CITY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5342, 11 May 1878, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

A special meeting of the City Council, sitting as a Wharf Committee, was held in the Council Chambers yesterday afternoon. Present—His Worship the Mayor and Councillors Diver, Moss, Hunter, Maginity, Fisher, Greenfield, Logan, Allan, George, and Dixon. The Mayor said that at a former meeting ef the Council it had been arranged to communicate with Sir John Coode with regard to the Te Aro reclamation. The plans of these proposed works are on the table and can be inspected. The Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce has notified that the Chamber of Commerce will wait on the City Council this afternoon. The Clerk stated that he had a quantity of correspondence vc ILvans Day. His Worship thought that no other business except that immediately before the Council should be considered. This was acquiesed in by the Council, and the correspondence was not read. DEPUTATION FROM THE CHAMBER OP COMMERCEA deputation from the Chamber of Commerce, consisting of Messrs. Krull, Pearce, Levin, Johnston, Hose, and Carroll, waited on the Council in regard to the Te Aro reclamation. His Worship explained to the deputation that the plans before them had been drawn tor the purpose of laying them before Sir John Coode. They were considered to be the best that couid bo adopted. Mr. Krull, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, after examining the plans, said that,there appeared to be no provision made for wharf accommodation. He considered there was not nearly enough wharf accommodation for the increasing traffic. His Worship referred Mr. Krull to the plan, which showed the lino giving the depth of water, and also where the imaginary wharves were to be built.

Mr. Levin : If I understand rightly, the plans will be merely laid before Sir J. Goode, for him to decide which is the best way to carry on these works. Mr. Xuull : The Chamber of Commerce are of opinion that if ths present plans are carried out the merchants would be put to much greater expense. They would require au extra staff of men, and it will also necessitate a great loss of time. His Worship : Of course, with the consent of the Council, every possible information will be given to Sir John Coode on the subject. Mr. Krull thought the proposed railway would hamper the trade, instead of facilitating it. His Worship ; Of course the Council will only lay the plans before Sir John Coode. Mr. Levin thought it would be well to have a dotted line on the plan, showing where the small wharves were intended to be carried out.

His Worship : If our Engineer takes instructions from the Chamber as regards these wharves, I presume it would meet with your views. I imagine the Council is desirous of taking all views on the subject. Mr. Krull ; The Chamber are of opinion that it would be better not to proceed with making the proposed tramway. Mr. Pearce : If Sir John Coode thought it would be advantageous from a marine point of

view, we think it would not be advantageous from a commercial point of view. His Worship suggested that Mr. Baird should wait on Mr.' Carroll and embody their views in the plaas to be presented to Sir John Goode. ~ This was agreed to, and the deputation withdrew. , Mr. Graham, the Town Clerk, suggested that it be done as soon as possible, as John Ooode was expected in Wellington every' 1 Councillor Fisher hoped that Sir John Coode would do nothing to upset what was contemplated with the proposed reclamation at ie Aro. Tiie Council had been to a great deal of trouble in completing the plans. Of course it Sir John Coode had anything practicable to suggest it would be acceptable. Councillor Hunter did not see how Sir Sir John Cobde could very well upset the plans. They would be laid before him simply as a matter that had been arranged after due consideration. So far as property holders were concerned —and he was one—it was evident that the property at the head of the bay would be greatly increased in value. It would lie remembered that the Provincial Government years ago made a grant for reclamation purposes, and put up the Queen’s wharf. It was needless for him to say how that improved property. If the Council now put up two more it would also increase the value of land. Three or four wharves could be built _at the head of the bay for the same money as it cost to build the Queen’s wharf; A wharf earned out 90ft. from the present breastwork would carry out 20 ft. of water, and that would be ample for the present time. ... ~ The Mayor : There is an opinion- that the reclamation should not be carried out beyond what is shown in the plans. He thought it would be wise to bear Sir John Goode’s views on this point. Of course what would be done with the land would be an after consideration, and could be dealt with amongst themselves. Councillor Fisher thought that the Council knew what they wanted just as well as the Chamber of Commerce knew what they wanted. It had been alleged that the proposed railway would he unsuitable, because it would necessitate two shifts of men. Councillor Allan thought the progress of the railway was in a measure stopped by the Chamber of Commerce, There members of that body who opposed it most strongly. , Councillor Dixon thought that it would be advisable to reclaim -the laud from the second T. The wear and tear on the present whaif was very great. The railway from Masterton would be opened in about two years time, and the land would be available for goods-sheds, &o. At anyrate it would be well to reclaim the laud, even supposing the railway was not made, as it would be far better than a wharf. His Worship said that be was one of a deputation that waited on Mr. Ormond, M.H.H., for the purpose of ascertaining whether or not the Government intended carrying on the reclamation, and they were told that the Government did not intend to do so. This was all the business.