UPPER QUEEN-STREET LEVELS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9108, 17 July 1888, Page 5

UPPER QUEEN-STREET LEVELS.

TEN-FEET FILLING RECOMMENDED. A meeting of the property-owners and those interested in the fixing of the levels of Upper Queen-street was held yesterday evening at the Excelsior Hall, Newton. There was a large attendance, and. Mr! H. Garratt presided. . , . .' '<>:'- ."r«i j

* ; The Chairman detailed the present position and the circumstances which had led to 1 the meeting. He asked- the objectors to state the reasons for their objections. '.', ' . Mr. Hammond thought that in the in-, terests of all concerned, the present ', level i was the best. The destruction of property; which would be caused by the alteration would be altogether out of proportion to the advantage that would be derived ; and, moreover, the difference in grade would.not be noticeable. They should not forget j what was due to each other in a case of this kind. The present level had been fixed by the City Surveyor, Mr. Anderson, whose opinion .ought to be respected. He (Mr. Hammond) 'did not think a ten-foot level could be carried out, because of the great expense, as, unless supported by a wall costing something like £1500, the road would give way and great destruction would be caused. The present level could be commenced at once, whilst if the 10-foot level were adopted, the work could not be proceeded with for some years. He moved, "That the present level of Upper Queen-street be the fixed level." Mr. J. Batger. . seconded the motion pro form a, and suggested that the proposal be altered so as to read, " That the level as previously proposed by the city surveyor be the fixed level.' • Mr. Hammond adopted this suggestion, anil the motion was altered accordingly. The Chairman pointed out that the city engineer had planned a 7 feet 6 inches filling. At this stage Mr. Anderson arrived, and he explained a plan of the proposed levels, which lay upon the table. Mr. Hammond explained that his motion meant that the' present level from Karangahape Road to the hollow just beyond Crossstreet, remain undisturbed, the engineer's level to be adopted from the latter point to Canada-street. ',",...'■

Mr. Davies, who was called on to speak, asked whether they were going to spoil the street for the sake of a few bouses? He instanced Grey-street as an example of what had occurred by making a gutter in forming the levels.

Mr. JamiesoJj moved an amendment, " That the previous resolution of the ratepavers, recommending a 10-feet filling, be adhered to." This he considered would be the best level, and would make the street one of the best in the city. Mr. Patterson seconded the amendment.

Mr. T. Ussher wondered whether there was anything in Upper Queen-street to warrant such expense as was proposed. The present level was quite equal to the traffic which would pass over the street, and if they wanted to render the thoroughfare equal to Queen-street traffic, they should widen it. Mr. Hammond wondered where the money was to come from in these times to alter the levels.

The Chairman said that the engineer had reported that the formation of the road would cost £000.

The amendment was carried by 21 to 5, and the meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chairman.