CITY WORKS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10280, 15 May 1919, Page 7

CITY WORKS

THE MAYOR’S FORECAST

PROGRAMME INCLUDES SOME BIG UNDERTAKINGS.

Mr J. P. Luke was sworn in as Mayor of Wellington yesterday, and at the installation ceremony ho delivered an address covering his view a as to the works which should be. done in the future. The councillors present an V 1 ® * mg were: A. R. Atkinson, W. Be * nett, C. H. Chapman, J. M - D £ e ’ r ‘ Forsyth, P- Fraser, G. Frost, J. Glover, J. Hutchison, 3SI. F. Luckie, L. - Kenzie, C. B. Norwood, J.' o- sho s land, W. J. Thompson, and ItWright. A small number of visitors and corporation officials also were preboCr. G. Frost, senior councillor, was elected to take the chair till Mr Luke was sworn in. Councillor Frost congratulated Mr Luke on his return to office. He had served tho city lor a record time—six years—and at tne completion of tho present period his would be an eight-years’ term, while the was was on tho policy of tho city, had to be one of go slow, but now that tho war was over ho was sure there were busy times .ahead. While he held the office of Mayor Mr Luke had done good work. Having been installed, Mr Luke addressed the gathering. He thanked Councillor Frost for his kind, observalions. Whatever success he had attained was largely due to the council and tho officers. He congratulated fihose old [councillors who had been again elected. In a campaign of the kind \there must be casualties; but some of those who were beaten would return again. There n*ero four councillors on the Labour t.cJset, and he welcomed them, but assured them that they would find no party m the council. Ho paid a tribute to the City Corporation employees who fell or wore injured in the war. To their relatives he extended sympathy; THE WATER SUPPLY. .

In connection with the water supply, it would be tho duty of the new council to deal with Mr Alorton’s report. It was absolutely necessary that *-ho water reserve should, P bo increased. Even now Jhe water supply was short. Ho was in favour of bringing in. water from the Orongongo as soon as possible. The scheme, which would cost about £30,000, should be gone on with right away, for it would double tho water supply. Also, a bigger dam £|i Wainui wa« needed. They would need a new main, and he suggested that the tunnel which had to, carry the main through the hill should also be a triffio tunnel. He would like'.'to see another reservoir in the city, ■ and he auggester Kaiwarra as the locality.

The next essential to consider was an extension of tho drainage system in the outlying portions of the city. Tho council had spent £12,000 in the last few years on drainage, but if more was necessary it should bo done. Ho was a strong supporter oft the amalgamation of the various boroughs with the city, because v thus /f ,could the services be run more’,economically. Wo did not get the best conditions in Wellington until we linked up tho outstanding boroughs with Wellington. The outlying districts were entitled to a fair deal regarding the electric light, and the new council might consider whether some reduction should not be given in the electric light charges. VARIOUS IMPROVEMENTS. It was necessary that there should be baths at Thorndon, and, he hoped a tepid hath would bo made. Improvements would have to be made at Anderson Park. A lift had to be put in at Wellington terrace and other places, and Air Morton might bring back some ideas on this subject. Attention would have to bo given to the Vogeltown road. The Evans Bay road needed widening, and office extension had to be gone into at the Town Hall, Another thing necessary was library extension.

The hydro-electric scheme should bo pushed on with, and Wellington must link up with Mangahao. A good electrical scheme would get over coal and labour troubles, and the Government ought to help the Maiigahao scheme along all it could. Tlie council should consider the question of buying the Kelburn tramway, and the question of buying rise Gas Company out might be re-opened. The incoming year would be strenuous in connection with finance; there wouffl he a heavy hospital levy, the superannuation scheme, and so.on. The Mayor was congratulated on his address by several councillors, including Mr P. Fraser, who said that excellent work had been proposed, and_ he hoped it would Be gone through with. COMMITTEES ELECTED. The following committees were elected, subject to revision: — Power -Stations and Tramways: The Mayor, Councillors Wright, Frost, Norwood, Fraser, Thompson, Forsyth. Reserves and Public Gardens, Baths and Beaches Committee: Councillors Hutchison, McKenzie, Luckie, Frost, Chapman, Dale, and Thompson. By-laws, Fire Brigade, and Street Lighting Committee: Councillors Thompson, Luckie, Hutchison, Bennett, Dale, Fraser, and Forsyth. Public Health, Cemeteries, Housing, and Abattoir Committee; Councillors Wright, Frost, Shorland, Bennett, Atkinson, Chapman, and Glover. Outlying Districts Committee: Councillors Dale, McKenzie, Hutchison, Shorland, Frost, Thompson, and Glover. _ Legislation, Leaseholds, and Libraries Committee: Councillors Norwood, Atkinson, Luckie, Wright, Fraser, Forsyth, and Glover.' . Milk Committee: Councillors Wright, Norwood, McKenzie, Luckie, Shorland, Bennett, and Chapman.