CIVIC POLITICS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1324, 30 December 1911, Page 14

CIVIC POLITICS.

THE MUNICIPAL YEAR. ACHIEVEMENTS AND FAILUEES. Municipal goverument in 'Wellington, during the past tivelvo months lias afforded tho observant student of civic politics amplo material for reflection and criticism. It has been a year of achievement and failures. Tho city lias gone ahead, and a measure of at least part of its progress must bo laid to the credit of the corporation. Tor the rest it m.'iy bo said that the city has progressed in spite of its civic ndminibtnv tion. On tho ivhole, however, tho hods of the various departments ' of tho corporation may feci satisfied that if they have not been able to accomplish all that they would have liked to do, they have, at any rate, accomplished all that was possible for them to ha%'o done, for it is the elected body which provides the authority and tho money, and so defines the limit of effort. BUILDING ACTIVITY. A SATISFACTORY YEAR. Tho building activity of a city is a reliable measure of its expansion, and of the. optimism of its captains of industry and commerce. During the year, permits totalling COO, and representing buildings worth, in the aggregate, J;;)l. r ) ) lSO, were issued for tho various areas in greater 'Wellington. Of this total, 339 ■permits were for buildings in tho city area proper, and these contracts absorbed .*£186,511 of the 4i31/>,198. Melrose absorbed another of tho total building value, with 320 permits, which included the huge.expenditure of «1'22,000 odd for workshops and laundry build'ings for the Union Steam Ship Com- i .puny. .. Twenty-one permits, aggregating in value .£5121, were issued for buildings in tho "Wadcstown district, whilo in 'iVorthlaud leu permits, covering contracts valued at .£1551, were issued. Among the more important contracts of note niay be mentioned tho extensive buildings for the Union Steam ShipCom■pany. (already referred to), the new steel frame building erected in i'eatherstoh Street for the accommodation of the local branch of tho ftoyal Jnsuranco Company; the new Skating Kink erected to; the order of Eiley and Matson, at Julbivnic; Shortt's now picture theatre in 'Willis Street, the Star Pictures Theatre in Newtown, Sharland and Company's new business .premises in Dixon Street. Tingey's new premises in Manners Street.- a iiew establishment for Alcockaiid'Co. in Emniett Street, Newtown; a handsome building erected to the ; order of Messrs. Penty, Teasdulo and Gibbons, on Lambton Quay, r and occupied, by tho Burlington Cafe, and Mr. I.udwig, jeweller; additions to tho Girls' College in Pipitea Street; Mr. . T. Coverdalc's artistically-designed stcol-fr'ame building at the corner of Willis Street and Old. Customhouse Street, opposite Shortfs Theitro; and the new Children's Hospital at Newtown. . Several important works for which permits are about to bo issued will shortly be commenced. MUNICIPAL LIGHT. : A PROGRESSIVE BUSINESS. A progressive policy has been pursued by the City Electric Lighting Department in'-catering for tho public convenience' in the matter of illuminants. The introduction, of tho metallic lilament lamp, Which materially lessened the cost of light for the- consumer, gave a big impetus to the department's business, alid by negotiating with its .customers '.on easy terms, tho corporation has -popularised electricity in- various -directions, and there is now a steady and increasing" demand for liew couhcetions. Up to the present the number of connections made since the beginning of, the corporation year shows, an increase.- 'J nearly 1200—the total being in the neighbourhood of 6500. The amount of business transacted between the department and the general public, contrasted ■with the totals jfor the previous year, shows a solid iuorease of .£3IOO odd. Here is the position at a glance; T . ' Wll. 1910. units sold for privato ... lighting 1,133,067 971,703 Units sold for power and heating 332,651 269,487 Units sold for public .\ lighting' '. 252,317 247,26" .Jfuni'bsr of lighting '■ consumers 5,354 4,582 Number of power consumers 239 252 Number of heating con- • sumers 626' 230 Average revenue from each consumer .£5/6/7 .£5/18/1 Total working. expenses per unit sold 2.33 2.54 Total revenue per unit. sold 5.26 5.51 It will thus be seen that although there has been a tremendous leap in the comparative figures as regards the num-ber-of-units sold, tho averago " revenue from each consumer shows a decrease of lis. 6d., owing to the reduced cost of the current. But the credit balance this year is ,£8734 Its. 5d., against .£6086 19=. 9d. for tho previous year, as' the- following statement shows.;— 1011. 1910. ' : '"' ' ■£ s. d. X' s. d. Power supply ... 3,639 15 1 3,300 6 10 Public-lighting 4,212 10 G 4,124 1 8 Sundry revenue 160 12 11 190 u i; Private lighting 29,677 3 9 26,616 10 11 Total revenue 37,690 2 3 31,231 13 It Generation ex- ' penses 9,439 9 9 9,473 711 Distribution expenses ■ 3,198 18 11 3,000 13 2 Exhibition cx"p'pnses 222 15 7 — Genera] expenses 3,815 0 11 3,315 19 9, Total working expenses ... 16,676 5 2 15.,790 0 10 Balance, , gros.s surplus brought down 21,013 17 1 18,441 13 1 37,690 2 3 31,231 13 II Estimated capital . chargesInterest 5,332 18 0 4,997 8 8 . Sinking fund... 2,112 13 1 2,099 13 4 Depreciation 4,833 11 4 4,657 11 4 Total capital charges 12,279 2 8 11,754 13 I Credit balance ... 