WELLINGTON COUNCIL

Greymouth Evening Star, 4 July 1933, Page 4

WELLINGTON COUNCIL

NEW STATION APPROVED. [per press association.] WELLINGTON, July 4. •' Gratification was expressed at the meeting of the City Council, that, the Government had decided-to proceed with the erection of the new railway station at Wellington. Mayor Hislop said that the work would involve a four years’ programme. Councillor Chapman said the original estimate was £490,000, . but it had been reduced to something like £300,000. Theijq was no indication how the amount had been, reduced. The Mayor said that considerable saving would be effected by the elimination of a good deal of ornate decoration. The City Council decided to collect heavy traffic fees from the Fire Board in respect of fire brigade vehicles, so long as the regulations provide that such fees should be paid. “If the Fire Board desired to be excluded from the payment of heavy traffic fees,” said Mayor Hislop, “it should approach the Government to get the regulations amended.” He stated that - the / Christchurch City Council had decided to take no action, while the Auckland City Council announced its intention to collect the fees.

WORK AND WAGES. WELLINGTON, July 4. The rates of ipay and conditions to be observed for work undertaken from money provided in the diverted balance of the 1920 waterworks loan were fixed by the City Council, when it was decided that ordinary award rates be paid and conditions observed. A lengthy debate developed on the subject whether work be done by direct labour or contract, the Council being fairly evenly divided, 'but finally it was decided to refer the Engineer’s report to the Works Committee, so that the whole matter be disposed of at the next meeting of the Council.

After a Iqiig discussion, no finality was reached in regard to a proposal moved by Councillor Butler, that wages and salaries of all Council officers be increased by 10 per cent., in the case of Iho&e receiving £250 per annum or loss, and 5 per cent, in the case of those receiving from £251 to £5OO. The matter was referred to the Estimates Committee for a report as to the amount involved, and if the money could be found. Cr. Butler described the motion as “a declaration of war against the depression.” He said that following the general reduction of wages, many small traders had been driven, out of business. This reduced the amount of money in circulation.