CITY COUNCIL.

New Zealander, Volume 10, Issue 889, 21 October 1854, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

Saturday, ">m Sept., 18.54. Fresent—The Chairman, Messrs. Kelly, Vaile, Finlay, Somervillc, una "Williamson. This was an extraordinary meeting. The Chairman having stated the cause of its being convened, read a report forwarded by the Surveyor, and dated the 29th Sept.; likewise another report dated the 30th, covering an estimate of the cost of metalling Queen-street from its junction with Shortland-street. The first report stated that the Surveyor had prepared a balance-sheet, and tlie current cash account up to the 29th. It further furnished a statement of tlie condition of Queen-street, from its junction with Shortland-street to tlie site of the karbourConnnissioncrs shed. This part of the street has been torn up into large ruts in several places. Its length is 411 feet, and its breadth 49 feet. The estimated cost of metalling this is stated at £22;! 4s. 4d. The Council has been particularly requested to make good this road, as vessels are now about to haul alongside the wharf and discharge cargo there. The report of the 30th covered a plan of the valley of Queen-street, with its marks and levels. The valley contains 256 acres. The plan of the sewer, longitudinal and cross sections, with the specifications and estimates of their construction ; and also a map of the City, showing the allotments, sections, heights, levels, &c, were promised to be furnished shortly. The propriety of protecting, by means of posts, the City pump from injury likely to arise from being run against by carts and drays, was suggested. Mr. Finlay moved, and Mr. Kelly seconded the suspension of the Standing Orders, to enable the Council to go into Committee on the reports. It was then moved by Mr. Finlay, seconded by Mr. Kelly, and carried— That the Surveyor be instructed to procesd with the formation of Queen-street from the juncture at Shortland-street to its connecting point with the Harbour works, agreeably with the Surveyor's report. The Clerk presented some accounts, and the Chairman read the report of the Inspector of Nuisances, stating the abatement of som« and the obtrusion of others. Council adjourned. Thursday, sth Oct., 1804. Present—All the Members. A letter was read from his Honour the Superintendent, requesting to bo informed whether the City Council would be prepared to pay the sum of Is. fid. per diem for each of the prisoners proposed to be employed upon public works within the City, In addition to tlie cost of whatever superintendence may be found to be necessary. The Surveyor reported the repair of the dangerous fence ii> High-street, opposite the Post office, having been effected. The Inspector of Nuisances reported an infringement of the City By-Laws by Messrs. Council and Ridings, whom he had served with notice accordingly. Mr. Vaile moved for a Committee, now to be named, to frame By-Laws for the 7, 8, and 31 objects for which By-Laws may be made, as set forth in the City Council Act. Motion lapsed. The Standing Orders having been suspended, on the motion of Mr. Finlay, the Council went into consideration of the Superintendent's letter. It was moved by Mr. Finlay, seconded by Mr. Williamson, and carried—

That the Council accept the services of prisoners, with the necessary superintendence, and on the tenm mentioned in his Honour's letter.

Moved by Mr. Kelly, seconded by Mr. Williamson, and carried—

That it be a Standing Order of this Council that the Standing Orders of the Council be not suspended unless two-thirds of the body be present.

Moved by Mr. Kelly, seconded by Mr. Finlay, and carried—

That the City Surveyor be instructed to have the necessary repairs done to the ruts in Grey-street, on the Queen-street side of the bridge, it being unfit for public traffic for carters and pedestrians, and that th- same repairs be executed as soon as possible.

