CITY COUNCIL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 265, 31 December 1880, Page 4

CITY COUNCIL.

The usual fortnightly meeting of this Council 'was held last .night, the regular night of. meeting falling on Now Year's eve. His Worship the Mayor occupied the chair, nftd Cr Graham having made the necessary declaration, took his scat; the other Crs, excepting Crs Everett and Greig, were also present. The minutes of prior meeting having been confirmed, and payments authorised, Cr Harley made some remarks relative to the answer sent from the Town Clerk, Thames, with the desired information as to "what payment the Nelson Corporation officers received,, and as to whether they were allowed to work privately in addition to giving their services to the Council. It appeared that the reply bad been read at the last meeting of the Council, and Cr Harley allowed the matter to- drop. A letter from the .Rosideut Engineer was read, in which that officer applied for permission to construct can approach to the post boxes, either of stone or concrete, and it was pointed out that it had been necessary to make the boxes the height they were. After discussion Cr Graham having suggested that a temporary approach be allowed, Cr Harley proposed 'that permission be granted to place a temporary move'ablc step iv the position referr ed to for the present, "but that same be removed each night, Cr Johns seconded the resolution which was carried. A letter from Mr J. Andrews, declining to put in a culvert at the approach, to his premises in Hatupden-strect, A letter from Mr J. May withdrawing his application for a boatman's license and requesting that he might be refunded the fee paid. Application allowed. A letter from Messrs E. Buxton & Co. point out that tbe floor of the kerosine store on the Haven Road was dangerous in places, and requested that it might be ' repaired. His Worship said he had spoken to the Surveyor who had suggested that a few boards might be put down by the men employed at the Gas Works during their spare time. Cr Johns suggested that if tbe floor was very bad it would be better to replace the "boarding with gravel. Cr Hounsell thought matters of that kind should be referred to tie Works Committee and he proposed that this should be done. Cr Graham second the proposal, it appeared to him that so far as was known the the joh might he a large or a small one. The motion was then agreed to The report of the Gas and Water Works Committees stating that they had visited "both Gas Works and Reservoir and found the same in good order, also that they had authorised the Surveyor to order a quantity of fittings, was read and adopted. Several Councillors advocated that in future all fittings should be procured from home, and Cr Graham said that by doing so a considerable saving would be effected. Mr Buchanan having applied to the Corporation for recompense for damage done to his cab through, the alleged negligence of one of the Corporation servants, the matter was referred to the Surveyor at the previous meeting for him to inquire into and report. The Surveyor accordingly sent in a report of the statement of their servant, whose name was Woodward. Cr Trask asked the Surveyor whether he had seen Mr Buchanan, and on bis replying in the negative, Cr Levien said that in proposing that the matter should be inquired into by the Surveyor, he was actuated by a desired that that tbe matter should be. fairly and fully gone into between the parties. * A 9 a rule if any one sustained any damage he nuhedto a Surveyor and the Council received a legal communication, but- in this case Mr Buchanan wrote a respectful letter and he was anxious that lie should received every consideration. Cr Harley advocated that the matter should he referred to the Works Committee, out; ultimately it was referred back to the Surveyor to inquire into before the presence of Mr Buchanan. ' The Surveyor's report on roads, streets, &c specified the work done during the "past fortnight, and mentioned the work about to I be commenced, such as gravelling in Alton and Nile-streets. It further stated that since the last meeting of the Council one laborer had been dismissed, leaving their present staff only six. Regarding the reclamation work at the Port, the Surveyor did not think the removal of the lamp near Mr Everett's gate on to the reclamation ground would be found;more beneficial." He stated that an approach from the beach to the reclaimed land could be constructed of the stone on hand, but that in the plans of the complete reclamation work an approach was provided for at'itbe end. Respecting the quantity of stone which would be required for coping, he said it would take. 42 yards cubic measurement. He had been unable to learn from Mr Eranzen the price for which the stone could be delivered, and was therefore nnable to' 1 give an estimate of the work, but he suggested-tbat the work of putting a dressed stone coping on the wall should be done ■when tbe reclamation was extended. The report further stated that tenders for Piriri piles bad been invited in Auckland and Taranaki ; and that inquiries bad been made in New Sonth Wales as to the cost of ironbark. . „ Cr Trask wanted a rough estimate of the cost of replacing the boulders on the sea •wall with a coping of dressed stone. # Cr Levien said a good deal of time was being taken np on this matter, but he did not think any Cr would be insane enough to •want the present top taken off and a dressed coping put on when their overdraft amounted to £1400. Cr Harley was very proud to hear Cr Xevien speak like that. He supposed he was one of the slothful young men mentioned in the Colonist, but he was not present when the voucher for the payment of tbe contractor for this work was passed. Had he teen there tbe payment would not have been passed with his consent. He stigmatised it SB a dißgrace that when they called for tenders tenderers had to place an extra amount to their price for the coping, but, he said, •when such bosh waß ptit in the work as baa been done by our Surveyor it is a disgrace to us." Cr Harley then referred to that portion of the report mentioning the streets about to be gravelled, and said it appeared that when Councillors wanted any woik done they were shown tbe Bank book, but the Surveyor put down works that had not been previously authorised. The Mayor asked the Councillor what •work he alluded to as not having been authorised, and on Cr Harley mentioning Nilestreet, his Worship said it had been authorised months ago. Cr Harley said tbe footpath in £Wfing-"WOOd-street sear Mr Cann's had beeu authorised to be repaired for two years, and Mr Cann had put down the gravel himself. He said that in gravelling Bridge-street a lot of sand had been used and the crown made as flat aa a table, and said that instead of gravelling all over tbe roada should be patched, ■when they could be kept in order for half the amount. With reference to the approach from the beach to the reclaimed land at the Port be proposed that it be made. Cr Trask thought it had better be left till next meeting, and that a full and complete estimate should be sent in by then. Cr Harley seconded tbe proposal that a complete estimate should be sent in. Cr Graham was pleased to support Cr Trask in having full information. This was the second report read that night which had been incorrectly brought in. He was very much surprised to hear that the Surveyor was unable in fourteen days to estimate the coat of the coping. He did not think Mr !Franzen was competent to tell the Surveyor what would be the cost of dressing the stone. He would like to see the authority by which the coping of dressed stone 18in wide and 9in ttiick las' mentioned in the specification had notbeen carried out. The contract had been taken on the understanding that it was to be done, and one contractor had told him be could have made a good job for half the amount of his tender had he known. He (Cr Graham) did not thiuk the Council should be at the expense of taking up the boulders and replacing them with a stone coping. Tbe Mayor said the specifications did not mention dressed stone, and he suggested that though the top of the wall did not look well, as it had been covered up, it should be allowed to remain until they were in a better financial neiiliflja.

