CITY COUNCILISHUFFLING.

Evening Post, Volume XVII, Issue 542, 21 June 1879, Page 2

CITY COUNCILISHUFFLING.

TO THB BDITOB OP THB EVENING POST. Sir — I feel no small amount of interest and amusement in the case of Watson and the City Council, and if I fail to misapprehend or misinterpret the facts of the case I thall be glad of your correc'ion ; but to my mind the case is of such a peculiarly disreputable character that it deserves a wide publicity. Mr. Watsoa rents and occupies a piece of land in Courtenay Place, at the foot of Taranaki-street; a portion of this land is wanted by the City Council for the p*urpo«e of continuing Taranaki-street in a straight line to the Te Aro beach. Some two and a half years ago notice was served on Mr. Watson by the City Council te refrain from erecting any other buildings on his leasehold, a contract at that time being carried out for increased accommodation for the purpose of carrying his bu»iaes3on an extended •cale. and for the erection of other buildings. Although the contract was not completed, it is asserted, as I understand the matter, that the contractor was paid in full the amount of his contract, the City Council promising that compensation to the leaseholder should be given forthwith. Instead of taking legal action against the City Council during the interval which has elapsed since the notice was served on the leaseholder the matter in dispute by mutual consent was referred to arbitration, the deed of arbitratration being drawn by the City 8' licitor, the cost of the aroitration a sum between £30 and £40, was defrayed by the leaseh. Ider, this deed ot arbitration ihe City Solicitor has since, I believe, declared to be illegal, and any payment that the Council may make under it would be ultra virc*; thus the matter stands after two and a half years of negotiation. In the interest <of ail ratepayers 1 think 1 am justified in bringing the matter thus pro-

minently before the public, for the reason tbat what has happened to one may happen to others. I re'raiu from making any comment on the singular action and advice of the City Solicitor. I am, &<\, Citizbw.