ITY COUNCIL ESTIMATES

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2484, 10 June 1915, Page 9

ITY COUNCIL ESTIMATES

TO BE CONSIDERED TO-NIGHT. The work at the meeting of the City Council to be hold this evening promises to be fairly heavy, for in addition to the ordinary business the council will have before them the estimates for tho coming year, including additional ' tramway proposals running into about £70,000. Speaking to a reporter .yesterday, Hie Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) said that tho Engineer's estimates and those of the Tramway Department have been prepared, as well as those of all but one of the other departments, which it is hoped will be ready by this evening. He hopes that the proposals will bo so far forward that the council will be able _ to-night to compute the amount required, so that a rate for the first half-year may be struck at the meeting. If this is done it will facilitate the work of the council staff greatly in getting out the necessary rate notices. He was not able to give an estimate- of the amount required, rior could he sav before the meeting whether it would be necessary to strike a heavier rate than that cf last year. Another matter that is raise considerable amount of discussion if it is reached, is tho following notice of motion by Councillor G. Frost: "That Clauso 5 of the Finance Committee's report, passed at the last meeting of the council granting the free use of the Towii Hall on Juno 10 to the Wellington Boxing Association, on the, condition that no payment is made Tor services rendered, be rescinded, and that tho application be granted, subject to the conditions that not less than 50 per cent, of tho gross takings are available for patriotic purposes." At last meeting of the council it was resolved to grant the free use of the Town Hall to the Boxing Association provided that all services rendered were given free. This meant that no professional boxers could be paid, and it was not acceptable by the Boxing Association, for tfoey hold their patriotic meeting to-night, when a professional oontest will take place. The oouncil's action was criticised 3tvoi:gly by members of the association at a meeting, when they decided to go oil with the tourney, and pay the rent of _ tie Town Hall if necessary. Councillor Frost had, however, handed in his notice of motion ibefore that discussion took place. A notice of motion taking precedence of the above stands in the name of Councillor Godber as follows:—"In order that tho now council may have an opportunity of expressing their opinions with regard io the proposal to readjust the area known as the Basin Reserve (before the work is commenced), tho resolution passed by tho council on tho 9th 1 day of October, 1914, approving tho scheme of alterations to the Basin Reserve as set out in the report of the City Engineer, dated September 22,1914, alio! shown on plans signed by the City Engineer, and dated September 21, 1914, be reconsidered."