WELLINGTON IMPROVEMENTS

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6487, 16 May 1899, Page 1

WELLINGTON IMPROVEMENTS

• : : v;M; i ßit^m's; scheme. [Peb.,£iiess Association.] ; ■ „-.;•}■ -s May 15. Mr J. ,the Mayor, has under way a. 'Scheme* for:i carrying out important works for the advancement of Wellington. He proposes to 'prepare one comprehensive Empowering VBiir 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 the lands proposed to be taken for street-widening 1 purposes, but also authority; to take votes upon propositions to carry out certain important municipal works and undertakings, involving a total sum of about £506,000. His scheme involves £100,000 for the acquisition ■Qf ; ihe tramways system, placing-.it in an up-to-date condition, and for the wood-paving of. the main thoroughfares of' the city. Then -635,000 would be allotted to the acquisition of the- electric liglit 1 system, and if the syndicate failed to agree "as to terms this 'sum would be suffiqient:to -enable the Corporation to set up its o^vn 'stiatipn-. 'Another' work, and one of urgency, 1 he states, is an addition to the ■water : works,, , "hetter distribution through.,,the . city. / The cost of this is estim^ted; at/^£Bb;oo6. 'Tor street widening a Jworliing ; fund of £25^000 is required. Tlie erection 'of a town .hall is . included in ;the scheme, but interest, Mr Blair thinks, would be provided for the cost of that byletting the hall and the present Council site.' ;■ As to the financial aspect of the scheme,' TMr T^tlair says that if the necessary borrowing powers were given for raiding by; loan a Bum of £306,000, it would mean dn: addition of 7d in ,tlie £ to the present ;rates, hut. .this ..would be mitigated by the 'Corporation "being able to Tetain the revenue ' defiVed .from the .use of water-power, by the/increased revenues through the growth 'of jtie city, , which shows an increase this . yedjq,''of £3500 upon last year's total, and the saving ' by' conyers'ion of loans. - The ne6es,%uy, Bill, is now. being, drafted, and 1 will': shortly be submitted to the City Coun,'cijl for :-, consideration.