8,734 14 5 6.OSG 19,9 It is interesting arithmetic, and should please tho ratepayers ENGINEERING* WORKS. WATEIt SUPPLY AND DRAINAGE. Tho city, engineer has had a busy year. Most important of all the city'government's responsibilities has been' the provision of an adequate supplj-'of'water, for upon'tho Quantity, quality] and pressure of that supply depends - th« sanitation of tho community, and its protection .from fire, to say' nothing of the ever-increas-ing consumption of tho element for various requirements in respect' of human consumption and commercial enterprise. Towards tho completion of a thoroughly equioped water supply system ' tho engineer's, department has bent its best energies during tho past 'year,' with the result that a scheme which will provide for the necessities of the community, for'years to conio is practically finished. The great dam at Solomon's Knob was' officially visited by tho City Council not verv long ago, and generally admired. There is now in progress the important task of duplicating the water mains from the reservoir at "Wainiii-o-mata to tho city, and already the pipes have been duplicated from Thorndon to Nrahaurnnga, along the Main Ilutt Road. are now, broadly spcakin-r, two main reservoirs, one at Karori and -the other-at -Wainui,- and' with tho assistance, of secondary reservoirs at ' Eoseneath, Melrose, Brooklyn, and Wadestown, worked from pumping supply stations in each district, there is now available not only an adequate supply of water, but also an adoquato pressure. The discomforts of suburban droughts have been abolished, and tho terror of subnrban fires materially diminished. The Wadestown high-level reservoir is nil but ready, and for all practical purposes the system may now be regarded as complete. Tho work of drainage installation has of necessity been timed by the' progress of tho wafer supply works, but all that now remains to be seen' to is the reticulation of'Maranui. Wadestown, and a small avea.-immediately behind Newtown Park. Tho final keying up of the ' whole system- -js dependent-JIJ2OII- certain ne-

gotiations now in progress with regard to tho drainage of tho Ngaio portion of the Onslow borough', ami a portion of Karori. With regard to the disposal of the sewage to bo treated by the septic f.iuk installations which servo the ■ high levels not connected with the main system, negotiations which have been pending with the Harbour Board arc practically settled. Other works of less importance include the lull width paving of thn cily footpaths, and the improvement of the Oriental Bay Esplanade (a ."work which, being paid for out. of revenue, must necessarily proceed as money is available). It is expected that by the end of the coming year tho whole of tho city footpaths will havo been paved to tho full width. • A matter that has given tho council no sinnll concern during tho past year has been tho extremely unsatisfactory position of Iho Hutt Pipe Bridge, which is, still without approaches. The delay in' (ho settlement of this ludicrous situation will not affect tho work of duplicating the city water' maius, but the general public cannot hope to'usc the bridgeas a convenient traffic thoroughfare until the approaches have been completed. Tho present position is that thiv Petono Borough Council is awaiting the issue of a warrant from tho Government—this is being arranged by the City Solicitorauthorising tho expenditure of certain money on tho construction of the approaches. The Petouc Council is pledged to a contribution towards tho cost of tho bridge, but prefers to get the money by wav of warrant rather than go to the ratepayers for ft loan. Tho whole undertaking has been a sorry business—the bridge is not constructed in the best position and direction for the conveyance of the mains, but the alteration in respect thereto was agreed to in order to meet the desire of the subnrban bodies a traffic bridge. Meanwhile.. the City Engineer can get his pipes across,, but the general public cannot walk across, although tho bridge has been finished long ago". , Tho citv has persevered with its duty of providing adeq.ualo breathing spaces for tho people, and its latest venture .is the purchase of an ample spico at Lyall Bnv, which, with its ; magnificent beach, its" surf ■ bathing. • and car service, has already become tho most popular resort of tho citizens. The steady improvoment.of the area recently acquired-inuue-diatelv. behind the sands should ere long mako'thecitv's splendid ocean beach an ideal haunt for jaded city, dwellers in search of sunshine,-ozone, arid recreation. ON THE CAR LINES. AiV EVENTPUL ;YEAK> The tramway year has been an eventful one. From above and below, so to speak, the authority of the City- Tramways Department has been assailed, and to-day nobody is positively certain whether tho Government, the Tramways Department of the' City Corporation, or the- Traniwaymen's Union is controlling the Wellington electric car service.. It is certain that two of these three authorities have attempted to usurp the constituted authority of the third—the City Tramways Department—but the weight of public opinion has, so far.at all events, been with the constituted authority, on the very common-sense grounds /.of the discipline and -. efficiency of the service. The Hon. Eoderick M'Kcnzio menaced tho local authority's control over its own enterprise in his Tramway. Amendment Bill, and the storm of protest and indignation • which was evoked ■ by . the Minister's. attempt to make the municipalities swallow his tramway regulations gavo a clear and striking indication of tho opinion o£ the general, public. Despite the strenuous opposition of' tho corporation,' the Government succeeded iu- passing Iho " Tramways Amendment Bill, with,the inclusion of tho. famous "Davey clause," , ; .'