CITY COUNCIL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 186, 3 August 1878, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

The fortnightly meeting of the Council was held last uight. Present : Crs Hooper (ia the chair), Levieu, Harley, Crewdsou, Hounsell, Webb, and Johns.

A number of letters were read, including the following :— From Mr liouosell, calling attention to the state of the Nile-street bridge. Agreed that it be put in a stsite of proper repair ; from the Crown Lauds Department, stating that the Government would consent to hand over the waterworks reserve to the Corporation, provided it was surveyed. The cost of the survey, it wa3 stated, would be £120, and the matter was referred to the Finance Committee. An opinion was received from Messrs Adams and Kingdou to the effect that land on which there were no buildings, such as hop grounds, were liable to be rated for water. A letter from the Colonial Secretary stated that instructions had been issued to the Collectors of Customs to have all kerosene tested before being landed.

The report of the Public Works Committee recommended that, in order to lessen the expenses of the gasworks, the services of tho foreman be dispensed with. It was agreed that he should receive a month's salary in lieu of notice.

The Market Committee recommended that Trafalgar-street north between the pedestal and Halifax-street be proclaimed a public market between the hours of 10 a.m. rnd 4 p.m. on Saturdays, and that Mr Jennings be appointed to superintend. Agreed to. An additional 9s a week for horse feed was voted to the lamplighter. The City Surveyor's report, among other thing3, recommended that asphalte should be used whenever redairs were needed in the footpaths. Referred to Public Works Committee.

The following tenders were opened : — For filling in at the back of Bridge-street : Thompson and Wise, £68 9s; W. Jones, £6o; R. Carter, £62 7s 6d ; Merrick and party, £95; Dwyer and Jennings, £110. For cutting and filling pipe trenches in Wellington and Examiner streets : J. Chapman, 12s per chain; R. Piper, 13s 6d; Dwyer and Jennings, 13s 6d; Thomaa and Wise, 13s 6d; A. Glover, 14s 8d; A. Carter, 15s 9d; A. Davis and Co, 17s 10d; W. Smalley, 20s. An: informal tender was received from Mr R. Carter. In both cases the lowest tender was accepted.

A telegram was received from the Mayor from Ashburton, saying that he should he in Wellington in a few days, and asking whether he should be authorised to attend the Municipal Conference on the subject of town reserves.

Cr Webb thought that Nelson should endeavor to secure the endowments to which it was entitled like other places. Reserves had been made by the New Zealand Company, but when they fell into the hands of the Governor of the day (he would not mention his name, for be could never do so without losing his temper ; it was only necessary to say that he was now in power; when they passed into his hands, Nelson was robbed of them, and they should try and get an equivalent.

Cr Levieu mored and Cr Johnß seconded, That the Mayor be not authorised to attend.

Cr Webb moved and Cr Crewdson seconded, That the Mayor be requested to use his own discretion in the matter.

The amendment was put and lost, and the original motion was carried.

Leave was granted to Messrs Wilkins and Hounsell to store 160 gallons of kerosene in certain buildings specified. On an application being received from Mr Hounsell to store loolbs of gunpowder, it was resolved, on the motion of Cr Crewdaon, That in no case should leave be granted for the storage of more than 50 lba.

. Cr Crewdson hoped that the Town Clerk would write to the Mayor, reminding him of the promise to get an Act passed empowering the Council to have the " fever pit" near his house filled up. The Council then adjourned.