CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1832, 6 January 1880, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

Monday, Jahuaet 5, The usual weekly meeting of the City Council was hold at seven o’clock. Present — His Worship the Mayor, Crs. Ayers, Lambert, England, Wyatt, Hulbert, Cuff, Oherrill, Vincent, Bishop, King, Taylor, and Gapes. The debtor balance at the Bank was stated as being £l4O 10s 33. The receipts for the fortnight were stated as being £521 16s 83. Accounts to the amount of £849 2s Id were passed and ordered to be paid. The Mayor pointed out that they had three months of their financial year yet to get through, and they were nearly £9OO on the wrong side of the ledger. He had called the attention of the Council to this more than once, and as this was a most serious matter, he hoped they would absolve him from any blame. [Hoar, hear.] In answer to a question from Cr. Ayers, The Surveyor said that all the works in connection with the Ferry road were not yet completed. Cr, Gapes asked if all the steps had been taken under clause 311 of the Act, with regard to the market reserve ? Or. Hulbert said the town clerk had no doubt taken all the necessary steps. In answer to Cr. England, The Mayor said that he did not think there was any clause in the Tramway Act to compel the Tramway Company to repair the damage done by reason of the traffic being diverted down near the channel by the banking up of earth on each side of the tramway. The Council of course looked to the works committee to see the streets- kept in order, and it would therefore be necessary for them to see whether the Tramway Company had exceeded their powers. Or. King asked how long the Drainage Board required Madras bridge to be closed ? He thought it was high time that the public had the bridge open again. The Surveyor said that the contractors took no notice of any communication sent by him to them. He had drawn the attention of the Drainage Board and contractor to the state of Madras street, and nothing had been done.

Or. Taylor said it seemed to him that the Drainage Board and the Tramway Company seemed to do what they liked with the streets,

and he thought that the City Council were p’aced in a very humiliating position. The Council should at once see what was their position. They should get legal advice, Cr. Bishop said that the city solicitors were also solicitors to the Drainage Board, and also ho believed the Tramway Company. Cr. Oherrill moved matter be referred to the works committee, with instructions to take legal advice on the subject.” Cr. Taylor seconded the motion, which was agreed to. A letter was read from the Tramway Company assenting to the artesian well at the station being connected with the tank in Cathedral square on condition of a tap being placed so as to give a supply in the tanks when wanted. The offer was accepted with thanks. In answer to Cr. Chorrill, The surveyor stated that.it would cost £4O to carry out the work. There were no tenders received on the second advertisement for the sinking of (rial wells to the second strata. The report of the city surveyor was read as follows: X. I have obtained the consent of the partite owning the property fronting on the Market Place between Victoria street aud Chester street to have the footpath lowered, and it is now being done. 2. Gosling’s right-of-way and Davis’ right-of-way are being formed, shingled, and channelled. 3. Antigua street south has been channelled. 4. The contract for cement was given to Messrs Guthrie and Larnach. The contract for timber was given to Mr J. Smith. The contract for one year’s supply of shingle was given to Mr J. L. Wilson, O. Walk den, City Surveyor. The report was approved. Tho report, of the Inspector of Nuisances was read. A letter was also read from the residents on the South Town Belt, calling attention to tho nuisance arising from an open drain. The report of the Inspector on the subject was read, elating that tho drain was dangerous to the public health. It was resolved that tho letter and report bo forwarded to tho Local Board of Health, with a strong recommendation from the Council that steps should be taken to fill up tho drain referred to. The quarterly report of the Superintendent of the Fire Brigade was read. He reported ten alarms daring the past quarter, none of which wore of a serious nature. The boiler of the Extinguisher was found to be in a bad state, and though it had been repaired temporarily, the fire brigade committee had ordered a new boiler from Messrs Shand, Mason and Co., of London. The report was considered to be very satisfactory. Cr. England moved—“ That permits be issued to builders, &c., to carry out any work that might be necessary to nee the footpaths ; that the sum of 5s per annum bo charged for such permit; and that the permit be subject to withdrawal on complaint of the police.” The Mayor said he thought that this should be given as a notice of motion. Or. England approved of this being done, and gave notice accordingly. Cr. Cherrill moved—“ That the Council invite fresh alternative tenders for the sinking of 2Jin. and Sin, artesian wells in the Whately road. Cr. Bishop seconded the motion, which was agreed to. It was resolved —“That the Pbebs bathe official paper of the Council for the next year." The Council, after going into committee on tho reports as to the hackney carriage licenses, adjourned until Monday next.