.-■'■', The Davey clause.comes into operation as from January 1 of this year, and imposes upon the City Council the obligation qf designing all future cars upon a different basis. Broadly speaking, the restrictions imposed upon the council amount to the provision in nil cars of a clear thoroughfare for tho conductor in the interior-of the car. As is well known, tho geographical disabilities of this, city have created narrow streets, which,- in turn, have dictated narrow cars for tho -transport of the citizens. To conform with the provisions of tho Davey clause, which, by the way, was instigated by the Parliamentary representatives of a city whose geographical conditions are widely different from those of Wellington—the Christchiirch streets aro broad and straight—the Wellington Corporation is now-faced with the difficulty of evolving a" type of car which will be suitable for congested traffic in narrow thoroughfares, while'at'tho same time providing interior space'which'is easily obtainable only in cities'"of' ample thoroughfare and free, traffic' ' The Tramways Department lias had a considerable amount of trouble' with its employees. The first of these'occasions was when the union endeavoured lb force upon the council a time-tablo and roster of duties; framed by its' own executive, and Which in the opinion of the council's expert officers was quite unworkable. The history of the roster imbroglio is well known, although the public may not be so fully aware of the .fact that the protracted negotiations which were entailed by the Mayor's anxiety to conciliate the union seriously "delayed the progress of. several important enterprises which the Tramways Department, had then in view, notably the inauguration of the-freight-ear service, which ' commenced running 1 only a' few weeks ago; The second'iriipasse between the'council and the union has just been, settled, and. a'serious strike, which threatened (6 paralyse the' Christmas arid' New' "'Year transport service In the city, was.avoided by''the'greatest good luck. The case of Inspectbr"Fuller ' has so recently been before the public .that, it ' need .'not', bo recapitulated here. ■"". ' 'As for the progress and condition of the tramway service generally,' tlie outstanding features were "the introduction of a cheap scale •of workmen's fares, tho extension of the car service to Wadcstown, the construction ;of'', the Willis Street Post Office and Laniblpn QuayCharlotte Strcet-Mole'sworth', Street. loops, and tho inauguration uf the freight-car service over a trial section froni the'railway terminus to Kilbirnie. The institution of tho workers' tickets entailed a loss of something like ,£SOOO in annual revenue, but it has been immensely popular.- Tho new' Wadestown section, which entailed, by tho way, tho construction of cars of special design, has practically completed tho Wellihgtun tramway : system in'its essential structure, and all future construction works will simply.be in-the nature of extensions to existing linos, or short-cut loops over important express routes. If is-not at-all unlikely that the question r.f providing- the high levels of Mount Victoria on tho Oriental Bay side with a hill' service, and the' absorption within tho general syslb.n-of; : tho-lCelburno. car'service -will'nb doubt coins up for consideration at no 'distant"dale. Tho Karori Borough Council's extension to Karori Park should; also be mentioned as a work connected with the' .cotnpletibn of the service as a' whole. ' The new freightcar service promises -to- be highly successful, and its' future extension: to other trunk .lines niay bo looked .for... It-is certain that the resources of the Tramways Department:.will; also .be:■ experimented with in connection with the transport'of other kinds of freight than'passengors or'' pa'ssengets'' luggage, and'tlfaf at' no distant dato electric goods trucks will be rumbling through the city to tho outskirts with cargoes of general refuse. Taking the latest official statistics as to tho tramway"finances, the total'results to'dato show ,increases 'in''the gross revenue, and. working expenses in the Tramways Account of '.£5354 and JJ2CB7 respectively, and after allowing for.estimated' capital charges ■ tlio'r'e' is a credit balauco of .£1372 as compared with a debit balance of .£219 last year. In tho power supply account, after allowing, for estimated .capital" charges, there is a credit balance to date of .£578, as compared with .£56 last year. The total'pissengers carried to date ahiount to 14,146,737, or 780,970 more than last year, and the car miles, run show an increase of 39,668. The average traffic revenue per car milo on the city linos amounts to 14'.40d., an increase of .57d. per car niilc, while tho average working expenses per ear mile over the whole of tho system amounts to 10'.15d'., an increase' of .17d. per car mile. Tho net surplus per. car 'mile is therefore ,23d. as against <r debit "of Old. last year.