CIVIC AFFAIRS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2401, 5 March 1915, Page 7

CIVIC AFFAIRS

MEETING OP THE CITY COUNCIL At last night's meeting of tho City Council tho Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) presided, and there were also present: Councillors R. Fletcher, R. A. Wright, J. E. Fitzgerald, A. EL. Hindmarsh, M. ■b. Luckie, E. Tregear, L. M'Kenyie, A. R. Atkinson, W. J. Thompson, H. Buddlo, J. Godber, G. Frost, and W. H- P. Barber.,

On. the recommendation of the Finance Committee, it was decided that aa ex-corporation employee be allowed the earn of £1 per wook, less tho amount of his old age pension, during tbo pleasure of the council The City Solioitor wa3 instructed to complete a matter of compensation in connection with a deceased corporation employee. It was decided that a charge be taken against the property of a ratepayer for the amount of the rates owing, on acc°«nt of his financial difficulties. i 9 application of the New Zealand Picture Supplies, Ltd., for a reduction in the water account of the Star Theatre, was refused as the waste of water bad been pointed out to the company. It was resolved: "That a sinking loaa be established for the old Fire Brigade loan from the accumulated rent, viz., £375 lis. lid., and that the annual accumulation 1£45) be paid to such fund."

It was decided to ask the New Zealand Candle Company to undertake' the destruction of large quantities of fish oftal in place of taking the same ,to the corporation destructor. . The action of the Finance Committee in granting Mr. Arthur Alexander the local artist rate for the Concert Hall for his recent piajioforte recital was approved. I'hs same committee reported, that had received an application from the General Labourers' Uiiion for altered conditions regarding wages, preference, etc.', for the men employed at toe destructor, and that a report'on the matter would be v presented at the next meeting of the council. By-Laws Committee recommended that the -Melrose Ratepayers' Association be informed, in reply to' theirapplication for a lamp near the Zoo pond, that it is oonsidered inadvisable to erect a lamp at this particular point, as the committee does not • want to encourage persons, especially women and children, to use the track after, dark.—The recommendation was agreed to;

.Consent was given to the erection of additions to a dwelling at Herald otreet, without providing a brick wall, although the addition .will only be 2ft. 6in. distant from the boundary, and permission was granted for the. erection of a shed up to the boundary of' a property in Hill Street without the provision of a brick wall, as in the opinion of the Engineer no public benefit would result from the strict compliance with the provision of the by-law. It was decided that an effort should be made to dispose of the chemical engine at the Central Fire Station for tlie sum of £40. The machine is not now required by the department, In reference to the protest received from the Trades and Labour Council at the use of "beaver boards," in substitution of timber for lining buildings, the By-laws Committee recommended that' the Trades Council bo informed that they are advised' by the City. Engineer that while it is undoubtedly inferior to dressed timber for lining, it is,' in his opinion, very much superior to rough lining covered with 6crim and paper, and the aimmittee report to the council that in their opinion there is no necessity for any further action to be taken. The recommendation was agreed to.

On the recommendation of the Reserves Committee,; it was decided that the rent charged,, viz.,.£4, for the hire of. the,-stalls at. Newtown Park by the Wellington Diamond Jubilee Celeb tion Committee on Anniversary Day, be remitted, in view of one-third of the net. proceeds being handed to the Mayor's' War Distress Fund. Authority was granted for the purchase of a quantity of lime, bonedust, blood manure, and grass seed, for use on the Basin: Reserve, at an estimated cost of £25. . ... ■The _ St. Patrick's Day Celebration Committee was granted . the use "of Newtown Park on March 17, with permission to charge for admission, on the usual terms. 1 '; 1 ' "■»