CITY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5399, 17 July 1878, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

A special meeting of the City Council was held at 4 p.m. yesterday, to consider what steps should be taken with regard to the proposed Te Aro reclamation. PVesent—His Worship the Mayor, and Councillors Dixon, Macdonald, Hunter, Logan, Greenfield, Allen, Moss, Maginity, and George. The Mayor said the meeting was called on the requisition of Councillors Macdonald, Diver and Fisher,' and he would now ask some of those gentlemen to explain what their object was. , ,

Councillor Macdonald said the object in •calling the present meeting was to expedite the steps that had been already taken for the reclamation of Te Aro, and to adopt a plan that could he attached to any Bill that might be introduced during next session of the Assembly. The City Engineer had prepared three plans, and it would be well for the Council to consider these plans without delay, so that they might adopt a definite scheme to place before the Legislature, in order to show the House what the Corporation wanted the money for. Councillor Hunter, before the business proceeded further, wished to know from the Mayor whether the business of the present meeting did not oome under' clauses 81 and 82 of the Act. He did. not think this was a ease in which Councillors desired to make any long speeches, but to go into committee and discuss the question on, its merits. ~ The Town Clerk said that clause 4 defined what special meetings were. The Matoh; in reply to Councillor Hunter, said that the clauses in the Act with reference to . “special! meetings” and “special orders" were quite distinct. ' It was here stated that a deputation of shipbuilders, &c., desired to have an interview with ithe Council. . :

It was decided to receive the deputation. ' The deputation consisted of Messrs. Meeoh, Coffey, Robertson, and Boyce. Mr. Meech, who acted as spokesman, pointed out that if the reclamation, as proposed, were carried out, shipbuilders would be deprived of any place in the harbor to carry on their business! Ha Would suggest that there should be a site for a wet dock reserved at TV Aro, in order that vessels might be taken in to be repaired, and,where in rough weather small boats could be taken for shelter, instead of beating up against the breastwork. 1 Mr. Robertson, founder, pointed out that what was wanted was a wet dock and appliances at To Aro, into which vessels could be admitted for repairs. The Mayor suggested that it would be as well for the deputation to put their views in writing, and submit them to the Council for consideration. Mr. Boyce also strongly urged on the attention of the Council the necessity for having a wet dock at Te Aro. Mr. Coffey said the deputation had come in that afternoon rather hurriedly. They had not come prepared with any plan,-and he thought the Mayor’s suggestion a good one, : as the .deputation could think the, matter out fully, aud send in written suggestions, say at next meeting of the Council. There was no doubt whatever that a great' necessity existed tor a wet dock for the port/aiid the matter should not bo lost sight of in , any plan of reclamation that might be arrived at. The other day Mr. Mills was! enabled to accept a tender for building a steamer, through the Council allowing him the use of a street ou which to build her; but otherwise he could

not have built her. The same'with regard to other contractors also, himself included.

The deputation stated they would consider the subject, and send in written suggestions at next meeting. The deputation then withdrew. Councillor Hunter said he did not think that any other business should intervene at special meetings. Special meetings were called pt times when it frequently happened that it was most inconvenient ‘ for them to attend. .Already a good deal of time had been spent, and the. business for which the special meeting had been called had not been advanced. He thought that deputations should be received at the ordinary meetings of the Council.

Councillor Greenfield said he hoped that before deciding to adopt any particular-scheme of reclamation the Council would make provision for what the deputation had brought under notice. He thought that every facility should be given for carrying out the business to which the deputation had attention.

Councillor Maginity would like to know whether the Council was to consider the matter referred to by the deputation, or the business set forth in the circular?

The Mayor said he was not responsible for the business of the special meeting. - Councillor Hunter inquired if the Council was to be considered as in committee ?

The Mayor replied in the affirmative. Councillor Macdonald said he' could not understand the Mayor saying that he was not responsible for the business'-- for which . the special meeting had been called. However, to put a stop to any doubt of misunderstanding on the matter, he begged to-move, —That the plan marked No. 3, as laid upon the table, be approved as the plan which the Corporation propose to adopt in reclaiming the Te Aro foreshore. That the City’ Engineer ■be instructed to add to. plan No. 3 a wet and drv dock.

