IN OTHER CENTRES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 219, 9 June 1908, Page 8

IN OTHER CENTRES.

IBT rELIOKAPB—SPECIAL COEKISroStDIKTS.) ' I AUCKLAND. * ' Juno 8. In favourably commenting on the Cjty .Council'; now loan proposals, the "Herald" remarks Whenever a'now.loan proposal is advanced, it is desirablo that it should bo viowed chiotly from two grounds:—Are the items enumerated.in.the proposal necessary and desirablo for • a city of tho rank and expectation of Auckland'!* . and do tho financial prospects of tho city warrant tho loan? Tho present proposal to raise a now loan of £100,000 answers to both these pertinent questions in tho affirmative. Tho works on which it is proposed to expend tho several amounts set forth in the Mayor's clever and concise statement areall neccssary, whilo sonio of them aro' of ,a pressing character. As for tho ability, of the city to undertake further financial obligations, no doubt can exist in the mind of anyono who has carefully considered the whole question. The increased indebtedness does not involvo any increase in tho rates, and although, as has boon pointed out, this may to somo extent bo' contingent on present valuations being maintained, tlioro is, in our opinion, no reason whatever for anticipating any falling off in that direction. On tho contrary, all tlio indications point tho other way. . The" city is growing with groat rapidity in . both its residential and its business areas. This growth is the natural'result-'of' increased population and trade, due to the land settlement that is going on in the provinco and the steady development of our resources. We havo every justification, for ' believing that this growth is likely to continue unchecked, and consequently that valuations will not only be maintained but increased.

Ailotments.ar.cS Buildings. When tho' question of fixing , the upsot price of some allotments was being discussed by the Harbour Board Commit-! tee, Mr. John Kneon said that there should be a clause providing for some uniform sizo and design for the buildings to be erected, as tho street would in future be a very important one. Mr. A. J. Entrican said it would bo absoluto nonsense to make such a stipulation, as one man's business requirements did not call for tho samo sized buildings as another's might. Mr. Keys said they need not set the standard veryihigh; but still lie thought there should be some regulation. Finally, it was decided that plans of buildings to be erected must bo submitted for the approval of tlio Board. , Electric Grarse. In connection .with tho tenders for the 16 electric cranes which tho Auckland Harbour Board has decided to procure, it was urged by Mr. J. B. Ma'cfarlane : at the mooting of tho Board that tenders should bo invited locally as well as in England. It was stated that in any caso tho cranes would havo to be obtained at Home, but Mr. Macfarlano said that this was not tho Board's concern. The local firms claimed that they should bo given an opportunity to tender, and ho thought that tho request should bo complied with. Mr. W. J.; Napier said that lie had been-in-formed by tho Minister for Public Works that" some private firhis in New Zealand were ablo to import certain goods cheaper than the Government could import them, and in any caso by calling tenders locally they would only be-giving merchants who paid dues to the Board ail opportunity of doing merchants' work. After somo further discussion it was decided to adopt Mr. Macfarla'no's suggestion. . '

CHRISTCHURCH,

1 June 8. A ineoting- was held in Christchurch at which Mr. .R. Heaton Rhodes presided, in connection with tho proposal to establish another herd of red deer in North Canterbury. Dr. Moorhouse reported that Mr. Donno had promised to givo the services' of Mr.' Moorhouse, of tho Tourist Department staff, who had had considerable experience of capturing deer calves in tho Wairarapa, to assist in securing a number of hind calves in North Otago during tho next season. It was resolved to establish another herd with Otago hind calves, and nine hind ami three stag calves to be imported from the' "Wa'rnham Court herd in England. The owners of property in tho, Virginia country arc to bo asked for permission to liberate the deer ill that locality. '