CITY COUNCIL.

Evening Star, Issue 3550, 9 July 1874, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

The usual meeting of the City Council was held last night; present—His Wqrship the Mayor, Councillors Reck, Gibsoq, Ramsay, Reeves, Walter, and Woqdlqqd. J he matter of a site for the Musemn on the iown Belt, which was brought up by a letter from the Under Secretary, was referred to the Reserves Committee, with power to act. The proposed site is t© be on part of the Town Belt lately added to the Botanic Gardens.

In accordance with a request from Messrs Bnscoe and Co , it was decided to remove the Oaversham cab-stand to a site opposite the Government building. Messrs Royse, Stead, and Co. wrote reminding the Council that there were certain claims upon the Waterworks Company for compensation to millowuers and others which had not been settled and were still pending) and stating that they thought it advisable the Council should understand its position with regard to these claims in the event of a purchase of the works being made —The letter was referred to the Water Supply Committee.

Ihe auditors (Messrs Evans and James) forwarded the following communication • We have very great pleasure in presenting to you the balance-sheets of your Corporation, duly audited, and we beg to remark that we sufficiently.eulogise your Town Clerk (Mr Massey) for the able manner in which the books have been kept, and the attention and courtesy displayed by him to us during our audit.”—The letter was received and noted.

Mr Gore wrote, announcing that ho had re-valued the properties in Stuart stret, required for tne Cumberland street exteu» sion. Ihe Auld Scotland Hotel buildings were valued at L 461 6s, and the Old Englaud Hotel at L34(3. A letter was also read from Mr Fidler, of the Anld Scotland Hotel, requesting an extension of time for removal from the premises, which was agreed to. The valuation was referred to the Reserves Committee.

A. petition wag received from ratepayers in Leith ward* pointing out that the river had lately made considerable encroachments on its southern bank, thereby seriously affecting the properties of the petitioners, and requesting that steps mi" ht betaken to prevent further injury. On the motion of Or. Keeves, it was agreed that the surveyor should be instructed to report upon the best means to be adopted for remedying the damage. ° Mr Robert Stout wrote, enclosing a report, made by two practical jgardenere, as to the amount of loss that would be sustained by a road being carried through the property leased by Mr R. Smith from the Corporation, and requesting the Council to consider the matter, with a view to compensation being The report estithat the damage would amount tq s .ated that Mr Smithes annual rental for the ground did not exceed L6.—The matter was referred to the Reserves Committee, The following were referred to the Works Committee ;—A. letter from Messrs Joseph Hindle and J, Campbell, reporting having found bluestone on the Belt as good as any Melbourne' bluestone ; and that should' a lease be granted to them they could supply kerbing and cubes at twenty per cent, less than the price paid for Port Chalmers stone. -An offer from Mr M‘Dermid, Sawyers’ Bay, to put up machinery and supply flagging at the same rate as the Footscray Company offered;— The question of certain repairs and improvements to Serpentine Avenue and Maclaggan street.-i The state of Stuart street between Mr M‘Gregor’s school and Albert street, as brought under the notice of the Council by a communication from Mr Jack.—A. petition from property-owners in Dowling street, requesting that earth from the excajation in this street be deposited in the gully from and including Mr George Heaford’s section to Mnith street.—The following tenders were received for the Council Chamber improvements : -Peter Gunn, LI,060: Lambeth and Findlay, LI, 103; Bateman and Start, L 1.200 ; and Ewing and Grabie. L1,439.—Mr Caldwell’s letter directing attentroa to the present state ef Gaol street and the neighbourhood.—Communications m reference to the leasing of the Peliohet Bay baths for the ensuing year, recommendmg that they should he re-let to Mr Key.— The site for the proposed new pound.