SPREYDON RESIDENTS OPPOSE ERECTION OF ELECTRIC SUBSTATION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18452, 1 May 1928, Page 10

SPREYDON RESIDENTS OPPOSE ERECTION OF ELECTRIC SUBSTATION.

A protest against the erection of a substation by the Municipal Electricity Committee in MiltomStreet, Sydenham, was made by Councillor D. G. Sullivan, M.P., at last night’s meeting of the City Council. The Electricity Committee reported that the owners of the property on the west side of this building had opposed its erection and refused access to their property, even for the purpose of scaffolding. The sewer and water services from this house were laid through the council’s property. An offer was made to the owners to move these services to their own section, without charge, provided temporary access for scaffolding were permitted. This offer was refused. The sewer and water pipes could not remain under the sub-station building, because they would interfere with the cable trenches. A notice was served on the owners, through the city solicitor, to remove these services, but no action had been taken. It was evident that if the council was forced to disconnect this service, it could, and probably would, be represented as an arbitrary action, inflicting undue hardship on the owners of the property, but as matters now stood, a position had been reached where there was no alternative for the council. Councillor Sullivan said he was opposed to the erection of this substation. It was in a residential area. In view of the fact that the house next door was affected by the substation the council could have purchased the property. The council had not met the owners of the property in the right spirit. He did not believe that a single councillor would like to have such a structure built alongside his home. Councillor J. W. Roberts said that every consideration had been given to the people in question. The site was the only suitable one for a substation in the district. Councillor R. M. Macfarlane said he also wished to protest against. the erection of the substation. The station could have been built on another site in the street. Councillor G. Manning said that the Electricity Committee had tried to meet the people who were protesting in every way. The Mayor (the Rev J. K. Archer) said he thought the best way would be to let some legal authority decide the matter. Councillor P. W. Sharpe, chairman of the Electricity Committee, said that the site on which the substation stood was the only one available. He hoped the clause would go through so that the work in connection with the substation could be proceeded with. On the matter being put. to the meeting the report was adopted by seven votes to five.