TIME NOT RIPE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 99, 29 April 1938, Page 9

TIME NOT RIPE.

ADMINISTRATIVE BLOCK.

POINTS FROM MAYOR'S REVIEW,

The proposal for the erection of a new administrative block for the Auckland City Council will probably not be proceeded with at the present time. The Mayor, Sir Ernest Davis, stated in his review of civic affairs last night that attractive though the appeal of the project was. he believed initiative should be deferred until such time as the finances and commitments of the city permitted of greater freedom of action. Estimates of alternative. Kchcines had ranged between £109,000" and £162,000.

Other points from the Mayor's review were: —

Airport Plans.—lmportant recommendations will be presented at a conference on Wednesday between the sub-commit-tee of experts and the special committee of local body representatives on the question of a municipal airport. Waitakere Scenic Drive.—lt is anticipated that the Waitakere scenic drive will be finished by the end of the year.

Grafton Bridge.—At a cost under the original estimate, the whole of the reconstruction work on Grafton Bridge h«3 now been completed. The tidyingiip of the cemetery is well under way.

Building Activity.—Building activity in the city dining the past three years more than doubled that of the preceding period. Value of new buildings and alterations: 1032-35, £1,087.377:; 193338, £2,339,010. Of the latter figure. £1.277,723 represents dwellings and apartments (construction and additions, exclusive of State houses), demonstrating that through private enterprise Auckland has helped substantially to solve its housing problem.

Loan Works Programme.—Loan works money has been wisely spent, in the Mayor's view, for definite city assets have been created and many men kept in constant employment. There are about 1250 men on the outdoor staff, 700 being members of the regular staff.