WIDENING WILLIS STREET

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 6962, 30 October 1909, Page 5

WIDENING WILLIS STREET

SCHEME APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL. ARRANGEMENT WITH MR JOHN DUTHIE. Tho negotiations which have been proceeding for somo timo between Mr J. Duthio and tho "Wellington CityCouncil in rogard to widening Willis street wero brought to a conclusion yesterday, a special meeting of the council being held to consider recommendations from the Finance Committco in regard to tho matter. The result of tho meeting is that tho City Council has accepted an offer made by Mr John Duthio in regard to the sotiing back of tho ironmongery premises occupied by J. Duthio and Co., Lid. ; and has taken over from Mr Duthio the leases of four shops in Willis street and tho Adams Star Cycle premises in Mercer street. By this arrangement tho widening of Willis street from tho Bank of New Zealand corner to Mercer street is assured. Messrs Duthie and Co. aro to put back their building front ton feet, and for tho cost of tho work and the loss of spaco they will receive £3200. (The lease has nino years to run). The lease of five shops from Duthie s to Mercer street (seventeen years to run) is to bo surrendered to tho council, which will pay Mr Duthie £702 per annu\n for soventoen years—that representing tho profit the lease is now yielding. Thus:—Receipts—Mr Brown £333, Bible Tract Depot £286, Wycherley £286, Beadnall £273, Adams Cycle Co £225: total, £1403. Expenditure— Ground rent £.525. insuranco £27, insurance glass windows £4 6s sd, city rates £143, balance £703 13s 7d; total £I4OB.

It is estimated that it will cost the touncil £ISOO to set back the properties other than Duthie and Co.'s.