CITY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4130, 16 June 1874, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

The adjourned meeting of the Council, postponed from Friday evening, was held yesterday afternoon in the Provincial Chambers. Present.—the Mayor (in the chair), Councillors Mills, Moss, MoKirdy, Burrett, Dransfield, llainie, Greenfield, and Krull. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES. Councillor Moss, before the minutes wore confirmed, took exception to the record that the last ordinary meeting was “adjourned” from Thursday, As a matter of fact the meeting was postponed by his Worship the Mayor, and as ho questioned the right of the Mayor to postpone an ordinary meeting on his own authority, he would like to have read the note he forwarded to the Council in regard to the postponement. The Mayor said he postponed the meeting from Thursday lie thought he was consulting the convenience of members by doing so. It must be admitted that the weather was so bad that it could scarcely ho expected that they should attend. He did not attend on Friday because he was aware that there would be a thin attendance of members, and he kept away on that evening simply because he desired that Councillor Burrett’s motion should ho discussed before a full Council.

Councillor Moss was of opinion that the present meeting was not a legal one. The Mayor had acted illegally in postponing Thursday’s meeting, and any motion for adjournment proposed at that illegal meeting could not hold good. Councillor McKirdy reminded Councillors that a few months ago the Council was adjourned without any authority, and no obstruction was worked up on that occasion as had been on the present occasion by Councillor Moss. Whether the present meeting was legal or not need not be questioned. All the members of the Council were present, and it certainly seemed that Councillor Moss was stretching matters too far by raising such a quibble. Some further desultory discussion took place, at the termination of which Councillor llaiuic moved that the business should bo proceeded with. Agreed to. BROUGHAM STREET. Councillor Greenfield, on behalf of the residents of Brougham Street, complained of the condition of that road. Inside and outside of the Council he had called attention to the condition of this street, and he should like to hear the Surveyor explain why such a;i amount of negligence had been exhibited. Councillor Burkett said he had frequently complained of the condition of various parts of the town, and particularly of this work. He had been told .that the contractor had failed to carry out his contract, and that the condition of the street was accounted for in that way. Councillor McKirdy was of opinion that the contractor’s sureties should he called upon to complete the contract. Mr. "Waring Taylor was one of the sureties, and he ought to he called upon to fulfil his responsibility. The Surveyor explained that fully twothirds of the road were finished ; the whole would have been completed but for the had weather. All that remained to be done was to complete the portion contiguous to Mr. Gray’s house, and that portion would be done as soon as it possibly could be. As to calling upon the sureties, lie considered it his duty to save the sureties as much as possible, and he had endeavored to do so; but work was so plentiful just now, that he could not get the road finished so quickly as he desired. The Council ordered that the street should be put into proper condition at the earliest opportunity.

FLEMING KENT TERRACE. The following tenders were received for fluming Kent Terrace:—Owen Gough, £796 18s. 6d.; J. Lockie, £3OO. The Surveyor’s estimate for the work was £350, Councillor Bcerett moved that the tenders be declined, and that the Surveyor bo iustnicted to carry out the work at once, under his own supervision. Motion agreed to. TENDERS FOR CARTS. The following tenders were sent in for three nightsoil carts for the use of the Corporation ; —Mr. Eitchett, £34 each ; Ji. W. Watson, £44 each ; Leech Brothers, £34 7s. Od. each ; Cockburn, £-36 18s. 6d. each; Bohan, £26 each ; Mason, £34 10s. each. The lowest tender was accepted. OUTWARD CORRESPONDENCE. A batch of outward correspondence relating to matters dealt with by the Council was read. BANK ACCOUNTS, The Clerk stated the position of the Bank accounts to be as follows : General, overdrawn ... £3740 13 1 Waterworks, do, ... 0435 15 C Wharf, to credit ... 2830 11 9 LETTERS OP THANKS. The Clerk announced the receipt of letters from Mr. Blackett and Mr. Marchant thanking the Council for the amounts presented to them in acknowledgment of their services in connection with the waterworks. EVANS BAY ROAD.

The Clerk stated that he had received no reply from the Provincial Government in reference to his application for the Provincial Government’s share of the cost of making the Evans Bay Road. The Council instructed the Clerk to renew the application. A TIMELY WARNING. Mr. C. E. Worth, the lessee of section 70, reclaimed land, notified to the Council that in the event of the Corporation varying the terms of his lease by taking from his section the 1 foot 7 inches of land claimed by Mr. Toxward, the Council would do so at its own risk. In reference to this matter Mr. Travers forwarded the following opinion :—With reference to Mr. Toxward’s communication to the Council, I am of opinion that if the facts stated by him are correct, he is entitled to claim a conveyance of the 1 foot 7 inches of land which has apparently been erroneously included in the schedule of the Wellington Reclaimed Land Act, and that Mr, Worth can have no claim upon the Council in connection with the error in his lease. Councillor Bun REIT said ho would like to know why Mr. Wortli had not received Ids lease before now, as it had been signed and was ready for delivery long ago.

