ISLAND BY AFFAIRS

Evening Post, Volume CI, Issue 150, 25 June 1921, Page 9

ISLAND BY AFFAIRS

TRAM TRACK AND FORESHORE NEEDS. :

At the monthly meeting of the Island Bay Ratepayers' Association there was a good attendance of members, ' , The principal business of the meeting was the presentation of the report from the deputation-tbat waited on the Mayilr re duplication of the feram track and the i foreshore improvements. " ..'■,. :< Members expressed regret at the un-. satisfactory nature of the Mayor's reply I to the .deputation re the tram track. One of the reasons given, 'viz., the 'shortage' of sleepers, the meeting considered beside the point, as the association's committee had been informed by timber merchants in Wellington that they could supply hardwood timber for sleepers within ten days. Moreover, it was pointed but that now cement is available hardwood sleepers are not' neces-■ sary. ' The second excuse, viz., that money was. short, was much criticised in that the material is already lying on the job,. and alt that is wanted is a diversion of labour from some less necessary tfork,. •. It wa^s; suggested th&lpu^ now it was more essential to complete the tram track, thus increasing revenue,: than it was to use labour chopping grass andp weeds off. out-lying roads. ' The deputation's' report-re .foreshore ■ improvements Was . considered rather startling, and the following points were brought out :—(!) The Reserves Committee had stated that no plans had been drawn, showing the proposed improvements,, but this was incorrect in that., plans were drawn, up by Mr. Fatersori,1 the Assistant-City Engineer, and ap- j proved by Mr. Morton on his return ! from abroad. (2) The plans showed a small park, shrubberies, the widened road, and a paddling pool for children. (3) The deputation stated that there were reports of the council lifting some of the proclamations that had been ! placed on property needed for the above I | improvements. These matters the meeting discussed, and so serious was the \ matter regarded thalt it was resolved to send a small deputation to wait on the officers to ascertain : (1) Whai was the actual area already purchased by the council; (2) wh«t proclamations now stood on ,properties near the foreshore; (3) what proclamations, if any, had been lifted. The association will determine what further action shall be taken on foreshore matters after receipt of the report from the deputation.