SECOND PATENT SLIP

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2704, 25 February 1916, Page 6

SECOND PATENT SLIP

: « A'ND THE RIGHTS OF THE CITY* The much-discussed and oft-postporied matter of the construction of a second patent slip for AVelliugton came under the notice of the* City Council last evening, the local body being interested in the crossing of the Evans Bay Road necessitated by such slip works iu Evans Bay. The matter was brought up in the form of a recommendation'by, the Legislation Oommitteo to the coun-, cil, which read: "That in terms of the City Solicitor's • opinion, the Wellington Patent Slip Company be informed, in reply to their' - application for consent to construct a ' second slip-way across the road at--1 Evans Bay, that the existing legisla- ' tiou and deed do not authorise the con- ' structiou of a second slip; that if the " parties to the original.agreement desire • to obtain legislation authorising tho construction of such second clip across ' the road, the legislation should containprovision which would make the Patent Slip Company, and the Wellington Harbour Board liable for all damages caused through tho construction of the slip and its subsequent use, and such legislation should "bo submitted to the council for 3 approval before it is promoted. If tho - Slip Company or the Harbour Board are 7 not satisfied with his opinion, then they should'apply to tho Supreme Court for a declaratory judgment.' The committee also recommended that a copy of the letter be forwarded to the Wellington s Harbour Bonrd."

Councillor R. A. Wright said he wa» surprised l at the report as the Act authorising the construction of such- second'slip appeared to him to be specific. Councillor Hildreth stated that as a member of the board he knew the board •had called upon the company to provide a second slip, and he moved that the report bo referred' back. Councillor Fuller said it was a case, if ever there was. of - "citizens, protect your own property:" ' If the slip was allowed to be built, and the time cams when it was deemed expedient to run trams round Evans Bay, they would not be able to do so.

The Mayor thought tie report might bo referred back to the committee to get another opinion if it so desired. Councillor Atkinson said he could not seo the force of referring it back to the committee-as they could not override the opinion of the City Solicitor. It was a matter of law. ' ■The Mayor: Then get another opinion. Councillor W. H. Bennett said the City- authorities, ih considering tho erection of another slip, should see that they were not put in the same position as they had been by tho existing slip. The Mayor again lecommended a friendly conference, and if necessary another legal opinion, and this was finally agreed to.

The following are the fixtures for Saturday of the Warehousemen's Cric-. kofc Association: — Occidental v. New Zealand Railways at Eclburn Park; A. E. Kernot's v. Whiteombe and Tombs, at Anderson Park. "Oh, no," soliloquised Johnny bitterly; "there ain't any favourites in this family 1 Oh, no! If I bite my fingernails I get a rap over the knuckles, but if tho baby l eata his whole foot think it's cute."