CUSTOMS STREET WEST.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 4524, 28 November 1884, Page 2

CUSTOMS STREET WEST.

Proposed Alteration of Levels.

This matter came before the City Council; in various forms last night. Cr._dontague raised it definitely by submitting the following petition from tho leaseholders of the thoroughfare:—"To His Worship the Mayor and the City Councillors of Auckland. Gentlemen,—We, the unJersigned leaseholders of Customs-street West, recently signed a petition praying you to take into consideration the loss and expense we should be put to should our street be raised to the proposed levels. From the reports we have seen of your last week's meeting, we gather that your attention was called more particularly to that part of the street which lies below Nelson-street and Freeman's Bay. Consequently, while not wishing in any way to act antagonistically to the Gas and Timber Companies we beg respectfully to point out to you that the proposed levels will render access to our properties quite as difficult as to those to the westward of Nelson-street, and we, your petitioners, are much less able than the large Companies to the westward of us to bear the ■ loss and expense that the proposed alterations would entail upon us. We beg, therefore, respectfully to request that any modification you may make in the levels to the westward of Nelson-street may extend also to the eastward as far as Albert-street. We would further point out to you the serious loss that would be entailed on us by the impossibility of making use of our premises for our ordinary business during the progress of the proposed works, nnd on completion of the same the great expense and permanent inconvenience wo should be put to by having to raise our buildings as well as our yards to the street level, which would give either a very steep asoent from the water's edge to tho street, or if we raised our yards from the water's edge to the street level wo should have an average lift of from 20 to 24ft. from craft discharging alongside our wharves. We therefore respectfully request you to reconsider this matter with the viow of either allowing the street to remain at its present level or of fixing as lowa level as practicable." (22 signatures). On the motion of Cr. Montague, the standing orders wero suspended in order that the matter of the Customa-street levels might be at once considered.

A letter was read from Ephraim Mills begging the Council not to alter the levels of Customs-street, as he had built to the levels originally fixed and shown on plan, which provided for Bft. 6in. of filling in from the centre of the roadway opposite his property. The Engineer's plans for the alteration of levels were then laid on the table, and eagerly inspected by the Councillors and a number of interested property owners, consisting of Messrs G. Holdship, Dunningham, Gleeson, Butler, Mills, Woods, Jeune, Atkinson, C. A. Harris, sen., and Captain Nearing. After a lapse of five minutes, the Council was called to order, and the petition presented by Cr. Montague read over again, as well as Mr Mills's letter.

The following report waa also received from the Engineer :— " The plana of proposed modifications of the levels of Custom-street West are on the table, having been forwarded this morning. The pink lines on section are the permanent levels as fixed for Customs-street and Pat-teson-street. The deviation shown by blue line is the proposed modification, and commences in Customs-street, on a continuation of the south-east side of Nelson-street^ falling from this point to thoGasWorks gate in a grade of about 10 inches in 100 feet, or a total fall between the points named of about 3ft. 4Jin. *' From this point, viz., the Gas \Vorks gate,the proposed level is carried to Pattesonstreet level, showing a cutting at Victoriastreet, where Customs-street joins it, of Sft. 4Jin. If Customs-street is to continue into Victoria-street in the future; as now laid down, this line would be impracticable, unless the Council alter the level of the lower end of Victoria-street, which would not improve the upward grade of that street.

" Besides, recently a building has been erected in Customs-street, close to Victoriastreet, on the assumption that the present fixed levels are those to which the street is to be raised.

"If the Council arevery desirous of accommodating the applicants, it could only be done by lowering Customs-street at the bend of Jaggor and Parker's mill, and continuing the grade from this point to Victoria-street, and from the same point along the blue line, as shown to Gas Works gate, at the level of the raised pathway there. So far as grades are concerned, there would be nothing objectionable, the grade from Vic-toria-street to Jagger and Parker's mill being lin 186; thence level from this point to Gas Works gate 3ft. 4jin. below the fixod level; and from the Gas Works gate to point on south-east face of Nelson-street in a grade of about lOin. in lOOlt., where the existing permanent level is maintained throughout to Albert-street. "I cannot say, in aofarasthestroet is concerned, that the proposed alterations are an improvement; uo doubt they would be a convenience te the applicants. It is for the Council to say if they are prepared to make the proposed alteration." Cr. Cooper as^ed the Engineer if he considered that the modification of levels suggested by the petitioners would render the roadway any worse. The Engineer did not know that it would seriously affect the traffic.