Moved by Mr. Kelly, and 'seconded by Mr. Hark in— Thnt Messrs. Counell and Ridings, having complied with the request of the inspector of Nuisances, be not proceeded against according :o the City By-Laws. To this Mr. Williamson moved the following amendment, which was seconded by Mr. Somerville, and carried—■ That under the mitigating circumstances slated in the report of the Inspector of Nuisances, a fine of five shilling be inflicted on Messrs. Connell and Hidings, for a breach of the By-Law, No. I, under the head of unwholesome food. On the motion of Mr. Finlay, which was supported by Mr. Kelly, a license to keep a lodginghouse was ordered to be granted to Mr. William Nicol, Princes-street. After auditing an aceount presented for forage, the Council adjourned. Saturday, 7tu Oct., 1854. Present—The Chairman, Messrs. Williamson and Vaile. The Chairman briefly stated his reason for convening the meeting, and read a letter received from the Superintendent, in which his Honour writes—"l have the honour to request that you will put yourself in communication with the Sheriff, to whom instruction* have been issued in order that arrangements may be at once made for the employment of the hard labour men upon the City works. The following resolution, moved by Mr. Williamson, was then put and carried—

That the Chairman be requested to put himself in communication with the Sheriff, witlia view to secure the iervices of the hard labour men for City works, as soon as practicable, and that copied of the correspondence with his Honour the Superintendent on theFiibject, and the resolution of Council passed on Thursday last, beenclosed by the Chairman to the Sheriff. Council adjourned. Monday, 9th Oct., 1054. Present —The Chairman, Messrs.Vail*. Harkim William on, and Somerville. A. letter from the Sheriff relative to the hard labour men was read. It stated that every facility would be afforded to the carrying out the views of the City Council, as soon as the Sheriff

should receive the law authorizing prisoners being employed beyond tbe precints of the gaol. The Surveyor reported that in the event of employing prisoners on City works, it would be necessary to purchase hand-carts, picks, spades, &c.

Applications from Mr. John Mc Carthy and Mrs. Graham for license to keep lodging-houses were put in and read. A letter was also received from Mr. J. B. Strange, in which he ottered " to provide and fix complete on ground prepared scoria kerbing, paving, tooled faced, having split faced, arch stoned, for culverts, small drains, and stones 4 inches wide and 9 inches deep, for crossings of roads, or such other works as may be required by the Counneil, at about the same rate as the London prices for granite." On the motion of Mr. Williamson, which was seconded by Mr. llarkin, a license was granted to Mr. J no. McCarthy to keep a hoard and lodginghouse.

Moved by Mr. Williamson, seconded byj Mr, Somerville, and carried—

That the City Surveyor be instructed to take the necessary steps to provide implements for the use of the hard labour men while employed on City works, and that he make application to his Honour the Superintendent for the loan of whatever [serviceable implements of the kind which may belong to the Government, but are not now in use.

Moved by Sir. Williamson, seconded by Mr, Mark in, ana carried —

That Mr. John Kelly be appointed to act In the absence of the Commissioner or Inspector of Police, or the Chairman of the City (Council, under the provisions of the 17th clause of the Fire By-Law, to issue orders and directions to all persons present at any fire (except such as may be acting under military command), and that the Chairman be requested to give notice of this appointment in the Newspapers, "as required by the said clause.

Moved by Mr. Williamson, seconded by Mr. Yaile, and carried—■

That Mr. .John Mitchell, Clerk of the Auckland City Council, be appointed, under tbe authority of the City Kire By-Law, to eollectall rales which mny be levied by the City Council for the purpose: of the said By-Law, and that the Chairman give notice by advertisement of the said appointment. Council adjourned. Thursday, October, 1854. Pr^ent, —The Chairman, Messrs. Finlay, Kelly, Somerville, Harkin, and Williamson. The Surveyor reported that he had received a letter from the contractor employed in the formation of Wyndham and Went Queen streets, which stated, u that by lowering the bridge at the foot of Wyndham street, the angle of the street will be considerably altered, thereby rendering it necessary to remove a considerable quantity of the earth." The letter of the contractor further stated " that in accordance with the original plan, he had that morning commenced at the other end of the cutting in order that the City Surveyor might make arrangements for the removal of the earth."

