CIVIC AFFAIRS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20619, 18 July 1930, Page 14

CIVIC AFFAIRS.

THE OLD STATION SITE. PLAN FOR SUBDIVISION. ATTITUDE OF THE COUNCIL. Tho subdivision of tho old Auckland railway station site was discussed at the meeting of the Auckland City Council last evening. Having reconsidered the plan submitted by the Railway Department for the subdivision and tho modification pro posed by tho city engineer, the Town Planning Committee of the council reported that it adhered to its previous recommendation, that the city engineer's modified plan be approved, subject to sat isfacfory airangements with the Govern ment and the Harbour Board, it being understood that tho loading would be undertaken by the Government on its own property. Mr. A J. Entriean remarked that it was important that the council, in further negotiations, should require that tho de partmenl. like any other landowner, should pay tho cost of reading the sub divided property. The Mayor Mr. G. Baildon, said tho council was not concerned with any arrangement the Railway Department might make with tho Harbour Board and the hitter's lessees for the, provision of rights of-way 15ft. wide parallel to Customs and Quay* Streets. So far as tho new streets were concerned, their construction would greatly increaso the value of the department's property. The report, was adopted. A Redemption Loan. The city treasurer reported that the £310,200 consolidated loan, 1009, would mature on January 1, 1931, and that tho total estimated sinking fund at that date was £61,658, added to which an amount of £12,300 due from tho Auckland Elec-tric-Power Board provides a total of £103.950, leaving a halanco of, say, £2O6,(XX) to bo provided for by a redernp tion loan. Tho Finance Committee recommended that application bo made to tho Local Government Loans Board for sanction to borrow moneys for tho purpose of paying off the balance at maturity. This wan approved. Tho cliiof t rat fie. inspector reported with regard to the control of traffic at the inter section of Queen Street, Grey's Avenue, Rutland Street and Wakefield Street, that the only effective control of this area would bo by placing an officer on point duty Tho numerical strength of the staff would not permit this work being undertaken at present, but he was endeavouring to arrange for control at peak periods. He recommended that for tho purpose of as suring tho safety of pedestrians, white lines be painted on tlie roadway across tho intersection, similar to those on the intersection of Queen Street and Customs Street

On the recommendation of the Legal and By-laws Committee, the report was adopted. Permit for Shop Granted. Contrary to the expressed opinion of the city engineer, the J own-planning Committee recommended that a permit be granted for the, erection of a shop at (ho corner of Bnrn and Monmouth Streets. Archhill, opposite the Newton Central School. The city engineer reported that the site was in front of a wooden dwelling standing 10ft. back from the alignment of Monmouth Street and was five chains from Great North Road. There was an averago of one shop to 11.8 dwellings in the neighbourhood. He considered that the vicinity would probably be zoned definitely for residential purposes and that it was neither necessary nor desirable to create a shop area there. In recommending that the permit, be granted, the committee stipulated that the plan must conform fully to the by-laws. Reporting'upon the application of the. Fletcher Construction Company to erect the proposed Station Hotel on a site fronting Beach Road. Anz'ac Avenue and the reserve connecting the two streets, the citv engineer stated that a sketch had been submitted indicating that ample light and air. in accordance with the proposer! by-laws for apartment houses, was provided' on all sides with the exception of the eastern side. Several other amendments were necessary to enable Ihe building to conform to tlie building by-laws, but he recommended that, provided the necessary alterations were made in the building to enable a full compliance with the by-laws, he be authorised to issue a permit for the erection of the building. The Town-planning Committee recommended, and it was resolved, that tho plans bp approved, subject to fud compliance with the by-laws. Organ and Choir Recitals. Regarding a statement submitted by tho city treasurer showing attendances at municipal organ and choir recitals for the past three years, together with receipts and expenditure, the Finance Committee recommended that no action be taken. This was agreed to. A suggestion by Mr. W. If. Murray that some action be considered in an endeavour to reduce the number of street accidents, was the subject of a recommendation by the Legal and F'y laws Committee. ft recommended that the. Transport Board and other services be requested to placard their respective trams and buses with "safety first" notices, in the. interests of public safety. This was approved. The lessee of t lie Avondalo Town Hall, Mr. F W Meikle, having intimated that he could not carry on his contract with respect to the showing of moving pictures, and having asked to be relieved of his obligations, the Parks Committee recommended that an offer by Mr U. llayward lo rent the hall from the beginning of August and install talking picture equipment, be accepted Among ihe conditions agreed upon were that the council should provide 1 f>o new movable tip-up scats and spend approximately £SO on carpets and drapings, and that the hall should be available for letting by the couwil for other purposes on three evenings a week. Tho council approved the arrangement