CITY PROGRESS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1945, 31 December 1913, Page 5

CITY PROGRESS.

REVIEW BY THE MAYOR.

FINANCES SATISFACTORY.

A LOAN IN PROSPECT#

It is in keeping with tho year-end for citizens to know something about their own affairs; fitting, too, that a review of the work of tho Corporation should be reviewed by the Mayor of tho City. When approached on the subject, Mr. J. P. Luke wamothing loathe to furnish a brief summary of civic happenings during the year, which indicate, as will bo seen, a very satisfactory state of affairs. Speaking initially about tho finances of the City's more or less commercial undertakings, Mr. Lulco said that taking the tramways, electric lighting and power, abattoirs, tho genoral accident fund, and tho tramways accident fund, the result tinder all heads showed a credit of £11,107 at present as against a debit of £2-106 at tho end of last month, an improvement on tho month of £13,514 (when the odd shillings and penco are included). The amount collected in rates so far this year was £102,252, as compared with £95,448 last year. _ As much as £3500 had been collected in one day in rotes, which served in a measure to show that tho local money market was buoyant. Rents had totalled £-22,065, and the water rato (meter registered) had brought in £9759. On both these accounts a marked improvement was shown. Money deposited with tho council on interest during the year had amounted to £29,597, as compared. with £29,475 last year, which also went to prove that money was just as available this as last year.

With regard to tlio water supply, the duplication of tho main to Wamui Hill had been completed during the year, and tho construction of tho high-pres-sure service reservoir at tho back of tho Nairn Street Reserve had given an assured pressure on certain of the higher levels of the city. Taking into consideration the topographical conditions of Wellington, which included places 700 and 800 feet above the sea level, as well as a considerable area just above that level, the control of the supply and tho uniform prcssuro that was maintained throughout tho year, was unique, and the fortunate position of the City in that respect must bo attributed to tho skill of "the City Engineer (Mr. W. H. Morton), who had accomplished very valuable work in this, one of tho most, difficult of cities to manage from an engineering point of viow. Complaints as to low pressure were at present restricted to individual residents, and, indeed, had been almost entirely removed. Tho water service had_ been conducted along roads in areas which in some cases had been undeveloped up to tho present, and both in that respect and the capacity of supply the City was well ahead of • requirements. Should tlio City grow rapidly during the next few years, there would be a sufficient supply to meet all demands.

Lyall Bay and Central Park. Turning to tho work done during the year in connection with the city reserves, Mr. Luke said that during 1913 twenty acres of tho new reserve at Lyall Bay, which had consisted of a group of sandhills (at one time considered irreclaimable), had been levelled, and the greater part of that area had been covered with a deposit of good soil to a depth of sis inclics. A part of tlie area had already been sown in and early next year should see a largo section of tho reserve covered with' a firm mat of turf. A considerable amount of work had been dono during tho year, too, in connection with . tho ..luibirnio Recreation Ground. A greater: area has been reclaimed during the period under review than was contemplated at the end of the last financial year. That policy had been adopted because tho labour conditions wero such that tho council was able to give a largo number of men employment right through tho winter. What the council had overspent in this direction lio was convinced was amplyrepaid in tho grond area of tide-run land that was now inado available for the people, and which, was a decided gain to tho city. . In connection with' the work of forming Central Park (the child born of the Citizens' Easter Carnival), Mr. Lnko said that ho could only state that tho form of the park was growing apace, and that at the present rate of progress a portion of the ground should be availablo for use at the end of next year. In connection with that work a jiew road to Brooklyn was being formed that would follow tho line of the tram track on 'lie western side of the park. That would requiro further expenditure, but ho believed that tho council would at an early dato mako some provision that would cover tho cost of tho undertaking.

