CITY COUNCIL.

Evening Star, Issue 3337, 30 October 1873, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

The usual fortnightly meeting was held yesterday, there being present the Mayor and all the Councillors except Mr Barnes. CORRESPONDENCE, A letter from the Provincial Secretary’s office announcing receipt of a letter from the Provincial Surveyor, and calling attention to the danger to which the patients in the Lunatic Asylum are occasionally exposed by the blasting operations carried on in the Town Belt in the vicinity of the Asylum, was referred to the Works Committee.—On a letter from the Government acknowledging the receipt of the Council’s communication rc the desirability of leaving the present site of the Fire Brigade Station open for general traffic being read, it was decided that a deputation from the Council should wait upon the Government.—On the subject of the proposed widening of Princes street, the ITndcr-Scoretary wrote that the Government did not see its way to assist the Council in any negotiations it may propose to open with the tenants of the Manse reserve. It was understood that the matter would he mentioned by the deputation that would wait on the Government.—A letter from the Provincial Secretary’s office, stating that the Government considered the arrangements connected with the extension of Cumberland street through the Church Property should be carried qn by the Council, was referred to the Works Committee. —ln reply to an application by Mr C. Reid, it was agreed, after discussion, to place a lamp in the centre of Fleet street. A FOURTH CITY SCHOOL. The Under-Secretaky acknowledged the receipt of the Council’s letter relative to a site for a fourth school, and stated in reply that it was feared that the site referred to would be too small. It was understood, however, the School Committee would confer with the Corporation with a view of agreeing upon a suitable site in that quarter of the City. The Dunedin School Committee’s Secretary forwarded resolutions passed at a recent public meeting at the Oddfellows’ Hall, rc the above-mentioned school. Mr Prosser said that as the matter was an important one, it would perhaps be bettor to ajipoiut a Committee to meet the School Committee. Mr Reeves pointed out that there were many persons who did not avail themselves of the Government schools, and said it was perhaps a matter of debate whether the Corporation would be doing right in granting a site. After further discussion, it was agreed that a special meeting of the Council should be held on Friday, at 4.30 p.m., to deal with the matter. WIDENING OF PRINCES STREET. The Reserves Committee reported on the above subject that the ('ouncil should suggest to the tenants occupying the Manse reserve that the amount of compensation to be paid to them ffor removing their buildings 33ft back from the line of Princes street, should be settled by arbitration; the decision of two out of the three arbitrators to be binding upon the three. Mr Ramsay suggested that the tenants should be asked whether they were agreeable to go to arbitration. The Town Clerk said that, so far as he knew, the tenants could be compelled to do so.

Mr Prosser was understood to say that that portion of the report should not have been brought up until the total amount asked by the tenants could be shown. Mr Reeves asked whether the Council were not absolutely bound to widen the street, liecause if they were bound to do so, it should be done at once. But it was a mistake if they were so bound. The Mayor said he thought that when the land was sold where tho Post Office was built, the Coi'poration did become in soma way liable. Mr Burt suggested that the Council should be informed of the total amount asked by the several tenants. The Town Clerk : They have not all replied. COMJf ITTEK.s’ n EI’ORTS. The Reserves Committee in their report recommended that tenders should be called for cutting the grass on the Southern Recreation Ground, outside the cricket oval, for a period of six months ; and for cutting the grass on the Northern Recreation Ground for six months ; the large gates leading to the grounds to be closed.--The Council, on the Bye-law Commit tee’s recommendation, instructed the Town Clerk to prepare a bye-law re earth closets (similar in many respects to the one in force in Christchurch), and providing fur their introduction within the City ; also a bye-law to prohibit persons selling or offering for sale within the City boundary any butchers’, meat which shall have had air blown under the skin thereof, or shall have had any fat or grease spurted thereupon.—The Works Committee reported having written to Mr Williamson and other memorialists, stating that the stream of water which now runs between Cargill street and York place will be diverted when the improve inents in York place are completed, and conveyed down Albert street; to Mr R. .Smith, disclaiming any responsibility on the part of the Corporation for damage resulting from the stream of water running down Victoria street ; and to Messrs Smith and Anderson, requesting them to stay proceeding further with the action proposed to be raised by tho Council regarding the right of the Corporation to alter the levels of certain streets, as the contract lias been entered into for improving portions of York place and other streets. The Committee also recommended that the permanent level already fixed for Castle street be adhered to, bqt that the permanent levels be not carried

