CITY COUNCIL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 296, 21 December 1878, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

The Council met last night. Present, all the members except Crs Johns and Little. Permission having been granted to Mr Scott at the last meeting to close Quebec Koad, an objection against it had been lodged by Mr Carruthers. T_i3 was taken into consideration, and a lengthy discussion ensued.— Cr Harley said that whenever these things were proposed there was always some one sure to show dirty spite. The present objection was all ex-Conncillor Webb's doing. He could swear that he had written the letter. — Crs Everett and Levien took up the position that any objection was made to closiDg a public road the Council had not the power to do so, — A motion for withdrawing the permission was then proposed and carried, Crs Trask and Harley opposing it. Cr Harley objected to tbe way iu which the hired carts and horses were beiug used, also that a concrete culvert across the railway reclamation was being built by the Surveyor without instructions from the Council — Cr Everett proposed that the Surveyor be called in to explain— Cr Harley objected. It was their business to look after the public affairs, aud not to be always haviug the Surveyor at their heels.— Cr Crewdson wanted a strict account kept of the cost of building the culvert in Seiwyn Place, in order to compare it with the Surveyor's estimate, as the bricklayers were complaining that it had been fixed a great deal too low. — The City Surveyor was then sent for, and after listening to what Councillor Harley had to say, he replied, explaining that with respect to tbe drain at the Port he w«3 only acting in accordance with the instructions of the Public Works Committee, which were to the effect that he was to undertake all the drains and culverts in connection with the railway reclamation a S the work proceeded.

By setting to work at the one in question without delay, the Council would be saved the expense of a good deal of filling in.— A long desultory conversation followed with which it was impossible for the reporters to keep pace ranging as it did over a variety of subjects, from the culvert at the port, aud the Surveyor's explanation, which was generally considered satisfactory, to the repairs in Brook-street, and the overdraft at the Bank. Cr. Hounsell called attention to the incomplete state of the Work at the back of Bridge-street,— Cn Harley stated that complaints had beeu made that the drain in Hardy-street was not being put iu at a true level. — The Surveyor said that this had been remedied; Mr Greenfield was appointed iteturuiog Officer iu the place of Mr Sharp, resigned. The Mayor called attention to the question of charitable aid, and stated what had takeu place between himself and tbe Colonial Secretary; and he then called upon the Town Clerk to read a memorandum showing the proposals and their probable effects. From this it appeared that the proposed arrangement would he advantageous to the Corporation in the event of the subsidies remaining as at present, but iu the event of their being withdrawn, the Council would find itself in the posiliou of having to maintain the Hospital without having sufficient funds for the purpose. Cr Everett thought the Couucil would never be so insane as to act upon Colonel Whitmore's verbal offer. No doubt that which was proposed was an easy way for the Government to shift its burdens on to the shoulders of others, but he would prefer lo wait uutil something more definite was settled by Parliament. He would move, "That with reference to the Hospital and Charitable aid, this Council declines to undertake auy responsibility in this direction until proper provision shall have been made by Act of the General Assembly for their management and support." This was seconded by Cr Levien. Cr Harley thought they would he acting somewhat hastily in adopting such a resolution. He should like a little time to study Mr Gully's memorandum, and, no donbt, others would wish to do the same. It being explained that the proposals contained nothing new, but wore iu effect precisely the same as those made some months ago, Cr Harley withdrew bis objection, and the resolution was carried unanimously. The Council then adjourned.