IN OTHER CENTRES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 197, 14 May 1908, Page 8

IN OTHER CENTRES.

(BT TELZGUAFil —SPECIAL COKEESI'ONDESTS.) 0 AUCKLAND. Hay 13. The District Engineer, Mr. Wilson, and' tho Constructed Railways District Engineer,' Mr. M'lntosh, loft Auckland yesterday with a view to ascertaining if thoy can certify that tho section of the north of Auckland Main Trunk Railway from Tauhoa to Wayby is in a fit condition to''bo handed over to tho Railways Department. If these engineers are satisfied, then it is likely that this section will bo opened a few days thereafter. The section Wayby to Wellsford will scarcely be finished in time to open before Dceembcr next. ■ •

Now Working-Men's Club. In opening tho new Working Men's Club, tbe Hon. James M'Gov.-an, Minister for Justice, referred to the value of clubs generally, and particularly working men's clubs. He congratulated the Auckland Club'on tho progress lvliich it had mado since its inception in 1878. The first year had ended in a credit balance of £72 6s. 5d., whereas on December 31, 1907, tbe accumulated funds amounted to £4646. In 1903 they acquired a site near the foot of Grey Street for £3600, but this was acquired by tho Auckland City Council in 1906 for £4400. With this sum the present site running through from Coburg Street to Lorno was secured, and it was decided to build on tho Coburg Street half of the property. It was originally intended to erect a much larger building, but when tile tenders were opened it was found that tho cost would be too great, and a compromise was made, flowing for futuro extensions, while the foundations for a three-story building had been put in. The contract was let at £3693, but with extras the total cost was brought up to £4500. Thus, together with tho cost of the freehold, tho total outlay by the Club, with tho expenditure on furniture added, would be well over £9000. It was not intended, however, to hold the Lorno Street portion •of tho site, and negotiations were now pending for its sale. The present membership, including life and country members,' was 450, and there was every indication of a substantial increaso during the year.

CHRISTCHURCH,

May 13. One or'two matters of importance came before the City Council at its last meeting. One of these was the question of rendering financial assistance to poorer ratepayers who required to connect their premises with tho main sower. The Sanitary Committee reported that a Bill had been prepared to empower tho Council to raise money by way of special loan for this purposo. The committee recommended that steps bo taken to 'introduce tho Bill into Parliament during the coming session. The Mayor, in supporting tho report, said there was every reason to believe that a largo number of peoplo could not afford "to pay for tho sewer connection. Tho Drainage Board Engineer put tho, prico at £12, but in tho majority of cases tho average was £15. . . There was some differenco of opinion among councillors as to who should receive assistance. One said that any person called on to connect should havo tho opportunity of being aided, for there were many people who could not afford to pay for tho work, and who yet would not pload poverty. Another considered that assistance should only bo given in cases of necessity. ; ■ , Councillor Loughnan pointed out that the Council would not be tho:l6ser by granting assistance in all cases, for interest would bo charged on tho amount due, and tho city would havo the benefit of having tho, work done. ■'''•• It was assorted by another''speaker that it-would cost quite £100,000 to'cffect tht connections for applicants. .The Mayor replied that tho amount authorised to be borrowed for tho purposo could be had over and-over again. Tho report was adopted. 1 y Municipal Mai'l.ets. Anothor matter considered was that of a municipal market. ■ A special committeeo that had been appointed to consider tha question recommended that tho Council es-: tablish a municipal market for tho salo of fruit, fish', and, vegetables, .provided•'that power could bo obtained from' Parliament to compel the salo of all fish at tho municipal market. Tho question of obtaining tho necessary powers should be forwarded to tho Municipal Association for consideration at' the conference. _ Tho principal discussion arose on tho question of. making the use of tho market com- . ■ • Councillor _ Louglman, domurring to tho proposal, said it was impossible to foreseo how such legislation would result. Tho Council should try the experiment in some inexpensive way. Councillor Hall said tho Council should adopt tho municipal market proposal in the way of ail experiment. Largo sums for buildings and land need not bo expended. Ho would move an amendment that tho power to compel the sale of produco should bo extended so as to includo fruit, vegetables, and other produce, aud that the matter should bo'embodied in a Bill to bo applied for during tho coming session. A councillor remarked that municipal markets had been established at Dunedin and Auckland, and had proved failures. Another said that' he had been informed that tho Auckland market had proved a huge success. ; '- ' , Iho amendment was'lost, and the motion was carried. Drainage Control. The City Council refused to agree to a proposal brought forward by. tho Mayor that tlio Council should tako over tho powers and duties.of the Drainage Board, so far as the city is concerned. _ Generally' Speaking, tho Drainage Board is, hardly regarded as a popular body,, but oho councillor after ■another got up and criticised tho proposal adversely, bearing testimony also to tho excellence of tho Board's - work. Tho idea of having two bodies instead of ono to look after drainage affairs—for tho Council could only deal with the drainage of the city, leaving tho Board still in control of .the rural area—' was not viewed with any favour, and in tho end only tho Mayor and his seconder voted for tho motion.