CITY COUNCIL.

Evening Star, Issue 3057, 5 December 1872, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

At the usual fortnightly meeting of the Council last evening there were present the Mayor and all the Councillors except Messrs Neale and Mercer. The following business was transacted : Amongst the correspondence read were letters from the Provincial Under-Secretary, intimating that the Hon. the Colonial I reasurer would conclude arrangements with Mr Izard for the withdrawal of all legal proceedings against the Province or Corporation re the Princes street reserve on the terms mentioned in Mr Vogel’s telegram to the Superintendent ; with regard to the Corporation’s application for a bathing reserve—that the Government was of opinion that the granting of section 23, block 28, the one applied for, was likely to interfere with harbor reclamation : at the same time, if the Corporation would point out any other section, they would ho disposed to consider the matter favorably; with regard to releasing the sec-ti'-us on the Princes street reserve up to the present frontage of that street —that before deciding definitely the Government wiafied to be informed as to the price the Corporation was willing to pay for the ,33ft frontage at the back of the sections in question, originally reserved from sale to provide for the proposed additional width of Princes street. [lt was stated that the land had been already bought, and a conveyance obtained ] Reports were read from the Surveyor, Town Belt Ranger, Finance and Public Works Committees. The Public Works Committee recommended an expenditure of L 25 in securing the Dundas street bridge ; of Lls (in day labor) in filling up that portion of Park street near Mr Burns’ prope ty ; of L 25 in erecting an arch in Rattray street on the occasion of tbe Governor’s visit; that the daymen’s wages be increased by Is per day during the next three months ; the supernumeraries wages to remain the same ; and that the salary of the Inspector of Works he increased during the next three months at the rate of L2OO a year, he to find his own horse. The Public Works Committee reported, with reference to the Athemeum Committee’s application that the Institute might be relieved from payment of all city rates, except in regard to the two shops, such shops to he assessed only at the actual rental they realised - that the application be declined, and that the former decision of the Council relieving the Institute only in respect of the library and readingrooms, he adhered to ; that Mr W. Winchester be appointed City Valuator for Leith Ward during Mr Laugland’s temporary absence from the Colony ; Mr Millar to be relieved from valuing Leith Ward properties, and that Mr Winchester be instructed to proceed to complete forthwith a valuation of all properties in Leith Ward liable under the Municipal Corporations Ordinance j such valuation to he delivered at the Town Clerk’s office, on or before February 14, 18?3. The Mayor suggested that the Public Works Committee should be formed into a Governor’s Reception Committee, An address should be presented to Ilia Excellency, and tbe assistance of the liie Brigade, Friendly Societies, aqd other public bodies should he invited so as to make the demonstration worthy of the City and the occasion. He was of opinion that demonstrations of the sort did a great deal of good, and money thus expended was well spent on behalf of the citizens. The suggestion was adopted, and the amount to be spent on the arch left to he Committee, The work in connection with Park street was ordered to belet by contract. Councillor Walter moved—(l.) That it was desirable to make improvements of a permanent nature on the Town Belt ; (2.) that 1.50 be voted for the purpose of obtaining competitive designs for improving and beautifying the Belt; and (3) that L3OO be spent annually on the improvement of the Belt. He said he expected his resolution would receive the support of every member of the Council. It was not a matter which only interested a single ward, on the contrary, it interested the wh«le City and every individual in it. The City was in possession of one of the finest estates, probably in the Southern Hemisphere—one that was so convenient to the City ; but till the present time it was in such a state that in many places it was almost impossible to walk, solely owing to the want of judicious expenditure. Councillor Barnes, in seconding the motion, sa|d the work ought to have been dpne years ago, and by doing it they would stop the coippl aint 9 made about the reserves, Whenever the Council was going to lease land in town. It was high time something was done ; at present the trees were being cut down, aud the Belt otherwise destroyed, and the sooner the Corporation began to expend a sura regularly on its improvement the better. He did not care in what part of the Belt the work was begun, but once a start was made a sum of money should be set aside yearly for it. The Bolt was bringing in a revenue of between L2OU ami L3i ; o a year, and that money should be put aside for its improvement, thus relieving the citizens from taxation for improving it. Councillor Woodland would like the drainage question dealt with before improving the Bplt. The Matob was glad tlje motion had been brought on. HP himself for several years past had thought the matter over, and was only prevented from bringing it forward because he considered the time was not sufficiently ripe for it. Now there could be no objection to the Council spending a sum of money annually in beautifying the Belt. As was stated by Councillor Barnes, the Beit returned a revenue of L2OO a year from leases and licenses; and a considerable sum had already accrued. While it was the bounden duty of the Council to attend more to the dry details of repairing streets and giving good roads, still it was also their duuy to give the citizens a lung wherein they could breathe the fresh air and enjoy the scene. The argument that they had no money to spend at present on this woik was groundless, because no matter how great the city’s revenues became in future years, there would be found means of spending it all. Unless they made a step in this direction, the Belt would remain comparatively useless for many years to come. The object of the mover was to call for competitive designs for laying out tbe Belt, with a view to m a V in g it a park—not a garden— and to

