A MUNICIPAL MARKET.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 109, 31 January 1908, Page 6

A MUNICIPAL MARKET.

STILL NO FINALITY. •A REPORT REFERRED BACK. The Markets Committee, of' the. City Council 1 last evening recommended that the offer of Mr. A: M'Dou'gall to sell his interest in the lease of six sections of land at Cable Street' to the Council, for the purpose of a market, he "not entertained; that the land occupied by. tho 'Wellington. Naval Volunteers,' Wellingtonßowing Club, and the Star Boating Club, be resumed by the Council for the purpose of a market. ■ Councillor' Smith, in moving the adoption of the report, said the land indicated was the only part of the water front thf Council could obtain, and therefore tho best place for a fish market. ~, ' , „ Councillor Luke opposed the report, tie thought that the people were so educated to getting goods brought to their'doors that the Council would not be justified in going to great expense in the matter. Ihe only place for a municipal market was at- or near Courtenay Place, which was on the penny section. Ho moved as an amendment "That tho Council is of opinion that tho site stiEEested by the Committee -is not the best for tho purpose, and that the report be referred back to the Committee with the object of finding a'moro suitable,site." ■ Councillor Cohen seconded the amendment. Councillor Morrah said Councillors did not really think a market was wanted, and they shou'ld say so. He did not take the recommendation seriously. Councillor Ballinger said a market would really prove to be accommodation for the Chinamen, and he did not think the Council should make provision for them. , Councillor Hindmarsh said the site recommended by the Committee was tho best possible for a fish markot. The real opposition was not to the' site but to the principle. / Councillor Carmichael said the Council ought to consider the Naval Volunteers. He thought tho site was quite unsuitable. Councillor Fletcher said he was quite in accord witli the principle of a market, but; the sito was. a difficulty. Councillor Smith hoped the Council would adopt or reject the report. If it was referred back the Committee would only bring it in again. The other site would .cost over £900 a year. - The sito recommended was reserved many years ago for a fish A portion of the old market reserve adjacent to the Royal Oak Hotel would be an ample area, and suitable, but very costly. The Mavor said it would not lie advantageous to'have a fish market in one locality and another markot elsewhere. Councillor Luke's amendment was carried, tho voting boing as follows: — For: The Mayor, and Councillors Ballinger, Carmichael, Cohen, Luke, Murdoch, and Shirtclilfe. Against: Councillors Fletcher, Godber, Hales, Hindmarsh, Morrah, and Smith. Councillor Murdoch subsequently ox- ' plained that he hod voted in mistake. He meant to vote against tho ainondmont. i The Mayor said it was too lato to alter tho vote. '