CITY COUNCIL.

Evening Star, Issue 4095, 11 April 1876, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

The fortnightly meeting of the City Council was held to-day; present—The Mayor and all the Councillors. John Thomas, contractor, wrote wishing to lay certain facts connected with the alleged assault on Mr John Barnes before the Council. Only the first sentence had been read, when several Councillors jumped up, and the Mayor expressed the opinion that the Council should not take the letter into consideration as the case was under investigation in a Court of Justice. Cr. Isaac wished the letter read, but as the matter was sub Judice, Councillors should refrain from making observations on it.—Cr.i Grant was of a like opinion.—Cr. Leary pointed out that the Press would then be in possession of the facts. Cr. Grant might himself read the letter if he wished.—Cr. Grant ob{'ected to be told in a sneering way that he le could read for himself.—Cr Leary explained that he never intended to be discourteous, and merely offered the suggestion in order that the difficulty might be got over.—Cr. Grant accepted the apology.—lt was finally decided that as a case was pending in Court, the Council could not listen to any complaint, and that the letter should be returned. On a letter being read from Mr Mirams, City Surveyor, in connection with the Waterworks, the Mayor mentioned that Mr Mirams had informed him that Mr M 'Gregor, C.E., late Engineer to the Waterworks Company, had promised him every assistance in his power. A unanimous vote of thanks was accorded to Mr M‘Gregor. The Mayor brought under the Council’s notice the resolutions presented to him by a recent deputation of representatives of Churches, requesting the exemption of Churches from water-rates. The matter was referred to the Waterworks Committee for report. The Reserves Committee recommended That the prayer of the memorialists for the right to graze cows on the Town Belt be declined; that the size of the adv atiaing space at Dowling street he extended to cover the whole face of the bank, and tenders be calle d for the use thereof as formerly recommended.

The Fire Brigade Committee recommended: — That steps be immediately taken to erect anew Fixe Brigade station, an alarm bell be there provided, and tenders be called for the construction of alight ladder track; Messrs Burt have been instructed to make a new double-acting hydrant at a cost of L1010a; that it would not be safe for the City to lose the temporary services of eight picked men from the present Brigade for the length of time, which a visit to the proposed United Brigades’ demonstration at Ballarat in May next would involve, especially os the Brigade is only newly formed, and that therefore the Committee cannot view the proposed visit with favor, although in some respects it might be beneficial for some of our firemen to have an opportunity of competing with the Australian firemen, who are admitted to be very effective. The Public Works Committee recommended— That the Council decline the responsibility of removing the gates at the railway crossing, which Mr Blair, District Engineer, had written should be removed, and a signal-man stationed there if the Coaii' il desired it; a dispute having arisen between Messrs Davies and Sinclair, owners of adjoining properties, as to the right conferred upon the holder of the first issned building permit, the committee decided that in future the first applicant shall have priority for three months from date of isoue; that work has been ordered to be resumed at Maclaggan street quarry at on early date. [Left sitting.]