CIVIC AFFAIRS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1787, 27 June 1913, Page 3

CIVIC AFFAIRS.

MEETING OF THE COUNCIL, At the fortnightly meeting of the City Council last night the Mayor (Mr. J. I'. Luke) presided. The Finance and Property Committee recommended that the Wellington South Progressive Society should be informed, in reply to their various requests, that consideration would be given to the matters as opportunities arose. Tho Mayor said the reply was brief, but lie thought it was all that was required. Ho pointed out that some years ago the City Council abolished the system of wards, as not being in the best interests of the city. The multiplicity of ratepayers' associations and the pressure that was being brought upon the council to localise expenditure was reverting to the old system of wards. Ho hoped that the council . would consider all such applications, with a view to tho best interests of the city as a whole.

Tho committee's recommendation was adopted. The By-Laws Committee reported that they had had before them an application for consent to a subdivision of land at Cockburn Street, South Kilbirnie, together with the report from the City Engineer thereon. Tho City Solicitor had advised that a permit must be issued, and that if the council desired to control subdivisions, further statutory authority would have to be obtained. In view of this opinion, the committee had to report that they had 110 power to refuse the issue of the permit, and had to ask that the Legislation Committee take into consideration tho question of obtaining further statutory authority to control subdivisions.

It was decided that the application of Messrs. Young and Tripe, on behalf of Messrs. John Fuller and Sons for an extension of time of twelve months within which to erect buildings on tlie Theatre Royal site bo acceded to. Permission was granted to tho Witersido Workers' Band to gfte a band performance at Newtown Park on Sunday, July G, and also to take up a collection, on the nsuul conditions.

The Baths and Reserves Committee reported that they had been waited on. by a deputation from the Kilbirnie Ratepayers' Association, who asked for an enlargement of the bathing-sheds at Kilbirnie, on account of the overcrowding at the sheds during-the summer months.— The committee had referred the question to the Citv Engineer for report. Tho Trades and Labonr Counoil was crranted the use of the Basin Reserve for their sports picnic, on Lhbour Day, OctoUer 27, on tho usual conditions.