CITY COUNCIL.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2759, 20 December 1871, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

At this afternoon’s sitting of the Council, a letter was read from Messrs Maclean and Milner, complaining of the decision of the Council to allow Messrs Driver, Stewart, and Co., Wright, Stephenson, and Co., and Power the exclusive use of the new cattle market. On the same subject the City solicitors wrote that the Council had not power to grant this privilege. The Council thereupon rescinded its former resolution.—The Mayor intimated that Mr Cargill had suggested that the Council should reconsider its decision iu regard to the Cargill monument. He was of opinion that to place it on the proposed base would be out of keeping with the original design, and suggested that steps leading to the monument should he substituted. The Mayor said to adopt this proposal would give loafers a convenient resting place, as well as to 'o al democrats to hold forth.—The Public Works Committee recommended the adoption of Mr Core’s tender for the removal and re-erection of the monument, which was agreed to. —Mr Barnes moved his motion, calling upon the cricket clubs to pay rates for their pavilion, ami to restrict the sale of liquors in the same ; and in doing so spoke iu severe terms of the drinking that was encouraged on the ground; and of the uuorr amenta! nature oi the pavilions, around which “ the big nobs congregated, with only the flag poles to look at.” The Mayor also condemned the drinking that was allowed to be carried on—especially in the Citizen's pavillibh—and which lowered the game in the eyes of the public. The motion, so far as it referred to to the sale of liquors, was carried :—Messrs Smith and Auderaou wrote' 1 that they ii>

dined to the opinion that pas and water companies plant within the City was iateable; but the question was sufficiently dcbateable to prevent a decided opinion in the absence of judicial decision. In connection with this matter, the Mayor said he had for some time past been of opinion water and gas companies were rateable. Every town in England rated suon companies; and he believed the rule prevailed in Melbourne. It was a very important matter ; and if the companies were rated, it would make a difference of a LlOOOto the rates. On his Worships suggestion the matter was referred to the Finance Committee, with power to obtain counsel’s opinion.-—“lnspector Simons application, for a reconsideration of the decision affecting his salary, was declined.—There were some eight applications for the office of sexton. Mr Arch. Muir was appointed.— Six weeks leave of absence was granted to the Mayor.