CITY COUNCIL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22808, 18 February 1936, Page 14

CITY COUNCIL

FORTNIGHTLY MEETING The fortnightly meeting of the City Council was held last night. There were present the Mayor (the Rev. E. T. Cox), Ci-8 D. G. M'Millan, J. W. Munro, M. Silverstone, W. Begg, W. A. Scott, A. H. Allen, F. W. Mitchell, W. 11. Shepherd, P. Neilson, W. W. Batchelor. CHURCH SERVICES. In response to an invitation it was decided to attend a special service at the Moray Place Congregational Church on March 1, to mark the reopening of the church after the recent renovation of the building. It was also decided to accept an invitation to attend the evening service at First Church on March 22, Anniversary Day. A PROTEST NOTED. The secretary of the Dunedin Returned Soldiers' Association wrote forwarding a copy of the following resolution, which had been passed at the last meeting:—"That this committee views with extreme concern the fact that the Dunedin City Council has passed a resolution granting permits for pictures to be shown on Anzac Day, and emphatically protests against such action." The Mayor said that the association's letter was not strictly correct. Permission had been granted to show pictures on Anzacnight, not during the day.—The protest was noted. SUNDAY NIGHT CONCERT. The South Dunedin Unemployed Association wrote asking permission to stage a concert on Sunday evening, March 1. —The application was granted on the usual conditions. WORKS COMMITTEE.

The adoption of the Works Committee's report was moved by Cr Munro, who said that he hoped that during the coming year a greater allocation would be available for the tar-sealing of dusty streets.

Gr Scott referred to complaints which had been made that certain portions of two streets were too slippery for horse traffic. Cr Mitchell asked if it would be possible next year to havo a footpath constructed in Norfolk street, St. Clair. Cr Shepherd drew attention to the fact that the walling of the St. Clair baths had not been completed, and people were entering the baths without paying. Cr Batchelor said the residents of Cliffs road wanted a footpath and improvements to the roadway. Cr M'Millan asked what it was intended to do to the Kaikorai Valley road. In reply, Cr Munro said he would look into the various matters raised. The question regarding what was to be clone to the Kaikorai Valley road would be brought up in next year's allocations. The report was adopted. WATER COMMITTEE. The report of the Water Committee was presented for adoption by Cr Begg. He said that the light showers of rain had relieved the situation. Since the last meeting the reservoirs had gained 18,000,000 gallons, and the position was not now so acute. The report was adopted. OTHER COMMITTEES. The reports of the Electric Power and Lighting, Tramways, Gas, Reserves and General Committees were also adopted. CLYDEHILL HOUSING. Moving the adoption of the clause of the Finance Committee's report referring to the Clydchill housing proposals, Cr Silverstone said the sections would be sold to genuine seekers of homes, and not to land agents. It would not be possible to erect homes which would not be good security for those advancing the finance and good homes for .those who intended to live in them. This was not the major scheme of the council. A new scheme would have to be put forward for those who were unable to build their own homes and were .able to pay only a very small rent. Seconding the motion for the adoption of the clause dealing with the proposal, the Mayor said it was hoped to make it a model site. Later, he mentioned, it was hoped to build 500 homes for those people who were able to pay only a very small rental, thus wiping out the rental value of the hovels which at present existed. Cr Mitchell drew attention to the danger of speculation and also asked if there was any implied commitment by the council that the mortgages would ultimately be paid.

Cr Munro said it was the council's idea to give those people who could afford to build houses as cheap and good homes as possible. Every house that was erected beenme an asset to the council. The nverage price would work out at £125 per section.

In reply to a question by Cr Allen, Or Silverstone said., that of 57 sections, 32 would be over £125 by from £lO to £55. Twenty-five would be under £125. Cr Allen asked who was going to advance up to 100 per cent, of the financft necessary. If the purchaser had no deposit to put down, who was going to advance the difference if the organisation —he took it that it was an organisation which was referred to —would not advance a full 100 per cent.? Cr M'Millan said the scheme was only for those who had money to put down. Cr Silverstone said that the council did not intend to guarantee the rate payment of the mortgages. It was hoped, however, as the result of the precautious which would be taken, that it would be an excellent security. They did not intend to get purchasers who would not be able to put down a deposit. It was hoped that as the result of new negislation there would be no difficulty in getting the necessary finance. . The motion for the adoption of the clause was carried.