CITY COUNCIL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 195, 16 September 1878, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

The Council met on Friday night. Present, all the members except the Muyor, in whose absence the chair was taken by Cr. Everett. Crs. Little, Trnsk, and Cross made the usual declaration aud took their seats. With reference to an unoccupied shGp in Bridge-street belonging to Mr Oakey, Cr. Harley moved that as the owner had neglected to act on the suggestion of the Council with reference to closing it, two Justices should inspect the building, Au amendment was carried to the effect that the Council should first take legal advice in the matter. The Public Works Committee in their report desired to record their appreciation of the services of Mr Webb, who for many years had been a member of the Board of Works and of the Council, aud to state how much his loss would be felt by the Council, and especially by that Committee. They reported that they had accepted the tender of Messrs Greig & Burton for paiuliDg fifty boards with the names of streets at 2s 9d per board. They also recommended that tenders be invited for the management of the Marine Baths until the 30th April. The report was adopted. The report of the Finance Committee recommended the reduction of the water rates on general house property from six to five per cent, and on land where there was no building from two to one per cenj, They reported that they had fully considered the Harbor Bill, and found that the Board would not have the control of the pilot and harbor dues, but that they would be devoted to the payment of the pilot, harbor staff, &c. The City Surveyor reported of the gasworks that during the last month 208 tons of coal had beeii carbonised, and had yielded 10,481 feet per ton, on which the loss by leakage, &c, had been about 18 per cent. He expressed his doubts as to the accuracy of the meter. The tbrec- new Councillors were placed ou the Public Works Committee, of which Cr Harley was appointed chairman. Cr Crewdsou again called attention to the neglected state of Russell-street, iv which there were now 1 1 1 houses, and moved that the City Surveyor be instructed to prepare plans and specifications for the necessary repairs with a view to their being undertaken at once. It was agreed to discuss the matter in the Public Works Committee. Cr Little called attention to the bye-laws, some of which he considered were too arbitrary; He referred specially to that one referring to vehicles left standing in the street, and after some discussion it was agreed to instruct the police that no action should be taken in cases where the wheels were chained. Cr Harley moved for a return of the number of attendances of each Councillor at the general and Committee meetings during the past year. — The same Councillor gave notice that he should move that the toll-gate ou the Waimea Road be abolished. The Council then adjourned.