CITY COUNCIL.—This Day.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1686, 14 July 1875, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.—This Day.

The regular meeting of the City Council was held' this afternoon. Present: The Mayor (chairman). Councillors : Daldy, Holdship, Buchanan, Isaacs, Brett, Cosgrave, Hurst, and Yon der Heyde. NEW COUNCILLOR. Councillor Yon der Heyde was introduced by Councillor Holdship, and, after making the usual declaration, took his seat. silt basiss. A letter from the Harbour Board was read stating that the western silt basin had been cleared at a cost of £207 12s 7d, and that the eastern silt basin required clearing out. Councillor Holdship wished to know whether there was any arrangement for the Council to pay half of the cost of the clearing of those basins. It would come to be a serious expense. Councillor Daldy thought a mutual benefit arose and they should mutually contribute to the cost. He was surprised that no one could be induced to carry away the stuff as manure merely for the carting away. Councillor Buchanan doubted very much whether the city benefited by the existence of the basins. The mouth of the main sewer was backed up, which caused such a smell last summer, that the Council had to place bags over the gratings in the city. If the Council were to pay periodically for emptying the basins, while the sanitary condition of the city received no real benefit—in fact, he thought it was worse, the matter fcecame one of serious consideraThe Mayor agreed with Councillor Buchanan that the silt-basins had caused effluvium of the sewer to rise to the highest part of the city, even into "Wakcfield-street. Councillor Isaacs thought they were bound to pay half this time, but ought to consider seriously whether they should do so again. Councillor Holdship moved, Ihat the Council agree to pay half the cost already incurred, and the expense necessary to empty the east one, but will not hold themselves liable for any future liability on account of emptying the hasma. The motion was seconded by Councillor Isaacs, and carried. CITY ENDOWMENT.?. A letter was read from Mr F. Eing, complaining of the charge made for superseding his old lease with a new one after the fire between Wellesley-street and the Market. No action was taken in the matter. MR. BOULTER. An application from Mr Boulter was referred to the Streets Committee.

DIVISION OF CITY INTO WABDS. The Clerk read a letter from the Provincial Government stating that a petition (accompanying the letter) had been sent to the Superintendent praying that the City of Auckland be divided into three wards. The answer signed by the Town Clerk Was also read. This directed his Honor s attention to the 21st section of Municipal Corporations Act, which required that the signatures to such a petition should be verified by a declaration on oath, It was stated that the petition had had been sent back to his Honor to have the required verification attached. THE HARBOUR BOARD ELECTION. &A letter from the Harbour Board was read, expressing surprise at the tone of a latter of his Worship's relating to the election of a member of the, Harbour Board in the place of the late Councillor Macreadv. The Mayor said he did not understand the meaning of the communication, unless the Harbour Board felt sore in consequence of

having done something tiie Uiey were sony for. Conncillor Holdship 'explained that the letter, as he took it, Was written under excitement, and without consideration. Hurst thought that application should be made to the Council ior an alte.'ation in the Act. He thought the Harbour Board would not have acted as they did if the Mayor's letter had not gone. Councillor Daldy thought they might not quarrel over trifles. There could be no iutention on the part of the Habour Board to conceal ther intention, as due notice had been given of the nomination. Fr m the letter of his Worship he certainly inferi-ed that some concealment was imputed.—The subject then dropped. An application from Mr. R. C. Greenwood that the Market stalls should be more completely separated was read. Councillor Soldship recommended that the work should be done. He thought it would not cost more thnn £150. Councillor Daldy moved and it was s.» conded that the work be carried out. CITY PUMPS Tenders for the repair of the city pumps were opened. Councillor Hurst said it should be seen that no milkmen were among the tenderers. PETITION. The residents in Co lin ,wood-street prayed for the mending of thtir footpaths. Mr Campbell's cows and horses \v(-nt up and down twice a-d; y, and des':o e;l tie"* paths. The first part of Ihc petition w»g referred to the City Surveyor, and it w*.s decided that the attention of the po'icu , c directed to the quadrupeds. MARKET HOUSE TMPRGVJOniNT i. The tender of Mr Cln liners \v;.s i.e. epU d, THE ROAD TO THE RAILWAY STATION. The Major moved, " That the Council authorise the expenditure of a sum not exceeding £25 (in addition to the amount previously agreed upr>n), in conjunction with the Harbour Board, for repairs to the Breakwater Boad, according to the estimate of City Surveyor." Carried. AarENDMKNTS TO THE f'ORPOP.ATrONS ACT. The Mayor moved, " That a petition embodying various important amendments of the MunicipaJ Corporations Act and Public Health Act* bo forwarded to the Genen.l Assembly, and entrusted to Carried. OTTY ENDOWMENTS. The Mayor moved, " That the Fndowments Committee prepare and submit plan and list of properties suitable to bo leased in the ensuing Spring, together with ccnditions and terms of lease." Carried.. RESERVE TN HEPBITRN-SEREET. . Councillor Holdship in order to give effect to the petition of Ponscnby and other residents, which has already appeared in our columns, moved, "that the piece of land in Hepburn-street shewn on the plan marked reel be reseivad as a pj.ice of public: recreation." The land referred to is at the corner of Hepburn-street and Ponsonby road, and has been hitherto used as a cricket ground. Eeferred to the Endowments Committee.