CIPY COUNCIL.

Evening Star, Issue 3729, 4 February 1875, Page 2

CIPY COUNCIL.

I lie following was the principal business transacted at last night’s meeting : _Ou tlio Superintendent's letter, inquiring waothor the Corporation were prepared to move m tne mailer ui lae Philadelphia Exhibition being read, Cr. Km:ves moved “ That the i.ouncil deem it undesirable to move in the matter. Inis was met by an amendment by Cr. *Vai.rtii i nat the ?,layor be authorised to cowitii his }Jouor to have the Province amiably represented at the exhibition,” which was carried. ‘ n ! biquiries of the Corporation as to the number of lamps and price of gas in' ‘ 1c bourne a id Sj dne\% thtj Town Clerks of those cities replied that the lamps numbered in Melbourne 1,815, and in Sydney I,COB, the cost per nun)) being L 7 in Melbourne and L 7 2s Get in oyuney; the price of coal (Newcastle) 25s per ton in Melbourne and 18s to 18s Gd in Sydney ; the pnee of gas for private consumption in Melbourne 9s per I,oooft, though in one suburb, on account of competition, it was -only 5s : and m Sydney 7s Gd per 1,000. Among the correspondence were several letters referring to the case of Harris, contracfor dust carts, throwing rubbish into the and otner refuse had been thrown into the Imrbor, thereby prej udicing the public health. •• 'Aoi! ■ ; id that if the dust carts were

used for tho purpose of throwing obnoxious matter into the harbor, they would have to be dispensed with. It was resolved to obtain an explanation from the contractor. —Mr Pavletich wrote, informing the Council that, through illness, he was unable to cany out his intention of forming the Dunedin Marine Store and Piggery Company, and advising them to continue toe scheme. ~ Mr Bell ap- Bed that Iho Press Cluo should, like other elulv, he exempted Iro-.n paring a fee for ih; ; : i;i^ ;sv i i ; ;bie. On. an account Tor IV|!K ex pens, s a the late fire in Maclaggan street being read, i‘r. I'isu expressed his opinion that the charge was too great, seeing that tho fire was extinguished in ton minutes, but Cr, B.uiiion pointed ont that it would have been tiio same if the tire had been a large one.

Reporting on the subject of constructing ft storage reservoir, capable of supplying the upper parts of the City, the Engineer (Mr M'Gregoi) wrote :—“ I would recommend that the area of laud colored green ou section 42, 79, and 80 t Dunedin and East Tnieri District, be purchased for the'purpose of forming a high level -reservoir.’ Imm of opinion that this is the best available site ou the “Blag Staff” water-shed, jjaudthitfk'lt; should be ‘aecuredras soon as possible. That a high level reservoir will be required for supplying the upper parts of the City there can be no doubt, and although the probable revenue that would be derived at present from the areas not already supplied would scarcely justify the necessary expenditure required for constructing a special reservoir and special Hue of pipeior this distinct purpose,. yet, in consequence of the rapidly increasing consumption in the lower parts of the City for manufacturing and other purposes, the upper portions of the City, where the mains arc already laid, are getting a weaker supply every day. It will, therefore, bo found necessary, at all events very desirable, that a highlevel reservoir should be provided, not only for supplying the upper parts of the City that have no water at present, but also for supplying a large area where the mains are already laid at high levels, near the limits commanded by the present reservoir. It is obvious that securing the land as a site for the proposed high-level reservoir is the first step to be taken, because, until this is done, not even a reliable estimate of cost can be calculated, I would again recommend that sections 88 and 86, tho property of the late Mr Galloway, be purchased immediately. No improvements c m be effected at the present upper reservoir until this is done, we arc prohibited from clearing the creek, or removing weeds, because we have no power to enter upon the land. As scon, as the Corporation acquires this land, I propose to submit recommendations for improving the quality of tho water now supplied to the City.” The letter was referred to the Water Supply Committee, with power to make arrangements with the owner of the land referred to.