The Match Bald this was not the- way in which the matter should be cillor Macdonald clearly did not under*

the subject himself, or he would not-Lave made the proposition he did. It seemed to him that Councillor Macdonald had come to the Council quite as unprepared as the deputation. In a moment he proposed that a dry dock should be added, a work which would, cost something like £IOO,OOO. If the meeting were to arrive at some practical conclusion, ‘.they must have some proposition of a more practical nature before them.

Councillor Macdonald objected altogether to be told that he had not given this matter consideration. On the contrary, he had given it a very great deal of attention, and perhaps as much attention as any other member of that Council,—-perhaps more. ‘ The Mayor had stated that there was nothing before the Council, and therefore it was that he had proposed his resolution, in order that the meeting might have something definite to go upon. He had divided his- resolution into two parts, but he might say - that he did not bind .himself hard and fast to it, but vfes ready to consider, and if possible adopt, any modification that might be proposed. He regretted that there was an attempt shown to throw cold water on the subject by'Bome people who wanted to burke the’question because the question of foreshore rights had not been settled to their satisfaction. The Mayor had reminded them frequently that he was not responsible for the business to be brought before the special meeting, and there was an evident desire to burke the question. That was the plain fact of case. . . The Mayor considered that this was not at all an edifying scene. The. charges which 'Councillor Macdonald had made were very easily explained away. Their solicitor was now preparing a Bill to submit to Parliament with reference to this Te Aro reclamation; At his (the Mayor’s) suggestion, the City Engineer prepared three plans, and submitted them to to the Council as soon as they were ready. This was in reply to Councillor Macdonald’s charge that he had burked the question. Councillor Macdonald’s statements were rash and unfounded. He appealed to Councillors whether he had not taken as much interest in this question as any one gentleman, and he thought that when he asked that; question he could fairly expect they would reply that he had. He did not think it was kind—to'say the least of it—of Councillor Macdonald to make the remarks he did, because he happened to differ with him on a question which he (the Mayor) never originated. It was no scheme of his to compensate the foreshore owners. That, scheme was prepared .and carried to a certain extent before he (the Mayor) came into office, and he only took' up the matter as he foimd it, in order to endeavor to bring it to a conclusion. His opinion was that they were entitled to a good frontage, to ingress to and egress from the back of their property ; but he could hot help thinking, it was unkind of Councillor Macdonald to say what he did. He again repealed that he ‘ felt as anxious as anyone to' great;public work carried out. Councillor Macdonald included in his proposal a dry dock, on which they had no information whatever. If that subject was to be tacked on to the question then he would say good-bye to any attempt to carry it out-this session. Councillor Macdonald apparently' arrogated to himself the right to be considered as having given more time than anyone else to the .consideration of this question; but such was not the case. It would be impossible to get together all the necessary information with reference to a dry dock in time for this session. He hoped that there would be an attempt to do something practical, and that no more difficulties would be raised which it would” be impossible to overcome within a reasonable time. Some members of . the Council ridiculed the idea of giving information to Sir John Coode,.but this information would have' to be given before the question of a dry dock could- be considered. Therefore there was a want of thought in Councillor Macdonald including that question in his motion. * : ' ■' *

Councillor Hunter said he presumed he was one of those referred to by Councillor Mac* donald as wishing to burke this discussion. _ Ho was prepared to deny that altogether. When this matter was brought before the Council last year,, and when it was affirmed that it was* desirable to get the Bill passed through Parliament, he appealed to those present whether night after night he did not attend in Parliament for the purpose of doing his utmost to Carry it through 1 Before the Council adopted any plan in this hurried way, they ought to consider their position. He shoul(l like to see the Bill which the City Solicitor waS.preparing before they came to any decision as) to the adoption of any particular plan. (Hear, hear.) He did hot see how it was poasible ? for them to agree off-hand; on a pla&.. pnt before them, because if they 'were -to tie themselves hard and fast to this or that, they would not be able, to get their Bill through. They could submit a plan showing-the extent of the land which they proposed to reclaim, &c. He was not prepared off-hand to approve of any, one of" the three plans prepared by the City Engineer. They could say to Parliament, “We shall do so and so,” submitting ah outline plan. It must not he understood from what he had previously said that he objected to facilities.' being provided such as those brought under notice by the deputation. Ho had only spoken of what seemed to him to be a general .principle with regard to the receiving, of, deputations at special meetings called to discuss a certain stated question- If he had Said what he did before the deputation came in, then Councillor Macdonald might have had some ground for the censure he expressed. What he (Councillor Hunter) wished was to see this matter accomplished. Let them keep themselves clear to decide upon a plan after they had got the authority to reclaim- the land and.: raises the money. With their past experience of going hurriedly into details, they ought to adopt no plan until after mature and careful deliberation. He would vote against Councillor Macdonald’s resolution.