out at present; and that all details as to the construction of cornices of buildings proposed to be ; erected, SO -subhritteci to; iipi>i oved. by the Building Surveyor, prior 'wdChe plans for the buildings being passed by hint* The -Committee’further reported that the Building Regulations will be considered when the new Municipal Act is being framed; |also on the desirability of appointing a special building surveyor. a town hall. On this subject the Works Committee reported as follows : As to the letter from His Honor the Superintendent, proposing to amalgamate the new Supremo Court buildings with the proposed Town Hall to bo erected on the ('orporation sections Nos. /, 8, and 9, block XV., Dowling street; your ('ommittee recommends that his Honor's proposal be respectfully declined, it being, in the opinion of your Committee, desirable that the Town Hall should be detached from any other building. Your Committee is of opinion, after further consideration, that the portion of the Octagon Market reserve abutting the Octagon, is the best site for the proposed Town Hall, and recommends the Council to decide upon that site accordingly, Cr. Walter said lie saw no objection to the Dowling street site for a Town Hall. He was aware a statement had been made by the Engineer to the effect that an immense quantity of rock would be at the back of the Hall if it were erected on the Dowling street site, but surely that was an engineering difficulty that might be got over. Cr. Woodland _ moved, and Cr. Beeves seconded the adoption of the report. Cr. Ramsay objected to the adoption of the report. He did not know whether the Committee had given the letter from the Superintendent that consideration which it ought to receive, or communicated with his Honor the Judge about the matter. The site in the Octagon, he thought, would be a mistake. In all other places the Town Hall was in the central part of flic town. The objection regarding the wall of rock on the Dowling street site was no objection whatever. Cr. Phosreu moved, as an amendment, that that portion of the report be referred back to the ('ommittee for re-consideration. They ought to take the opinion of the learned Judge as to the desirability of amalgamating the two institutions. If the opinion of his Honor should bo favorable to such an amalgamation, it was possible it would be advisable to erect a Town Hall on the Dowling street site—although he must say that at present he was opposed to that site. Cr. Reeves thought it extraordinary that they should just decide as to the advisability of building a Town Kail, and then propose to refer the matter back to the Committee to eet the Judge’s opinion. The Committee when considering the matter, thought it would not be advisable to have a joint proprietorship ; they considered the citizens were in a position to build a hall on their own account, which would be a credit to the City, and that the citizens would not care to have a political institution associated with their own. At any rate, the Council considered that a joint proprietorship would not work well, nor did he think they could find a precedent for such a course. Besides, there might be a noise in the hall when the other portion of the building was required, and there were also other equally good objections to the proposed amalgamation. Then when the Surveyor gave his opinion on the matter, and stated that at the rear of the hall, if it were erected on the Dowling street site, there would be a wall of rock of about 40 feet, it occurred to the Committee that the whole of the back portion of the hall would be without light; and looking at the position of the respective sites as regarded distance, there would not be a difference of more than 200 yards. Besides, it was considered that while ten people would see the Hall ou the Dowling street site, 100 would see it at the Octagon, and if the opinions of the citizens were canvassed, no doubt niue-tenths would decide in favor of the Octagon site. Cr. Beck supported the Octagon site. As yet, no public buildings had been erected at the north end of the City. The Octagon site was in every way preferable to Dowling street, and were a public meeting called lie was sure the citizens would endorse the action of the Committee in recommending that the site at the Octagon should be chosen, and there increased facilities for the Fire Brigade would be provided,

Cr. Bcbt said that, originally, he was in favor of the Dowling street site, but having heard the explanation of the Surveyor, he changed his opinion, and now thought the Octagon site preferable. He decidedly objected to amalgamating the Town Hall with the Supreme Court, and unless some other more suitable site were proposed, he should support the Town Hall being erected at the Octagon. Cr. Woodland would support the recommendation of the Works Committee, on the ground that the site in the Octagon was most suitable. He did not think the proposed amalgamation would be advisable, because the Government would want the control of the building, so also would the Corporation; and in that way a difficulty would arise.

Cr. Prosser’s amendment was lost by four votes to three. Cr. Ramsay contended that the Town Hall should be erected in the centre of the business portion of the City. He moved another amendment, that the Town Hall be erected si ; the present site. Cr. Prosser deprecated the action of the Committee in not allowing the Council a little time to consider the matter, and get additional information. He had had no idea that the thing would have been pushed through in such haste, otherwise he would not have supported it. Cr. Reeves objected to this amendment. The report was adopted by a majority of the Council. Cr. Ramsay : Nothing of the kind. Tho amendment merely was lost. 1 : Cr. Prosser would say it was a great shame that a matter so important should be so hurriedly dealt with, especially when he stated he considered the Octagon was the best site, and was prepared to support it. All he desired was, that before the matter was finally disposed of, further inquiries should be made. Cr, Walter supported the amendment, not because he believed it would be carried, because if lie thought it was likely to be carried he would not support it; and he must say, further,' that if he thought himself capable of. supporting a particular site merely to improve a particular property, he woui'd not sit there any longer. He, however, would probably take another opportunity of moving that the matter be dealt with outside the Council.

(Jr. Reeve* opposed the amendment. This matter had already been several weeks on the tapis, and if Councillors felt interested in it, they might by this time hare made themselves thoroughly acquainted with the different sites and other particulars. He was in favor of the Octagon site ; but if Councillors could show any reason, he would consent to a postponement. It was decided that the discussion should be postponed until the next meeting. MAITLAND STREET. Cr. Prosser presented a petition from residents in South Ward, which set forth that they bought certain land under Crown grant from the (Government, and that the new survey would deprive them ’of three feet frontage to Maitland street, in consequence they could not get a surveyor to make a proper survey. The petitioners concluded by asking that the matter should lie referred to a Board of Surveyors appointed by the Provincial Government, and that in the event of such Board recommending the new plan of survey, provision for compensation be made.