THE LEVELS OF UPPER QUEEN STREET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9087, 22 June 1888, Page 6

THE LEVELS OF UPPER QUEEN STREET.

The plans for the levels of Upper Queenstreet were laid before the City Council yesterday evening. There were six objections to the proposed levels, the plans showing a 10 feet filling in the hollow of the street at the south *>ide of Karangahape Road. The objectors were : Messrs. J. Dryland, J. Bray, Edward Hammond, Thomas Ussher (on behalf of Mrs. Grace Cant), J. Edwards, and the Auckland Permanent Co-operative Building, Land, and Investment Society, and the majority of them were present. In their written protests they pointed out that the work, if carried out as shown by the plans, would cause a very serious loss to them, and result in the destruction of their property. Mr. E. Hammond, one of the spokesmen of the deputation, pointed out that the houses in the gully were now one storey below the road level, and if 10 feet were added to the road, the result would be that a third storey would have to be added to the houses if they were to be rendered fit for habitation, whilst, if the Council wished to keep the earth in position, they would have to erect a wall costing an immense sum. The levels of the plan were not those first fixed by the engineer. Those who had voted for the levels now proposed were those who would not be affected in the least by the alteration, their property being some distance from the point of filling. One gentleman had told him that they would be compensated were their property destroyed, and if this was the case he (Mr. Hammond) would have nothing to say, but if this wae not so, he would ask the Council to consider well before they caused ruin, especially as property was just now euch a drug in the market. Without being impertinent, he would say that he wondered that, whilst the ratepayers were so ground down by taxation, the councillors could find money to spend upon this work. He was confident that the Council would not undertake a work that would be of so little benefit when carried out.

Mr. T. Usshkr, the other spokesman of the deputation, suggested that the street be allowed to remain at its present level. Mr. Jamikson spoke briefly in favour of the proposed levels. Mr. PHILLIPPS explained thatnocompenEation would be given to those affected. Mr. Cooper moved, " That the fixing of the levels bu deferred, and the engineer be instructed to fix fresh levels, whereby fiUing-in in the gully would not be required." Mr. Patterson seconded the motion.

Mr. Gakratp said that when a meeting of ratepayers was called recently to consider the question, there was only a moderate attendance, and it was at that meeting decided that instead of the filling being enly 7 feet 6 inches, as then decided by the engineer, it be 10 feet. He had been told that the houses which would be affected by the alterations were now untenantable, and were occupied by goats. [Mr. Hammond eaid that this statement was not true.] Many ratepayers who would be affected by the cutting, because their houses would be left on the hill, had told him that the 10 feet iilling was a right one. Mr. Patterson thought that the Council should not be too hasty in fixing the levels, especially as they were all aware that the 22 feet cutting through Karangahapo Eoad was indefinitely postponed. Mr. Ckowther also deprecated hasty action. One of tha representatives of the ward, and the gentleman who had initiated this movement, Mr. Davies, had left the chamber, but he (Mr. Crowther) was sure that he must have a pressing engagement, as he was a man who had the courage of his opinions. Mr. Crowther moved an amendment, " That the consideration of the matter be deferred for a month to enable the ware) members to confer with the property owners." This ameudmenb was agreed to.