CITY COUNCIL.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 187, 8 August 1919, Page 9

CITY COUNCIL.

THAT REMTTEBA AFFAIR. DEFERRED, FOB MORE CONSIDERATION. i Among the city councillors at th e usual meeting of that body last evening a good deal of discussion arose concerning the convenience in Bemuera Boad, the erection of which, is now under way. Twice within a little more than a month this subject has been discussed toy the Council, and last i night a goodly crowd of people in the gallery hung upon the opinions of tlie councillors. A fortnight ago a largely signed .protest from residents was read to the iCouncil, and alter considerable discussion' the question was referred back to the Works Committee, which recommended to the last meeting that tie half finished building be removed holus 'bolus from its present site to another belonging to the Council in the vicinity. This recommendation in its turn was referred back again to the committee with instructions to search out a more suitable site if possible, and again last night the committee Tetnrncd a verdict backing its decision of a fortnight ago. Yet again this was discussed at some length, and once more it was moved and carried that the matter go back again to the committee, together with, the suggestion that it should come to a unanimous conclusion. In its latest report the Works Committee saya it has again visited the neighbourhood, and' its last resolution is adhered to. Mr. Baildon is chairman of the committee, and he opposed the recommendation, saying these public conveniences were becoming every year a greater necessity. People always objected to them when they were first installed in any neighbourhood. It had been the same with the one in Customs Street, and in Victoria Street, and in Wyndham Street, and everywhere else, but that feeling of antagonism soon died down. In his opinion the Council would be wrong not to go on with the structure as originally planned, for it would cost a great deal of money to alter th e site. Why should the Works Committee change its mind just because an influential deputation waited upon It? On 'behalf of the other members of the committee, Mr. Bloodworth made the point that the decision lad been changed because this deputation had made a practical alternative proposition, which completely changed the position. Mr. Nerheny, ex-chairman of the committee, supported Mr. Baildon, and computed the future aunual loss at £30 if the shifting suggestion were met. There was a considerable amount of further discussion, some parties contending that the normal traffic past the present halfcompleted structure, on which by the way no work has been done since the question b'ecanie a .moot one, was insufficient to warrant a convenience at all. On the motion of Mr. -Heather, seconded by Mr. Mnckay, the subject was sent back to committee, in the hope that the nest recommendation would be -unanimous. TAXI BANK'S. The Auckland Taxi Owners' Association drew attention to the overcrowding of all the main motor cab stands in the city, stating that motor cabs available are more than sufficient to adequately cater for the requirements of the public, asking that a by-law be made empowering the Council to refuse to issue any further motor cab licenses, except to returned' soldiers and those who have ibeen previously in the business, until the present congestion is relieved, aa is done In Wellington, and pointing, out that some time ago its application for increase in fares was refused, the Council then considering that running costs would come down, but that this anticipation has not been realised; also, that some of the cabs which are licensed are a disgrace to the ranks and are far below the stan-

Uara of cabs iplylng for Jure in tie past. The matter was put In the hands of the ifinance and Legal Committee fox consideration and support, and later on toe ■Works Committee dealt with nracn the same proposition, recommending that tie Beresford Street stand should be taken away and a rank for light private cars be ■put in the centre of that road; also that the six-cab 'stand In Karangahape - Road be increased to a. capacity for eleven, and srovißion for three should toe made to the north of the market entrance. BEQUESTS. The Waterside Workers* TJnian asked for a donation towards the funds for toe .projected waterfront band, and the Council voted ten guineas, fllr. Savage moved that It be made twenty, but the Deputy-Mayor pointed out that it ouist come from unauthorised expenditure, and already inconveniently large sums had come from that grant, so that councillors might at the end of the yeur be having to put their hands in their pockets. That settled the discussion absolutely. The Disabled Soldiers' Committee of the A.K.S.A.. mentioned the recent action by the Wellington City Council granting free concessions to disabled men on tramcars, and asking for similar privileges here. The request was sent on to the Public Services Committee. RESTRICTION ON NEWS BOYS. A letter 'from the United Federation of ..Labour, suggesting that toys- should be prohibited from Belling papers on the street, wag referred to the Finance and Legal Committee for consideration and report.