THE CITY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15657, 10 July 1914, Page 9

THE CITY COUNCIL.

GREY LYNN'S INCLUSION.

FIRST COMBINED MEETING.

NEW MEMBERS WELCOMED.

The first meeting of tho combined City Council, which now includes the members of the old Grey Lynn Borough Council, was held last night, tho Mayor, Mr. C. J. Parr, C.M.G., presiding. There were also present:—Messrs. J. Court, A. J. Entrican, J. M Mennio, P. J. Nerheny, M. Casey, R. Tudehope, H. N. Bagnall, F. E. N. Gaudin, G. Xnight, G. E. Read, P. M. Mackay, J. Trevethick, A. Hall Skelton, R. T. Michaels, R. S. Briggs, and Miss Melville, and also the following members of the former Grey Lynn Council :Messrs. G. Baildon, exMayor, J. A. Warnock, F. W. Brinfden, G . J. Garland, T. L. Thompson, and F. D Parsons.

A welcome was extended to the Grey Lynn representatives by the Mayor, who remarked that he could not promise them an easy time, for there was much hard work ahead. He was confident they would Oil their positions worthily. Mr. Parr explained that tho total area of tho city was now about 3360 acres, some 156 C acres having been added during the past 18 months by the inclusion of Parneil, Archhill and Grey Lynn. During the same period the population of the city had been increased by 17,000.

Mr. Court also welcomed the members from Grey Lynn. He trusted that at the next election at least three of the old Grey Lynn Council- would ho returned to the City Council.

Mr. Baildon briefly thanked the members of the City Council for their welcome. He felt ho could say that bis fcJlow-members would be useful units of the larger body, 'ihey would work hard, and would do their best to see that the promises made prior to the union were carried out.

On the motion of the Mayor, the Works Committee was instructed to take in hand, in conjunction with the city engineer, the formulating of loan proposals in accordance with the agreement. HARBOUR BOARD MATTERS. QUAY STREET EXTENSION. A plan showing tho progress of work on the Quay Street extension eastwards was submitted by the Harbour Board. It was pointed out that the board would be in a position to hand over to tho council tho area to the west of the railway yardß before December next. The board was now actively proceeding with the formation of tho road fronting this and the adjoining sections, but before a connection could be made in Quay Street it was necessary that a further area in the vicinity should be formed as a road. This work the council was asked to put in hand at once, or to authoriso the board to do it at the council's expense. The city engineer reported that he estimated the total cost of completing the road referred to at £500 or £600, and he recommended that the Works Committee should be given power to act. The matter was referred to the Works Committee.

In a further communication the Harbour Board asked the council to reconsider its decision and to accept dedication of that portion of Haleev Street fronting Freeman's Bay reclamation immediately. The city engineer recommended that the road be taken over subject to the board agreeing to undertake to do any necessary ropairs during the next 12 months. This course was approved. A request from tho board that the council should drain the short street connecting Quay Street with the railway station, on the grounds that the alterations to the Quay Street footpath had blocked the drainage, was declined. The city engineer reporting on the matter stated that the raising of the footpath was wholly necessitated owing to the Railway Department laying its rails at a greater height than he intended, in order to connect with rails on the Queen's Wharf, and to fit in with the board's requirements. He thought the board should co-operate by raising tho kerb in the short street. ELECTRIC LIGHTING. ROAD BOARD DISTRICTS. The Epsom Road Board wrote asking if the council would be prepared to extend the electric-lighting system into the Epsom district, and, if so, on what terms. The matter of more satisfactory lighting in Epsom was now under consideration. Tho electrical engineer, Mr. A. Wyllie, recommended that the council should reply stating that it was prepared to extend its mains into the Epsom district as soon as the Newmarket sub-sta-tion is completed— about ten months', time. The terras, ho suggested, shouH be the same as those previously offered to other local bodies, street lighting to be undertaken at the same rates as in the city. The matter was sent on to tho Electrical and Water Committee. The agreement with the Eden Terrace Road Board for the supplv of electricity to that district was executed. ' MOTORS FOR OFFICIALS. i TENDERS CONSIDERED. The following tenders were received for a motor-convevance for the waterworks department:—G. Henning, £626, £641, £581, and £716: D.S.C. and Cousins and Cousins. Ltd., £535; Harrison and Gash, £630; Dalgety and Co., Ltd., £650; Hoiland and Giliett, Ltd., £615; Dexter and Crozier, Ltd., £525; Gilmonr, Joll, and Williams, £551; Auckland Motor Co., £532; R. B. Spinks and Co., £560; G. W. Spragg, £540. On the recommendation of tho waterworks engineer, the tender of the Auckland Motor Co. was accepted. Tenders were also opened for the supplv of a motor-car for tho superintendent of works. These were referred to the Works Committee. QUEEN STREET TRAM EXTENSION. FORMAL DETAILS IN HAND. Reference to the tramways extension along Queen Street to Karangahapo Road was made in a letter from the Auckland Electric Tramways Company. This stated that the company had duly confirmed the council's proposals, but that there had been delay in the preparation of the draft documents in the company's office. The latter would, however, be forwarded at an early date. Tho Mayor Faid the documents were now all in readiness, and the matter should not be much longer delayed. BTREST MAINTENANCE. COUNCIL AND OUTSIDE ROADS. In connection with the amalgamation of Grey Lynn with the city, the city engineer reported that in the Gazette of August 15, 1912, were warrants directing that the cost of maintaining the Old North Road deviation between Surrey Crescent and the Old North Road, on tho boundary between tho Grey Lynn Borough and Point Chevalier Road District, should be borne- in the following proportions: —Grey Lynn

Borough Council, 60 per cent.; Point Chevalier Road Board, ?,0 per cent; Avondale Road Board, 15 per cent.; Mount, Albert Road Board 5 per cent. In each case it was directed that the control was to be vested in the Grey Lynn Borough Council. The warrants further provided tint if the Borough of Grey Lynn was amalgamated with tho city the apportionment made should cease. Under these circumstances, it appeared to be desirable to continue the apportionment, and tho engineer recommended that steps should be taken to do this.

The- matter was referred to a committee.

Notification was received from th« Remuera Road Board that an agreement existed between the late Parncll Borongn Council and the board for the maintenance of Manukau Road, between Ayr and George Streets, for the sum of £12 per annum. The board presumed that the council agreed to these terms. The city engineer reported that the amount of £12 for maintenance was totally inadequate, and that this portion of the road would need a considerable amount spent on it to put it in good cder. It, was derided to inform the Remuera Road Board that the council could not possibly continue the maintenance of this portion of the road at the price quoted, and that, therefore, the hoard must main tain its own portion, MISCELLANEOUS. REPORT ON TRAMWAYS. The traffic inspector submitted a list oi tramcars showing overcrowding and one noisy car, and stated there was little- or no check on the company. He further reported that several caw bear no notice of the number allowed on tho caT, and that bolls in several cars had been found out of order. The inspector was instructed to report specific cases in future with full particulars In view of tho receipt of various offers from firms specialising in road-making materials, it was decided to invite tenders for paving Pitt Street, from Wellington Street to Bercsford Street.

The Sistevs of Mercy, St, Mary's Convent, Ponsonby, offered to fcell to the council about four acres of land, fronting College Hill, and asked that terms of purchase should he stated. The offer was referred to the Finance Committee.

The Victoria League submitted a plan of its selected design for a memorial to fallen soldiers and sought the council's approval The plan was 6ent on to th« Works Committee.

The Works Committee was instructed to lake in hand the question of the extension of tho Art Gallery.