In answer to the Mayor, the Engineer also said that \t would not be detrimental to the drainage. The only adjacent street that would be affected was Hardinge-Btreet, the gradient of which would be slightly increased.

At the request of Cr. Crowther, a letter |on the same subject forwarded by the Har- : bour Board from the Customs-street leaseholders was read. It was accompanied by a recommendation from the Board that the Engineers of the two bodies should confer on the matter. Tho deputation having boon invited to, address the meeting, Mr Holdship stated that the petitioners whose prayer had been heard that evening proceeded, on. separate but not on antagonistic lines from those adopted by the property-owners whom he represented. The latter had not raised the question of the eastward portion of the street dealt with by the petitioners. What those whom ha represented wished to point out Vf&p that they could not make prgyisi^a for a 0-foot filling, as shown on the plan of permanent levels. Mr Mills would offer no serious objection to th© modification of levels suggested. Cuatojasstreet was only a narrow thoroughfare, and its continuation from Jjtgger and Parker's Mill-was really o»"y a side street, and of even lesser width than Customs-street proper. They did not wish the whole street to be made higher than its two extreme points.

Tho Mayor asked if the deputation, ware prepared to guarantee the Council against compensation if their auggpstipns were adopted.

Mr Holdship replkij tho,t the deputation had not considered this, matter, but if tho Counc.il niad? this a condition ta their consent h-ing obtained, thoy would endeavour to get the consent of the property-owners to snoh a fuarantoo. Cr. .Garratt asked i. the deputation last week had not promised to come that evening armed with the full consent of the interested property-owners to the suggested alterations.

Mr Holdship answered thf^t^fevfas partly true. The plans, how^yes, had only been finished that nf-terftooio," and there had not been titne t$ gst the necessary consent. "Jn answor to a further question, Mr Holdship sftid that the only person affected by the deputation's proposals was Mr Mills, and he only to the extent of (jin,, and this might be modified in his favour. Cr. Devore asked how the modification of levels would affect the Tramway Com. pany.

The Engineer answered that the suggested modification of levels would render the gradient so gradual as not to affect the easy working of thp tram?. ■Mr Woods (who represented the leaseholders between Nelson and Albert streets) s^id that although Mr Holdship's deputation -dsht not have acted antagonistically, yet that they had to some extent thrown l them overboard. The party whom ho / represented had signed the original petij tion, but Mr Holdship and his coadjutors . m writing to the Harbour Board re an alteration of levels, had ignored them altogether. He had therefore got up the petition whioh Cr. Montague had presented that evening. They were opposed to any alteration of levels, but still, if the Council , decided upon alteration, they asked that it . Bhould be as slight as possible. • The Mayor remarked that this suggested the advisability o_ also filling up the allotments of the leaseholders whom My Woods represented. Mr Wood* routed that this would increasy $he difsbuUy of unloading boats, ferhapa the southern side of the street could be raised as contemplated, and a track left along the low level to serve as an outlet, the street being sloped down that way. -

Tlio May or said that this was all that was proposed at present.

Cr. Goldio. retorted that it was only fair to state that this arrangement would only remain good until next season, when the work would be carried further,

Mr Butler said that it was a" well-known fact that when these Harbour Board leases were let, they were three feet below the Eermanent levels, and tho persons whoought therefore did so with their eyes open, and should take the incidental risk. It was unfair that these people should now come forward, and by objections delay the work. He would be quite as much injured by the levels as Mr Mills, but he waived that in consideration of the improvement which would be effected. He had given up a water frontage- in consideration of the cutting down of Hobson-street, and at the present progress of matters the work would not be commenced this season.

Mr Gleeson having also spoken, Mr HoldshipassuredMr Woods thathehad not thrown his party over. He also stated that the modification they asked would not affect anyone but themselves.. Mr Mills said that he had delayed build ing for two years until the levels were fixed. 15 and even Gin. would affect him, and ha was not prepared to give way ; perhaps ha' would if tho Timber Company compensated him.

Cr. Montague then moved, "Thatthe original levels proposed by Mr Anderson be tho permanent and fixed levels for thia work."

