CITY COUNCIL.

Evening Star, Issue 3069, 19 December 1872, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Council was held last night. The Mayor presided, and all the Councillors were present. CORRESPONDENCE, Amongst the correspondence read was a letter from the Provincial Under-Secretary, stating that the Government were of opinion that, as the revenue from publicans’ licenses was now handed over to the Corporation, it should pay the salary of Mr Lumb, the Revenue Officer; also, the following communication ; —“Referring to the subject of your last interview with his Honor the Superintendent, and to your letters of the 9th and lOthinst., I am directed to inform you, with respect; to the filling-in of Castle street to the proper level by prison labor, that the Government will comply with your request on condition that it be reimbursed to the extent of L2OO. As regards the Rattray street sewer, the Government confirms the proposal embodied in my letter of tin: number and date quoted in the margin. As to the removal of the toll-bars, this is a matter with which the Executive does not feel warranted in interfering without the concurrence of the Provincial Council. The site proposed for public arrivals belongs _ to the General Government to whom application had better be made.” THE RATING. Air John Anderson, Maitland street, wrote complaining of the excessive rating this year. He stated that his property had not been improved during the last eight years, yet this year it was assessed at Ll7 10s, while previously it had stood at Lls. Mr Walter was very glad a ratepayer had called attention to the matter. A number of complaints had been made to him in reference to the way properties had been rated this year ; although they had not increased in value, the assessment was increased in the way pointed out. Something should be done, or there would be a great number of appeals sent in. MrBARNcs felt surprised that the valuator had not paid regard to the instructions of the Council that the assessments should not be higher than those of last year. Many complaints had been made to him by property holders in High, Stafford, Walker, and Maitland streets, and what most surprised him was that more complaints were not before the Council. Ho moved that a committee, consisting of the Mayor, Councillors, Walter, Ramsay, Neale, and himself, be appointed to look into the matter.

Councillor Ramsay suggested that Mr Millar, the valuator, should he asked to attend. The Mayor did not agree with all that had been said by preceding speakers, because it was just possible* that in some cases previous valuations had been made too low. Mr Millar was told that he could not go far wrong if he took Mr Langland’s valuation as a basis. With regard to the particular complaint before the Council, be was not personally aware whether there were just cause for it, for it might prove that last year's valuation was too low ; but he knew as a fact that there were great discrepancies between this and last year’s valuation. He instanced his own case. His house was rated this year at L 75 ; last year Mr Langlauds assessed it at L 4 5; and the most it would let for was LSO a year. His was a glaring case, and no doubt in many other cases there was equal room for complaint. On the other hand, the valuation of a resident in South Ward (Mr Farquhar), who had been making large improvements in his property, by which their value was increased from 50 to 75 per cent., remained the same as last year. If the valuation had been conducted on such a system as that for long, it proved that the valuator was incompetent to fulfil his task. In connection with the matter, he mentioned that the valuator was ill in bed, and it was therefore a matter of importance to guard against the contingency of his being unable to complete the assessment. Councillor Ramsay said Mr Millar was quite able to resume his duties

The Committee named by Councillor Barnes was appointed, and they were instructed to act upon the Mayor’s suggestion.

FI HE BRIGADE EXPENSES. A letter from the Secretary of the Fire Brigade, enclosing an account for LlO odd, expenses in connection with the fire in Filluel street on the 29th ult., gave rise to some discussion, the ball being opened by Councillor Neale, who said that while he had no desire to disparage the efforts of the firemen, he could not help remarking that the bill for expenses kept increasing. The last fire was a paltry one, yet the bill was the heaviest that had been sent into the Council for some time. It was then explained that the heaviest items in the bill, amounting to L 4 JGs 6d, were for horse hire ; L 3 for the first horse and water-cart at the fire; and the balance for the second and others. The Mayor expressed the opinion that it was time these rewards which were voted in one of those moments of generosity which sometimes crazed a municipal body, should be reduced, and Councillors Neale, Mercer, and Ramsay took the same view—the latter remarking that the insurance companies, who derived the benefit, should pay these expenses, and that it was unfair that the citizens should be taxed for assistance to put out every chimney. Councillor Barnes was the only one at the Board who defended the retention of the rewards at their present figure, and lie did so because he thought them little enough for a man getting up at the dead of night, and for the wear and tear of his horses, which were unfit for work the next day after racing with the Brigade’s car. The Mayor thought that the charge was exorbitant, and that 2s lid was enough. Councillor Barnes then moved that the letter be referred to the Finance Committee. Agreed to.

