CIVIC AFFAIRS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2413, 19 March 1915, Page 3

CIVIC AFFAIRS

» MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL. At last night's meeting of the City Council, the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) presided, and there were also present: Councillors R. Fletcher, J. E. Fitzgerald, A.' H. Hindmarsh, It. A. Wright, M. F. Luckie, E. Tregear, Jno. Fuller, jun., L. M'Kenzie, W. J. Thompson, A. R. Atkinson, J. Godber, G. Frost, and W. H. P. Barber. On the recommendation of tile Finance Committee, the City Solicitor was instructed to give effect to the draft agreement between the College Governors and the corporation relating to street widening matters at Mercer Street. It was decided that an offer be made for the purchase'of a narrow 'strip of land at Haughton Bay foreshore in terms of the officers' report. A request for the removal of the horse trough in Post Office Square was not agreed to, but with a view to relieving the congestion at this particular spot, additional troughs are to be provided at Hunter Street (north end of Victoria Street), and Waterloo Quay (near the intersection of Whitmore Street). It was resolved that in future, when calling tenders for annual supplies, provision be made in the specifications to enable the council to consider "line-to-line" tenders, the council not necessarily 'accepting the lowest. The Mayor expjained that the present system of considering tenders in group only was often found to be against the best interests of the council. The request of the General Labourers' Union for .twelve days' continuous leave of absence on full pay annually for the drainage employees was not acceded to. On this subject, however, the council's Finance Committee reported that 'inquiries were being made as to tho merit o£ the request- of the General Labourers' Union for increased wages and recommendations would be reported to the next meeting of the council. The Public Health Committee recommended and it was agreed that the cemetery employees be informed in reply to their application for an increase of wages that the council are unable at the present time to grant their application ; but their request to be supplied with overalls during working hours has been acceded to. The custodian of Newtown Park was granted an increase of wages of from £3 per week to £3 ss. per week. Authority was given for the erection of such lamps in the City Training Grounds as may be necessary to facilitate the evening drills of the National Reservo. On the recommendation of the Tramways Committee it was decided that tenders be called for steel tyres and gear wheels required by the Tramways Department, and for feeder cables required for t'he Willis Street, Cuba Street and Brooklyn circuits. ■ It _ was decided that the Brooklyn Municipal Electors'' Association be advised in connection with their application for. the erection of a lamp at the right-of-way between Reuben Avenue and Mitchell, Street that the . way is privately owned and the cost of erection and maintenance of tho lamp will require to be paid by the owners. Instructions were issued for the City Solicitor to' prepare a by-law amending the present by-law providing that where houses are situated more than 10 feet distant from the street boundary the number or numbers shall be placed on the gate or fence. Tho council agreed to waive the right to insist upon the Mornington Estate Company providing a quarry site at Mornington, provided the company vests in the corporation' certain pieces of land required for public purposes.