CITY COUNCIL REPORTS

Evening Star, Issue 16852, 30 September 1918, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL REPORTS

The Works Committee report that the purchase of the .Anderson Bay quarry has noen further considered, and it" has been decided to resubmit the previous decision—viz., that, alter very full investigation, the committee aro of the opinion that nothing has been adduced to warrant a departure from the previous decision of council not to entertain the oiler, in coming to this decision the committee base kept in view the general policy question of quarries as distinct from the actual commercial value of this particular quarry, and in this connection the committee- are iirmly of the opinion that, it the council were about to expend any substantial sum of money in the quarry industry, it should aim at procuring a quarry capable of being worked oa a large scale and with suitable stone in much larger quantities than is present in the quarry in question.

The .Reserves Committee report that a schedule of the subsidised band performances for the incoming season, as approved by i.ho committee, is laid on the table. The Salvation Army Band has been added to the list of bands participating in the subsidy, and will give their porlormanees at the Hospital, the Benevolent Institution, or other approved place. The Tramways C mimiti-o report that in accordance with instructions from council further consideration has been given to the matter of the quotations for printing tramway tickets, and, after reviewing all the circumstances, the committee are of the opinion that their former report on the subject should be allowed to stand, and it is accordingly resubmitted as follows, viz. :

"' The quotation of Messrs Whitcombe and Tombs for printing cash check tickets, and that of Messrs Orr, Campbell, and Co. for j printing concession tickets for a period of j one year have been accepted. The prices I for the various classes of tickets are set out lin schedule In id on the table. They show I an advance over present rates of over 100 por cent." Tho Gas Committee report that arrangemeats have been made for Mr A. Ford to take up his duties as temporary gas engineer on the 2nd October next, Mr Hungerford leaving for camp on the Bth October. The Finance Committee report that a communication has been received from tho Wellington City Council asking the council to approve of the under-noted resolution relative to hospitals and charitable aid administration:—"That, in the opinion of the council, the present system of hospital administration, under which the Qovornmenti and local bodies have to raise tho money that is needed, and the boards, without any effective control or responsibility, aro privileged to spend it, is highly unsatisfactory. That an amendment of tho law is urgently required which will provide for the representation of the Government and local bodies on the board in approximate proportion to their respective contributions. That tho present system of subsidy from the Consolidated Fund is arbitrary and inequitable, and should be placed on a just and uniform basis. That the co-operation of other cities be invited, with the view of submitting the matter to the Municipal Conference and the Government." The committee aro of the opinion that the matter submitted by tho Wellington City Council is of great importance, and, although the terms of the renolution do not, in the committee's view, offer a satisfactory remedy, it is considered that tho whole question of hospital and charitable aid administration should bs submitted to the next Municipal Conference for full investigation and discussion, with a view to subsequent, action.