CIVIC AFFAIRS

Evening Star, Issue 19786, 9 February 1928, Page 14

CIVIC AFFAIRS

MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL The fortnightly meeting of the Dunedin City Council, held last night, was attended by the mayor (Mr W. B. Taverner), Crs H. C. Campbell, R. S. Black, 0. H. Hayward, D. Larnach, J. Wilson, W.' A. Scott, J. S. Douglas, J. B. Shacklock, F. W. Mitchell, and W. Begg. REQUEST DECLINED. Madame Gitta Alpar wrote asking permission to give a sacred < concert I-, conjunction with local musicians in the Empire Theatre on February 26, th" object being to raise funds for the purpose of enabling her and her young children to return to their native land.

The Mayor said it must be made plain that only a collection could be taken up, and that it must not even be stipulated that it be a silver coin. Cr Black said he was not in favor of the application being granted. The lady, he understood, was a Hungarian, and Hungarians fought against us in the war. There were lots of men who fought for the Empire who could do with a benefit, and he did not believe in our money being sent out of the country in this way. Mr Mitchell pointed out that the object was to enable the unfortunate woman and her family to get out of the country, and thus relieve it of any furth. responsibility. It was purely a case of charity—of helping one in need.

Cr Hayward agreed with Cr Black that further details should ’-'ve been given. On a vote being taken tbe permission asked for was refused, only Crs Douglas, Scott, and Mitchell voting for it. USE OF BOTANIC GARDENS. C. Larnach, in moving the adoption of the Reserves Committee’s report, said that he was not in favor of granting the application of the Kaikorai Band for the use of the Botanic hardens on March 6 for the purpose of holding a garden fete. 'J’hey _ would remember that on the last occasion the Gardens were used for a similar purpose they were badly knocked about. Flower beds were now in tho places upon which tho tents had previously been pitched. Cr Campbell seconded the adoption of the report, in which a non-commit-tal clause on the matter was included. Cr Mitchell moved as an amendment—“ That in view of tho damage done at former similar functions the council is reluctant to accede to the request, but, realising the needs of tho band) it is resolved that tho use _of the ground bo granted on condition that all damage done he made good by the applicants, a bond to ho entered into with approved securities, and the superintendent to ho the judge of such damage.” The mover said that tho object was a worthy one, and if tbe safeguard he suggested was included the objection raised would disappear. Cr Hayward seconded.

Cr Black said that, tho committee (with the exception of the chairman) was in favor of granting tho request. They were satisfied that those using the Gardens on that occasion would look after their own interests as citizens. With the safeguard added there could be no objection. At Cr Larnach’s request tho report on the matter by the superintendent of reserves (Sir Tannoch) was read. Mr Tannock expressed disapproval of the granting of the request, and stiggesled tho Recreation Ground at Logan Park as an alternative. Cr Shacklock asked whether the use of the Gardens had ever been granted for any cause where the proceeds had not been, given to the City Council. _ Cr Douglas: Tho bands have had it before. 'the Mayor; 'Fhe point is that if wo do this wo establish a. precedent, and will not bo justified in refusing any other organisation. Another point is that they would bo excluding the public from their own Gardens.

Cr Larnach reiterated his protest. Tho amendment was carried, only' Cr Larnach voting against it. The report was then adopted. GAS COMMITTEE. Cr Scott, in moving the adoption of the Gas Committee’s report, said that in all probability the new plant, to supplement the existing plant, would be available in time for the winter. VISITORS TO DUNEDIN. Cr Campbell said that there were a number of visitors from overseas now visiting the dominion, and in the interests of tho south he would suggest that tho Minister of Internal Affairs be written to asking him to let the council know a little sooner than he usually did when any important visitor was likely to arrive in, Dunedin. The Mayor said that visitors fell into two categories—those officially visiting the dominion, and those whose visits were not official. Sometimes the Minister was not in possession of the information required by Cr Campbell. _ Cr Qamphell put his suggestion in the form of a motion, and this was seconded by Cr Hayward and carried. GENERAL COMMITTEE. Cr Hayward having moved tho adoption of the report of the General Committee, a councillor suggested that _it was a big job for the corporation inspectors to take over from the Government the control of noxious weeds within the city areas. The Mayor said the Government had seen fit to place the duties with respect to noxious weeds on the shoulders of local bodies without consulting them in any way whatever. Ho know it was a big job. Cr Begg asked why the telephone box had not"been shifted from the side of the old Post Office, now being pulled down, to the other side of the street, where the taxi rank was now situated. It was explained that instructions had now been given for the shifting of tho box. Tho report of the committee was adopted.