THE CITY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19659, 10 June 1927, Page 14

THE CITY COUNCIL.

POINT CHEVALIER BEACH. DESIRABILITY OF CONTROL. NO RIGHT TO REMOVE SAND. The City Council met last evening, the Mayor, Mr. G. Baildon, presiding. Attention to the fact that the council had removed sand from below high-water mark on the Point Chevalier beach, which was a breach of the Harbours Act, was drawn by the superintendent, Mercantile Marine. The engineer, Mr. W. E. Bush, reported that a very small quantity of sand was taken from the beach in order to mix with scoria to make concrete for rebuilding the wall, which had been broken down by the waves. As soon as attention was drawn to the matter, the. use of the sand was discontinued. The letter from the superintendent, however, raised the larger question of whether the council should not be granted the control of this beach, seeing that it had acquired property abutting on a large length of the beach, and was developing it as a public park, added the report. It was suggested that application bo made to the Minister or Marine for vesting the control of the beach and the foreshore in front of the Point Chevalier Domain in the council. The Mayor said the latter part of the report could be considered later. Hie town clerk was instructed to draft a reply to the superintendent with reference to the removal of sand. No Funds for Play Association. The Parks Committee recommended that a request by the Play Association for a grant toward establishing a" children's community club for the Freeman's Bay district be declined, it being stated that there were no funds which could be utilised for the purpose. The idea of the scheme, it was explained, was to teach children useful crafts and to make available the use of a gymnasium. "It is the duty of this coruicil to take a very active part in this work," declared Mr. L. A. Eady. Mr. A. J. Entrican suggested that the matter be referred back to the committee and brought up for consideration later. It might be possiblo to arrange a streetcollection in aid of the fund. This suggestion was adopted. A request that a space should be reserved at the Waikumete cemetery for the burial of men of the Royal Navy who did not serve in the war was referred to the Parks Committee. It was stated that at present the burial of such men took place in the civilian portion of the cemetery, and the reserving of a space would be deeply appreciated. The opinion that additions to wooden shops are not desirable was expressed by the engineer, in reportisg upon an application to make*alterations to a wooden building, containing shops and living accommodation, in Remuera Road. Such additions were particularly undesirable in such an important locality. The matter was referred to the Works Committee. Completing Winter Garden. In connection with the donation by Mr. William Elliot and others of £9500 for the completion of the Winter Garden at the Domain, the necessary arrangements for giving effect to the scheme .were left in the hands of the Mayor, Mr. Elliot, Mr. F. W. H Brinsden, Mr. 11. E. Vaile, Mr. H. T. Goldie, and the superintendent of parks. The Mayor and Mr. J. Dempsev were appointed to represent the council at a conference with the Tamaki and Orakei Road Boards and the Public W 7 orks Department on Saturday with reference to the erection of the new Orakei bridge t The Auckland and Suburban Drainage Board advised that the levy pavable by the council for the year ending March 31 1928, was £24.671. " . The Salvation Army was granted permission to hold a street collection on October 14. Support was given to the requ'sst of the British Antique Dealers' Association, London, that all works of art over 100 vears old should be exempt from the payment i of duty.