CITY COUNCIL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 182, 31 August 1878, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

The ordinary fortnightly meeting was held last night. Present, all the members except Crs Everett and Hounsell. Permission was granted to K. Lloyd, the night watchman, to keep an alarm bell in the Trafalgar-street pedestal. A letter from Mr J. May, complaining of the disgraceful state of Beachville, was referred to the Public Works Committee. An application from the Secretary of the Fire Brigade, asking that all fines inflicted on persons for allowing their chimneys to take fire might be handed over to "the Brigade was granted. It was agreed to extend the water service to the Government Wharf, the cost of which according to the City Surveyor's report! would be £77. Upon the Finance Committee's report being brought up, Cr Harley objected to the remission of certain rates recommended in it. He would be against any rates whatever being struck off. He also spoke of the late case of Thiel v. the Corporation, aud thought there should be some law to prevent a penniless individual bringing an faction to trv and squeeze money out of another person o'r corporation when he had not sufficient to pay the costs in the event of his losing, and was of opinion that no solicitor should take up such a case. With regard to their own solicitor's account, he could not understand all the six-and-cightpences. It seemed that the Town Clerk could not go near the Corporation's solicitor without their being charged 6s Bd, and when the solicitor wanted information regarding any of their cases he went to the Town Clerk for advice, aud charged 6s 8d for getting it. He would also like to know how it was that the Corporation had to pay Mr Pitt £6 6s iu the Thiel case when they had obtained a verdict. (The Town Clerk explained that it was on account of certain proceedings before the Supreme Court in Wellington, where the decision was against the Corporation.) Cr Harley then moved, and Cr Crewdson seconded, That the Council do not continue to retain any particular solicitor. This was carried unanimously. Cr Harley called attention to a building in Bridge-street belonging to Mr Oakey, the doors and windaws of which were left open, thus creating a risk of fire. It was resolved that Mr Oakey be requested to close it. Cr Little proposed that urinals he erected in the principal streets. It was resolved to ascertain the cost first. The Mayor said that he had telegraphed to Mr Curtis asking what action the Nelson and Marlborough members proDosed to take in reference to the Public Works Statement, and had received a reply to tie effect that he had already called a meeting of the members for Saturday morning, Cr Hooper proposed that a public meeting be held to consider the matter, and expressed the hope that the inhabitants of the country districts would attend it, and generally co-operate with the town in endeavoring to obtain some of the advantages of the public works system. Cr Hooper moved that the Finance Committee be requested to report upon the waterworks with a view either to reducing the rates or to extending the supply with the I balance in hand. : Cr Harley seconded the resolution. [ Cr Webb moved as an amendment that seven-inch pipes be ordered at once to be laid down between Brook-street and the Waimea road. Cr Little seconded the amendment, which was lost, and the original resolution was agreed to. The Council then adjourned.