WOOD-BLOCKING THE STREETS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXX, Issue 10, 12 July 1910, Page 7

WOOD-BLOCKING THE STREETS.

BEQUEST OF PRODUCE MERCHANTS. DEPUTATION TO THE MAYOR. A representative deputation of the fruit and pro.duce merchants of the city waited on the Mayor (Mr. T. M. Wilford) to-dary, with a request that Allen and Blajr -streets, >vher,e the fruit markets are situated, should be woodblocked. Mr. F. Toyvnaend, who was ' chief spokesman, .jaid tha£ four or five years ago these streets were practically unknown as business streets. The prqdci q merchants had erected buildings fheie which were second to none in New Zealand for the facilities afforded ior candling, fruit, fish, poultry, and pr >d.uro. Thp nature of the business .conducted there made it obvious that the streets should be kept in a sanitary condition. At present the upkeep of ihess ptieeu» must b,e enormous, as the .council, had to keep several men almost constantly at work cleaning them. This (.GSMvouid be eliminated if the streets were v?uodblocked, and the merchants in Iho area would assist in keeping them clean. Mr. T.ownsend pointed out the council received £320 annually in fees from the merchants. Mr. F. W. HaybiCtle pointed put that the merchants" h^.d ma,ae that portion of the city a hive of romtno'va hy j erecting their buildings there, «nd tfcey had been followed to that end of tho city by other merchants. Mr. J. Doyle, Chief City Inspector, •poke at the request of the Mayor. Ha said there wag no doubt us- jlo JJie accuracy of the statements. Jiiair ;;nd Allen streets were little used for ordinary traffic, as it >yas so crowded with horses and vehicles used in connection with the business ot the markets. Ho thought that, seeing that the nature of the business was the handling of fruit, fish, and produ.M3, the street should be put in better condition. , The Mayor assured the deputation that ho would look into the matter carefully. He pointed out that it would cost £3510 to block theso two streets, and the only way he could see of having .the work carried out was if the deputation could show that the saving m the cost of scavenging would pay the interest ,on the money expended. Tho Mayor made further remarks in connection with borrowing for carrying out strect-iniprovemeiifc works, which statements are reported elsewhere. He informed the deputation that he would bring the matter before the Finance Committee this afternoon. Mr. Townsend said, referring to a remain By 3Mr. Wilfora that, the city would have to go slow for the next four years, that if these streets were not blocked until that time, they would cost twice &3GGQ to repair during tljat period.