CITY COUNCIL

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 5914, 1 June 1906, Page 6

CITY COUNCIL

Tho Mayor (.Mr T. W. Hislop) and Councilors J. Godber, W. Morrah, D. ; .McLaren, A. 11. iliadmarsh, A. S. Biss, I (j. Winder, !•’. Cohen, J. Smith, C. 11. i i/.aid, T. Ballinger, T. Carmichael, M. ! Murdoch, and G. Frost were present at tho meeting of the City Council last ! evening. ) FINANCE. The Finance Committee recommended: !—(1 ) That the Kurori Borough Council | bo granted tho use of the trucks lately ; used at Constable street upon the terms : recommended by the City- Engineer. {2,1 That tbo City Engineer be authorised to negotiate with the Harbour Hoard Eng neer in settlement of tho question of the extension of the Kent terrace culvert. | (,'() That accounts as under ho passed for ! payment:—General accounts, .£6Ol 7s (id; tramways accounts, .£861: total, .-£1763 7s | 6d.—Adopted. I TRAMWAYS. : The Tramways Comm it too reeommemli cd: —(1) That tho City Engineer be in- | stmeted to prepare a plan and estimate I for a, tramway shelter shed at the terminus, Thorndon quay. (,2) That tho | tender of Messrs House and Hurrell for tho construction of four double-deck cars, in the sum of .£7.70 each, he accepted.— Tho Mayor said that certain developments bad occurred which rendered Jit desirable that recommendation No. 3 i should be referred back to the cornmitI Ice. He moved, “that tho matter of the construction of four double-dock cars be loft to tbo Tramways Committee with power to act." This was agreed to. Councillors Oodber and Izard hoped the comm ttee would think twice before getting more double-deckers. Councillor Smith thought there should be more double-deckel’s. The report fl as adopted, minus recommendation No. 2. THE EMPOWERING BILL.

The Legislation Committee recommended that the following alterations bo made to the Wellington City Empowering and lieclamation Bill; That tho time during which power to reclaim may he given effect to be limited to seven years, Part 1 (site for boat sheds)—Tho words "and upon and subject to such covenants, conditions and restrictions" to be inserted after tho words "or terms” in the fourth line. i’art 2 (tramways)—That this section bo altered to provide that except with the consent of the Council there shall bo no implied footway over tho tramway track, and to provide for penalty against any person offending against the provisions of the section. Part 3 (Kilbiruio reserve)—That tho area to bo leased for building purposes be limited to one quarter of the net area, to ho reclaimed. That the words “for the inhabitants of Wellington" be added after the words “Recreation Reserve” 1 in subclause 1, and in the succeeding sections whore necessary. That tho Council have the right to make by-laws regulating the use and conditions of management of the reserve. Clause 9—To provide that the Harbour Board at all points along thesea wall have right of access for roadways to the harbour including the right of support on the fact wail to any works that the Board may be authorised to construct therefrom. Clause 10 (power to tako private lands) —To be struck out. Clause 16—TJio words "and thereafter to become part of tho general fund” to be added at the end of this clause. Clause 17 (borrowing powers)—To provide that tho Council may borrow for the reclamation of land described in the third schedule any money necessary by way of special order and without taking a poll of tho ratepayers. Sub-section 3 to be struck out. Oriental Bay reclamation. The committee have to report, that they were not unanimous on this matter, and suggest that the Council should decide whether or not this clause is to remain in the bill.

Regarding clause 1, the Mayor said that without tho power suggested the Council might be placed in ats awkward position. It was clearly set out that the Government might revoke the bill if the reclamation was not done within seven years. • Councillor Godber stated that part 2 made a provision against any liability for accident. Part 3 gave the Council the right to lease one quarter of tho land reclaimed at Evans Bay. Councillor Izard said they should see that they had power to use part of the land for the purposes of,a road along the water side. Councillor Godber said that clause 17 gave power to raise the money for reclamation at Evans Bay without reference to the ratepayers. His Worship said that at one time all such works were done by, moneys raised by special order, but later it wae thought there ought to be a proper check—an absolute majority of the ratepayers—but that did not work very well, so it was made a majority of those who voted. The ratepayers would have the chance to object to the bill, and, as shown that evening, strong objection could be made to anything the people did not approve. Councillor Smith said they ought to ask the people for power to do the work, as was done in the case of other recreation grounds. Councillor McLaren was of opinion that jn certain cases works might be carried out by "special order.” He instanced the case of the Harbour Board, which had carried out many big works.

Councillor Carmichael moved, that the clause be struck out. They should not have power to carry out any work without going to the ratepayers, who should know all about it. The amendment lapsed for want of a seconder, and tho motion to adopt the report was carried by 7 votes to 6. Tenders wex-e received for pipes, flue plates, anti subway plates, for power station; the tender of Messrs. A. and T. Burt was accepted. For cast-iron pipes, tho tender of Messrs Luke and Co. was accepted. Tho Mayor said these tenders wore the lowest, Ee tho proposed new road to Eoseneath, across the quarry face, a report (not read) was received from the City Engineer. The matter tv as referred to the Finance Committee. With regard to a proposal to reduce the grade of Cdromandel street at a cost of -Jjl-'IO, the Council decided to take no action. Mr. M. Kennedy applied for permission to alter the entrance of a" private way off Salamanca road. The Mayor stated that the width ranged from 4ft to 12ft. Permission was granted subject to access being granted right through, and to applicant maintaining and grading the way. Ee the widening of Moxham avenue, Kilbirnie, the Mayor said, in reply to Councillor Cohen, the residents could put back their fences when they liked; the Council was in no hurry to widen the street.