CITY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4324, 29 January 1875, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

A special meeting of the Council was held yesterday at the Provincial Buildings. Present—The Mayor (in the chair) ; Councillors Mills, Moss, Burrett, Dransfield, Kainie, Greenfield and George. DEPUTATION. Mr. J. M. Cleland, as representing the views of a recent meeting of ratepayers at Thorndon, attended to explain those views to the Council. Mr. Gascoigne and Mr. Hutchison, two other members appointed by the meeting to represent it at the Council, were not present. Mr. Cleland then handed in the following resolutions passed at the meeting : —■ “ That in no case should the water-rate exceed 5 per cent, on the annual value.” “ That the charge of Is. a week for removing nightsoil from every house is unjust and unequal.” “That the meeting protests againstConnoillor George’s motion to double the rates, on the ground that as yet no reason has been shown why the money raised as rates is not sufficient if judiciously expended and all waste avoided.” The Mayor pointed out to Mr. Cleland that the resolutions were rather imperative in their terms, and somewhat incorrect in their assumptions. He pointed out, further, that public opinion was of two sorts, spasmodic and deliberate. The Council represented deliberate public opinion, but public meetings did not always do so. Mr. Cleland might, however, rely upon it that the Council would pay the greatoat possible respect to the memorandum presented to the Council, and in considering its executive action would endeavor to realise the best interests of the city. With regard to the motion of Councillor George, it would he useful to have it understood that Councillors frequently made motions with the view of eliciting an expression of public opinion. The motion of Councillor George appeared to him to be a perfectly legitimate one. There was no doubt that the accounts of the Corporation were a little embarrassed just now by an overdraft, and Councillor George was perfectly at liberty to propose a motion having special reference to the exigencies of the case. He would even go further, and say that Councillor George was entitled to the thanks of the Council for bringing forward a motion which would enable them to°arrive at a proper conception of their financial condition. They were very glad to have had an expression of public opinion, and would not fail to recognise it upon the proper occasion. -

Mr. Cleland expressed himself as satisfied, and withdrew. THE WHAP.P TOLLS. Councillor Diussfikld said he wished to bring under the notice of tiie Council a matter connected with the sale of the wharf. An opinion had got abroad that the wharf was o-oing to fetch a very small sum, and it was not fair that a valuable property should be allowed to go for anything it would bring. He would suggest that the Mayor should place upon the wharf such a reserve price as might he deemed advisable. It would, of course, be unwise to divulge what the reserve price would be. If action were to be taken, it would have to be taken at once, as the sale would take place on Monday. Councillor Mills thought this course was a most advisable one. In fact, there had been an expression of opinion that the Council should keep the wharf in its own hands, and he would bo prepared to do that if they could get a good man to take charge. There -had been an attempt to depreciate the value of the tolls, by raising a cry to the effect that the alteration of the regulations had diminished the amount likely to he received. He was of a contrary opinion. They had undoubted proof that the receipts were likely to be increased 50 per cent. Councillor Rainie held similar views.

Councillor George suggested that each Councillor should hand to the Mayor a piece of paper, stating a sum which he thought each lot should bring. Councillor Dransfield, in accordance with a suggestion, moved that the Mayor should bo empowered to make one bid for each lot. The proposal was agreed to, the stipulation to be embodied in the conditions of sale. THE MAOKI RESERVE. Councillor Dransfield called attention to another matter which he thought should not be lost sight of by the Council, The Provincial Government were about to dispose of certain portions of the Maori Reserve, and it would be a proper exercise of forethought to secure one or more of these sections, in view of an extension of Taranald-stroet, when the proposed Te Aro reclamation was carried out. The Mayor was requested to make all inquiry into the matter, and report to the Council. WHARF ACCOMMODATION. The Mayor was authorised to take all necessary steps for providing accommodation for forwarding agents, wharfinger, piermaster, &c. ' THE WATERWORKS. A letter from Mr. Blackett with reference to the waterworks was received, and an acknowledgment ordered to bo forwarded to Mr. Blackett. PIERMASTER. Applications for the office of Piermaster were received from the following gentlemen : John Linklater, George Mundle, Henry Clouston, and William Alfred Martin. A short discussion ensued upon the mode of election to he adopted. As no clause in the Corporation Act boro specifically upon the point, but the sense of the Act seemed to bo in favor of open voting, the election was proceeded with upon that principle, the votes being recorded as follows :—For Captain Linklater (4) —Councillors Moss, Burrett, Dransfield, and Mills. Eor Captain Mundle (4) —The Mayor, Councillors George, Greenfield, and Rainie. It therefore devolved upon his Worship to give a casting vote. The Mayor thought that as the matter was of considerable importance it would perhaps be bettor that he should take time to consider before finally deciding between the two gentlemen who seemed to have the confidence of an equal number of members of the Council. Personally, he knew a little of Captain Mundle, and nothing whatever of Captain Linklater. It would ho better, therefore, that he should have time to make inquiry as to the qualifications of both. Councillors Dransfield, Baihie, and_ Moss thought his Worship was bound to give his casting vote there and then. The Mayor then decided in favor of Captain Mundle. Tho Council then adjourned.