CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2310, 30 August 1881, Page 4

CITY COUNCIL.

The Council met last evening. Present — His Worship the Mayor, Ors. Hulbert, Taylor, King, 1 Vincent, Lambert, Ayers, Thomson, Treloavon; England, and Cuff. Or. Thomson drew attention to a remark made by Cr. Hulbert at a previous meeting, calling in question the accuracy of a statement by him (Or. Thomson) as to purchase of water cart. He made reference to it now in order to give that councillor an opportunity of substantiating the assertion or withdrawing it. —Or. Hulbert said if he was ia error ho should be happy to apologise ; but he certainly thought ho was correct, and hoped to be able to prove that what he had stated was correct.— Or. Thomson accepted the explanation, and would await Or. Hulbert’s proof. The credit balance at Bank was reported to be- £2311 17s lOd. Accounts for the fortnight—Receipts, £689 Os lid; bills to be paid; £751 8s 3d. A petition signed by 188 signatures of resident householders was received, praying the Council to rescind its resolution re the laying out and improvement of Oranmer square, on the ground that it was required as a place of recreation for the public. On the motion of Cr. King, ths consideration of this matter was deferred, to be taken in connection with Or, Lambert’s motion on the same subject. The usual water rata petition was read. The Town Clerk submitted an estimate of receipts and expenditure, which was approved, the prayer of the petitioners acceded to, and instructions given for the necessary notice to be given that a rate of IJd in the £ bo struck for watering the area described.— An application was received for the Council’s patronage on the occasion of a performance on behalf of the Widows’ and Orphans’ fund of the order of Foresters. Theapplication was granted. —Letters were road :—From Mr E. Tomline, re formation of Queen street. Also from MrA. Fraser, and Mr Wm. Stenning on the same subject.—After discussion it was resolved to reply that the Council had already passed a resolution that the parties interested would have to boar the whole cost of the work of constructing private streets.—From Mr J. Collins, pointing out that he was suffering a hardship by the operation of clause 31 of the building by-law. The city surveyor explained that this was an exceptional case, Mr Collins being really irresponsible, the fault lying with the men whom he had instructed to do the work, through whioh he was now, under the by-law, involved in expense for alterations. On the motion of Or. Thomson, consideration of the matter was deferred.—A letter from Mr Armishaw in reference to a market stall for which he had made application was referred to the reserves committe.

The City Surveyor’s report was read aa follows:—“ 1. The portion of asphalte footpath in Lower High street, which was deferred until the winter weather was passed, is now recommended by the works committee to be done, as the bad weather is now probably over. 2. The works committee recommend that a new iron culvert should be substituted for tho stone one now existing at the junction of Team and Manchester streets, to facilitate the passage of water during heavy rains. 3. The works committee recommend that the portion of the South belt between Lincoln road and Selwyn street should be formed, as it is now the only part of the bolt which is in an unformed state. The cost will be about £25. -.4. I have prepared a plan showing the levels of Oranmer square, and to what extent it can be levelled in order to come within tho sum placed on the estimates for that work. It is.proposed to moke a narrow gravel footpath from north to south, and another from east to west, each footpath to be carried in a straight-line through tho squire. The whole surface of the square to bo levelled and sown down with grass. The cost will be £97 13s, of which estimate the particulars will be seen on the drawing. 5. The two cab stands at the post office have been pitched with stone, 6. The forming of Oxford terrace, near the boat sheds has been completed so far as the earth will allow ; bnt, as there is still a large deficiency, it will be some time before the road can be completed, as I intend utilising the scrapings and trimmings of the roads to make up tho deficiency. 7. The alterations to improve the exits from the Theatre Boyal are now being made. 0. Waledbk, city surveyor,” Clauses il, 2, and 3 were approved ; clause A was deferred till Or. Lambert’s motion came under consideration ; the remaining clauses wore approved, and the report as a whole was adopted. The sanitary committee reported that they had dealt with tho complaint against the contractor for removal of rubbish, whom they had cautioned. The report was approved. The 'finance .committee reported as follows::—“ Your committee have considered the question of the best way of grunting the money to tho late Mr Jeffrey, under Or. ■King’s resolution, and have decided to recommend to the Council that, before taking any definite action, the moaning to be attached to the Council’s resolution of 11th September, 1876, should bo first determined. With regard to Mr Strangban’s request, your committee -beg to recommend that the Council accept 'from him the amount that would be due from him for rates had no error in the assessment been made.” It was resolved that the first .matter referred to in the report should be .considered in connection with Or. King’s resolution. The second clause was approved. The water -supply committee were authorised to employ legal advice. The election of a member of that committee to'fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Or. Ohertii), was postponed till after the municipal election.

Or. Lambert, in moving his resolution as to Oranmer square, remarked that those who had expressed their opposition to tho work appeared to labour under a misapprehension aa to his intention. However, to meet the view of all, ho would amend his resolution to read simply,” That Oranmer square be formed to a uniform -surface and sown with grass seed,” leaving .out all mention of the formation of footpatbe. —A discussion followed.— Or. Ayers moved, as on amendment, “ That tho-Council fill.np the hollows in the square, sow the same with grass seed, and plant the margin with trees;” Or. Thomson seconded the amendment. Or. Lambert then withdrew the motion. Or. iKing moved a further amendment in tho words of the original resolution on the order paper, but it found no seconder, and fell through. Or. Ayers’ motion was then put and carried. ■Or. King moved—“ That this Council vote the sum of £25 to the widow and children of the late Mr Jeffries.” Seconded by Or. Treleaven and carried, jin connection with this motion, after discussion, the report of the finance committee was formally adopted. The motion of Or. Hulbert re the re-organi-sation of the Council staff wac here considered. A report of the discussion, which resulted in tho mot on being carried, appears elsewhere. Applications for the position of inspector were received, but not opened.—Some matters of a routine and formal character were then dealt with, after which, at LljlO p.m., tho Council adjourned.