MOLESWORTH STREET.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1995, 28 February 1914, Page 3

MOLESWORTH STREET.

| ALLEGED NEGLECT. i DEPUTATION TO THE MAYOR. \ ' Certain residents of the Thorndon (Wellington Nortli) end of tho city are of opinion that Molesworth Street — tlio ciiiof business artery of that end of tho city, is not receiving tho nttention from the City Corporation that it deserves. To make this clear, a deputation, consisting of Messrs: H. D. Hanlon, E. Anderson, I. Clark, L. Cohen, C. E. Wheeler, Wakelin, and Bonnington, and Councillor J. Fitzgerald, waited upon tho Mayor yesterday morning. Councillor Fitzgerald urged that Molesworth Street should bo regraded, moro especially at that point where it junctions with Hawkstono Street, and that provision should be niado either for wood-blocking or surfacing that important'thoroughfare with tarred macadam. Tho collection of, household . and shop refuse also called for attention. At present the carts called weekly, bub as. a number of shops, particularly fruit shops, had increased, the deputation urged that the bins' should he emptied twico a week. It was also urged that a better entrance to tho southern end of Queen's Park should bo provided. At the request of tho Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) the City Engineer (Mr. Morton) answered the deputation.' Ho said that the matter of . re-grading Molesworth • Street was inquired into some time ago. He was of tho opinion ■that the street should be laid down.in tarred macadam, as it was rather too steep for woo'd-blocking. Thcro were difficulties in the way of regrading the street; properties, as well as water and sewage mainSj would havo' to be lowered. Tho street had been badly laid out originblly. 'Water-bound roads in a city wero a barbarity, and in this case the road' should be laid down in tarred macadam. That, of course, was a question of money. A moro frequent refuso service. also meant moro men and carts, . and consequently more nionpy. Queen's Park was not under his control, but his attention had been drawn to the steps leading to it. They wero worn and dangerous, and a new entrance should bo devised. , During the ensuing discussion Coun- : cillor Fitzgerald stated that the Thornton roads were a disgrace, whereupon the City Engincor retorted that there was not really a bad road in the city, as far as macadamised roads were considcd. Some Were not perfect, but considering they were water-bound roads they were' in as good condition as could be expected. The Mayor declared that during his fifteen years' connection with the 'City Council he had not known tho roads to be in a better condition than they were at the present time. liv his opinion, Upper Willis Street arid Molesworth Street should be wood-blocked, as they .wero main streets practically. Tho council would consider the representations mado, and would bo guided by tho engineer as how the streets were to be laid down. He pointed out that money lor street works came out of revenue, and the amount availablo was necessarily limited, but if tho proposed loan was carried the council would have moro money for such', works. The loan would not bo a burden on the public, as many supposed, as increased rentals were now being received from city properties. A report would bo obtained as to the refuse service and the' entrance to. Queen's Park. Mr. Cohen said that Thorndon was not mentioned in connection with tho loan * schomo ,and he did not think tho 'people "of Thorndon. coiild be . expected to voto for it, not knowing that they wore to rcceiv.e any benefit.

Tho Mayor pointed out that it was open to any councillor to get a specified work included in the schedule by resolution of the council.' Development work was not required' at Thorndon —that part of the city was fully doveloped—but improvements were wanted, and he was of opinion that the people of Thorndon had a fair claim for tho improvement of Molesworth Street. If it camo to a vote In the council, ho would voto in favour of wood-blocking the street. Councillor Fitzgerald: "I will hold .you to that!" _ ~Tho City Engineer said that if the loan proposals wero carried the main streets of tho city would be blocked, after whicK moro attention could be given to the ; secondary streets.