CITY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4187, 21 August 1874, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the City Council was held in the Provincial Buildings yesterday afternoon. Present—The Mayor, Councillors Moss, Krul!, Mills, Burrett, Dransfield, and Greenfield. The minutes of the last meeting were read, and i upon being put to the meeting for confirmation, Councillor Dkaxsjteld ro3e and said that there were several matters placed on the minutes which he thought entirely unnecessary. There was the case of Mr. Moody, who attended at the last meeting with reference to his name being placed upon the roll. It wa3 simply an inquiry made by Mr. Moody, to which he received an answer, and there was no necessity whatever for the matter to appear on the minutes. • With reference to another matter that cropped up at the close of List meeting, and was placed on the minutes, he (Councillor Dransfield) had stated that a report had come to his ears to the effect that the Town Clerk was in the habit of keeping back cheques passed by the Council for an unnecessary length of time, and he had asked if such was the case. The matter had no business whatever to appear on the minute 3. The Mayok said that he must entirely disagree with Councillor Dransfield on this matter. The complaint was publicly brought before the Council, and it should be placed upon the minutes ;it was part of the business. AVith reference to the matter in connection with the Town Clerk, it wa3 a serious insinuation against that officer, and it should have the fullest publicity. The Mayor was continuing his remarks when Councillor DhaKSFIELD rose and asked for permission to make an explanation. The Mayok continued to speak, when Councillor Deansfieid again asked "if he was not be be allowed an explanation ?" The Mayor : I was in the chair when you interrupted me. Councillor Dransfield : Am I not to be allowed to explain ? The Mayor : Not until I have finished. Councillor Dbansfiexd : If that is the ruling of the chair lam satisfied. He then rose and left the meeting. Councillor Moss said that the conduct of the Mayor was most extraordinary, and out of all order. If the members of the Council treated him as he deserved they would follow Councillor Dransfield'a example and leave the room, giving the Mayor the meeting to himself. He (Councillor Moss) would be quite willing to do so. The Mayok : You can go if you like. Go and talk to the walls.

An interchange of complimentary remarks and mild behaviour occupied some little time, when the business of the meeting was resumed. The paragraph in the minutes referring to the question as to whether it was the case that the Town Clerk had kept back cheques for some time—which inquiry was answered by a decided denial of the report—was then expunged, and the minutes confirmed. DEPUTATIONS. A deputation from a number of the ratepayers waited on the Council, and presented a resolution, passed at a meeting held on the previous evening, to the effect that the watersupply should be laid on to premises at the expense of the Corporation, on the same plan as that adopted by the Gas Company ; and also protesting that the charges made for labor.in laying the pipes were exorbitant and unreasonable. Mr. Hutchison stated on behalf of the deputation that they wished the Council to reconsider the matter. The meeting had been unanimous in agreeing that in instances where the Council had charged for' four days and four days and a-half, the work could have been done in less than one day. It was desired that the people should be allowed to carry the water on to their premises by private labor, subject to the supervision of the Council's officers. Councillor Mills said that he] understood the charges wore not more than the mere cost in the matter, with a fair chargo for wear and tean If they were proved to bo excessive, it should certainly be looked to by the Council; but if it was only tho bare expense incuiTed by the Council in the matter it could not be remedied. It must be paid by the ratepayers in one way or another.

Councillor Bcrrett had a complaint on this matter. He had been charged for five and ah.vlf days'labor, for what he could get clone in at most one day. He hoped if the Council intended taking extreme measures to compel payment of these accounts, that his case would be the first taken, for he certainly would not pay such prices. Councillor Moss, as one of the Waterworks Committee, wished to explain that he first proposed that the water should be laid on at the same rate as the gas was. That motion, however, was lost, and it was resolved that it should be done at cost price only. The answer to the deputation,' he thought, should lie in that of the Surveyor to the inquiry whether the work was done at cost price, or whether there was a profit made on it. The Surveyor, in replying to the question, treated the Council to a long exposition of his views on the matter, in which he wandered considerably from the point at issue, in suggestions, &c. The conclusion to be drawn from his remarks was that there was no profit made by the charges for labor. An argumentative discussion then ensued between members of the deputation and the Surveyor, during which Councillors Krull and Mills respectively made some remarks on the subject ; but from the loud talking of others, and the general disorder that prevailed, the tenor of them was altogether lost. It was ultimately resolved that the matter should be considered in Committee on Thursday next. The deputation then retired. The outward correspondence was read and confirmed.

At this stage of the proceedings, Councillor Dransfield returned to the room and resumed his seat.

Councillor Moss asked if the Mayor was aware of any action being taken with reference to a certain clause of the Waterworks Bill.

