devote said the question was ono that would require calm and full attention, and ho would move that tlie further consideration of tho wholo subject he deferred to a special meeting on Monday next, at 3 p.m.—Cr. Thompson made reference to tho source from wnich the cost of the works would come. He said that unless it came from the £20,000 allocated to tho East Ward from the projected loan, he would oppose the scheme.— Cr. Aickin said, ns the representative of tho East Ward, that he did not see from what other fund the money could be obtained.—The motion for adjournment of the debate was then put and agreed to, and tho Council rosumeel.