The Clerk said that it had not been properly drawn out. Councillor Dransfield asked that a former letter sent to the Council by Mr. Wortli should be read, as that would show that Mr. Worth was aware when ho leased the section that the 1 foot 7 inches would have to be taken off it. The Clerk read Mr. Worth's letter, received on August 8, .1872, which made reference to the fact that ho would have to give up the 1 foot 7 inches. Several Councillors expressed their opinion that Mr. Travers’ opinion was worth nothing as it was based upon Mr. Toxward’s statements. Councillor Mills could not see what grievance Mr. Worth had. Tho plan showed that he had purchased from the Corporation 28 feet 5 inches of frontage, and ho was in possession of that quantity of land. Councillor Burkett, on the other hand, pointed out that Mr. Worth’s lease specified that he was to receive thirty feet, and that lease had been made n valid document by the signatures of two Councillors being appended to it. Councillor MclOkdy proposed that the matter should be left in abeyance, leaving the Provincial Government, Mr. Toxward, and Mr. Worth to settle tho dispute between themselves. Councillor Dransfield suggested that the Corporation should retain possession of the lease, so as not to complicate matters further. Councillor MoKjrdv pointed out that that would place Mr. Worth at a great disadvantage. If tho matter were to he fought out, Mr. Worth ought to have something to show to enable him to maintain his rights. It was decided that no action whatever should bo taken by the Council.

WHARF APPLIANCES. The Manager of the Bank of New Zealand acknowledged the receipt of instructions from the Council to procure certain appliances for the wharf, and informed the Council that he had authorised the managing director of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company in London to purchase the articles. SERVICES OF ENGINEERS. In answer to an application from the Mayor, the Provincial Government informed the Council that they would be willing to transfer to the Council the services of two or three engineers for a short time. Councillor Dransfield inquired what the engineers were to do ? The Mayor said that he had merely made the proposal, so that the Council should discuss the matter. The surveyors would be engaged in estimating the cost of reclaiming the Te Aro foreshore, constructing a graving dock, wharf extension, &c. Councillor Dransfield said the employment of surveyors to estimate the cost of reclaiming the Te Aro foreshore was a desirable proceeding, but he wished at this early stage to enter his protest against the employment of surveyors to ascertain the cost of a graving dock. To do so would mean that the Corporation was willing to incur a very large expenditure. For such a purpose he maintained that the Corporation was prepared to | incur no such an expenditure, A dock was a ( very desirable thing, but if such a work were | to be commenced it should be done by the | Provincial Government, who had the revenues ' of the Province at their back. He did not wish to imply that the Provincial Government were shirking their proper duties, but it certainly was not the duty of the Corporation, which was without any endowment such as the Provincial Government had in the shape of waste lands, to enter upon such an important work. The Corporation had enough to do to attend to its own affairs, and he should ' at once cuter his protest against any action j being taken by the Corporation in reference to the construction of a graving dock. The Mayor took issue with Councillor Dransfield. He would say unflinchingly that it was a disgrace to Wellington that with such a magnificent harbor they should be without a dock. Ships went away from here daily to be clocked elsewhere, and when a proposal for the construction of a dock was mooted it was at once opposed, as was every other work of progress, by Councillor Dransfield. In other parts of the world where large docks existed they were under the management of the municipal bodies, which resulted in their being more efficiently and economically worked. The sooner the proposal was placed upon a businesslike footing the better. Councillor Dransfield said, with reference to the management of the wharf, about which so much had been said of late, ho thought it was only right that the public should know that the Corporation invited the various merchants of the City to assist in drawing up the necessary regulations; but, with one exception, there was no response. It was a very easy matter to tear things to pieces, but a very different thing to build them up. If Wellington had a Chamber of Commerce, this, amongst many other things might, profitably for the community, engage its attention.

Councillor Burkett moved that the consideration of the whole subject be deferred to a special meeting. Councillor McKirdy seconded the motion, which was agreed to.