Councillor Dixon did not see why they could not discuss the details of the plans at once; but if there was an. objection raised to' this course being pursued, then let the meeting be adjourned until such time as they should have the Bill before them. It seemed to him a pity that in this matter the Council should come together so often and do so little. (Hear, hear.) The Mayor agreed with Councillor ' Hunter that it would be quite sufficient to go before Parliament with a plan showing the enter line of 'the proposed reclamation, and the'number of acres which would be reclaimed. The Council had already dealt with the question of compensation, and ho did not think that it was necessary to go to Parliament with anything more than a rough estimate of the proposed reclamation, what amount of frontage there would bo, and what they expected the land would realise. This being the he saw no necessity present meeting. Councillor Allen said ha understood the Bill was thrown out last session for want of information ; . therefore the Council should do all in'their power to satisfy Parliament during the approaching session. In his opinion plan No. 3 appeared to be tbe most suitable one submitted by the City Engineer., Councillor Hunter asked whether it would not be better to adjourn until tbe Council bad

the Bill before them? Unanimity of opinion on this subject was very desirable, and lie thought this end might be attauied if the Council adjourned for the present. Perhaps the Clerk cbnld inform him when the Bill would be ready? The Town Cmrk replied that the City Solicitor had informed'him the Bill would be ready to go into the printer’s hands that very day. :

Councillor Hunter again urged the desirableness of adjourning until copies of the Bill were in the hands of Councillors. Councillor George said he could have given f Councillor Macdonald credit for better sense than to table such a motion. He quite agreed with the Mayor that Councillor Macdonald could not possibly have considered it, or known what he was doing iu attempting such a thing. Ho (CouucillorGeorge) thought the wisercourse ■ Would be to let this matter stand over until such time as the Bill was before the Council. It appeared to him to be an absurdity to adopt this plan in this off-hand way. It was entirely premature to mark out certain streets, and to say whether there should be no frontages to properties or not. He objected to , see a dry dock jumped in at the end of the resolution. He could not help expressing sur-

prise at the hurried and unthinking manner in which Councillor Macdonald had brought this n matter up. i It was clear it was only done on the spur of the moment from what had been ' brought forward by the deputation. If they ' were going to discuss that question, he would say that it was entirely unwise, iu his opinion, •T-' r to devote any portion of the reclaimed laud to a wet dock. Provision could be made without ! interfering with this land. He would suggest the withdrawal of the motion to^Councillor Macdonald, and if it was not withdrawn he 5 ,. .should vote against it. L - Councillor Moss said he could not, at the

present stage, vote for the adoption of any of the plans, and therefore he begged to move as w an amendment, —That a plan showing the outV lines of the proposed Te Aro reclamation be agreed upon at present, the Council having already settled how the rights of foreshore owners shall bo dealt with.

Councillor Macdonald said he would vote ' : against the amendment, because the argument that an outline plan would be sufficient/or ( Parliament was a fallacious one. Some people , seemed to think that all the City Council of “ Wellington had to do was to go to Parliament with a rough outline plan, and say, “ That's what we want; give it to us," If they hoped to be successful with their Bill in Parliament, they must submit plana showing that they i could. fairly rely on a definite iqcome to pay the interest on the money for which tjiey were going to pledge the city's credit. *The fuller and more complete their details were the more would they convince Parliament that they had thought the question out. The presentation of an outline plan would he another step towards throwing out the Bill again. He repeated that he had brought the resolution forward in order that the Council might have something , _ before it on which to express an opinion. ’• There was no doubt that in time they would ' require both a wet and a dry dock ; but as be. bad said before, his resolution was divided into : two parts, 1 and. he was prepared to adopt any proper modifications, that might be adopted. It seemed to him that the idea of going to Parliament with an outline plan only was a • very rash one. After some farther discussion, Councillor . Moss withdrew his amendment. * The resolution was also withdrawn, on the suggestion of Councillor Hunter, and the consideration of the matter postponed until copies of the Bill drafted by the City Solicitor were in the hands of Councillors. The meeting then adjourned.