Among suggestions referred to the various committees for consideration were one by the Market Inspector, that a fish market should be placed in the Octagon, near the meat market; and a motion by Cr. Isaac that a cabman named Lcckie who had been fined for assaulting another cabman should be suspended. The Surveyor’s suggestion that the Council should purchase the proposed section at Green Island, distant two and a-half miles fnom the City of Dunedin, for a manure depot, led to some'discussiou, and ultimately it was resolved not to purchase it. It was resolved to spend L2OO in improving the Octagon. live committees reported. There was considerable discussion over the clause iu the Finance Committee’s report recommending that no exemption from payment ofjliccnse should be allowed to Mr Sibbald iu respect of the Press Club’s billiard table. The exemption was supported by Ore, Fish (who pointedout that another club'in the City was not required to pay a license), Isaac, Mercer, Reeves, and Woouland, and opposed by Crs, Walter (who said the club’s table was really iu an hotel), Barron, and Beck, The report, as read, was adopted. The Reserves _ Committee, while recommending the Council to deal with the matter, reported that it saw no objection to granting the request of the Working Men’s Club for a lease of land in the Octagon reserve ; and further recommended that provision be made for the extension of Fredev .ck s tre et th rough the w hj arves and quays reserve. The clause referring to the Working Men’s Chib was referred bade to the committee for further information. The Water Supply Committee recommended the appointment of Mr Alexander Gillies,as reservoir-keeper; and reported that water-pipes had been laid in Clyde street north and Cargiil road, Kensington ; and that they had accepted the offer of the trustee in Galloway's-estate to sell the laud required for reservoir extension, twenty-one acres (more or less) at L 35 per acre, 1/200 being paid iu cash and the balance in six per cent, water debentures at par. The Works Committee reported inter'alia, recommending that the ladder truck required by the Fire Brigade should be ordered from Chaplin and Co., and constructed under Captain Wain’s supervision ; that a portion of the Octagon Market Reserve be set aside for a fish market, and that the Market Inspector report to tho Council as to the most advisable site; that the footpaths in Princes street south, wost side, from Stafford street southwards, be lowered to thep rmanout level at the same time that the street shall be ■widened ; also, that the footpath on the west side be made to a width of loft whore the street is to be chain wide ; that Athol place, between Frederick and Hanover streets, be metalled ; that the Surveyor had been instructed to cover thetrer.ch at the Manure Depot with planks and earth, and take necessary steps to abate any nuisance at the depot; and that the clause in arbitration bonds, rc Princes street widening, had been referred to the Town Clerk and City Surveyor to adjust, which they concluded as follows That the arbitrators shall determine how much money shall be detained in the hands of the Corporation until the tenant shall have built a foundation wall to amt the building he has delefmined to erect. That the clause compelling the Corporation to build retaining walls be struck out.” The clause re the Fire Brigade was struck out. It was also reported that Cr. Walter had been elected chairman of the Reserves Committee, ami Cr. Reeves of the Works Committee.

G.VSWO UliS. Cr, Reeves moved— 11 That this Council having affirmed the desirability of having Gasworks of its own, is now of opinion that tbe time has arrived when action should be taken towards this end. That, with a view to the probable purchase of the existing Gasworks, the Town Cleik bo instructed to write to M r Hankey’s representative, asking him if he is willing to sell, and, if so, if lie will state a definite price for the property. That, in the event of no satisfactory arrangements for purchasing being come to with the owners of the present works on or before the Ist March next, tenders be called for the erection of City Gasworks.” Cr. Gmsox proposed that this maiter’should be discussed in committee. tr, I’isu objected, bat had no objection to a special meeting next V/edne-dav to discuss the question. ti r. Reeves tnonght it would be well for the Council to adjourn till tliat day week. He wished to alter tbe w’ords, *' Tenders to be called for the erection of” to “ Immediate steps betaken to erect ” City Gasworks, lie moved ‘ I'hat a special meeting of the Council be called to consider the question,” wiiich was carried. LEASE OE CORPORATfOX PROPERTY. Cr. Isaac moved —“ That in the opinion of this Council, it is desirable tint the Corporation property extending from Police street to the Spanish restaurant be immediately put up to auction in suitable building sections on twentyone years’ lease.” Un the foregoing resolution being carried That in the opinion of this Council, it is desirable that two months’ notice be given to. the promoters of the Sailors’ Home to quit the premises now occupied by them in terms of agreement.” The ground was lying idle, and it could be made an ornament to‘ the City, and bring in a handsome revenue. Ci. Reeves trusted his seconding the motion would not be construed into a desire to interfere with the recent arrangements of the Sailors’ Home Committee. Numbers of parties were anxious to secure building sites, which were very scarce. On the motion of Cr. Beck, consideration of the matter was deferred for a week.