CIVIC AFFAIRS'

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3011, 23 February 1917, Page 3

CIVIC AFFAIRS'

MEETING OF THE COUNCIL

The Wellington City Council mot last evening. Tho Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) presided, and there were also present Councillors J. E. Fitzgerald, W. T. Hildreth, R. A. Wright, A. Veitch, T. Bush, 31. F. Luclcie, W. H. Bennett, L. M'Kenzie, W. J. Thompson, A. R. Atkinson, J. Hutchoson, J. Godber, G. Frost, and W. H. P. Barber. Tho Finance-Committee reported that they had received tho following report from the Town Clerk by direction of the Sinking Fund Commissioners, which answered tho statement made _ by. tho Corporation Auditor that certain overdue mortgages did not appear to have been dealt with:—"With roference to the City Auditor's (Mr. Clarke's) report feat the Sinking Fund Commissioners did not appear to have token any action with regard to over-due mortgages, I am directed by the Commissioners to inform you _ that the statement is incorrect. With the exception of five cases, all the mortgagors have been written to.-aud informed that they would be required under a renewal of mortgage to pay an increased rate of interest. One or two cases hare been satisfactorily dealt with, others have ignored the letter. The City Solicitor has advised the Commissioners to take a test case in the Supreme Court to determine their position ae trustees. This the Commissioners have, authorised." v

A section of land at KJlbirnie, required' for tramway purposes, is to be taken -under the provisions of the Public Works Act. .

It was decided: "That an exchange of land between Messrs. G. H. Bayfis, Bowron Bros., and the Corporation for the purpose of obtaining easier grades and a more practicable reading scheme for two roads, i.e., the continuation

of Severn Street, Island Bay, and a road branching off such street to Happy Valley Road, be approved." Tho council resolved: "That the City Engineer be instructed to make provision on this year's street works estimates for tho following requirements at Wadestown, as requested by tlio Wadestown Municipal Electors' Association:—l. Concreting steps, Weld Stroot, and the paths connectinp; them, and the construction of water channels on either side of tho stops. 2. Repair of Wade Street Extension." Tho following donors of gifts to the Zoo wero thanked for their presentations:—On© eagle owl, Durban Zoo; one blue penguin, caretaker, Day's Bay. Au application by tho architect for a city picture theatre for permission to erect an electric interchangeable flashing sign on tho front portion of the theatre verandah was not granted, but that the applicant will be informed that consent will be granted for the sign to be placed at or near the top of the building. Consent was given for the construction of five crossings over the footpath on tho Hutt Road into a garage proposed to bo erected.