CITY PROGRESS IN 1910.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1099, 11 April 1911, Page 6

CITY PROGRESS IN 1910.

SOME FEATURES. MAYOR'S PREPARED EEYIEW, The Mayor (Mr. T. it. Wilford, M.P.) has prepared a statement in which he summarises the operations of the corporation during the year just ended. Many of the matters touched upon have been fully reported from time to time. Among them are tho acquisition of land at Lyall Bay, tho Wainui water-works, milk supply, the establishment of the Municipal Orchestra, and Charlotte Street widening.

Dealing with tramway concerns the Mayor remarks: "During tho past session of Parliament, an amendment to the Tramway Bill was passed, despite a vigorous fight on the part of the minority. Tho powers of the local authority have been much curtailed, and I do not believe that such curtailment is for the benefit, of either the citizens or the employees."

.On tho subject of new cars and freight cars the statement runs as follows:—The council recently authorised tho building of six car:., with the upenint; ol the Wadestown tramway, and the new Karori extension it is necessary that tiie rolling stock should be increased. , Tho construction of two freight cars lor use ou tho Kilbirnio section was also authorised. One of these has been constructed and will be put into commission, shortly. It is an entirely new departure, as far as Wellington is concerned, and I think that it will bo found to answer tho public conveniences to s.ucli an extent that it will be necessary, before very long, to extend the working of the system to .every terminus in the city. In connection with tho Oriental Bay section, it was deemed necessary to authorise the construction of a tramway loop at Hay Street. Plans for this work have been prepared, and sire now in the hands of the Department of Public Works for their approval. When this work is carried out, one of tho chief difficulties in keeping to the timetable at rush hours will bo done away with. Tho council have also introduced a concession ticket 011 this section providing a Jld. faro from Oriental Bay to Winder's Corner and vice versa.

Provision is to be made in tho estimates for the current year, the Mayor adds, for further duplication of the Kilbirnio line, from Nelson Street to Cioa Street.

With tlis famous tunnel question Mr Wilford deals briefly. He simply says

"Ever since the Killiirnio tunneUwns constructed, there has hern a cry from this district for a separate means of communication with the eily for pedestrians and vehicles. This is a matter which must be laced in the coming year. The Constable Street route must also he closely considered.

' "The Wadcstown tramway will probably I)o opened for traffic before the end of next month. A good deal of negotiating has been carried ont in connection with the purchase of lands required for the work. One block of land at tho corner of Grand Uoad and Featherston Terrace lias been acquired by purchase, but thero are several areas which, owing to the failure of negotiations, arc being taken under the provisions of tho Public Works Act.

"The reserves in the city and suburbs have been well cared for during the past year. Extensive improvements have been carried out at the Botanical Gardens, Newtown, and Kilbirnie Parks. The Brooklyn Recreation Ground, at Tanera Crescent, has been authorised for construction. and, at the present time, tho work is being proceeded with by tho City Engineer. During the year the superintendent of reserves has carried out a considerable amount of tree-plauling'on the Town Belt. Improvements have also been carried out at the To Aro Baths." The final paragraph of the Mayor's statement deals with the tar-spraying machine. Its use, lie remarks, has minimised the (lust nui=an,-3 to a considerable extent, and will be carried out lo many other streets as opportunity serves.