CIVIC SQUARE LEASES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 119, 22 May 1931, Page 3

CIVIC SQUARE LEASES.

REDUCTION IN RENTALS.

SPECIAL ORDER CONFIRMED. In confirming a special order passed by the late City Council, the new council last evening reduced the rental of three Civic Square leases. Several members spoke strongly against the reduction. The resolutions provide for a reduction in the rental paid by Fergusson Buildings, Limited, from £1500 to £1200; Civic Theatre, Limited, from £4201 to £3300 10/, and Civic House Limited, from £900 to £708. The new rentals are to operate for one year, commencing July 1. A long letter from a ratepayer, opposing the confirmation of the resolutions, was read. "The reductions are "bad business," said Mr. E. J. Phelan. "There are many cases of genuine hardship among tenants to whom no concessions have been made." Mr. M. J. Coyle said the council had been called upon to consider many cases of shopkeepers and others, and had made quite a number of reductions. The Mayor, Mr. G. W. Hutchison, said that the matter had been fully discussed by the old council and the points raised by present members opposing the resolutions had been put forward at the time. A division confirmed the resolutions by 15 votes to 5. Messrs. D. Donaldson, W. H. Murray, E. J. Phelan, B. Martin and F. X. Bart ram voted against the ! confirmation, while Mr. G. L. Taylor j declined to vote.