CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1485, 19 November 1878, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

Monday, Noyembkb 18. The usual fortnightly meeting of the City Council was held last evening. Present—His Worship the Mayor and Crs. Gapes, Ayers, Cass, Tremayne, Jenkins, Ick, Wilson, Binstead, and Clifford, BT-LAWS, The Council first held a special meeting for the purpose of considering the by-laws relative to cabs, stage carriages, and hackney carriages. After a number of the by-laws had been discussed their further consideration was adjourned. The meeting then proceeded to the business of the ordinary meeting. THE SPOUTS COMMITTEE. A deputation from the sports committee, consisting of Messrs John Oilivier, Pratt, and Mitchell, waited on the Council in reference to a grant to that committee, Mr Oilivier stated that the object of the committee was to ask the Council to grant them a sum towards the anniversary sports. The Provincial Council having been abolished, they looked upon the City Council in loco parentis, and therefore asked for assistance upon this occasion. The sports had now been removed to Hugley Park, and most of the people who would attend them would be persons living in and around the city. The commilteeo was spending a good deal of money on the new course, and they hoped therefore that the Council would step a little out of their way, and give them a portion of their superabundant funds. Mr Mitchell said the committtce was desirous of calling the attention of the Council to the state of the bridge crossing the river and leading on to the ground. It was a very old structure, and they should like the surveyor to examine it with a view to strengthening it. His Worship the Mayor said he could give a promise that the bridge in question should be seen to at once, and no doubt with regard to the question of the donation a motion would be brought forward on the subject, and considered by the Council. Mr Oilivier said there had as a rule been about 8000 or 9000 people attending the sports in Latimer square. There would in all probability be a very much larger attendance now that the sports were removed to the park. The bridge in question might be tolerably safe for persons going to the sports, but it might be dangerous at the conclusion of the day, when the people would probably bo leaving the ground in great crowds together. Probably the sports committee might, in the future, give some assistance to the City Council for the building of a permanent and commodious bridge. The committee were now pleading in forma pauperis for the benefit of the public. Cr. Cass said he could see the total inadequacy of the bridge in question, but lie failed to see how it could bo strengthened sufficiently in time. He would suggest that the public should be allowed to pass the bridge going to the sports, but not to return that way—that it should bo absolutely barricaded —if it was not they might depend upon it there would bo some serious accident. Mr Mitchell did not think there would bo any particular rush at any time, and a couple of men, stationed for the purpose, could see that there should be no great crush of people at one time.

Mr Oilivier thought the change from Latimer square to the park would be an immense advantage to the citizens. Cr. Ick suggested that upon that day ’buses might run from the Carlton Hotel to town.

His Worship thought that, as far as the bridge was concerned, the deputation might rely upon it that the surveyor would not pass the bridge unless ho was fully assured, that it it would hold as many persons as could eland upon it at the one time. The deputation then thanked the Council and withdrew. FINANCES, The town clerk reported the receipts for the fortnight at £B2O Os 4d : —Drainage rates, £23 I 3s Id; drainage rate account, Cr. balance, £967 9s 61J ; balance Dr., £2528 2s 3d ; two weeks’ receipts, £B2O Os 4d —£1708 Is lid • bills paid, £707 0s lOd ; bills to pay, £345 17s sd. The Mayor drew the attention of the Council to the fact of one of the items, that for a horse, not having been passed by the works committee.

Cr. Ick said a report had gone abroad that ho had purchased the horse in question, and that it was very much blemished. lie begged to state that himself and Cr. Clifford had purchased the animal, and that they had had a most excellent trial of it. lie had never seen a horse shape so well. It worked admirably with the other engine horse, lie had spoken to the foreman of works that day, who had told him that it was a most excellent animal, and if there was any difficulty about the horse he should be prepared to purchase it himself, at the price paid for it, and he could then make money by it. He failed to see how it had got entered on the minutes that he had bought the horse, when as a matter of fact it was purchased by the works committee. Cr. Clifford also explained that they had taken a great deal of trouble about the horse. He, like Cr. Ick, would be very glad to take the horse over, and ho would then make £5 on his bargain. With regard to the editor of the “ Star ”

The Mayor said they had nothing to do with the editor of the “ Star.” Cr. Wilson - The editor of the “ Star ” is too contemptible to be worthy of notice. Cr. Gapes moved—“ That the account for the payment of the horse bo passed.” Ho considered £SO was a very low price to pay for a horse that was lilted for the work of the Council.

Cr, Wilson seconded the motion, and said that when he heard of the capital that was trying to be made for /political purposes, he went down and saw the horse himself, and he was prepared at once to give £55 for it. Cr. Ayers said on the certificate of the veterinary surgeon he could not have passed the account for payment. He did not challenge the purity of the purchase, but the judgment of it. The report of the veterinary surgeon was read.

Cr. Tremayne considered the horse was a very cheap one, and would stand for years, and improve at his work as time wont on. Cr. Cass did not think it would be a bad thing to buy horses and start an auction sale with them. But what they wanted was not a cheap horse, but a staunch horse. He thought one suspicious circumstance was the seller coming down so much in his price. He was no judge of horses, but he knew a horse from ari ass, and his opinion must therefore be taken for what it was worth. Ho also thought it looked very suspicious the veterinary surgeon declining to estimate the value of the horse. Ho was of opinion that an error of judgment had been committed. Cr. Jenkins, as a member of the works committee, would not have agreed to buy the horse it he had been in town.