The Surveyor reported that the expense of lowering the pipe in Wyndham street amounted to 71- 12s. Gd., and that he had received, in his capacity of treasurer, 7/. 10s. for sundry licenses issued.

Mr. Williamson gave notice that, at the next meeting, he would move the Council to take into consideration the propriety of importing, from Melbourne or Sydney, an Iron House of dimensions suitable for a Fire Engine House. On the motion of Mr. Somerville, seconded by Mr. Harkin, the Council went into Committee to consider the letter received from Mr. Makepeace. It was moved by Mr. Williamson, and seconded by Mr. Finlay.

That the Surveyor be instructed to direct the removal of the extra earth at the foot of Wyndham street, as] referred to in the contractor's letter.

This motion was negatived in the first instance, but adopted after the Council bad had an interview with the contractor.

A lengthened discussion arose with respect to the manner in which the lowering of the bridge in Wyndham street had been effected; after which it was agreed that the Contractor be requested to attend the Council to answer certain questions i expecting the works in Wyndham street. Mi. Alakcpeacc having attended, several questions were put by the Chairman, Messrs. Finlay and Kelly, in reply to which he intimated that although the contract bad undoubtedly been broken with him, he had no desire to get rid of it; his letter was not written with that view; he wished to protect himself from incurring additional expense by the alterations of the Council. He declared he meant to fulfil his contract in good faith, and to deal with tlie Council as In; would with any other honest person who employed him. In answer to a question of the Surveyor, whether he would take advantage of the inter ference that had ojcurred with respect to the bridge, should lie have occasion to find fault with his work, .Mr. Makepeace replied that he would not, unless the Council should take advantage of him on the question of time. Tn reply to Mr. Williamson, Mr. Makepeace stated that he was willing to enter into a new bond to complete the present contract by the end of February, and to use all reasonable diligence to complete the work within that time ifpossible. Mr. Makepeace then withdrew. It was moved by Mr. Williamson, seconded by Mr. Finlay, and carried, —

That as Mr. Makepeace has agreed to enter into a new bond for the fulfilment of his contr.net, the Chairman be structed to take the necrcsaiy step* to have the bond completed, and report at the next meet ; ng.

The Clerk presented an aceount which was audited an I ordered to be paid. Council adjourned until Monday next. Monday, IGth October, 10,54. Present : The Chairman and all the Members. Several letters were read— The first from the Commissioner of Police, in reply to a communication from the Chairman, stating that he had given instructions to the Police to prevent the fascines being removed from the Queen-street Wharf. The next was from the Resident Magistrate respecting fines recovered by means of the City ByLaws. The Resident Magistrate acquainted the Council that all fines recovered in the Resident Magistrate's Court are paid over to the Colonial Treasurer. The Surveyor reported that the Wharf, near the site of the Harbour Commissioners' shed, requires to be repaired. That the Provincial Government have authorized the City Council to take possession of any of the old hand-carts or barrows; all these require to be repaired. The Surveyor had likewise received a letter from Mr. Cadman respecting a store "which he had contracted to build for Mr. George Graham, drawing the attention of the Council to the obstacles interposed, iu consequence of the interference of the main city sewer with the work in question. A letter from Mr. Ilemington, requesting permission to exhibit a Panorama of the Funeral Procession of the late Wellington, at the Theatre in High-street, was also read. The following Report was then put in and read:— The Committee appointed to examine the land with which the City has been endowed, and to report on the best manner of disposing of the same, have BOW to report that, after an inspection of the several allotments, they 'recommend that the allotment, situate at the juncture of Wakefield-street and Sy-mond's-stieei, containing 1 acre, 2 roods, and ■& perches, be subdivided into eighteen lots with frontages to Wakefield-s treet, Mount-street and Symond's-strcet respectively : —That section No. 35 fronting Karangahape Kuad containing it acres be subdivided into Hi half acre lots, fronting Karangahape Road and Hopetoun Street;— That section 51, containing 13 acres, be subdivided into 13 allotments :—That section 50, containing 7 acres, 3 roods, be subdivided into 7 lots:—And that section 52, be reserved for the present. The Committee further recommend that the City Suvveyor be instructed to subdivide and mark oft" the several allotments accordingly, and that he take the necessary steps to advertise the same for tease for a term of twenty-one years, to 1»l- offered by public auction on Monday the 4th day of December next. On the motion of Mr. Williamson the Report was adopted unanimously. The following resolution was moved by Mr. Williamson, seconded by Mr. Vaile, and carried ; That it is desirable that an Iron Eire Engine Hon.se be procured and erected as speedily as possible and that a Committee he appointed to inquire into and report upon the subject at the next meeting. The Committee to consist of Messrs. EinUy, Vaile, Kelly, llavkin, and the mover. ■

