CITY COUNCIL.

Evening Star, Issue 3694, 24 December 1874, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

The following was the principal business tran-acted at last night's meeting The Under-Secrhtary, replying to a letter of the Town Clerk as to accrued rents of the Princes street Reserve, understood to be in the hands of the Government after settling Maori claims, said the Council labored under a misapprehension, as the Government had disbursed in law costs an amount in excess of what they had in their hands, ami therefore that they would not pay any of the sum in hand to the Corporation.

The application of Mr Fish, on behalf of the Sailors’ Home Committee, for the Old Immigration Barracks for the purposes of the Home, at a fair rental and three mouths’ notice to he given on either side, was strongly opposed by Crs._ Isaacs and Reeves, but granted by the casting vote of tiie Mayor ; whereupon Cr, Reeves moved that the rent should be L'*oo a-year, saying that it would be cheaper for the Council to give LSOO the Home or another site, and intimated his intention of moving amendment after amendment rather than that the application should be granted. This and other amendments were negatived, as was Cr. Reeves’s proposal to refer the matter to a special committee. the composition of which bore a close resemblance to the Reserves Committee, to whop it had been previously decided not to remit the matter. Cr. Prosser intimated his intention of r, maining till the morning, rather than submit to the dictation of the majority ; while Cr. Walter spoke of the “obstinacy” of the minority, and said it was a lasting disgrace that the business should be humbugged as it_ was. After considerable discussion Cr. Fish’s motion was carried as follows ;- “That the request of the Secretary of the Sailors’ Home Committee, so far as occupancy is concerned, he agreed to, subject to two months’ notice, hut that the matter of rent he referred to the Reserves Committee to arrange and to report to a future meeting of the Council. Permission was given to the Government to lay down a tramway along the foot of Dowling street, across High street, and along Crawford street, during pleasure of the City Council. Permission to lay down a tramway along Maclaggan street was declined, it being considered highly dangerous.

MrW att, on behalf of the commission appoiu ted to report upon a site for tlie Supreme Court, inquired if the Council wore willing to treat for the exchange, upon equitable terms of the Octagon Reserve for the present site of the Court-house ; and added ■“ the commission is a ware that there has been some talk of building the Town Hall upon the Octagon Reserve, but it is not aware any such intention now exists. The commission would respectfully represent that the building of a suitable and commodious Supreme Courthouse in Dunedin is almost as much a concern flf the citizens as the building of a Town Hall; that for a Supreme Court-house, especially if the Resident Magistrate’s Court should be held in. the name building, a considerable avpiv, a centi al situation, and freedom from the noise qf the traffjc, kc., are required. That if a site other than that in High street is required for the Town Hall, the Dowling street sito would be of sufficient area, and for such a purpose the traffic noise would not he so objectionable. That the present site of the Court-house is being rapidly enclosed by buildings designed for manufactoring and commercial purposes, and this, whilst it renders it unsuitable for the site of a Court-house, considerably enhances its market value. It would no doubt yield a large return if let on building leases ” The letter was referred to the Reserves Committee.