Cr. Garratt seconded the motion. The ; Council last week granted Mr Holdship the extension of timo he had asked for, and he had not that night carried out his pledge" to bring forward enough evidence to warrant the Council in consenting to the niodi" fication of levels proposed. The levels had been permanently fixed, and could not be A altered. Even if they were altered' asde. sired, Mr Holdship and his fellows W6ukL be convenienced, but no improvement would be effected. The work had boon par-' tially proceeded with.and the proposed alteration would transform it into an abortion \ seeing that it would involve a dip in the street of something like 4sft. :-

Cr. Aickin moved as an amendment, "That the levels of Customs-street from . Nelson-street to Patteson street, in accdrd. 1 ance with plans prepared by Mr Warner, ba i adopted, provided that the unanimous con--. sent of the property-owners affected thereby be obtained." Cr, Garratt had not given' any reason why the levels should net be; altered, The altered levels would afford A an ample fall - for drainage, ■ and - would effect an Improvement. * The i . Engineer had stated that they wouldill not operate to the detriment of the.: levels of the streets adjacent, except Sea-A dinge-street, the gradient of which would s? be slightly increased. Cr. Goldie, in seconding the amendment,ll suggested that it should bo replaced by the I following:—"That the suggested'altera.^ tions as shown upon the plan submitted by the deputation by the blue line, be the lino m up to which the street he at present filled." A This would avoid a legal difficulty which' 1 the other proposition did not meet. .- : u~ Or. Aickin withdrew the amendment in 1 favour of Cr. Goldie's suggested proposition,3 Cr. Cooper saw no reason for the proposed" alteration of levels, and it was incumbent upon the Council to be consistent. ~ _ Or. Masefieldasked if Cr. Goldie's amend-'-" mont were adopted were people who wished to build to wait 60 years for the fixing of J. permanent levels. Tho lowering of tbe: levels of Customs-street would' affect _\ the whole western side of the city,'. and vory groat dissatisfaction would.. be the result. The petitioners' build-3 ings wero not permanent, and as, iit'.-j was not proposed to fill up to Patteson- 3 street this year,they had time to prepare for i the permanent levels. The Council had gone too far to retrace their steps, and the leaseholders had delayed their representations." too long. He would support the resok. I tioa. .§r

Cr. Devore considered that the amend- : . ment was objectionable (1), inasmuch as it proposed without notice to rescind a previous A resolution, and (2) that the alterations proVi posed would affect Nelson, Patteson, and.!; Drake-streets, If the suggested alterations fa had stopped short at Jagger-and Parker's,it || would not have mattered so much, but they 1 extended much further. He would 'vot«V;! against the amendment. AsCrs, Aickin and Goldifr denied that the alterations would affect Pntteson-streeti the Engineer was called in and questioned! on this point. He said that while .the§3 alterations would not affect the levels Of Patteson -sty-dot, they would affect thefoot ' of Victoria-street.

The Mayor said that ho also would oppose the amendment, seeing that it would injur*! those who had trusted to the permanegfr, levels. If these lovels were now alteredjp'' might all other permanent levels. Whenilfi the levels were proposed to be fixed not Jul single objection was offered to them. Cr. Upton hoped the Council would not agree to Cr. Goldie's compromise. Th^ll Council had fixed permanent levels,which they were- forbidden by law to alter, and yet they were asked to do so by a subterfuge. It would be a highly immoral pro- > ceedißg. 11 Cr. Crowther took o similar view of the. I matter. At the same time ho regretted • that the whole subject had net been refer. <; sii to the Streets Committee. "Tg Cr. Upton called attention to the disorder in the room, caused by members of the degutations canvassing or lobbying amongst ouncillors. Tha Mayor made an appeal for better^ order. Cr. Montague considered the interests of S tho oity at large to be paramount, and for a that reason opposed the amendment. The amendment was then put, and being only supported by Crg. Aickin, Goldie, and Waymouth was rejected. Cr. Wayrnouth then moved, on behalf -J of Cr, Goldie as a further amendment, that effect should be given -. to th«jj Harbour Board's recommendation for _efer--§ ence of the matter to the Streets C^m* ; mittee, and a conference between the two Engineers. Cr. Croyther seconded. _This amendment was supported by Crs_ Waywoutk, Goldie, Aickin, Connolly ahdil C?owtker,-bnt was also negatived. A The original motion not to alter the per« f mauont levels was then put and carried. . !