CITY COUNCIL.

Evening Star, Issue 6725, 6 October 1885, Page 4

CITY COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the City Council was held last night; present—His Worship the Mayor, Crs Eliott, Fagan, Cairns, Spedding, Murray, Dawson, Barron, Mathews, Barnes, Robin, Esther, and Carroll. CORRESPONDENCE. Mr A'. E. Thomson drew attention to a nuisance on section opposite his property, Manor terrace.—The inspector of nuisances reported that there was stagnant water and offensive matter on the section referred to, and the persons at fault had been notified.— Referred to Works Committee. Mr C. R. Chapman wrote on behalf of Mr R. Chapman, asking for reduction of rent on part-of section 4, block 19, Waiwera district, from 20s to 10s per acre, on the ground of the great fall in the price of property, this land not being now worth 5s per acre as rent.—Referred to Reserves Committee for report. The Excelsior Cricket Club requested permission; to cut sods for a new pitch at Montecillo.—Refused, on the ground that the other clubs would be induced to prefer similar requests, and the reserves would thus be greatly cut up. The Railway Department wrote pointing out that the nearest fire annunciator to the goods sheds was too far away in case of fire, and they asked that one should be erected near the over-bridge.—Referred to Fire Brigade Committee. The Harbor Board wrote that their Engineer was now forced to proceed with the filling-up of the area of the Board's endowment at the foot of Stuart street, so that immediate attention would have to be given to the sewer that permission was given to be temporarily constructed.—Referred to Works Committee. The South Dunedin Council complained of a nuisance existing on section 10, block 7, Town district.—Referred to Reserves Committee. Mr J. W. Jago wrote complaining of the valuation made of a section held by him under lease from the Corporation, and the lease of which expired on 9th December.— Referred to Reserves Committee for report. REPORTS. The following reports of Committees, as published last evening, were adopted : Tramways, Tramways and Vehicles and Public Works, Gas Supply, Water Supply, Market, Fire Brigade, Public Works, Reserves and Finance. BATHS AND SANITARY REPORT. The Mayor, in moving the adoption of the report, stated that the Committee had inspected Mr M'Leod's premises during the last fortnight, and they found the process of soap-boiling being carried on. Every member of Committee was perfectly satisfied there was nothing injurious in the soapboiling. The Committee reported that soapboiling should be permitted, provided there was no melting of tallow, which was the most obnoxious part of this business. He thought it would be doing an injustice to refuse this permission. Cr Carroll would record his vote against this recommendation. These works were very injurious to surrounding property, and they should all be carried on outside the boundaries of the City. If anyone went near these establishments on a hot day he would find them very obnoxious. Before a month passed over he believed this business would be carried on as it used to be before. Cr Dawson seconded the adoption of the report. The Committee, on inspecting the premises, found no smell whatever. He had experienced much greater nuisances in the Corporation streets. Cr Spedding did not endorse Cr Carroll's remarks to the fullest extent. He would point, out that there was a special by-law under which, if ratepayers petitioned respecting a nuisance on any premises, the Council had power to abate such nuisance. Therefore the public were perfectly well protected. He quite admitted that the factories referred to by Cr Carroll were a nuisance. Crs Esther and Mathews agreed that there was no nuisance on the premises when they visited the factory. Cr Fagan said the action taken by the Council would be the means not only of abating this particular nuisance, but others in the district. As one who had taken an active part in compelling Mr M'Leod to observe the law, he had much pleasure in supporting the report. Cr Babbon said Mr M'Leod might have got this permission long ago if he had sought for it; but he had acted under the impression that he had a right to carry on this work without the permission of the Council. They'had shown him, however, that he had not. Cr Murray said their position, although apparently different, was quite consistent with the action they had previously taken. _ Cr Carroll said he would withdraw his opposition. The Mayor said other factories in the City were in the same position as Mr M'Leod's. Factories established in the City since the Public Health Act was put into force which were carried on without the permission of the Council were unlawfully in operation. It would lie with the inspector of nuisances to decide whether those people should be looked up. The report was adopted. committee appointments. Cr Robin was substituted for Cr Esther on the Water and Reserves Committees. Cr Murray was substituted for Cr Robin on the Market Committee. Cr Cairns was substituted for Cr Mathews on tjlie Water Supply Committee. Cr Esther was substituted for Cr Robin on the Fire Brigade Committee.