WHARF EXTENSION. The City Solicitor informed the Council that he had been instructed by his Worship the Mayor to prepare a Bill for presentation at the next meeting of the General Assembly for securing the extension of the wharf accommodation ; that lie had seen the City Surveyor upon • the matter, who told him that he was without instructions, and it was therefore impossible for him to prepare a measure for carrying out his Worship’s instructions without further instructions, accompanied by drawings and details of the arrangements with the Provincial Government. Councillor DraNSFIELD was not aware of the existence of any resolution of the Council authorising the Mayor to prepare a bill foxwharf extension. The Mayor said the subject had been discussed by the Council some time ago, and upon that he had spoken to the Solicitor about the matter, but he had given no authority for the preparation of some plans which he saw in the Solicitor’s office. The Surveyor said the plans referred to were prepared by himself in consequence of instructions from the Council. It was prepared for the purposes of an application to be made for laud for future wharf extension. The further consideration of the subject was deferred-to the special meeting to be held on Thursday. A bad drain. Mr. W. J. Morpeth called the attention of the Council to the condition of a drain in the neighborhood of his premises in Tory Street. Deferred to the Inspector of Nuisances. A CLAIM FOR DAMAGES. Messrs. Brandon and Quick, solicitors for Mr. C. \V. Schultz, notified the Council of their intention to make a claim for damages, in consequence of water having been diverted from the head of the Kaiwarra Stream to the detriment of Mr. Schultz, who is the owner of a mill situate upon the stream. The letter was referred to the City Solicitor, with instructions to confer with the City Surveyor. A BOX DRAIN WANTED.

Mr. Robert Rixon requested the Council to put in a box drain in Austin Street, in order to malic the footpath passable for pedestrians. Referred to the members for the ward. ADVERTISING. The publisher of the Trilmnc requested that he might be favored with a fair share of the Corporation advertising. Referred to the Printing Committee. FIRE IIRUIADE PLANT. Mr. W. W. Johnston forwarded the following letter to the Council : —“ I have the honor to enclose a copy of my letter of 12th January last, asking to lie furnished with a statement of the hose and plant purchased by the City Council for the insurance companies, with funds provided by the insurance companies and paid over to the Council, and also asking if the hose plant is in the custody of tho Council ; and, if not, how it has been disposed of. I beg to remind you that I remain without a reply to the letter written five months ago, and to express the hope that you may be pleased to inform the Board of insurance agents without further delay what the City Council has purchased for them, and where it is.” Councillor Moss, while complaining that the

letter of the 12lh January had not been replied to, stated that had the matter been brought forward before, a satisfactory explanation would have been given. Anonymous communications had appeared in an evening paper in reference to tins matter, but he did not feci bound to enter into a newspaper controversy. Ho was prepared to give an explanation by next day, which he had no doubt would satisfy all parties concerned that there had boon no unfair division of the plant. Tho letter was referred to tho Surveyor, with instructions to report. NEW ZEALAND DIRECTORY. Mr. Thos. 11. Ridding solicited an order from the Council for such number of copies of his directory as tho Council might deem requisite for its use. The Clerk was instructed to order one copy. WATER SUPPLY, MAJORIBANKB STREET. Mr. W. M. Muir and others, residents of Majorihanks Street, forwarded a communication to tho Council asking whether the water from tho reservoir would bo laid on to tho neighborhood, as they were desirous of availing themselves of tho supply. The Surveyor stated that tho stock of pipes had become exhausted, so that tho request could not bo complied with at present, but as Majorihanks and Roxburgh Streets were amongst tho first on tho list to be supplied with water, as soon as a fresh supply of pipes came to hand, ho thought that would bo a satisfactory reply to tho petitioners ; at any rate, it

was tho only reply lie was in a position to make at present. Tiie opinion of the Council was that the request could not bo complied with until the supply of pipes arrived. ELECTION OF MAYOR. Councillor Burkett moved, That in the opinion of this Council it is highly desirable that in future the Mayor of the City of Wellington be elected by the ratepayers of the City, and not by tbe’Municipal Council, and that his Worship the present Mayor be requested to take the necessary steps to cause the law to be altered to meet this requirement. Councillor McKirdy seconded the motion. The Mayor, said he would not object to the people having the privilege of electing the Mayor from amongst the representatives of the wards in the Council, and to that extent he was 1 prepared to compromise with Councillor Burrett. No. doubt the motion would be carried against him; but be must say he was opposed to it, because any person who happened to gain popularity outside through some party cry, would come into the Council and override all they did. The motion was put and carried on the voices. HOUR OF MEETING. Councillor Burkett 'moved, That the Council in future should meet at -1 o’clock in the afternoon, instead of half-past 7 in the evening. Councillor McKirdy said that if the motion were carried, lie would be compelled to resign, as he could not attend in the afternoon. Councillor Dransiteld hoped Councillor McKirdy would withdraw that statement, because he (Councillor Dransfield) wished to vote for the motion; but he did not wish it to be made a handle for saying that he wished to get rid of Councillor McKirdy. Councillor McKirdy withdrew his observation, and the motion was carried by a majority of one, Councillors Greenfield, McKirdy, Moss, and Krull voting against it. The Council then adjourned.