STREET IMPROVEMENT.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 14307, 19 March 1912, Page 8

STREET IMPROVEMENT.

THE MAYOR'S SCHEME

At the annual meeting of the Christchurch Citizens' Association last night tho Mayor's street improvement scheme was briefly discussed.

Mr S. L. P. Free, tho retiring president, eaid that tho Association viewed with roiho regret tho advent of another scheme after the amount of consideration given to the former scheme. It was true that the present scheme flimiriatod some- of the smaller objectionable features of tho previous one, but still, on broad lines, it was much tho earne. Whilst ho did not pretend to have given Mr Dougall's scheme that consideration which entitled him to ppoak with authority, there were two questions which aroso which required careful consdi»ration—(l) whether, at the present stage of tho city's development a scheme or this magnitude should he undertaken. Christchurch was still vory young, and was still in a more or less transition' stage. Compared with other New Zoaland cities Christchurch possessed very fine streets. It was a question whethor tho scheme was not a Uttlc ambitious. (2) Whether streets, already constructed, ehould be repaired and maintained—they could call it reconstructed if they wished, but it was only maintenance!—out of capital or loan, instead of out of revenue. These gravo questions would have to bo considered and decided by the citizens at an early date. Mr tSbaw advocated the continuance of the present policy in regard to the city streets —their re-forming bit by bit. Ho understood that for an extra £7 por chain the streets being re-formed could b© re-iormed on the lines proposed under tho lato Mr Taylor's scheme.

Mr Henry Laing eaid ho was opposed to the scheme. With all borrowing proposals they wore informed that tho rates would bo reduced and that there would be a great savins, but ho did not believe these statements. Ho knew that tho rates wero increasing. Mr W. C. Aiken said he would oppose the scheme. Anyono who had travelled in New Zealand knew that the Christrihiirch streets compared more than favourably with thoso in other parts. Tt would mean increased rates, and tho rates wero enough at present. Mr Zielo suggested that tho scheme should not be condemned without giving tho Mayor an opportunity to osplnm it. It might bo modified by providing for tho improvement of the surface of the arterial' roads, Papanui and Fcrrv roads. Mr E. Nordon thought it was rather unfair to tho Mayor to condemn his scheme without giving him an opportunity to explain it- Ho advocated tho removal of tho tramway poles in tho centre of the streetsMr F. E, Jones said he did not think it, would bo wise to condemn tho schemo without first hearing the Mayor in explanation. Ho moved:—''That tho consideration of tho roads scheme bo referred to tho Executive, and that a report bo submitted to a general meeting." Mr W. Hayward, jnnr., seconded tho motion, which was agreed to. ■