Civic Snapshots

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 749, 23 August 1929, Page 16

Civic Snapshots

Notes from the Council Chamber

Forty people were present in the public gallery overlooking the City Council in session last evening. Of these 21 were women. Half of the fair spectators looked as though they were of voting age, and no more. » «* • “Things are moving slowly, but there is no doubt about the result,’* remarked the Mayor, Mr. G. Baildon, when asked by Cr. J. B. Paterson about the transfer of Motuihi Island marine park from the Government to the council. * * * Exotics at Museum There may be more exotics than foreign trees at the War Memorial Museum. When it was proposed to plant foreign palms, in deference to outside wishes, as well as native trees, Cr. T. Bloodworth said: “Surely the wishes of all interests were sanctified in the museum building itself.” “Yes, the builders were exotics, too,” remarked Cr. E. J. Phelan. • * * “Good boys,” murmured Cr. E. J. Phelan, sarcastically, when a few heads were being counted on a call for a division made by Cr. J. B. Lundon, on one of liis numerous amendments. • * * First Bad Bargain “I think this is the only instance of a bad bargain that the council has had in 25 years,” said Cr. J. B. Paterson, in apologising for a couple of shops in Dominion Road —council property—which he said had been “jerry built” and needed an expenditure of £3OO to make their foundations safe. “T am quite content to be called to order in this respect.”—Cr. J. R. Lundon, who had ptrayed into irrelevancy on the question of trees at the War Memorial Museum. * * * A request by the St. John Ambulance Association for a donation toward its requirement of £1,600 to continue its work for another year was referred to the Finance Committee. Cr. G. Brownlee was nominated for the vacant position of local body representative on the Seddon Memorial Technical College Board of Managers. An election for the position will be held on September 17. • • • A donation of £lO 10s was made to the Labour Day Celebration Committee. • # * Cr. G. G. Ashley was granted five weeks’ leave of absence from council and committee meetings. * $ * An offer by Samuel Vaile and Sons, Ltd., of 90 acres of land at £6O an acre for a municipal golf links was declined. The land is 16 miles south of the City. • * * 4 To give the City Council authority to expend money on the maintenance of Motuihi Island, part of which has been vested in it, a formal clause for submission to Parliament has been drafted by the city solicitor. When this goes through the House the council will have power to make reasonable charges for use of the island and for landing on it. • * • At the suggestion of the Town Planning Committee the Harbour Board has agreed to a conference of it, the council, the Transport Board and the Auckland Town Planning Association to discuss the question of the use of the old dock site for commercial purposes. The conference will be held on Tuesday, September 3.