A HAUGHTY CITY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14301, 22 February 1910, Page 6

A HAUGHTY CITY COUNCIL.

"PUFFED UP WITH PRIDE."

GREY LYNN INDIGNANT.

The Cox's Creek drainage trouble entered upon a further phase in its eventful history at the Grey Lynn Borough Council meeting last night, when a letter was received from the City Copuncil refusing, the suburban body's request for a conference between representatives of the two bodies, and also stating that the matter had been referred to its Works Commit-, tee. / m.

Mr. Warnock thought the way the City Council dealt with the Grey Lynn Borough Council's correspondence was getting too strong. The City Council was too puffed up with pride .it being the senior local body. Ho moved, " That this Council strongly protests against the action of the City Council in again referring the question of draining Cox's Creek to its Works Committee, this committee having already acted adversely when approached by deputation from the Grey Lynn Council; further, that this Council, noting the fact that the City Council was fairly evenly divided on this question, asks that the request for a conference be reconsidered. This Council hopes that by the granting of this request a favourable consideration would be given to this vexed question and mutual agreement arrived at, thus 6aving more drastic measures." Speaking on behalf of his motion, Mr. Warnock said he felt firmly of opinion that if their solicitor had the matter in hand he would easily see that they held the whip hand. There were two or three enactments forbidding such a nuisance, and it could not be shelved any longer. The smell of Cox's Creek was getting beyond all forbearance. The City Council just shoved the matter on to its Works Committe, and never even considered the matter. Every time the Grey Lynn Council approached them they said the matter was going to be attended to as soon as they raised their loan. But they were not going to do anything they were simply baulking the matter. He would strongly oppose any further suggestion for a deputation to approach the Council. They should put the matter in the hands of their solicitor if the City Council refused a conference.

Mr. Norgrove, .in seconding the motion, said they must fight the matter to the bitter end.

• The Mayor stated that from what he could see when the recent deputation approached the City Council the senior body, especially the Mayor, knew nothing at all about the matter. The City Council said Grey Lynn put forth wild cat schemes, but the city engineer had been forced to admit that Grey Lynn's scheme was a good one. . Mr. Murray moved as an amendment, "That the matter be referred straight to the Council's solicitor. He felt sure, judging by past results, that a conference would effect no' good. * Every day there was the danger of an epidemic in their midst, arid the time had, arrived when things must be brought to a head. Mr. Garland seconded the amendment. He said if the Grey Lynn Council had not come to the end of its patience it was about time it had. The creek formed an ever-constant danger to Grey Lynn. There would ,be no difficulty in collecting evidence to prove that the city was creating a nuisance. If the city had- brought its sewers down as far as the Grey Lynn sewers the borough would , not "have :so much cause for complaint; but the city's sewers were some three or four hundred feet shorter. The only course left, if they wanted anything done .was to apply ■ for an injunction. His patience was just about exhausted. \

The Mayor said he was in favour of an injunction; but at present they were not, able to - take ■ that final step, as the reserve was not yet registered. He therefore favoured a conference. By that, time everything would be probably clear for them to. take the matter to" the law courts. ■

Mr. Murray. said, in view of. the Mayor's statement, he would withdraw his motion.

■ The motion was then.put and carried unanimously. , ' ' The Mayor suggested that while the weather was hot the new district health officer (Dr. Makgill) should visit the spot. Upon Mr. Garland's motion it was resolved to invite Dr. Mak'gill to inspect the locality within the next 10 days, in conjunction with Messrs. Warnock and Donald.