CIVIC SQUARE

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 24, 20 April 1927, Page 1

CIVIC SQUARE

“By No Means a Joke!” Mayor Questioned BELLIGERENT OPPONENT The Mayor, Mr. George Baildon, was persistently questioned at the close of a quiet meeting in the town hall concert chamber last night concerning the Civic Square. “I have five questions!” announced a belligerent little man, a familiar figure at general election meetings, and undoubtedly a strong Labour supporter. Mr. Baildon was given a thoroughly attentive hearing by an audience of just under 200 people, and received a vote of confidence on the motion of exCouncillor T. Michaels. The chairman (ex-Cr. W. J. Hardley) apparently did not hear an amendment which Mr. Baildon’s persistent questioner attempted to move. At any rate it was not put to the meeting. “It does not matter much really,” confidently announced the little man to those seated near him, “He won’t get in any way.” The Mayor was first of all called upon to give an emphatic “no,” when asked whether it was the council’s intention to sell the Civic Square. The commission,'or what the questioner termed, “the Sulman expedition” cost the ratepayers, replied Mr. Baildon, in the vicinity of £BOO. NO THIRD TRY The council, explained the Mayor, were not prepared to put the scheme a third time before the ratepayers after it had been twice rejected. That, he said, was really the position. “But were you not a member of the council which did approve of the scheme?” The Mayor admitted that such had been the case. “Some people seem to regard the Civic Square as a joke,” added Mr. Baildon, “but I assure you that it has not been a joke to the city council. It was not of our doing. It was a legacy left to us by the previous council.” The area would be commercialised, with due provision for traffic requirements. “None of it will be sold,” said Mr. Baildon. “Why wait for private enterprise to get in first before you move in a matter,” said the Mayor’s most consistent interjector, who was not satisfied with Mr. Baildon’s reply as to why the council rejected Dixieland’s application to erect swimming baths at Point Chevalier. “This matter is only deferred,” explained the Mayor.