MEMORIAL. Councillor Mercer presented a memorial from several greengrocers, butchers, and others, praying that the bye-law fixing the time for the removal of kitchen refuse be altered. The memorial was referred to the Public Works Committee to consider, ami then report to the Council. REPORTS. The Public Works Committee reported : “ .As to the letter from the Government, dated the 12tb inst., as to completing Castle street, on the terms required, that the offer of the Government be accepted, on condition that the residents interested in Castle street subsidise the Council to the extent of Lll)(\ The ratepayers who lately submitted to the Council a memorial in this matter have been informed accordingly. That the letter from the Government, re a site for public baths, be acknowledged with thanks, and an intimation returned that tlie Council will endeavor to name a suitable allotment of ground for the purpose. As to letters from the Waterworks Company, relative to the quantity of water used in watering the streets of the city, that the old method of watering the streets by means of water-carts be resorted to as being preferable to the present plan, which is extravagant in the use of water and destructive to the streets of the city. Your Committee has called for a supply of watercarts, horses, and drivers for the ensuing three or four months. Until the proposed change takes place, the men will be instructed to be economical in the use of water, and to do Princes, High, and Rattray streets only. Mr Robert Wilson’s tender, Ido Ids, has been accepted for Park street improvements. Your Committee is making inquiry as to obtaining mud-carts, with revolving brushes, for the use of the Corporation ; also, as to having a site for urinals presently erected in Rattray street. Instructions have been given to the draymen to form a footpath abutting Mr S. A, Martin’s house, Royal Terrace, and to repair the roadway leading between sections 68 and 09, block 19cost, LB. Orders have also been given to have the asphalt footpaths top dressed ; and that the lamp at George street, referred to by Councillor Woodland, be adjusted. Permissions have been granted to Mr A. Wood, for a temporary cJossing at Athol Place, and to Messrs Howell and Hay, for a sun-shade at their premises at the Octagon. Building modification applications have been dealt with as follows Messrs Hayman, granted temporarily; Mr Sparrow, same; Mr W. Woods, granted.” The Reserves Committee also reported and recommended : “As to Councillor Walter’s motions on proposed Town Belt improvements, that instead of calling for competitive plans the City Surveyor be allowed to prepare a scheme for the general improvement of the Town Belt, having due regard to existing roads ; and that a bonus be paid to Mr Mirams for this road, which will be completed iu his spare hours. That by proper legal notice all existing leases of Town Belt allotments be terminated in conformity with a covenant in tire leases. That the Government be requested to introduce Ordinances into the Provincial Council at its next session to enable the Council to lease for building purposes the Municipal Reserve, forming block 29, Dunedin, and to provide for the extension of Cumberland street, south of Stuart stieet, through to High street and the closing of Gaol street. That the letters from the Crown Solictor, applying for the consent of the Council to certain assignments, by Corporation tenants, of portion# pf land# of Municipal estate at the

Taieri and Waihola td Her Majesty the Queen, be ordered to lie over until the line of the Southern Trunk Railway has actually been determined upon as outside the line of Crawford street. That Mr Gore’s valuations of certain promises, as per letter hereto attached, under date 29th November, be confirmed and adopted, with the exception of valuation for Mr Bannatyne’s Sussex Hotel, George street. Your Committee recommends that this property be valued at L 250. With regard to Mr J. Walsh’s letter, as to encroachments on to his leasehold at block 10. Your Committee recommends that Mr Walsh be informed that he can take his own action in the matter.” Both reports were read and adopted.

QUALITY OF GAS. Councillor Thoneman moved, “That the City Engineer, or some other qualified person, be employed to test the quality of the gas supplied to the Corporation, and report on same to the Council.” Of late he had frequently heard complaints as to the quality of the gas supplied ; and as there was an instrument in the possession of the Corporation for testing the quality of gas, he hoped that something would be done in the matter. A check of some kind on the contractors ought to exist. Councillor Mercer sympathised with the motion, which was then put and carried. PAVING FOOTPATHS. Councillor Barns moved, “That a number of chains of footpath be paved with four-inch square pitchers, properly squared and dressed on top, to be laid in some busy part of the town. He was of opinion that work such as that suggested, would not cost more than double that of asphalt, while it would he very desirable. As an experiment it was deserving of consideration. Councillor Walter seconded the motion, which was agreed to. STREET LAMPS. Councillor Ramsay moved, “That twentyfive new street lamps be provided, to be apportioned as follows :-Seven each for Bell, High, and Leith Wards, and four for South Ward, Last winter many eomplaincd of some localities being badly lighted, and now, as winter was again approaching, it was necessary that something should be done in the matter. The cost of the lamps would not exceed four or five pounds each, and of lighting, L2OO per annum. He, therefore, hoped the motion would not be opposed. Councillor Merger suggested that the matter be referred to the Works Committee. Councillor Walter said there was no necessity for providing additional lamps, if those existing were re-distributed. He therefore moved, as an amendment, “That the Public Works Committee be instructed to inspect the city lamps, with the view to their being redistributed.” Councillors Neale, Rossbotham, and others supported the amendment, which was carried. TOWN BELT IMPROVEMENTS. Councillor Ramsay moved—“ That the City Council, having affirmed the desirability of effecting permanent improvements on the Town Belt, is also of opinion that such improvements should be effected in a good measure by prison labor, empow. r the Reserves Committee to wait on the Government and the city members of the Provincial Council with a view to securing their co-operation in obtaining the services of prisoners for that purpose.” Agreed to. BOARD OF HEALTH. The Mayor said that, during the late session of Parliament, an Act was passed to constitute local boards of health throughout the country. He had received a communication from the Government enclosing a copy of the Act. The Council Board would constitute the Board of Health for Dunedin. The Act conferred considerable powers, and would enable the Board to deal with the sewerage, the quality of food offered for sale, and the appointment and control of a medical officer. His object now was simply to bring the matter under notice for the further consideration of councillors. reception committee. Councillor Rossbotham enquired the reason why a report from the Reception Committee had not been laid before the Council. Councillor Thoneman thought that such a report ought to have been brought up, showing where and at what time the members of the Council should meet to receive the Governor. The Mayor said that the work of the Committee was not yet completed; therefore no report could have been brought up. He would, however, remark that 4 o’clock on Saturday next was the time fixed for receiving his Excellency and presenting an address, and that the neighborhood of the Monument was the place ; but all particulars would be made known before the time arrived. TENDERS. Tenders for work in Cumberland street and watering the streets were received, and referred to the Public Works Committee. The Council then adjourned for one month.