THE CITY'S AFFAIRS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1803, 16 July 1913, Page 9

THE CITY'S AFFAIRS.

LOAN MOOTED. SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING. Tho Wellington City Council mot last night to disposo of a number of notices of motion, which had been standing over for some time. Tho Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) presided,. and thero were present also, Councillors R. Fletcher, T. C. A. Hislop, It. A. Wright, M. F. Luckie, J. Fuller, J. W. Thompson, A. R. Atkinson, H. Buddie, J. Godber, G. Frost, J. E. Fitzgerald, L. M'Kenzie, W. H. P. Barber. A. H. Hindmarsh, and E. Tregear. . Sinking Fund Investments. Councillor M'Kenzio moved: "That the council ask for an annual return of sinking fund investments, showing rate of interest, expiry of principal, and nature of investments, and that tho first return bo supplied immediately." The mover thought that tho council should be in closer touch with tho Commissioners, and havo more information as to their investment proposals. He thought there wero enough sound investments for the sinking fund in tho city itself, without putting it into outside investments. Tho council had a richt to see that any money under its oontrol was devoted to tho progress of Wellington City. • Councillor Luckio seconded the motion. Tho Mayor said that in his opinion it was not dosirablo that a Mayor in office should bo ono of the sinking fund commissioners. The motion was lost by ,10 to 6. Loan for Now Works? Councillor Barber moved: "That, with a view of carrying out without further delay a number of desirable works, viz.: Constable Street extension (tram), Orien- 1 tal Bay; esplanade, tepid swimming baths, iulbirnie recreation' ground, and any other work considered urgent, tho Finonce Committee bo instructed to consider tho advisability of submitting a loan for tho approval of the ratepayers, so that provision can be made to complete those important works in the near future, rather than that they should bo postponed for a number of years, which will be necessary it tho funds aro to be provided out of revenue. The mover emphasised the urgency of the works mentioned. He said that they would be 'hung up," probably for years, U thoy had to be carried out with moneys revenue. • They must bo paid for with loan money, if his motion were carried, it would still be somo months betore the loan could be taken, as the engineer would have to prepare estimates, and other formalities would harve to be gone through. Ho knew that tho Mayor against the raising of a loan The Mayor: Wo all are. Another- necessity for tho welfare of ~ said Councillor Barber, was & machine for the laying of tarred macadam. There was far too much manual labour employed in road-making works in Wellington. A lengthy discussion ensued. Tho Mayor suggested'that tho mover delete tho words without further delay" in the first part ~ Councillor Barber declined, whereupon Councillor Wright moved an amendment deleting the worus. The amendment was put to the council, there being eight votes both for and against. The Mayor gave his casting vota 10'.* tho amendment, and the words were accordingly 'deleted. ' Councillor Barber haying replied, tho motion, as amended, was carried by 12 Totes to 4.' Our Gorse Crop. - The following motions of Councillor Buddie's were carried:—"(a) That a return bo prepared showing which of tho lessees or occupiers of parts of the Town Belt aro committing a breach of their obligations in regard to gorse." "(b) That the Reserves Committee bo requested to report as to what steps should be immediately taken to cope with the gorse trouble on the Town Belt." "(c) That the Legislation Committee be requested to bring down a report as to tho introduction of legislation providing/that 'lf.jjrivate owners of land, after proper notice, do not oradicate the gorso from their land, tho council or other local body shall have .power, to d 0..50. at the .owner's espouse,'and. that the cost thereof with interest shall be a charge against tho land and registrable as such, and that service of any notice may be elfected by affixing such notice to the land." How Committees are Electod. Councillor Tregear moved:—"That the resolution, passed by the council on, July 7, purporting to set up a Tramway Committee, and Abattoirs and Public Health Committee, and a Public Gardens, Reserves, and Baths Committee, be rescinded." Mr. Tregear said that his object was to get a new system of setting up the committees inaugurated. He contended, in effect, that the existing system was practically to fill vacancies rather than elect new coinmittees. Councillors agreed that the system could be improved, but the motion was defeated.