CITY COUNCIL AFFAIRS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 97, 26 April 1930, Page 17

CITY COUNCIL AFFAIRS.

£ CIVIC SQUARE SALES.

permit for plats declined.

I >: . '{x : . lease of city markets. fp , £ meeting of the Auckland City Council was held on Thursday evening, the (Mr. G. Baildon) presiding. The secretary of the Auckland Fire Board submitted a copy of the board's estimate of expenditure for the year ending March 31, 1931, and advising that the "council's proportion would be £11 000. The minute was approved, the Jlayor mentioning tlii-.t the estimate was f'lso in advance of that for the previous year, it W as reported that no tenders had been received for the three unsold lots in the Civic Square subdivision. The period within which the council could dispose of the three lots having expired, it-had been decided at a previous meeting to offer them for sale. It was decided to authorise the chairman of the Finance Committee, acting with the Mayor and the town clerk, to deal with the property at an annual price not less than the upset price. Blockhouse Bay Reserve. illr. H. P. Burton presented a petition from' 38 residents of Blockhouse Bay, asking that a sufficient sum should be placed on the estimates to provide against sea-encroachment and give access to the reserve. Mr. Burton said at a meeting held the previous evening, the residents had guaranteed to raise 1100,. provided the council would do something to help. It was a publicspirited offer, and deserved encouragement. The matter was referred to the Parks Committee for a report. Proposed Six-storey Building. >r A plan was received from Mr. W. H. Jaine for a block of flats proposed to be erected at the corner of Princes and O.'Korke Streets. The building was -to be six storeys in height, and the arrangement of the flats complied with the conditions of the draft by-laws. The city engineer questioned, whether the council would permit the erection of a block oii buildings of the height proposed in thiUlocality. - .. .. The council adopted the recommendatioii of the Town Planning Committee to decline to grant the permit. Fire-plug Indicators. The council approved the recommendation of the works committee that £350 should be placed on the estimates each year for the next three years for the purpose of installing semi-circular slabs of concrete as fire-plug indicators. The Jlayor said the cost of the indicators would be 3/6 each, and the total estimated cost was £1056. Grey Lynn "Workers' Dwellings. Difficulties met with by two ownfers of municipal dwellings at Grey Lynn in meeting their obligations under mortgages were given as-the reason for -ask' ing the council to take back the properties. In view of the fact that the finances of 65 workers' houses in' the area were under review by a subcommittee of the Finance Committee, the council decided to refer the letters for consideration -in committee. The Mayor said the sub-committee wouldmeet again shortly. >. -T; Jj. City Market Leases. The application of the lessees of the City Markets for a renewal of their leases for a further 21 years at ' the expiration of the present leases was the subject of a letter from ..Mr. -Wi H. Murray. The present: leases have approximately 10 years to .nin. .. On motion of the Mayor,/it .was decided; that this and other matters . should be; considered at a special meeting: of the,' council on May 1. Mr. ; jmpvedjj and Mr. Lundon secondedj'sfhatthe question of the leases should be dis-' cussed at a special meeting, to l>e open to the Press and the public, on Monday evening next. The amendment was defeated. ~ -, r r v Study of Traffic, Problems.,' Mr. H. P. Burton suggested' that, ■ iiiß view of the growing traffic problems of the city, the chief traffic inspector should* he sent abroad to study and report on' traffic problems generaily* Mr/: -Burton: said in view of the lateness -of iiheohoux; and the importance of the subject, he would content Jiimself with moving that it should be referred to the Legal and By-laws Comniitttee; Mr. G. W. Hutchison seconded, and the motion was agreed to. Baths Supervisor. An increase in the salary of Mr. M. Champion, baths supervisor, from £320 to £400, was made, following Mr. Champion's promotion from bathkeeper at the Hobson Street baths to his new position. The privilege of giving swimming instruction to paying pupils was withdrawn, and the Parks Committee recommended that the supervisor's services be available when required for lectures on swimming and general tutorial work with groups of children.