WELLINGTON IMPROVEMENTS. A LARGE SCHEME.

Otago Witness, Issue 2360, 18 May 1899, Page 28

WELLINGTON IMPROVEMENTS. A LARGE SCHEME.

WELLINGTON, May 15.

Mr J. R. Blair, mayor, has under way a scheme for carrying out important works for the advancement of Wellington. He proposes to prepare one comprehensive empowering bill for submission to Parliament, in which the corporation should not only ask for a two-thirds majority vote and discretion in the matter of setting forth lands proposed to be taken for street widening purposes, but also authority to take votes upon propositions to carry oiit certain important municipal works and undertakings involving a total sum of about £306,000. His scheme involves £100,000 for the acquisition of^the tramways system and placing it in an up-to-date condition, and Wood-paving the main thoroughfare^ of the city from the corner of Cuba street to the Government Buildings. Then £35,000 would be allotted to the acquisition of the electric light system, and if the syndicate failed to agree as to the terms, this sum would be sufficient to enable the corporation to set up its own station. Another work, and one of urgency, he states, is an addition to the waterworks and better distribution. The cost of this is estimated at £80,000. For street widening a working fund of £25,000 is required. The erection of a town hall is included in the scheme, but the interest, Mr Blair thinks, would be provided for the cost of that by letting the hall and the present council site. As to the financial aspect of the scheme, Mr Blair says that if the necessary borrowing powers were given for raising by a loan of £306,600 it would mean an addition of 7d in the £ to the present rates ; but this could be mitigated by the corporation being able to retain the revenue derived from the use of water power, by increased revenues through the growth of the city (which shows an increase this year of £3500 upon laist year's total), and a saving by the conversion of loans. The necessary bill is now being drafted, and will shortly be submitted to the City Council for consideration.