CITY COUNCIL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 16, 18 January 1879, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

The fortnightly meeting was held last night, the chair, iv the absence of the Mayer, being taken by Cr. Everett. Present, all the other members. A letter was received from Mr T. Mackay, Deputy Land Tax Commissioner, complaining that George Thomas, a cabman, by neglecting to fulfil an engagement, bail been the cause of important official communications missing a mail The Town Clerk was instructed to write to Mr Mackay pointing out the existence of a by-law under which he could proceed against Thomas. An application from Mr Fleming for a remission of the water rate for his engine on the ground that the pressure had been greatly reduced was refused. An application from Mr Bettany for the gas to be extended to the boundary of the property occupied by him as a fellmongery, he stating that he should require to use at least twelve or fifteen burners, was referred to the Public Works Committee. A letter from the same gentleman, calling attention to the bad state of Halifax-street, was referred to the City Surveyor. An application from Joseph , Stewart aud three other residents in Brook street Valley, asking for a bridge to be erected over the stream near their houses, was refused. A letter was received from Messrs Bunny and Sinclair, stating that the property of Stephen Lambert, in Victoria Crescent, bad suffered considerable damage, owing to the Council having neglected to provide sufficient means for carrying off the water, and applying for compensation. In the event of this being refused, legal proceedings were threatened. On the motion of Cr Harley, the Town Clerk was instructed to reply that the Council did not recognise the claim made upon them, and in the event of proceedings being instituted to retain Mr Pitt for the Council. Cr llarlet called attention to the existence of typhoid fever in the neighborhood of Gloucester-street, and attributed it to the unwholesome state of an old water course at the rear of the Postboy Hotel. He said that the residents had agreed to bear a portion of the cost of filling up, which would cost, from £25 to £30. It was resolved that the Couucil should undertake the work on condition that the residents contributed half, the amount to be paid before the job was commenced. Cr Crewdson called attention to the fact that young boys who had no idea of managing horses were allowed to drive cabs.— The Towu Clerk said that no licenses had bceu granted to youths under 17, and the applications had always been accompanied by the required recommendation Bigned by three ratepayers. Cr Harlet called attention to the dog tax, which was 10s here, while in other provinces it was only ss. He would like to see this altered.— Cr Ckewdsox said the only alteration he would like to see would be be raising it to £I.— The Town Clerk, on being appealed to, stated that it could only be altered by Act of the General Assembly. Cr Little called attention to the wretched state of the footpaths in pome of the main streets, and suggested that they should be either asphalted or cemented. — Cr Evjlkeit said this was entirely a question of pounds shillings and pence. They already had an overdraft at the Bank of £1400.— Cr Hakley said they always seemed able to find sums of £20 or £30 when asked for, and instanced the contribution to the Salvage Corps. He did not think they were in a position to undertake the asphalting of the paths just now, but he thought they should be repaired, for at present anyone walking ou them wasj unless he was very sober, bound to fall on his nose.— Resolved, That the City Surveyor be instructed to put the footpaths in^tlie principal streets in repair at once. Noiices of Motion. Cr Little to move, That the Council offer a bonus of £100 for the best scheme of drainage for the whole city. Cr. llabley to move, That the Council take mto consideration the desirability of continuing the formation of Halifax street to the Fort road,