CITY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15947, 18 June 1915, Page 5

CITY COUNCIL.

YEAR'S RATING SCALE.

REVENUE AND EXPENSES.

The City Council met last night, tho Mayor, Mr. J. H. Gunson, presiding. There were also present Messrs. P. M. Mackay, H. N. Bagnall. K. J. Carr. J. A. Warnock, R, T. Michaels, J. Trevethick, P. J. Xerheny, 0. Baildon, E. Davis, J. Dempsey, E. Moore-Jones, W. J. Holdsworth, F. Brinsden. J. Burton, G. W. Murray, H. D. Heather, (J. Knight, M. Casey, A. J. Entrican, and Miss Melville. The estimates of receipts and expenditure for the ensuing year were brought down by the Finance and Legal Committee, with the following rating recommendations:—That the following rates he struck for the current year, with the proviso that in order to bring the Remuera rating period into unison with the rest of the city the rates over that area will be levied for 14 months.

City Area, annual value: General rate, Is 4d in the £; library rate, Id in the £; charitable aid rate, 3d in the £; drainage rate, 3d in the £; sanitation rate, 2d in the £. Water rates to be struck according to ratable value as appearing on the valuation roll. Grey Lynn district, unimproved and capital values: General rate, 25-12 din the £ on unimproved value; charitable aid rate, jjd in the £ on capital value; drainage rate, l-5d in the £ on capital value. Proportions only of the special rates in the Grey Lynn district to be collected.

The committee called attention to the fact that the estimated expenditure this year on pari*, reserves, and domains amounted to £14,846, which, if provided for by a separate rate, would require 3Jd in the £, or, after crediting receipts, 3d in the £. The estimated net expenditure upon streets, apart from loan expenditure, was £56,430, which, if provided for by a separate rate, would amount to Is Hd" in the £on this years valuation. "This clearly showed that the two services above referred to more than exhausted the whole of the proceeds of the general rate, and therefore the numerous other services, funds for which required to be provided from tho general account, had to rely upon the revenues derived from rents, licensee, and other general sources, and the assistance given from the waterworks account.

The Mayor said the only .lifferancc in the proposed rates, as compared with those of last year, wae an increased damage rate of tyd. It was also intended to call up la of the general rate, as was dune last year. Members of the council urged that t'me be afforded to them in which to consider the details of the estimates, and it was decided to adjourn consideration o' the committee's report to a special meeting of the council to be held next Monlay evening.

FIRE BOARD MATTERS.

SUBURBAN ACCOMMODATION

A request was received from the Auckland Fire Board for reconsideration by the council of the price of £2000 asked for the Grey Lynn Fire Brigade premises. The matter was referred to the Finance and Legal Committee to report. The board also wrote asking permission to temporarily occupy the late Remuera Fire Brigade's engine-house at a rental to bo fixed; also, for permission to temporarily use the Remuera plant if it should be required. This was referred to the Public Services Committee.

GLENALVON AND KILBRYDE. AGREEMENTS TO PURCHASE. Approval of the agreement with reference to the purchase by the council of Glehalvon, formerly Admiralty House, was received from the Harbour Board. The building in question is to be demolished in connection with the Jermyn Street outlet scheme. An agreement of sale and purchase from the Harbour Board of portion of Kilbryde, Parnell, was submitted for execution by i the city solicitor, Mr. J. Stanton. It was decided to adopt this course. MISCELLANEOUS. LABOURERS' WAGES. An increased daily wage was requested on behalf of the members of the Auckland and Suburban Local Bodies Labourers' Union by the secretary of that organisation. The writer pointed out the difficulties the labouring classes have to tontend with, owing to the increased cost of living at present. The matter was referred to the Works Committee. A communication was received from the Newmarket town clerk, advising that his council did not consider the terms of amalgamation offered by the city to be adequate. The letter was received without discussion. The Telegraph Department sought permission to instal a slot telephone cabinet at the Grafton' Bridge tram-stop. The city engineer recommended that permission be granted, and this was approved. It was decided to establish a juvenile room at the Remuera branch library with a stock of about 100 volumes. Alterations to the library buildings at an estimated cost of £200 were authorised. On the motion of Mr. E. Moore-Jones it was resolved, " That the matter of providing a tram stop recess in the side oi Mount Hobson, on Remueva Road, be referred to the Public Services Committee to report." The question of the advisability of closing the Albert Street baths, owing to their beinp so poorly patronised, was referred to the Works Committee. Special orders were confirmed, making various bv-laws and authorising the issue of £12,000 worth of debentures to pay condensation for the Methodist trustees" lands taken under the Auckland City and Auckland Harbour Empowering Act, 1914.