THE CITY COUNCIL.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1871, 3 October 1913, Page 5

THE CITY COUNCIL.

6 FORTNIOHTLY MEETINQ, The fortnightly meeting of the City Council was held last evening, and was presided over by the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke). Others present- were Councillors R. Fletcher, J. E. Fitzgerald, T. C. A. Hislop, R. A. Wright, M. F. Luckie, 15. Tregear, Jno. Fuller, junr., L. M'Kenzie, AV. J. Thompson, A. R. Atkinson, H. Buddie, J. Godber, G. Frost, and A. H. Hindmarsh. On the recommendation of the Financo Committee it was decided that the quotation of Messrs. Newton, Bean and Miteholl, of Bradford, England, in tho sum of £2250, bo accepted for an air compressing set for the drainage pumping station. It was further decided that a stormwater drain at Adelaide Road be relaid in cast iron at an estimated cost of £75, provided the Denhard Bread Company, the owners of the land, pay half the cost of tho work. A 'resolution was carried that rates amounting Jo £1 6s. lid., charged on a portion of the wireless station site, should be written off as advised by the city solicitor. Three months leave of absence on full pay, was granted to a retiring corporation employee. i In regard to the Island Bay Eleotors' Association's requests for the completion of the stormwater culvert, sea water baths, esplanade, band rotunda, and improvements on the Town Belt, will be given to them as opportunities present themselves, it was decided to inform the association that consideration will bo given to them as opportunities preyrnt themselves. A request by the "Free Lance" Company for a share of corporation advertisements was refused. It was reported that tho Financo Committee had granted the following concessions in the rental of the Town Hall, etc.: —New Zealand Aerial League, lighting and cleaning rate; Oriental Football Club, reduction from £20 to £16; AVellington Zoological Society, free use of committee room; Veterans' Association,-free use of committee room.—Tho report was adopted. Tramway Matters. The Tramways Committee recommended:—"That inasmuoh as to electrically equip the Kelburne tram powerhouse plant will necessitate for all time an independent feeder from the city power-house, the Kelburne and Karori Tramway Company be informed that the council cannot' / see their way to depart from the conditions previously' laid down regarding the supply of electric power to the company's power-sta-tion." —The recommendation was adopted. /' Tho action of the chairman of the Tramways Board in applying for the exemption of carpenters and joiners employed by the Tramways Department from the coachworkors' award was approved, and he was empowered to act generally on behalf of the council in the matter. Tho pay of four tramway employees is to be made up to full for the time they were absent from work owing to accidents sustained whilst on duty. Contracts and Works. A penalty of £10, by way of liquidated damages, is to bo imposed on. Messrs. J. AV. Wallaco and Co. for late fulfilment of their contract for the supply of ironbark poles to the lighting department. In calling for future supplies, tho council will intimate to intending tenderers that conditions of contract must be complied with. Tho City Engineer was authorised to put in hand the construction of a ventilating shaft at the reacting room of the central library, and to procure two electric fans for the same room. Authority was also granted for tho provision of extra accommodation in tho reference room, at a cost of £700. The work will bo put in hand in February next. Tho residents of Goldie's Brae who have asked for the construction of steps from Grosvenor Terrace to the main AVadestown Rdad are to be informed that v the matter will be considered in connection with the estimates for next year. Consent was granted to proposed alterations, at the People's Picture Palace, Manners Street, subject to the conditions laid down by the City Engineer. STREET WIDENINC. The By-laws Committee reported that they liavo had the question _ of street exemptions under consideration. They rocommended that steps be at once taken to have Section 117 of the Public Works Act repealed, and that a deputation from the council wait on the Minister of Public Works. Councillor AVright said that the City Council had been involved in thousands of pounds of unnecessary expense through the payment of Compensation under this section. He thought the Minister should bo requested to repeal tho obnoxious clause. Councillor Buddie proposed that tho clause be referred back. He failed to see why an owner should bo compelled to give up a piece of land to widen a street. Councillor Atkinson seconded the amendment, so that tho matter could bo further considered. After further discussion it was decided to Tcfor the clause back to the committee.

Particulars are advertised in thus issue of the bazaar at tho Lower Hutt in aid of the Anglican Church organ fund, and which will be opened by Mr. T. M. AVilford, M.P., this afternoon at 2.30 p.m., and by Mrs. V. Eiddiford on Saturday afternoon. Every effort has been made by residents in tho district to make the bazaar a success. The total production of wild and plantation rubber throughout tho world in the 12 months cn.icd Juno 30, 1912, amounted to 93,GC0 tons, as compared with 79,026 tons in 1009.-10,