Cr Graham said he would leave it there as a monument of some person's folly, Cr Trask Laving referred to Cr Everett's remarks at last meeting exonerating the Surveyor. Cr Barley said if llic Surveyor was competent he must have known in drawing out the specification whether lie could fit ir. amongst the square stones the irregular boulders. He thought it clear he never intended to work in these boulders and that they were meant for hacking. After some little further discussion on the matter Cr . Trask's motion that the Surveyor be instructed to provide a complete estimate was put and carried. Cr Little said lie had at the last meeting mentioned the matter of placing a kerbiug for the protection of the embrace to Newstreet under the impression that it had been already authorised. At last meeting the work was negatived, but be now found, that on the fllh April last the work was authorised. ' Cr Harley argued that the old vote had not been properly negatived. Cr Lcvien said that several Councillors thought a kerbing at the site mentioned i would be dangerous, and it was to settle the matter he understood the vote was taken at last meeting. After a good deal more discussion the matter was allowed to drop. Cr Ilarley, in some remarks, said that so long as party feeling existed they would never get through the work, and ho suggested that this feeling should be buried, and that with the new year they should commence afresh. He then advocated that the Town Clerk should he provided with a rough minute book, and that the Surveyor, should not be allowed to sit in the Council Chamber, for he thought by doiug so it was paramount to his being a Cr, for he was often addressed, and spoke on matters. Cr Harley then proposed that the Town Clerk be provided with a rough minute book, and Cr Little seconding the motion, it was carried without dissent. Cr Harley then proposed that the Surveyor should not sit in the Council Chamber during their meetings. Cr Graham seconded the motion, and said he did so from what he had seen that evening when his Worship's attention had been taken up in consultation with the Surveyor when he was being addressed by Crs, and the Surveyor had also been asked questions instead of the compliment being paid his Worship of addressing all questions to him. Cr Trask said he should like to remark that it was because the Council had unanimously desired it the Surveyor had sat in the Chamber. He said the Surveyor never spoke unless he was addressed, and he should not support the motion, as he thought the presence of that officer was useful. Cr Levien did not particularly wish the I Surveyor to be present, but he thought as I their meetings were open to the Press and the public ho should be allowed to remain. He thought it must be very disagreeable to the Surveyor to remain and hear little things that were occasionally said. He ;eaid that the Surveyor had always appeared to him remarkably careful never to )speak unless he was addressed, and he did not Bee why Cr Harley should be afraid to say before his face what he was prepared to do behind his back. Cr Little spoke in favor of the resolution, which on being put was lost, Cra Harley, Graham, and Little voting for, and the Mayor and Crs Trask, Levien, Hounsell, and Johns against. Cr Little drew attention to the footpath in Russell-street. I Cr Harley asked the Town Clerk to inform the Councillors at next meeting the amount of levenue derived from the kero ; sine store. Cr Trask suggested that the stringers of the Nile-street bridge should be carefully examined when the decking was off. On the motion of Cr Harley it was resolved to test the gfas producing' qualities." of. Westport coal, -and 'the Surveyor. vw?s authorised to procure a few tons for trial,— Cr Levien suggested that it should be first ascertained whether the sample was a fair one, or they might be told afterwards that it was not tfce befct coal. Cr Grahom was tbe appointed to tbe Works Committee, and tbe Council then adjourned. ammesesastsssaeratts,". "mane-