WELLINGTON MUNICIPAL ENTERPRISE.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13007, 8 January 1908, Page 8

WELLINGTON MUNICIPAL ENTERPRISE.

♦ STirairr widening and fresh AIR.

INTERVIEW WITH THE HON. T. W. HISLOP.

The Mayor of Wellington (the Hon. T. W. Hislop) is at present on a brief visit to Christchuroh, ami during the course of an int-erwting conversation last evening, conveyed to a "Press" reporter some idea of the extent to which municipal enterprise is being applied to the needs (present and proelective) of tho Empire City. ''Our efforts as a Council.' Mr Huslop purpiiol, "have been directed during t.he past year chiefly in the direction of extho water-works to the high w-ater levels. Wo have enlarged tho dam at Karori so a.s to givo t'onr or tivo timrs the present output, and also enlarged tho dam at Wainui-o-mata. We aro putting in pumps to convey water to the reservoir prepared to supply the high water levels. Thia is to bo followed up shortly by the drainage of the Melrose area, which was brought into tho CHy about four years ago. Wo have taken authority to borrow £100,000 for this purple, and contemplate raising £GO.OOO to erfi<»ct tbo works required for the present buildings as well as for these, likely to bo erected during the nest your or two. "We are also giving effect to tho policy adopted for securing four new grounds for recreation purposes. One of these is ax KilbLrnie (costiixp; a-bout £3000), another in Sydney street (costing about £10.000), and two at tho southern extremity of the old City, in Drrppa street. The first two are so far prcp.-ired as to lx» ready for grnssin<x- Whon completed the four areas will answer the purposes oi' tbo present population, but as it continues to increase, we are contemplating (and have authority for our action) the rccla-uia-tion of about 18 acres of the soirthwo&torn portion of Evians Bay, which, with several acres mow in iise, will form a suitable recreation ground tor the largo population which has wttJod and is settling at Kilbirnio and upon the isthmus between Lyall Bay and Evan's Bay. Wo have also a<jqn.ired an area abutting on Lyall Bay. and hero wo contemplate making a drive and 'forming a f-urther recreation ground of nine acres. Wβ also purpose extending the Kilbirnio tramway system to Lyall Bay. "We are pushing on tho widening of Willis street, ami have now extended tho widening to beyond Chew's buie. We purchased a block of land, rather than pay compensation, for £38,000, and the rents from the acquired property will about pay interest upon this further extension. Tho foot of Cuba street was quoted at the ratepayers' meeting in Ghristcliurch on Monday night as an instance of a narrow street in Wellington. Well, wo have lately taken a strip from Mr Winder wide enough to enable a dray to pass the tram care, and wo aro contemplating taking a similar strip on the opposite corner. "A great fillip to building has been given by the change in th-o municipal law wliereby Councils may treat with their ground tenants on equitable terms. Wo find tho perpetual lease, with valuations at stated periods, tho irost suitable, and the system hae encouraged our tenants to put up substantial and .superior buildings. Our income from rente last year amounted to about £15,000. Wo are doing a certain amount of wood-blocking of streets out of revenue, and last year a little over £4000 was expended under this head. This year about £9000 will be lakl out, of which the Harbour Board will contribute £4000. "Our and electric lighting (which, we took over last August) are working out in an extremely healthy fashion, and we have been encouraged to face, an attempt to acquire the gasworks. A committee has been set up to consider the matter, and if possible to carry it out. Wo anticipate that our total revenue tliis year will amount approximately to £122,000, and our receipts from electric light should be from £22,000 to £23,000."