CITY COUNCIL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 243, 13 October 1877, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the City Council was held last evening. Present: Hia Worship the Mayor (in the chair), Crs Webb, Levien, Gray, Everett, Hooper, and Bethwaite. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Several letters and telegrams were read from John Sharp, Esq., in reference to the transfer to she City Council of the Gas and Waterworks. The substance of these was that the city members had waited upon the Under Secretary, who had promised to bring the offer of the Council before Hon. Ministers and obtain from them a definite proposal in reference to the transfer. A letter from H. Newport and others, askingfor the construction of a road pn the side of the hill between Oraman's and Ingham's was referred to the Public Works Committee. A letter was read from Robert Carter, complaining that the City Surveyor— in reference to the contract for making up Halifax and Trafalgar streets— had neglected to point out the places in the Maitai wheref rom the writer could obtain gravel, and in consequence the writer had lost some r £soby the contract ; and he prayed that th. Council would consider whether under the circumstances he was not entitled to compensation. The City Surveyor was consulted, and by his statement it appeared that the loss on the contracc complained of arose solely from the contract being taken at too small a price. Every facility was afforded the contractor to enable him to obtain gravel. It was decided that the application could not be entertained. A letter was read f jom Messrs Adams and Kingdon, stating that the Municipal Corporation Act authorised the Council to levy a special rate with the consent of the majority q£ one-fifth of the ratepayers. Telegrams were read from the Mayor of Wellington, asking assistance for the sufferers by the Indian famine. The Mayor stated that subscription lists had been placed in the different Banks, A letter was read from .Messrs N. Ed warda and Co., London, stating that upon receipt of the proper documents, the writers would collect the insurances due upon the cargo lost in the Queen Bee; The lease of the site for the marine baths was received from the Under-Secretary. Letters from Mr J. Von Tunzleman; asking leave to occupy North ' Esk-street, and Dr Williams, asking leave to enclose Mountstreet, were received, aiid their consideration deferred, until next meeting of the Council. A letter was received from Mr, Campbell, asking that the completion of the lease of the mill-race might be deferred for two months, to allow for procuring the pipes required. The Town Clerk was instructed to inform Mr Campbell that when the Council was satisfied the pipe 3 had been ordered, a reasonable extension of time would be granted. The report of the Public Works Committee was read, with the following result : — Mr Lightband was allowed a branch service upon payment of £1 per annum. Mr Stewart was informed that the water service asked for was being laid down. In reference to the application of Mr Amos and others for the formation a drain in Church-street, consideration was deferred. until the finances of the Council will allow the expenditure. Upon th« motion of Cr Webb, second by Cr Hooper, it was agreed tbat the City Surveyor should ascertain from Auckland and Melbourne the cost of the pipes required. .. Consideration of a letter frora Mr Franzen and others, asking for an additional lamp at the Port, was deferred. The Council agreed that if the Port Fire Brigade erected a lamp over the door of their Brigade Hall, the Council would supply gas for the same free of charge. In reference to a petition from the inhabitants of Albert Road, for repairs to a culvert, the Town Clerk stated that the thoroughfare was declared a public highway by a Magistrate's order in 1869. It was resolved that the Public Works Committee should visit the locality aud report upon the best and least expensive way of carrying out tlie repairs required. The City Surveyor xeported the quantity of coals carbonized at the gas-works during thp month of September as 45 tons 9cwt 2qr, and this liad produced 462,350 cubic feet of gas. The estimated loss by leakage, condensation, &c , during the month was estimated at 76,050 feet. In compliance with instructions, the City Surveyor reported that the cost of constructing a culvert in Selwyn Place, together with the necessary work to counect the same with the main sewer, would be £247. A long and desultory discussion ensued in reference to this work, and it was eventually resolved that no special works could be undertaken uutil the finances of the Council were in a more flourishing condition, and the Town Clerk was instructed to inform the petitioners of the decision of the Council. The usual accounts were passed for payment. Two tenders for the construction of an additional water-cart were received, viz: — Gorrie and Sons . . £26 10 0 John Humphrey « . £24 18 6 The tender of Mr Humphrey was accepted. This brought the business to a conclusion, and the Council adjourned.