The Mayor was not aware of any action. He did not apprehend in what sense Councillor Moss referred to the matter.

Councillor Moss : Then, if you don't know, I can tell you that the Legislative Council have expunged the clause. And it is very strange that you should be ignorant of the matter, when it is clearly your duty, as Mayor, to watch the proceedings of Parliament in matters affecting the interests of the Council. The Mayor : Bring the matter before me in a proper form and I will attend to it. Councillor Dransfield said he would like to make a few remarks on this matter, if the Mayor would allow him to do so without interruption ; but he feared he could not hope for that. It appeared to him that the members of the Council might as well keep their seats altogether as attempt to say anything, they were interrupted so rudely. The Mayor : Is that a proper way to speak to me, to commence with ? Councillor Dransfield : It is. I always endeavor to address the Mayor in a proper manner, and I always shall do so. The Mayor then made some, explanatory observations.

Coiincillor Draxsfield followed, saying that the Mayor had told the meeting that it was not usual to interfere in such matters, or watch the proceedings of the House. It most decidedly was his duty to do so. The Mayor then rose, and went on to speak at some length. Councillor Moss thought that the Council should really take some action in thi3 matter. They should ask the Mayor to resign. He would table a motion that very.moment asking the Mayor to resign. The Mayor: Tut! let us go on with the business. Councillor Moss: You'll take my notice of motion first. The Mayor: You haven't got a notice of motion. Councillor Moss: I'll very soon give one. I'm writing it now. Business was then again resumed. CORRESPONDENCE. The following correspondence was read:— From J. C. Crawford, drawing the attention of the Council to an article on " Pneumatic Drainage " in the June number of Good Words. Received. From the Town Clerk of the Thames Borough Council, forwarding a copy of a resolution passed by that body, to the effect that all the Municipal Councils in New Zealand should be communicated with, with the view of forming a Municipal League for the obtaining, through the General Government, increase of municipal revenue and extended powers, more especially at the present time, to obtain for City and Borough Councils fees paid within the limits of such city or borough for publicans' licenses. Received. The correspondence business was here broken in upon by Councillor Burrett inquiring if the Mayor intended to take any action in the matter of the Waterworks BilL The Mator : What action can be taken ? It is in the hands of Mr. Travers. It is not my business to interfere with him. If he requires my assistance, I'll be most willing to give it. Councillor Moss : I think you should express an opinion on the matter, and say whether you think it right the clause should bo expunged. The Mayor : Well, if yoii want my opinion, you shall have it. I don't think it should bo expunged. Councillor Moss : Then don't you think some steps should be taken to prevent it being done ?

The Mayor : What can I do to prevent it ? The correspondence business was then re Burned.

From Wm, Borlase of Port Chalmers, re stones for kerbing. The Clerk wa3 instructed to acknowledge receipt of the letter. From J. B. George, objecting to the account sent in for laying on water service. Referred to the Committee on the deputation relative to the same matter.

from Major Heaphy, asking the Council to cover over a drain in Tinakori Road. The City Surveyor to estimate the cost, and if the applicant consent to pay half the work, to be proceeded with. From the City Solicitor forwarding opinion on section 30 Wellington Waterworks Act. Received.

From Public Works Department, asking permission to store water-race pipes expected to arrive by the ship J. A. Thompson, on the breastwork. Granted.

On the matter of payment of assessors being discussed, Councillor KttULL moved, and Councillor Gueenfielt> seconded, —" That the assessors should be paid one guinea each." Councillor Duansweld moved, and Councillor Bckkett seconded an amendment, —-" That they receive one guinea each, and that previous assessors receive the same."

The amendment was put and lost, the original motion being carried. , Councillor Mills wished to know whether some steps were not to bo taken with reference to the Waterworks Bill. Councillor Moss : Ah-! that's what has been asked two or three times. Councillor Mills : Well, something should really be done. Councillor Dransfield ; Let it be left to the Mayor ; I'm sure.his own good taste and judgment in the matter will guide him aright. ACCOUNTS. A number of accounts were presented and passed. REPORTS. The report of the Inspector of Nuisances was read and received. The report of the Sanitary Committee was also read and received. The report of the special Committee on the formation of streets was read. STREET LIGHTING. Councillor Moss thought that some better understanding should be arrived at with the Gas Company as to what were dark and what moonlight nights. The Council paid for gas and they had a right to receive the proper use of it. The City was frequently in darkness, through the lighting being neglected on dark nights. SURVEY OP CITY. The' Surveyor reported that he and tho Provincial Surveyor had received the specifications asked for by the Superintendent, and had placed them in the hands of the gentleman who was appointed to carry out the work. This concluded the business! of the meeting, and the Council adjourned.