OLD STATION SITE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20601, 27 June 1930, Page 14

OLD STATION SITE.

SUBDIVISION SCHEME.; MODIFICATIONS SUGGESTED. PLANS BEFORE CITY COUNCIL. The City Council last evening received reports npon the latest proposals for the subdivision of the present Auckland railway station site, but deferred consideration for three weeks in order that councillors might inspect the plans. The city engineer, Mr. J. Tyler, reported that the latest scheme submitted by the Railway Department provided three roadways, 66ft, wide, two running from Customs Street to Quay Street and being generally the extension of Commerce and Gore Streets, and one parallel to Customs Street connecting Gore Street extension with Breakwater Road. This would necessitate tho acquisition of property with a 33ft. frontage to Customs Street and of three properties in Quay Street of 33ft. each, valued respectively at £17,400. £16,500, £8250, £16,000, making a total of £58,150 required for land |ind buildings. No allowance had been made for compensation for disturbance of business, which, in ono case, would probably be not less than £BO,OOO. An alternative proposal, involving the swinging of the Commerce Street extension slightly, required 33ft. less frontage in Quay Street, making a Baving of £16,500 for property, and also saving the disturbance of the business mentioned, making a total saving of, say, £96,500. In view of this ho was of the opinion that the council would not be justified in extending Commerce Street •on the lines submitted by the general manager of railways. At a conference with the Mayor, the chairman of the Harbour Board proposed that a right-of-way, 15ft. wide, could be provided along the backs of the sections facing Customs Street and Quay Street, which would give access,: light and air to the backs of tho existing and new sections. In order that these lots might bo deepened slightly, the width of the read connecting the Gore Street extension with Breakwater Road might be reduced to 60ft., which would give a 42ft. roadway and two 9ft. paths. The chairman stated that any costs in connection with the provision of the 15ft. right-of-way would be a matter for the Harbour Board and its lessees to settle. •

The Town-planning Committee recommended that the alternative plan suggested by the city engineer should be approved, subject to satisfactory arrangements with the Government and the Auckland Harbour Board, it being understood that the roading would be undertaken by the Government on its own. property. Several councillors expressed a wish to examine the plans before voting. The matter was accordingly referred back to the committee.