The Mayor thought perhaps rather too much latitude had been allowed in this discussion. In the first place lie did not tor a moment doubt the purity of the gentlemen who hid bought the horse. Ho did not trouble hiniseU with what was said outside. As a matter of fact, he (the speaker) was no judge of a horse, but ho would not have bought this one after reading the certificate of the veterinary surgeon, particularly afler tiie endorsement that Mr Hill would much rather not put a value on it. They had entrusted the works committee wiih the power, and though they might have committed an error of judgment, the Council must pay lor the horse.

Cr. Wilson would not admit of any error of judgment. Cr. Clifford >;id Mr Hill had told him it was out of liia province to put a price upon fc io horse.

Cr D -.pcs would certainly have had no ]v si’ntiun'iu having the horse on the certificate of Mr Kill. Ho was very sorry the matter hud come before the Council in that

s nape. Cr. Ick would like to know how it was known outside that ho had purchased the ho?se.

The Mayor said any burgess had a perfect right to come to that Council to inspect any document or minute.

The motion of Cr. Gapes was then agreed

Cr. Ayers would feel inclined to move that Cr. Wilson’s offer be accepted. Cr. Wilson said ho could sell it for £7O by 12 o’clock to-morrow. TUK ANNIYEEBABT SPOET3. Cr. Wilson moved—“ That in the opinion of this Council public sports of a moral character should be aided by this Council, and that the application of the deputation of the anniversary sports committee bo at once conceded, and the sum of £25 be granted.” Seconded by Cr, Ick. Cr, Ayers wanted to know if they could legally vote the money. The Mayor replied that they had always done so. Cr. Jenkins questioned whether the money could be voted, us the sports were now going out of their boundaries.

The Mayor said he was rather sorry the question had been raised. The power had never been doubted. Perhaps it would be as well to refer the matter to the city solicitor. Cr. Clifford felt sure the Council had full power to make (ho vote. Cr. Cass moved as an amendment —“ That the sum of £2O be voted to the sports committee for the current year, but that the same shall not form a precedent in future years.” With regard to (ho legality of the question, he did not think (hey should consider that — custom in England in such matters was always considered before the strict law.

Cr. Binstead seconded the amendment. After some discussion, Cr. Cass withdrew his amendment, and the motion of Cr. Wilson was carried, it being understood that the opinion of the city solicitor should bo taken, QUEEN STEEET. A letter was read from Mr D. Christie, of Queen street, complaining of the “ disgraceful ” condition of that thoroughfare. Referred to the sanitary committee. HAEEY STEEET. A letter was read from J. Dickey, asking the Council to take this thoroughfare over, us it was in a very bad state. Referred to the sanitary committee. sueveyoe’s eepobt. The report was read as follows : 1. The water supply committee have arranged to make a trial with the steam fire engine at Boag’s springs next Friday. The nature of the place and the circumstances under which the trial is to be made precludes the possibility of gaugiug the quantity of water in any other manner than with a steam pump. 2. All the stone from Mr J. L. Wilson’s yard (viz. 356 cubic yards) has now been taken by us to repair High street, and therefore I was obliged to stop the work. I have since had an interview with Mr Wilson, nnd ho expressed his willingness to supply more at an advanced price. His offer in writing is in the hands of the town clerk. 3. In the Ghe-tcr street fire brigade station the plaster is cracked and out of order through the shrinking of the timber and the drying of the plaster. It would therefore bo advisable to have it repaired, and papered or distempered 4. Tenders for laying the concrete channel in Bedford row will be laid before the Council. 5. iho following building licenses have been granted since last meeting—viz,, Mr Brown, Ferry road ; Messrs Prudboe and Cooper, Manchester street; Mr Pepperill, Montreal street; Mr Whitley, Armagh street; Mr Made, Lichfield street; Air Bouidot, Lincoln road; Air Hamilton, Madras street; Trent Brothers, Durham s'ivct.

In reference to clause 1, Cr. Gapes suggested that the whole of the Council should visit the springs in question, the question with regard to the purchase of stone was postponed. The third clause was referred to the works committee.

The report as a whole was then approved, inspector’s report.

This report was read and approved of, most of the matters dealt with being referred to the sanitary committee.

FINANCE COMMITTEE’S REPORT,

Your committee have to report that the account for the formation, &c., of Carter’s lane was re fern d to them for collection.

They find that tho persons for whom the work wat) done have had their respective accounts rendered to them, but they decline to pay. '! he surveyor had been ordered to do the work wi'hout the owners of the property abutting on the street having been served with the proper notice under the Act, therefore your committee are not prepared to suggest what steps should be taken in the matter. H. Thomson, Chairman. It was resolved to leave the matter in abeyance for the present. TENDERS FOR BEDFORD BOW. A number of tenders were opened for concrete channelling for this thoroughfare. That of Messrs Prudhoe and Cooper was accepted at £1 3s Gd a chain. The Council ad journed at ten minutes to eleven o’clock uuiil Wednesday evening, at seven o’clock.