CITY COUNCIL.

Evening Star, Issue 4106, 25 April 1876, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

The City Council held their fortnightly meeting to-day; present, the Mayor, Crs. Brown, Gibson, Grant, Woodland, Quick, Campbell, Mollison, Beeves, and Eoberts. A letter was read from Mr John Douglas, offering thirteen acres in the Wakari district for abattoirs for the sum of L7OO. The Mayor said that nothing could be done in the matter of abattoirs till the new Municipal Act had passed the Assembly. Provision was made for the matter therein.

The following reports were brought up :

The Sanitary Committee reported that having duly considered the qnestion of subsidising the City nightmen such a coarse was not considered advisable.

The Gas Committee reported that the offer of Mr Keith Earn say to supply a cargo of coal had been declined, in view of the fact that tenders had been invited for coal supply. That Mr Kennedy’s offer to sell land adjoining the Gasworks had been accepted. the total amount of the purchase money being 1/1,145 for the complete block. The Finance Committee recommended that with a view to economising the expenditure for advertising, the Corporation advertisements be inserted in one morning and one evening paper only; alternate months; the ’ Daily Timen' and * News ’ one month; ihe * Guardian ’ and Stab the other; an advertisement to be inserted notifying the change at the end of each month. That the salary of the sexton at the South Cemetery be increased by L 5 ter annum as an allowance in lieu of house accomoatioru

Ihe Public Works Committee recommended that the improviments by the Surveyor at the North Cemetery lodge be earned out at a cost of 1.60, and that an additional room in brick be built at the lodge at an estimated cost of LIOO. That on additional sum of L2O be voted for the completion of the work now being executed by thegardener'smenatthe Town Belt,near Woodhangh, the former vote of LBO being expended. The Surveyor had been instructed to form a footpath along the road leading from Dnndas street to the Northern Cemetery. The application of the Deacons’ Court of Knox Church for permission to remove and relay a crossing at the Manse, George street, has been granted; the cost to be paid by applicants.

THE FIRE BRIGADE, On the Brigade's letter, which appears elsewhere, being read, Or. Grant suggested that the matter should be considered when more members were present.

The Mayor poirted out that it was not at all necessary to wait for members of the

Council when a quorum was present, unless the matter before the Council was very important ; they should not await the convenience of members.

Cr. Grant complained that the Council had been very backward in not supporting the Brigade to the extent of even one shilling. Now the matter had taken a change, and he thought the Council ought to give a xair and reasonable sum towards the expenses—an amount at least equal to the contributions by the insurance companies. Some persons said that our men were not equal to compete with those they would have to meet; but that was prejudging their merits of activity. He was prepared to move that LSO be given to the Brigade, providing that sufficient funds be received from the citizens, to enable them to visit Ballarat. It was only an excuse to say that eight men could not be spared for a month, as substitutes could be found to act in their places. The disbanded brigade would, no doubt, lend their services in a case of emergency like this.

The Mayor suggested that the letter be referred to the Fire Brigade Committee, and if necessary a special meeting of the Council be called immediately thereafter to consider the matter. He suggested this because the Fire Brigade Committee had sent a very temperate reply to the Brigade’s request, and to his astonishment he saw in the papers that the Brigade considered themselves the best judges as to whether the men could be spared. Cr. Grant agreed to this course, and a resolution to that effect was carried. Some minutes afterwards three members of the Fir* Brigade Committee entered, and

The Mayor stated that the committee wished the Council to deal with the matter at once.

Cr. Grant objected to the unusual course, but eventually waived his protest. Cr. Isaac considered the Brigade entirely under the control of the Corporation, in the relations of servants to masters. If any men went over to Ballarat, he should protest against their taking their uniforms, which he .considered the property of the City, He moved “ That the original resolution or report to the Council be adhered to by this Council, and that the Council consider it not wise, at the present time, to send eight men to represent them at the Fire Brigade demonstration at Ballarat.” Cr. Leary seconded the motion. Cr. Grant moved as an amendment—- “ That this Council reconsider its previous resolution and~vote LSO towards defraying the expenses of the Brigade.” Substitutes could easily be found. Cr. Isaac (sotto voce) : Perhaps prostitutes might, Cr. Grant called the Council’s attention to the remark, which he considered insulting to the Council. It was the meanest word that could be used.

Cr v ISAAC had merely said the word across the table. He did not say prostitution of what.

Cr. Grant ; You used the word prostitutes.

Cr. Isaac apologised for using the word

Cr. Mollison seconded the amendment.

The voting was, for the amendment—Cra. Grant, Roberts, and Mollison; against it—the rest of the Councillors. Cr. Grant then moved, as a further amendment, that the sum of L 49 19s be voted, but this found no seconder. Cr. Isaac’s motion was then put and carried, the voices of Crs, Grant and Mollison being the only ones in the negative.