CITY IMPROVEMENTS.

Evening Post, Volume LIV, Issue 20, 23 July 1897, Page 2

CITY IMPROVEMENTS.

THE MAYOR'S PROPOSALS. The adjourned special meeting of the City Council to consider the proposals of the" Mayor (Mr, H. D. Bell) for the 'improvement of the city was held last evening. THE HIGH WATER LEVELS. The Mayor's proposals to provide for a water supply for the higher levels of the city were agreed .to without discussion. A TOWN HALL AND FUBTHEB BECLAMATION. Councillor Smith moved to add to the proposals, "That a sum of £25,000 be borrowed for the purpose of <i Town Hall and municipal oflices." He thought the time had arrived for this. The Mayor read a proposal from the City Valuer on' the subject pointing out the inadequacy of the present • accommodation. He also showed that the present oflices could be let for £400 per annum,' land adjoining would bring about £270 per annum, and the Town Hall itself, he estimated, would bring in about £1000 per a"nniim iv rents, &c. This would mean that if the money for the hall was borrowed at 4 percent, it would cost the city nothing extra in rates. ' Councillor seconded the motion, considering it preferable to some of the proposed recreation grounds. Id would fill a "long-felt want. . Councillor Barber considered it about time that Wellington had its .Town Hall, and pointed out that a site was available on the Reclaimed Land. It would practically cost the city nothing, as it would be self•upporting. Councillor Myers objected to the proposal, •chiefly because it would jeopardise the Mayor's schemes if clubbed with them. A Town Hall could be waited for. Councillor Higginbottom thought that as they had done so much they might as,\vell add another £20,000 to the proposed loan. (This was understood to be sarcasm.) i Councillor Fraser had no objection to the proposal; and expressed the opinion that the reclamation near the Destructor might be gone on with. The Mayor suggested that ithey could not do everything at once. Councillor Smith said he would like to see the wall of the reclamation completed, and the filling iv work could then be gradually carried on without expense, as was done with, the Harbour Board reclamation near the Railway Wharf. , , I Councillor Anderson said he would sup- j port the proposal for a Town Hall, if, as .stated, interest on the loan necessary to I build it could be met without placing any burden on the city. The proposal for the Town Hall loan was carried by 9 to 3. Councillor Fraser then moved the additional proposal that the reclamation wall i be continued on the proposed line and the spice filled in at a cost to be ascertained. I Councillor Smith supported this, and suggested that the space enclosed might be used as a deposit for rubbish that coald not be disposed of by the destructor. ' The City Engineer pointed out that the wall would have to go through the dock site and, furthermore, that the land could not be cut up to any advantage, as they were were not allowed to construct a street to the seaward side of Victoria-street. The Mayor thought it would be wiser to leave this reclamation question until the question of the dock was settled. It was decided to postpone the matter till ' next Thursday, when further information will be available. CLTDE-QXJAT ESPLANADE. Councillor Devine wished to increase the proposed vote for the Clyde-quay Esplanade from £2000 to £2500. He thought £LOOO would not be sufficient. It was agreed .that Councillor Devine should give notice of motion on the subject, and if the Council is willing the matter will be re-opened next Thursday. WIDENING OF STREETS. ' The Mayor, in moving his proposals in regard to the widening of- streets, said it was no new matter. As the Act now stood it was a mere farce. It gave power to widen j streets, but the law was such that the funds j required were always more than could possibly be provided out of revenue. The Public Works Act said the land could not be taken unless it could be shown that the necessary money was available out of revenue. There was no doubt that certain of the streets needed widening, aud it was better to commence the work while the buildings were of wood. Of course they could only do the work gradually year by year, and they must see that although it seemed a costly work yet they would get a substantial return for the money laid out. For instance, it was proved to them that they could convert Maori-row from a disreputable lane into a wide street, with handsome buildings, without a single penny of expense to the city. In fact, after completing the work there would be a surplus to the city. Tet they could notd6 this work because the Act required that the cost must be available out of reserve. His present proposal limited the extent to'"#bio&> the city could be burdened in widening these streets. Of course, as he had explained, they might widen a street in one year at a cost of £30,000, and next year the frontage remaining in the hands of the Council might be sold at a price that would wipe off that £30,000 straight away. Then they could start on another street. There iras always the prospect of the increase in the value of the' frontages fully or nearly repaying the • Council "for what' it 'spent in widening the. streets. , Councillor Devinesnpported-the proposals, and expressed the opinion that the :Mayor was to. he commended for what he had done in this direcjiiop. ■? All municipalities up with the times Bought to' do away with its slums',' and pas.fc experience had -shown ' ftiat, conducted- as suggested by the Mayor, it could be done without any cost to the city, j Several .other Councillors warmly supported -this portion of Mr. Bell's proposals, and they were agreed to, Councillor Higginbottom dissenting.