CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2182, 22 February 1881, Page 4

CITY COUNCIL.

The Counoil met yesterday evening. Present—His Worship the Mayor, Councillors Lambert, Thomson, Hulbort, Cuff, Treloaver-, Chorrill, Taylor, Vincent, Bishop, King. The debit balance at the Bank was reported to bo £245 2s lOd.

The Mayor formally announced that the medals awarded to members of tho local Fire Brigade were presented on Wednesday last. Grs. Cherrill and Lambert apologised for their unavoidable absence on the occasion of the presentation. Tho Town Clerk read the statement of mooounts for the fortnight, whioh was as follows : —Receipts to 19th instant—On general account, £976 6s 5d ; on acoount of sinking fund, £22 10s. Bills to be paid, £4Ol lis lid.

The aocounts were passed and the bills ordered to be paid. The correspondence was then road and considered.

Mr W. A. Hay wrote asking permission to erect a transparency or gas in front of a building (next Bligh's restaurant), in whioh he proposes to hold an exhibition of pictures. Tho application was referred to the works committee, with power to act. From the Working Men's Club, soliciting the Council's patronage for a benefit performance.

On the motion of Councillor Bishop, the Counoil resolved to grant their patronage. From Mr A. Hamilton, asking permission for his band to play in Latimer square. The application was granted. A deputation waited on the Council in reference to the condition of the road on Oxford terrace East.

The works committee were authorised to take action in the matter. A letter was read from Messrs Garriok and ©owlishaw, in relation to the deed of concession to the tramway. It was decided to consider the letter in connection with the tramway committee's report. The report of the oity surveyor was read as follows:

1. Mr Collier baa made application for permission to erect a lamp at hia own oxceuso opposite hia premises at the junction of St. Asaph street and east belt, and requests to know if the Council will undertake the lighting of it. Tho lighting committee recommend that the lighting be not undertaken by the Council, as there ia already a lamp on the opposite side of the street. 2. The works committee recommend that two new horses be advertised for for the new water carts, as we are at present hiring horses for three carts—i.e., two for the new ■carta and one to replace one of the Council's horses which was lamed by a large nail laying in tho road. 3. Tho reaervea committee have considered the application of Mr Sherer to erect a boat »hod at the river aide, and they cannot recommend permission to erect any building that would be an obstruction to tho river. 4. In Tuam street there is a atone wall supporting a roof in a dangeroua state, and I have given the occupier of the premises. Mr Bobertson, notice that I require it taken down within seven (7) days. If I find my requisition is not complied with, I suppose I shall be right in causing it to be done ia compliance with the Municipal Corporations Act.—o. Walkdbn, City Surveyor. Tho report was considered clause by clause. Tho request in clause 1 was refused, clauses 2 and 3 were adopted. The report of the tramway committee was read as follows.-

The tramway committee has carefully examined tho draft deed of concession from the Council to tho Tramway Company having reference to the Lower High street extension, and begs to report tbat the draft now accords with tho terms on which the Council granted the concession. "With reference to the application of the Tramway Company for an extension of time to construct the Addington line, your committee haa to report that the line not having been begun within the time mentioaed in the order, the concession appears to be virtually dead, and your committee is, therefore, of opinion that it will be necessary for the company to have a fresh deed of conces--eion drawn up relative to this line. On the 11th October last your committee was authorised to obtain additional legal opinion respecting the Council'a power over the existing lines, Ac. Tho committee has obtained the opinion of the Attorney-General on the various points, and attaches tho documents hereto. ilef orenco was made in tho opinion to tho certificate of the engineer appointed by the Governor to pass tho lines, and your committee applied to the Government for a copy of such certificate. The correspondence relating thereto ia attached for the information of the Council.

Somo discussion took place on the motion of Or. Thomson, that the draft deed be adopted, with particular reference to the Addington route.

The ohairman of the Tramway Company n'ho was present, on being naked to express an opinion for the enlightenment of the Council, •uggested that as there appeared to be a difference of opinion on the subject, it might be well to postpone the consideration of it, with the objeot of holding a conference, which he hud no doubt would provo satisfactory to all -parties. After some further discussion, it was rewired that the question be postponed for a fortnight. Or. King movod—" That a return having been reoeived from several large cities of the colonics, showing that the price charged for •treet lamps is very muoh below that charged to this Oounoil, a copy of the same be forwarded to the Qua Company, pointing out the anomaly, and requesting a reduotion in prioe." Or. Cuff seconded the motion.

After some disouseion, during which it was proposed to move on amendment, Or. Sing agreed to amend his resolution to the effect that a letter be written to the Gas Company, asking them to reduce the prioe of KM to tho Council for street lamps. After dealing with several applications for licenses, the Council went into committee on (he water supply question, and on resuming adjourned.