Reduced Lighting Charges. Referring to the electric lighting department, Mr. Luke stated that, a redaction in tho price of current to all consumers had been made during the year, which had still further popularised the use of electric light I?, _ ail classes of the community in "Wellington. Tho latest reduction had meant a saving of Id. per unit all round; and was a substantial help to the individual and tho community. A new boiler had already arrived, and tho new Parson's turbine, similar to tho onn already installed at tho Mercer Street powor-house, was coming to band early in the New Year. Tho buildings had been altered to make room for tho now machinery and boilers, and when they wore erected and in operation tho seaio of charges for current would no doubt again bo reviewed. During tho year, too, substantial alterations had iii:«ii inado in tho Harris Street frontages of tho council's property, which hud '-meant a rearrangement of tho office quarters and tho provision of a showroom for the display of elcctrb cooking apparatus'of all Itii.ds, which it might pay the public to inspect. Street V/itlcnlng

All tho settlements bad been made in I connection with tho widening of Willis Street, with th«s exception ol that pertaining to the Duke of Edinburgh Hotel. Tins council has acquired the ton-feet | klrip in front of the hotel, to which now line the promises must bo set back 000/ier or In lor, hut U/e term of tlio present leiiso iloi's not, expire until l'Jlg, and this has served to eaii.'|j/iV:ato matters in obtaining a i-ettlement on reasonable terms for the city. While the iingnUnliiiiiH for a hi.'LUowpjiL i>rcu>Jit some dillietillies, the, Mayor was desirous of coining to a •oLLlnmclit at an early date. Communication had already been established with the lessee through a legal channel, and there may ho something further M report early in tho new year. In reference to tiie Dutliio block —from tho corner of .Merec.- Street to Marruli'k liiiikling— arrangements tiero being made to cut back tho buildings to the ne.v street alignment immediately after tho holidays. This had been decided upon in order not to interfere with tho tenants during the busy season alii ays associated with the year-end. During tin past twelve months scleral of the Lambton leases have fallen ill, and others will continue to fall in during tho next year or two, and rentals had been rcirranged. Whilst some were satisfactory to tho council and the city it represents, other rental adjustments were distinctly disappointing, and four of tl'.aso wero of such a nature that tho council intends to seel; power to reopen the cases. Tho present method of znivias, at tho reflhl value of city

lands left much 1o bo desired. There eliotild bo something in the form of a Court similar to the Compensation Court, that would have continuous iiio, and more immediate and direct kuowledgo to guide it in coming to nn equitable arrangement between Ihe corporation and t'lie tenants. The present system was too spasmodic and inconclusive, and left room for dissatisfaction on ono sido or tho other. Ono ot tho leases —tho big Theatre Royal block—had been disposed of by Messrs. JAiLler and isona to tho Crown, which intended to erect thereon a largo and up-tu-dato polico station. Tramway Extension. In referring to tho work accomplished during tho year in respect to tramways, Mr. Luke said that the duplication ot tho Upper Willis Street, lino lnd been completed, and tho alingment of tho footpath on tho western sido of that thoroughfare, which had been somewhat, uneven, had been straightened. Tho centre poles had been removed from the whole lengtn of Willis street in favour of span sus« pension, which work had considerably improved tho facilities both for tramway and ordinary vehicle traffic in that street. In referenco to this street, Mr. Luko said that ho trusted that tho council at an early date would consider tho carrying out of certain work suggested by tho city engineer (Mr. Morton) to iloor tliis street with tarred macadam (after tho fashion of PanamaStreet). The engineer considers- the street one of tho most important (nextto the mid-city streets) in Wellington, and profiting by experience, he states that taking both first oost and maintenance into consideration, tarred macadam was preforablo to ordinary metal and blinding. Tho Brooklyn section had boon duplicated for nearly tho wholo of its length, and ho would bs pleased if tho council would give effect to the duplication of tho small portion of single track, and so remove tho inconvenient and costly cross-over necessary.

