AFFAIRS OF THE CITY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21223, 1 July 1932, Page 14

AFFAIRS OF THE CITY.

REMUERA STORM WATER.

OBJECTION TO SHOPS.

PROTEST BY OTHER FIRMS,

A suggestion was received by the Auckland City Council last evening from the Auckland and Suburban Drainage-Board that the council should pay £450, or onehalf, of the cost of a culvert and ditch to remedy flooding in the watercourse between Orakei and Upland Roads, Remuera.

The city engineer, reporting on the matter, stated the board was legally responsible for the control of the watercourse. In his opinion, the council's responsibility was limited to such portions as were under public roads, the remaining length being the concern of the board and the property-owners. He suggested that the legal position bo investigated before any contribution was made. The matter was referred to the Works Committee for a report.

It was decided to make a grant of £SO a year to the council employees' voluntary sick and accident society to enable it to enroll employees over the age of 45, in respect of whom the registrar of friendly societies required an additional premium. It was stipulated, however, that the society's officials must take an approval fidelity bond and that the accounts be audited half-yearly by the city treasurer.

Ten occupiers of shops in Remuera Road wrote protesting against tho council's decision to grant a permit for the erection of two shops at the corner of Middleton and Bassett Roads. They stated that they were quite able to cater for the wants of residents and the proposed new shops were unnecessary. It was resolved to inform the writers that the matter had already been decided.

Cool Store Construction.

The city engineer reported favourably upon a proposal that a departure from the building by-laws be allowed in the design of the additional cool storage to be erected at King's Wharf for the Auckland Farmers' Freezing Company by the Fletcher Construction Company. The variation asked for was that four of the seven storeys should have wooden floors, supported on unprotected girders and stanchions, whereas the by-laws required all buildings over 50ft. in height to be of fireproof construction throughout. The engineer stated that the construction was similar to that of the company's existing stores and it was imperative that the new building should be completed by next January. As the building was intended for cool storage only, the fire hazard was small. He would suggest that the variation be allowed, conditional on the building being used only for the purpose stated. The matter was referred to the Works Committee, with power to act. Employees to be Retired.

On the recommendation of the city engineer and the Works Committee it was decided to dispense with the services of 15 employees in the city engineer's department who were 65 years of age and over- and to grant them retiring allowances proportionate to their length of service. The engineer stated that there were 44 men in all over ihe age-limit and the cases of the others should be reviewed at a later date iii order to avoid too heavy a charge for retiring allowances in the current year. Regarding an inquiry by the Tamaki Ratepayers' and Residents' Association as to when drainage work in Mission Bay was likely to be commenced, the city engineer stated that drainage work in the Tamaki district would not be commenced until such time a3 the loan recently authorised by the ratepayers was raised. It was decided to reply accordingly. In view of a suggestion by Mr. A. T. Pycroft, forwarded by the Auckland Zoological Society, that flowering and berrybearing trees and plants should be planted where possible in city streets and parks in the hope of attracting tuis and bellbirds, it was agreed to recommend the superintendent of parks to bear the matter in mind in the selection of trees for planting, particularly in the Domain. The Mayor reported that the executive of the Municipal Association, at its last meeting, had decided to take no action regarding the Blenheim Borough Council's proposal that sinking fund payments by municipalities should be suspended for two years. A request by the Tamaki Yacht Club for a hauling-up area in Mission Bay for yachts and launches was referred to the Works Committee.

Messrs. J. B. Paterson and G. L. Taylor were appointed to represent the council on the Great South Road Beautifying Council for the ensuing year. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr. M. J. Coyle for past services in a similar capacity.