Civic Snapshots Notes from the Council Chamber

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 839, 6 December 1929, Page 10

Civic Snapshots Notes from the Council Chamber

Because of the number of honorary inspectors controlling the civic reserves and parks, the City Council last evening declined to accept a suggestion front the Auckland Council of the New Zealand Institute of Horticulture that the 29 honorary inspectors of Crown reserves recently appointed, should be allowed to exercise jurisdiction over the city's domains.

Parking in Streets

Motorists will not have to pay the city traffic department a fee for parking their cars in the city streets. In rejecting a proposal for the commercialisation of specified parking areas by charging motor-car owners a small fee last evening, the City Council, however, affirmed the principle of gradual elimination of all-day parking in the streets. The installation in the near future of an automatic light signalling apparatus to control traffic was commended to the council’s consideration by the Chief Traffic Inspector. The adoption of this system, he advised, would involve complete revision of traffic and parking regulations.

A new block of IS flats towering up 65 feet is to be erected on the south side of Eden Crescent opposite Short Street, a permit for the work having been granted, subject to satisfactory improvement of the facade, to the Fletcher Construction Company, by the City Council last evening.

A little flustered after telling Cr. Lundon he could not speak for the third time. “I think it is a storm in a teapot!” commented the Mayor, amid laughter.

That City Council property adjoining Albert Park be set aside for the erection of future public buildings, w as a suggestion in a letter from the Auckland Town Planning Association. The letter was received.

A request by the Arcadia Theatre Company, Ltd., to conduct a picture entertainment on Christmas Day was referred to the Finance Committee for report.

The council will sit again on December 19 to clear up business for the year and will be in recess until Thursday, January 30, 1930. The Town Hall offices will be closed from Christmas Day until January 4, both days inclusive.

“I Was a Stranger ” This is the considered opinion of Cr. T. Bloodworth on the. merging of districts into the city: “it is unfortunate that we cannot discuss amalgamations without the term ‘taken in’ creeping in,” observed the councillor. As an afterthought—“lt is a matter of opinion, of course, which of the parties is ‘taken in’ in amalgamations.” On the suggestion of the Mayor, Mr. G. Baildon, a donation of £lO5 was made to the Roll of Honour Fund in connection with the War Memorial Museum.

Craigavon Park “This is another instance of the generosity of Auckland citizens,” said the Mayor, in moving that a letter of thanks be sent to Mrs. W. H. Smith, who recently gave Craigavon Park to the people of Auckland. The motion was warmly supported.

“What steps have been taken by the city sanitary department to meet the mosquito problem?”—A question by Ci’. Alice Basten to be answered at next meeting.

Likes Them Tough The flimsy texture of paper on w-hich Auckland newspapers are printed does not appeal to the City Council—it wants tough stuff. A request is to be submitted to the proprietors of the three city papers to print special editions on strong, tough laper capable of withstanding constant use for supply to the libraries. These special papers are to be bound reference volumes.

Cr. F. N. Bartram (tardy in getting ■to the point): For once I find myself in agreement with Cr. Melville. The Mayor (wearily).- I’m sure Cr. Melville does not care whether you agree with her or not. Give us your opinion.

On the’ ground that the northern side of Jervois Road, Ponsonby, should be reserved for residential purposes, the City Council decided last evening to grant permits for the erection of only two shops there, instead of three as applied for by S. L. Wallath.

No offer is to be made for the property of 2,584 acres adjoining , the Council’s land at Huia, as an additional water catchment area, according to the City Council’s decision last evening.