New Car shed. Tho council had already carried a. resolution deciding to build a new carshed on the site of tne old horse carsheds in Adelaide Road. Largo extensions were also to bo made to tho present carsheds at Newtown, which would enablo tho council to carry out a more vigorous policy of ear-building, and also afford greater facilities for tho alteration and repairing of cars. Incidentally tho Mayor stated tho alteration of cars in order to comply with the provisions of the "Davey" Act had meant a great deal of extra work and expense during tho year. It was desirable, tho Mayor thought, that the Constable Street section should bo linked up with South Kilbirnio as toon as jrossiblo, in order that South Wellington should have quick communication with Kilbirnie, Lyall Bay, and tho Miramar Peninsular. At present the people of Wellington South were quito close to Lyall Bay as tho crow Hies, but as they could not fly like tho crow or any other bird, they vero forced to foot it from, Constable Street, doicn to the bottom of tho Kilbirnie Hill, whilst people living a far longer distance away had just to take a car and in a few minutes were at tho seaside. The motor busas tho '.©-until was obtaining would be the means of developing traffic on the outskirts of the city, and the experience that would result from their use in different parts of tho city would no doubt havo an influence on the future policy of the council in the matter of transit arrangements as be* tween tho electric car or the more mobile system presented by the motorbus. . Beautifying the Town Belt. Tho Town Belt, that ono only used to hear of as Arbor Day drew near, is not being neglected. Mr. Luke said that the late council had appointed Mr. M'Pherson to tako over the care and development of the Town Belt, and he had much pleasure in saying that the work so far had been attended with success. Tho extensive tree-planting that was carried out some months ago has been attended with considerable success, and the nursery' that has been established by Mr. M'Pherson will enablo him to grow tho necessary trees for transplanting later on to suitable situations on tho belt in furtherance of the. council's tree-planting policy.

The Municipal Museum. The Newtown Museum, which is so frequently criticised, is to be remodelled under tlio supervision of the new curator, Mr. W. W. Travers, who brings with him much knowledge' and considerable exporieneo in this sphere of scientific work. He thought that this phase of tho council's activities would ultimately bo of much benefit to tho city, and would justify the enterprise that was being shown in tho development of the institution. An-Able Organist. The city, Mr. Luke thought, was to be congratulated in having secured so finished an artist as Mr. Bernard N. Pago to fill the postrf City Organist. His work had met with tho whole-souled approval of the council and citizens, and his ability both technically and artistichlly entitled him to be ranked among tho best organists of tho British Empire. Mr. Page's recitals wero becoming increasingly popular, as his fame was bruited abroad. Saving the Main Streets. Speaking on tho subject cf streetimprovement, Mr. Luke said ho approved of tho policy of surfacing tho city streets either with tarred macadam or wood-blocking, in order to relievo the congestion on main streets. At present all veliiclo-driycrs, motorists, etc., kept to tho main routes through tho city, simply because the going was , easier and wear and tear less on tho tyres than on tho macadamised back streets, but he believed that if such streets as Feathcrstnn, Lower Cuba, Victoria, Wakefield, and Taranaki Streets wore wood-blocked or solidified with tarred macadam a good deal of the traffic could be diverted from tho busy and narrow mid-city streets. More Office Accommodation.

One work that was absolutely necessary and must be to as soon as possiblo was tlio f>rovisiou of extra accommodation for the tlerieal staff of tho corporation. The location of offices in dark cellars or in bits of wings at tlie back of tho organ were conditions that should not be tolerated in this city for any lonser than tho end of the present financial year.

Oriental Bay Embellishment.' | Tlio Mayor hopes to ec.o the Oriental Bay Esplanade and road formation pushed on with more rapidity titan lias boon the case in the past. Ho timiks tlijt tho tvholo of the work should to undertaken next year at- onco and not Konc on with piecemeal. The council would, of coursc, spend the £1200 allocated last year almost itiiinediateiy, but in his opinion the whole worlc should he put in hand and finished with right off, in which opinion the Mayor will iind many supporters. Both this work and tho money for more ofiipe accommodation and the new Brooklyn Road should he provided for by a new loan. That would receivo attention nest year. Ronowal of Loan Arranged. On May 1 next a loan of £75,000 becomes duo. There is a sinking fund amounting to £7000 against the loan, and arrangements had been made to borrow tlio balance, £68,000, for ' ten years at 4J per ccnt., which is a quarter per cent, more than has been, paid lor this particular loan the past. Considering the tightness of th-e money market at present and that many municipalities in Nov/ Zealand with security | just as sound ns Wellington has to offer havo been paying 5 per cent., the renewal of this loan at -1] pes - cent, is considered to bo eminently satisfactory. . .