CITY COUNCIL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16685, 4 May 1916, Page 8

CITY COUNCIL

The fortnightly meeting of the City Council, held last night, was attended by the Mayor (Mr J. J. Clark), Crs Lunn, Thorn, Hancock, Wilson, Tavernor, Black, Wright, Green, Begg, Shacklock, Sincock, linyward. Small. Whito, Finncrty, Hastie, M'Millan, Wliyte, Thomson, Carroll, I'atton, and Henderson. ALTERATION 01' STREET NAMES. A petition was received from 1359 residents of the North-East Valley protesting against the alteration of the name of the Main North road. Tho petition was supported by a deputation, introduced by Mr A. Walker, M.P., and consisting of Messrs R. Gilkison, G. Calder, W. -Vlowat, W. King, and G. Burt. Members of the deputation addressed tho council, urging that the name of the Main North road should bo retained.

Dr Fulton, representing tho Early Settlers' Association, urged that the names Main North road and Main South road should not bo altered.

Tho Mayor assured the deputations that their representations would receive tho earnest consideration of tho council, and it was decidcd to suspend further consideration until certain notices of motion were dealt with.

Later Mr Begg moved —" That in view of the almost unanimous wish of the residents of North-East Valley, together with the emphatic protests from the Early Settlers' Association and other organisations, the name of Main North road be retained, and that tho town clerk be instructed forthwith to prepare the necessary resolution to operate as a special order, renaming the street recently named ' Green street' 'The Main north road.' " Speaking to the motion, he referred to the numerous protests that had been received from various sources in tho matter, and said that ho had heard similar protests from outside quarters against tho main artery being called by another name, Tho great bulk of tho people would stick to tho name whatever tlie road might bo called. He appealed to the council to consider whether it was fair to mako the change, where no reasons had been advanced for it.

Cr Hayward seconded tho motion, and pointed out the disabilities undei' which shopkeepers would bo placed as to their Bill heads if the change was made. All tho places of business in the Valley were in the Main North road. Cr Green said that to name the street after him was none of his seeking. Had the ratepayers of the Valley come to him, and asked him to see that the name was not altered he would havo worked in that direction. Had they done that he would not have allowed his name to be associated with the street. He would not have gone against the wishes of tho ratepayers of North-East Valley. After what had been said he would not like his name to be associated with the street, and he was going to "strike it out." After some discussion, Cr Wilson moved that tho matter be referred to tho Works Committee for report, and this was seconded by Cr Hancock and carried. Cr Sincock wished to move that the Main South, road be taken into consideration, and also referred to tho committee, but the Mayor ruled that this required notice of motion.

Or Begg then moved a further motion, of which notice had been given as follow: — " That at the unanimous wish and desire of the residents of the streets recently named ' Zetland avenue,' ' Scone avenue,' ' Clayton avenue,' ' Seton avenue,' ' Spey avenue,' 'Coburn avenue.' and 'Paisley street,' be altered, and that tho old names — namely, ' First avenue,' ' Second avenue.' 'Third avenue,' 'Fourth avenue,' 'Fifth avenue,' 'Sixth avenue,' and 'Seventh avenue' be retained." An amendment was carried that this also bo referred to the Works Committee for report. Cr White moved—" That with a view to retaining the name of ' Cargill street' for the street recently named ' Wyckliffe.' instructions be given to tho town clerk to take the necessary steps by way of special order to have the said street renamed ' Cargill street'" He said that Cargill had always been closely and familiarly associated with Dunedin.

Cr Hayward seconded tho motion. The Mayor mentioned that a large number of residents of Cargill street had approached him and objected to the name being altered.

It was resolved to refer the matter to tho Works Committee for report. REPORTS.. The General _ Committee's report was adopted, Cr Wilson drawing attention to the necessity for motor cars having the glasses of their lamps cleaned. The reports by the Electric Power and Lighting and the Gas Committees were adopted. In connection with the Tramways Committee's report, it was pointed out that returned nurses were to be placed on the same footing as returned soldiers in regard to tram travelling.—Tho report was adopted. Cr Green moved tho adoption of the Works Committee's report, and in speaking to the clause dealing with the allocation of loan money, said the committee saw no reason to alter its former decision. At the time the £175,000 loan was under consideration the committee had made a personal inspection of Greater Dunedin to see what the requirements were. A report had been submitted, of which tho Works Committee and the council had approved, and moro recently a proposal had been submitted to the ratepayers. Possibly those taking exception to the allocations were not aware that out of the £10,000 110 portion was set aside for permanent street paving or bridge erection. The respective wards were getting what fhey were entitled to. With regard to improving the entrance to Erin street from City road, the committee considered it was not in a position to ask tho council to undertake the work at present, though the council recognised that it should be done. Replying to questions, he said he was' aware that City road had been damaged by some heavy vehicle, and the matter would be gone into. His opinion was that t'ho party who caused the damage would be liable. As to Californian asphalt, that matter was under consideration. The committee was not yet in a position to say that the work would be gone on with.' It wanted to be sure of its ground.—The report was adopted.

_Cr Small moved the adoption of the Finance Committee's report, and referring to the question of the erection of toll-gates, said the committee did not wish to interfere with the business of other local bodies, but it appeared to be a retrograde step, and the sympathy of tho committee was with the Taieri County Council.—Tho report was adopted. The following supplementary report by the Works Committee was considered in committee and adopted:—"Your committee recommends that the offer received from Messrs Webb and Allan to sell to the oouncil allotments 16, 17, and) 18, on plan of subdivision of part of block IX, Dunedin and East Taieri district, for the sum of £260, be accepted. Tho land abuts on the

lioslyn quarry site, and is required for quarry, extension purposes. A plan of the property is laid on the t.ablo for the information of the council." It'ETURNKD SOLDI ICRS. Or Black proposed—" That, with a view | 1o assisting in the task of the re-entry of returned soldiers into the civil lifo of the community, it bo a.n instruction to committees of the council ami hcvuls of departments to givo preference to men who have enlisted in tho service of the Empire and who have been honourably discharged from such seiwiee; further, that in every instanoo f where a returned soldier is available for J any position and i.i not appointed to such position, the eomiuit'.'o or officer making tho appointment is hereby required to res port the reasons that prompted a departure from (he general principle of giving prefcronco to returned soldiers." He said they l were all in favour of a policy with regard J returned soldiers, but they had no policy laid down, and this motion laid down a , policy. 'Itlio motion was carried with practically no comment. RECRUITING. The Mayor submitted a report by tho Dunedin Recruiting Executive, and in dong so referred to tho excellent work done by Cr Wright in organising and carrying out tho scheme. The success attained would not have been possible if they had not had tho services of Cr Wright.