THE WIDENING OF ADELAIDE ROAD.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXV, Issue 5007, 3 July 1903, Page 6

THE WIDENING OF ADELAIDE ROAD.

DEPUTATION TO THE CITY COUNCIL. A deputation from the public moot mg hem at tho Victoria Hall on' Tuesday evening to discuss the question of city betterment nailed upon the City Council last evening to present the resolution of the meeting, and to urge Us arguments against the scheme. Tno spokesmen were Messrs C. Siviney, M. Kennedy and W. A. Worth. Air Swiney stated tho object of tho deputation’s visit as agroed upon by tho meeting iic.d in tho Victoria Hall some nights previously. Air Worth supported Air Swinoy’s arguments. Air Kennedy, iu supporting tho previous speakers, said it appeared to lam, as the arguments put forward showed, that uiey had some good grounds on their side. Ho did not regard tho widening of a street already accessible as au improvement to theproperty there. Ho might ho told that the place for that to be determined waa the Court, hut ho thought they had a right to ask tho Council to bo considerate, and nob to drive the residents into litigation unnecessarily. Then again, the Acts provided that when the land was taken, and reduction made iu the compensation awarded for betterment, the sections on tho opposite side should bo called upon for contribution. His inquiries showed that there was no deduction made for betterment, hocause there was no betterment. Of course, it was said that the laud in Adelaide road had gone up in value iu proportion to the improvement all over the oity. He said that for the £1 improvement that had taken place there, £lO improvement and £SO improvement had taken place in othor parts, of tho city. Of course, it might ho said that they were there to decry their own property. His own experience was that if a street was sufficiently accessible—such as Willis street, for instance—a single lino of tramway passing through it was just,,as.good as a double line to the people living there; and tho same applied to Adelaide road. It was no advantage to them to have the double line of tramway. They got thoir business, not from tho people on trams, but from people walking and standing about in the locality. He did not say tho Co unci 1 did not do right in widening the road, hut ho did not agree-that it was for tho betterment of (ho locality. Ho was not aware of tho steps tho Council proposed to take. Ho was aware it had passed a resolution, and ho pleaded guilty to the fact that ho had stat>ed it was wholly" irregular. It was intelligence to him to learn that tho Council could get over its standing orders by first referring a matter of this kind to tho Finance Committee and then passing it through. , If there had boon notice of motion, they c~uld have seen it, and taken steps regarding it, at tho proper'- time. With all due deference to tho Mayor, ho still hold the same opinion, and now that his Worship was in Parliament ho would learn it. The fact that tho city had boon improved was no reason why, before taking proceedings, the Council should not appoint a committee of its own body to investigate the subject, and satisfy itself that thoro had boon betterment. Tho Mayor thanked the deputation for its attendance, and for taking up tho time of the Council. (Laughter.) Ho had explained to the gentleman of tho deputation who challenged his ruling tho other night that ho was entirely vfrong. There was no question of ruling in tho matter.. The Act said they should do a certain thing. They were trustees for tho whole of the citizens in tho matter, and had no option. Mr Kennedy: That does not touch tho ruling, Tho ruling and tho Act are two different things. The Mayor: It needs no resolution of the Council to carry out an Act of Parliament. Tho deputation then withdrew.