CITY COUNCIL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 231, 29 September 1877, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

The fortnightly meeting of the Council was held last night. Present, all the members. Letters were read as follows :— From Messrs Lightband & Co., applying for water to drive a machine, referred to the Public Works , Committee; from Mr Shallcrass, stating that after October 13th prisoners when working for the Corporation would not be supplied with tools belonging to the gaol; from the residents in Church-street, drawing attention to an open drain in Trafalgar Square which was said to be in a dangerous state, referred to Public Works Committee; from Joseph Stewart and others requesting that a road in Brook-street should be thrown open. The Surveyor waa instructed to have the road opened; from the residents at the Port applying for a lamp to be erected near the new post office, referred to the Public Works Committee ; from Mr Von Tunzelmann, requesting that the Council in laying off North Eskstreet would put it as little back on his property as possible. A committee consisting of the Mayor, Crs Gray, Pickering, Hooper, Webb, and Everett, together with the City Surveyor, was appointed to enquire into the matter. A telegram from J. Sharp, Esq., M.H.E., was read, stating that the lease for the proposed baths at the Port had been forwarded ftom Wellington by the Ringarooma. It was decided to give instructions to Mr Gilbertson to proceed with the work at once. The report of the Public Works Committee was read. It recommended among other things that permission should be given to put a drain across the Haven Road from Mrs Hamilton's house- that the water tables in RusseU-street be cleaned, and that tenders be called for the supply ■ of an additional water cart. The report -was adopted. The City Surveyor's report on the Gas and Waterworks was read as follows:— " City Surveyor's Offlce, " September 28. " To the Mayor and City Council. " Sir and Gentlemen,— ln accordance with your request I submit a statement shewing the quantity of coal corbonised at the gas works during the twelve months endiug August 31st, 1877, toge her with amount of gas produced from same. This will be found in the following statement:— Amount of coal carbonised, 615 tons llcwt2qrs; quantity of gas passed through station meter, 5,099, ;io feet - passed through, consumers meters, 4,235,940 ; difference between station and consume *s' meters 863,370 feet. The above statement shewing the consumption of gaa by consumers' meters, is exclusive of gas in stock on August 31st, 1877, in excess of same on August 3 iat, 1876, which was 24,000 feet, which, if added to the consumption, will reduce the difference between the quantity passed through tie station meter and consumption by consumers' meters to 839,370 cubic feet. " I have, &c, " W. Lightfoot." The Mayor having stated that a deputation had waited upon him relative to the appointment and swearing in of a Volunteer Fire Company, it was decided that the Town Clerk should obtain some information from other places on the subject. Cr Tutty drew the attention ofthe Council to the bad condition of the road near Mr Gilbertson's property at the Port. It was agreed to expeud a small sum of money upon The eeport of the terms in which it was proposed to take over the gas and water works was read and adopted. It was decided that a copy of the conditions should be forwarded to the Colonial Secretary and to each of the city members, with a request to the latter to use their endeavors to get the proposed arrangements carried out. A long discussion then took place on drainage and sewers. Ultimately it was resolved that the City Surveyor be instructed to prepare plsns and levels of a system of drainage on a large seaie for the whole of the city. The Surveyor was requested to give au estimate of the probable cost of a culvert in Selwyn Place. It was agreed that the City Solicitor's opiniou should be obtained as to the power of the Council to levy a special rate for the construction of the Hardy-street sewer. It was decided that a rate of sixpenco in t"io pound should be levied for the six months commenc'ng October 1, 1877, and ending March 31, 1878. TEe Oohneil then adjourned.