STREET IMPROVEMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18692, 24 April 1924, Page 9

STREET IMPROVEMENTS.

PURCHASE OF PROPERTIES. THE QUAY STREET SCHEME. The proposal to acquire land and buildings in various parts of the city for the purpose of street widening is dealt with in the memorandum accompanying the year's estimates presented to the City Council by the Mayor last evening. The cost of completing the widening of High Street, including expenditure to date is set down at £25,000. The acquisition of property, buildijng alterations and compensation to property owners absorbs* £30,000, but from this must be deducted £5000 obtained from sales. Property owners under agreement will contribute upon completion of the work this year the sum of £9025, leaving the council to provide £15,975. With regard to the widening of Vulcan Lane, it is stated that £6250 has been paid into this account, but as the work will not be carried out until 1928 no further financial provision is necessary. The I schcme, however, is of such a character that the administration of that period should have no difficulty in financing it. Mention is also made of the proposal to wider. Quay Street West. .The proposals if ultimately agreed to, with the Harbour Board, would involve the removal of Gladstone Buildings and the adjoining property, and the acquisition of both areas by the council. The council would be under obligation to pay various sums totalling £50.6*9 is compensation, but eventually property not wanted for street widening would be available for sale, and the proceeds shot Id substantially meet this outlay. The proposed acquisition of the old post office site in Shortland Street, by means of an exchange for properties in Anzac Avenue and High Street, is briefly j referred to. The, valuation has not yet been determined, but the council will be called upon to make up a cash balance when it receive., possession at an early date. The intention is to open a 40ft. road through to Fort Street, and it is thought that with this development, and the sales of lard fronting the new road the scheme should not be beyond the ability of the council to meet. Another wor't which is due for attention in January, 1925, is the widening of the Queen's Hotel corner of Khyber Pass and Symond Street, The land has already been paid for, and a loan balance of £320 is available for the work. It is pointed out in the memorandum that any further balance required must be found from the streets vote.

The recommendations made in the memorandum were that the sums required for High Street and Vulcan Lane should be provided for out of electricity moneys, totalling £130,658, available from general account, a further £8000 being ear-marked for a municipal garage, and these were adopted.