CITY COUNCIL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 99, 28 April 1877, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Council was held last night. Present— The Mayor, Crs Levien, Gray, Webb, T. Harley, and Pickering. ! A letter was read from the Mayor to the Minister for Public Works, urging upoi the Government to proceed with the extension of the railway to the Port. A letter was read from Mr Field complaining of the gorse on certain acres bordering on the Wainiea Road. It was referred to tho Inspector of Nuisances. A letter from Mr Ingham regarding a road in Toi-Toi Valley was referred to the Public Works Committee. A letter was received from Mr Newport, offering to supply broken metal from the Brook-street quarry at 7s per yard in town, and 5s 6d on the ground. Permission was granted to Mr Naylor to erect a verandah in front of his house in Hardy-street, subject to the usual conditions. A letter was read from Mr Curtis, stating that the balance of the sum applicable to the maintenance of bridges under the Provincial Appropriations Extension Act which remained unexpended at the end of 1876 was now exhausted, and that all completed bridges must henceforth be maintained by, and at the cost of, the local bodies having charge of the roads which lead to them. A letter was read from Mr George, the manager of the Wellington Gasworks, stating that he could visit Nelson at the end of the present month for a week, and that his charge would be £3 3s for each day he was absent from Wellington, and all expenses to be paid. Cr Pickering thought that Mr Gc:rgo would have to be here at least a month, and did not think the Council would be justified in incurring such an expense. Cr Gray did not regard M? Gecrge as an expert, and was of opinion that there was no reason to believe that he knew anything more about the matter than the Nelson l onager. Cr Webb expressed doubts as to Mr George's ability in the capacity of gas engineer, as he had noticed that complaints with regard to the Wellington gasworks were very frequent in the local papers. The Mayor complained that the Council were placing him in a very unfair position. At their last meeting they requested him to write to the various managers in New Zealand, asking whether any of them could visit Nelson, and now they seemed inclined to regret having passed that resolution. Cr Levien supported the Mayor. He thought if Mr George was here for a week it would be enough, and he would propose that he be invited to come. The motion was put with the following result:— Ayes 3: the Mayor, Crs Levien and T. Harley. Noes 3: Crs Gray, Pickering, and Webb. The Mayor gave his casting vote with the Ayes. An extension of the time for erecting the culvert in St. Vincent-street was granted to Mr Dement. A letter was read from Mr 11. Newport, stating that he would oppose the erection of the proposed glueworks in Toi-toi Valley. The report of the Public Works Committee was read. It contained the following suggestions :— That Mr Lightband be ininformed that the filling up in Nile-street to which he had referred was being gradually proceeded with ; that a culvert of Maitai stone be built in Weka-street ; that the metalling of Haven road be discontinued for a week; that a cargo of Colliugwood coal be brought over as a sample of the heap remaiuing there. The report was adopted, and it was resolved that the metalling of Haven road be proceeded with in patches. The City Surveyor's report was read, but it contained nothing of interest. The following tenders were received for the banking business of the Corporation: — . Bank of New South Wales— To allow overdraft of £2000 during the year, if required, at the rate of 7 per cent per annum on the daily balance. To allow 5 per cent on daily credit balance. Exchange free. Eiink of New Zealand— lnterest on overdraft 7 per cent. Interest on credit balance 4 per cent. Exchange free. Union Bank of Australia— lnterest ou overdraft 7.\ per cent. Interest on credit balance 5 per cent. Exchange free. Colonial Bank— lnterest on overdraft 7 per cent. lutercst on credit balance 5 J per cent. Exchange free. National Bank — Interest on overdraft 7 per cent. Interest on credit balance 4£ per cent. Exchange free. The tender of the Colonial Bank was accepted. For carting slab stone from the Maitai tenders were received as follows ;— W. Orsman, 14s Cd per yard; J. Lock, 12s 6d; R. Grant, 12s 6d.— The two last named tenderers being present, drew lots, when Mr Grant was the successful drawer. The following tenders were received for cutting a ditch on the mudflat:-W. Dane, £3 per chain; J. Gibbs, £1 19s Gd; E. Carter, £1 19s: Haslam and party, £1 iGs; S. Newport and party, £1 15s; W. Jennings and party, £1 10s; Johu Cairn, £L 9s Gd; E. Christian and party, £1 9s ; Goodman and party, £1 8s; D. Macrae, £1 5s sd; J. S. Jones, £1 0s Gd. The tender of Mr Jones was accepted. The Council then adjourned. » ■ , _. %