CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1697, 29 July 1879, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

Monday, July 28. Tho usual weekly meeting of the Ccnncil was held at 7 p.m. Present—His Worship the Mayor, Crs. Gapes, Tromayne, Binstead, Wilson, Jenkins, Clifford, Lezard, Ayors. The town clerk reported tho receipt of £659 6s 7d from all sources during the week on general account, and £l7l 4s 3d on drainage rate account. Tho Dr. balance at the Bank on general account was staled at £3562 I6j 2d. The credit balance on drainage rate account was stated as being £ll2 lis Id; bills amounting to £292 16a 3d. The Mayor said that arrangements had been made with Messrs Drewett and Hubbard to take out the quantities of the plans for the Municipal offices. The quantitative surveyors would, perhaps, be able to report in about a week.

In answer to a question from tho Mayor, Cr. Wilson said that a letter had been sent through the town clerk, Dunodin, ordering urinals similar to these which were in use in Duredin. It was resolved that the town clerk write to the town clork, Dunedin, asking when the urinals might be expected.

Cr. Wilson asked what had been done with Conference street.

The Surveyor stated that the street had been channelled and shingled, which had exhausted the money subscribed. No doubt the difficulty arose from the Etreot not having been asphalted, which would bo done in the spring. Cr. Lezard asked whether it would be competent for architects competing to protest against the report of the quantitative surveyors if they thought that the quantities taken out were erroneous.

The Mayor said that this was a moat difficult question to answer, and one which at the present time it would be highly injudicious to answer. Tho matter was in the hands of the committee, and to them the quantitative surveyors would report. In answer to Cr. Cass, Cr. Jenkins said that a deed of submission to the arbitration was being prepared re the East belt bridge. The committee had retained Mr Dobson as their arbitrator, and the contractor had appointed Mr C. Cuff. A letter was read from Mr Robottom asking leaTS to erect a hair-drcascr's polo in High street.

It was agreed that leave be given subject to the approval of the surveyor. It was resolved, in answer to an application from Mr Orerar, that an iron bridge be placed over the channel in High Btrcet, on payment of the cost by the writer. The report of the city surveyor was read as follows:—• The work on Victoria Btreet is now finished, with the exception of one crossing, which will take ouo ruoro day's work. The expenditure on it baa been as follows : Wages to men .£319 19 8 Hire of carts 154 13 6 Total .£SO-1, 13 2 The men that wero engaged for this work have now all been discharged except ten, which number I propose to keep two or threo days longer in order to get some of the streets cleared of mud, which has accumulated in almost every street of the city. C. Walkden, City Surveyor. The reports of the rate collector, inspector, and ranger were read and adopted. The fire brigade committee reported that they had consulted with the insurance companies regarding the cost of telephonic wire to Superintendent Harris's house, and it was probable it would be defrayed by the insurance companies. He might say that Mr Superintendent Harris had been trying experiments by heating the water in the boilers

of the engines by gas and keeping it at boiling heat, ao that the Brigade when called out would not be obliged to wait for steam to be got up. The success of tho experiment had been very great, and he thought it was most probable that the insurance agentp, who had boon present at the experiment, would pay tho cost of the gns. As regarded tho new bell tower, the cost would bo £3OO, of which it was proposed the Council should pay £IOO and the insurance companies £2OO. Tho bell was proposed to be erected at tho Lichfield street station. Ho gave notice of motion—- " That the Council undertake to pay £IOO for the erection of the tower to 45ft. contingent on the firo insurance companies paying a similar sum."

Or. Cass, on behalf of the water supply committee, said that ho regretted they had nothing to report officially, partly because of tht weather and partly because the foreman of woiks had not put in an appearance. Ho had seen Mr White on Thursday, who had told him that ho was going up on Tuesday, when it was probable that tho cylinder would be sunk ond pumping take place. It was owing probably to the weather that the foreman of works had not called on him and given him information upon which he could speak to tiie Council. , Or. CUftu-d moved—" That a kerosene lamp be placec at tho cornor of T j Ol .. s kuo and Manchester , root norfch _„ Cr. Jenkins as i, airman of the llghting commi toe, wished C. cl;ffjrd wit ? ldra £ h,s motion for the pre., lt ft mfiin would be there Bhortly. ° After some discussion it rc3olved that *?,. 0 » un „ oil ereot a lan ?£ P 3Bl Vhich could be utilised for gas, on tho undo. di th t the inhabitants provide kerosene a., j- P. lamp.

The Council at five minutes to ei M . , journed to next Monday at tho usual ho.