CITY COUNCIL.

Evening Star, Issue 3562, 23 July 1874, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

The usual meeting of the City Council was held last night; present—His Worship the Mayor (Mr Mercer), Councillors Reeves, Ramsay, Qibson, Woodland, Walter, Prosser, and Beck.

The Under-Secretary wrote to the effect that no more material from the dredge should be deposited on the site for the public baths, and enclosing a letter from the Harbor Master, in which that official stated that the Council had selected an unsuitable site for the baths, as the sewer p lluted the water, and the screws and paddles of the steamers stirred up the mud. Referred to the Works Committee.

The Reserves Committee recommended, in reference to the application of Mr Seymour for a lease of part of the reserve at the foot of St. Andrew street, that it should not be granted, but that the applicant be allowed to occupy the land for a term of one year, at a rental of L2O per annum, no buildings to be ereated thereon; that the valuation of Messrs Fidler’s and Muir’s properties in Stuart street be approved of—the former’s property being valued at L 461, the latter’s at L 346. Adopted. 1 he Lighting Committee’s recommendation that additional lamp-posts be erected where necessary was adopted. The Public Works Committee recommended that all plumbers should be tined

who opened up the streets for water supply purposes, without giving three da vs’ notice of their intention to do so ; that the pound *t St. David street should he removed to the low'n Belt near the Drill-shed ; that the portion of the Town Belt opposite the Botanical Gardens should be granted as a site for a Museum, subject to the condition that the portion of the Town Belt on the west side of the North Road from the northern sjate post of the Gardens to the Leith Bridge, be reserved in the bands of the Corporation ; and that tenders should be called from persons willing to take charge of the Pelichet Bay Baths,

Cr Buck presented a petition from owners of property in i argill street, asking theCouncil to hare the street formed to its full width and its permanent level. Referred to the Works Committee.

. Mayor reported that the brick portion of the Middle District School had been condemned by the Government as unsafe, in consequence of the Corporation works in the locality It was decided that the members of the Council should inspect the school to-day.

The following recommendations of the Bye-laws Committee were adopted: ‘*(l.) That no cart or wagonette should remain at the north-west corner of Princes and Rattray streets longer than five minutes, and that so soon as two passengers offered for the vehic e at the above-indicated corner, then the vehicle should forthwith proceed on to the Water of Leith without waiting mg for the five minutes or for additional passengers. (2.) That when two or more passengers offered, 6d should be the fare to or from the railway-station and the Water of Leith stand or any intermediate stage, and 6d the fare to or frpm the railwaystation and Caversham er any intermediate stage; but the driver should not be bound to start for Caversham with less than four passengers, or for less than 2s fare. (3.) The legal City Stands to be—for the Water of Leith, fronting the Custom-house and at Duke street; and for Caversham, fronting the Provincial Government Buildings. (4.) As regards breeching, the Council had no power to deal with country coaches in this particular respect, but the committee recommend to coach proprietors generally the use of breeching for their poll-horses, ”

THE MAYORALTY. Mr Mercer, the retiring Mayor, said that as this would probably be the last general meeting of the Council during his term «f office, he wished to address a few words to the Councillors present. In vacating the office of Mayor, he felt somewhat like a man who had lost a bosom friend, for his reign of twelve months had been a pleasant one, and he had felt a great deal of pleasure in presiding over the Council. He had received at the bands of the Council and his fellewcUizeus’ kindness he would never forget while he lived, and he wished to express his gratitude.—(Hear, hear.) Whenever he had made his appearance in public, he had felt proud of the confidence repo-ed in him in his offi ial eapa-ity. He had vacated the seat on principle and of his own accord, iu order that the other Councillors whs were in their turn entitled to the honor he had received, might receive it. He hoped, whatever his faults might have been, that he had kehl the office of Mayor to their satisfaction, f he were again returned to the Council, he would alwaps do his best to advance the interests of City, and it was only through gratitude tha& he sought to be returned. (Hear, hear.) He hoped hissuccessor would be treated with the same kindness and consideration that he had received. (Applause.) r

Mr Ramsay said that, as he had been elected to the office of Mayor, he might express a hope that the same kindly feeling that had existed between Mr Mercer and the other members of the Council would exist during his term of office. He also took the same opportunity to express his regret if, during the heat of an election contest, he had said or done anything to irritate his tollow-C '.uncillors. In the speeches he had made, some thought he had taken more credit to himself than he bad a right to do, but he had not intended to do this. During the excitement of a long speech, he might have omitted to have mentioned those to whom credit was also due, but he had not done so intentionally.

Cr Prosser moved that an engrossed address should be presented to the retiring Mayor. •

Or Walter seconded the motion, and altyded to the amicable manner in which the members of the Council had worked together during the past year, r' e was sure that during the ensuing year they would all show the same amount of deference to their new Chairman. The Mayor elect had made reference to ihe addresses he had given, and be (Mr Walter) must say that he felt acutely rttTt A ead ‘, n ?T^ r Hatns ayV speech at the Oddfellows’ Hall. He would not have referred to these matters at the meeting of th* Conned had not his late opponent dona so : but Mr Ramsay had there made use of some language to the effect that his (Mr Walter’s) appearance was a lie upon thv. face of it. Hp considered that such language' was undigni fled and ungerous, Mr Ramsay said that if he had offended in what be had said at that meeting, he had much pleasure in apologising to Mr Walter. Strong language had been used on both sides, but the expression alluded to was made hastily, and he was glad to withdraw it.— (Hear, hear.)

Cr Walter would accept the apology in the spir|,Vwitty which it was offered.—(Applause.)