AFFAIRS OF THE CITY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21727, 16 February 1934, Page 14

AFFAIRS OF THE CITY

OBSERVATORY IN DOMAIN ERECTION NOT SANCTIONED RENOVATION OF ARCADE A request by the Auckland University College Council for leave to erect a temporary observatory in wood in tho Outer Domain, to house its Gin. equatorial telescope, was refused by the City Council last evening. The Parks Committee confirmed its former recommendation against the proposal, which had been referred back to it for further consideration. Mr. J. B. Paterson, chairman of the committee, said that tho latter objected on principle to the erection of an unsightly building upon the skyline of one of tho finest sites in tho city. The committee's recommendation was adopted. In view of tho progress being made with the alterations to portion of the Victoria Arcade, tho Property Committee asked for and was granted authority to proceed with work 011 the remainder of tho building, comprising tho portion at the corner of Queen and Shortland Streets. This involves the removal of tho old lift well, tjtaircase and tower. On the'recommendation of the chief traffic inspector it was decided to declare Fergusson Street, between Myers Street and Wellesley Street West, a "prohibited parking area," and to allocate the area as an omnibus stand. Improving Dangerous Corner It was also decided that as the new entrance to Victoria Arcade was to bo from Shortland Street and as traffic conditions in the street were congested in any', case, tho taxicab htan,d in Shortland Street should bo cancelled on the completion of alterations to tho arcade.

An agreement was concluded for the setting back of the eastern corner of the junction of Bassett Road and Ayr Street, Hobson Bay, similar treatment of the western corner having already been arranged.

The Mayor, Mr. G. W. Hutchison, reported that the claim of Duthie, Bridson and Company for compensation for the taking of its property in Customs Street East to provide road access to the former railway station site was in excess of the council's offer of £9391. On his recommendation the Property Committee was authorised to make a final adjustment. It was resolved to offer no objection to a proposal by the Ellerslie Town Board to include in a general loan conversion scheme a loan of £6091 raised in 1920 by the Waiatarua Drainage Board, of which it is the successor. The council's approval was sought because the council in 1930 had assumed liability for interest and sinking fund upon the loan amounting to £319 a year. Use of Town Hall

It was resolved to extend to all halls owned by the council the existing decision that the use of the Town Hall' for political meetings or other political purposes should Iks granted only at the council's discretion and subject to the usual terms and conditions of letting. A letter from the Auckland Civic League, expressing the opinion that the use of the Town Hall as a stadium for professional boxing and wrestling was undesirable and that it should not be let for such purpose, was received without discussion.

On the recommendation of the Library Committee it was decided to invito the Mackelvie Trust Board and the Auckland Society of Arts to nominate one representative each to act with the committee in making arrangements for showing the collection of pictures which the Empire Art Loan Collections Society is sending to Auckland.

It was resolved to grant the use of the council chamber for the annual conference of the Federation of New Zealand Justices' Associations, to be held in Auckland from March 12 to 15.