It was moved by Mr, Kelly and seconded by Mr. Harkin—

That Mr. Robert Srhultz be the Auctioneer to offer the City endowments referred to in the Report, adopted this day.

To this Mr. Somerville moved the following amendment which was seconded by Mr. Williamson—

That as no City Auctioneer has been appointed the Chairman and City Surveyor be instructed to employ an Auctioneer to dispose of the City endowments referred to in the Re-

The amendment having been pnt and negatived, the original resolution was carried.

On the motion of Mr. Finlay, the Chairman was requested to inform Mr. Cadman that the City Council is not in a position to take any steps with that part of the drain in Queen-street at present.

With reference to the application of Mr. Remington to exhibit a Panorama, the Council declared that such exhibitions did not come under the scope of the City By-Laws. Council adjourned till Thursday next. Thursday, October 19, Present:—The Chairman, Messrs Kelly, Vaile, Williamson, Harkin, and Somerville. The Surveyor reported having received from Mr. Ashcr Asher a present of a set of fire escape ladders for City purposes. tie further reported a deep rut in the lane running from West (iueen-street to Mr. Snodgrass's Steam Mill. Also, that the ruts in the Bridge in Grey-street have been repaired. A small drain to tuvu the water off die road will bj required. An application from Mrs. 11. Oakes for a license to keep a lodging-house was received and read. Mr. Williamson gave notice that, after the business of the day was disposed of, he would move that the Standing orders be suspended, in order to bring forward a motion respecting the main City Sewer. Mr. Somerville gave notice that, at "the next meeting of Council he would submit to the consideration of the C uncil a By-law for the purpose of fixing tbe plans and levels of the streets of Auckland, as adopted hy the City Council on the 23rd March last.

The Standing Orders baring been suspended, it was moved by Mr Williamson, seconded by Mr, Kelly, and carried— That tlie City Surveyor be instructed to prepare plant and crass sections. &c.,of a sufficient main sewer in Queen-street, to extend from the Market Reserve at Wellesley-street 10 the junction of the City ami Harbour Comraisiioners' property; such plans to be prepared in conformity with the City plans and levels already adopted, and to be submitted to the Council at its next meeting. Moved by Mr. Kelly, seconded by Mr. Vaile, and carried— That the Council return their best thanks to Mr Asher Asher for the handsome Kift of fire ladders i>resciiled by him to this Council for the use at the City, and that the Chairman be instructed to acknowledge the same. Moved by Mr. Harkin, seconded by Mr. Williamsou, and carried— That the fire ladders presented to the City by Mr. Asher Asher be placed under lock and key in an accessible place at the Market House, that two keys be procured, one to be deposited wi:h the Commissioner of Police, and the other with Mr. John Kelly, High-street. Moved by Mr. Kelly, seconded by Mr. Vaile, and carried— That a license lie granted to the Widow Oakes, of West Queen street, for keeping a lodging-house, according to the City ByLaws, under the head of Public Lodging Houses, No. 2. After auditing an account for stabling for tlie City horses, tlie Council adjourned till the 23rd instant.