spend L3OO a year, until the design was given full effect to. Of course the vote, if carried, would only cover tlie present year : the Council might refuse to continue it next yeai. He hoped the, motion would be carried unanimously. L3(J(» a year was really nothing compared with the advantages of the work. Councillor Ramsay would support the first resolution, but not the expenditure for design.? or an annual sum to he voted for carrying one out. The matter should he referred to a committee for consideratien. They were spending considerably over their income already. The Mayor pointed out that by law the revenue derivable from the Belt must be spent on it; so that the extra sum actually asked for was LIOO. Councillor Ramsay said the actual sum received from the Belt was Ll9o, LUO of which was received for grazing. That would cease if the Belt were improved, for grazing could not then be permitted. LG3 was all that was left, and the Ranger’s salary to be paid out of it. Councillor Thoneman thought the matter premature, and would prefer to see the money spent in making good roads through the Belt.

Ultimately, the whole matter was referred to the Public Works Committee, the amounts being left blank in the reference. Councillor Walter’s motion that the cleaning of the ditch on the Southern Recreation Ground bo attended to, was referred to the Works Committee, with an addition by Councillor Barnes that the Government be asked to contribute to the expense. Councillor Rossbotham’s motion that the side-walk in Priuces street south, opposite the Cattle market, be kerbed and channelled was referred to the Works Committee ; as was Mr Barnes’ motion that th? footpaths in Princes, George, and the principal streets, bo asphalted with a view to their preservation. Councillor Ramsay’s, that LSO be spent in forming and channelling Smith street, was carried, and Councillor Walters’ motion, that the Council should obtain a mud cart, with revolving brushes, was referred to a committee. In connection with asphalting, the Mayor suggested the desirability of considering whether it would not be better to import nagging, as experience had shown that asphalting did not answer. A variety of other matters were dealt with. The Council then adjourned.

were backed up by sound arguments, they would carry weight and influence the course of mining legislation. The Conference was now opened for the transaction of husill6Sß It was resolved to adopt the Standing Orders of the Arrow Miners’ Association. A programme was submitted, and several notices of motion were given. I lie meeting then adjourned till Tuesday morning at 10 o’clock. Tuesday, December 4. The Conference met at 10 o’clock a.m. All the gentlemen previously mentioned were present. The subject for discussion was the Goldfields Act. Mr Ferris moved that the General Government issue miners’ rights for the whole Colony. Mr Morrison seconded the motion, which was carried. . , Mr Mokrisok moved that miners rights be issued for terms of from one year up to five years. The motion was seconded by Mr Ceombte, and carried. Mr Alexander moved that the sum payable for business licenses be reduced from L 5 to L2 10s.