CITY COUNCIL.
The usual fortnightly meeting of the Council was held yesterday. Present—Councillors Hills (chairman), Gillon, Greenfield, and Ramie. NEW MEMBER. Mr. J. M. Gleland made the necessary declaration, and took his seat as member for Thorndou Ward. RETURN. The minutes having been read and confirmed, Councillor Gillon inquired whether a return relative to the water rates, ordered to be prepared upon his motion, was ready for presentation to the Council. Mr. Ames (in the absence of Mr. Hester) said the return had not been made out. Councillor Gillon said he had himself made Borne inquiry into the matter, and found that the return could not possibly be compiled, simply from the fact that the rate had been struck at haphazard. If any particulars at all could be furnished, surely these ho had asked for could be, but he found that it was utterly impossible to get any particulars at all. The Town Clerk was dependent upon the Engineer for the return of those persons who used the water, and thus became liable for the rate, but the Clerk had informed him that he had never received any such return for two months, and that when people came to the office to pay rates he had to ask them what they owed. Further inquiry revealed the fact that half the entries for last year’s rate were written in pencil, and there was no proper rate book at all for this year. All this led him to believe that if any ratepayer questioned their authority to enforce a rate they would be nonsuited, simply because they could not produce any rate book, prepared according to legal form. From the Town Clerk he went to the Engineer, who stated that he had furnished all the necessary information regularly, but whether this had been done or not it was, of course, impossible for him to say. Of one thing he was certain, and that was that an amount of £7OOO for water rates remained uncollected. Councillor Mills suggested that, as the matter seemed to be very important, it would perhaps he advisable that Councillor Gillon should move for the appointment of a committee to consider it.
Councillor Gillon said they had a committee who might be supposed to look after such matters as these, hut the fact was there were three groat powers behind the Council—the Sanitary Inspector, the Town Clerk, and the Engineer, all of whom were irresponsible officers. As matters stood at present, the Councillors simply stood in the position of buffers between these three great powers and the ratepayer's ; hut he would at once state emphatically that that was a position he would
not accept. He would endeavor to do his duty, but if he found he could not ascertain how tilings were being carried on he should resign. If he were to remain there as a member, he should exercise something more than nominal control. He desired to know how the business of the city was being conducted. If he understood his position aright that was what he was sent there for, but at present it seemed impossible to learn at the City Council offices how the money went. They met once a fortnight, and signed a lot of wages lists without having anv opportunity to examine the items thoroughly. But even that was a small matter. . The whole government of the city rested, not on their hands, but in the hands of these irresponsible officers. That state of things was not creditable to the Council or anybody else. Councillor Mills thought it would be useless to proceed further with the subject unless the Council had something definite before it.^ Councillor Gillon then moved that a special meeting of the Waterworks Committee be held, to consider the present condition of the waterworks accounts and the rate-book.
Councillor Eainie was always favorable to the institution of any necessary inquiry. He would, therefore, second the motion. The motion was agreed to. nightmen's licenses.
Messrs. Conrad, Dowsett, and Turner petitioned the Council to giant a renewal of their licenses, which expired at the end of the current month. Each of these persons supported his application by testimonials from a number of citizens, who testified to tbe satisfactory manner in which the work entrusted to them had been carried out. The petition was referred to the Sanitary Committee, until power to act. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. The Mayor of Napier acknowledged the receipt of the Town Clerk’s letter, forwarding rales of procedure of Wellington City Council, &c. WHAHF WATER SUPPLY. The following tenders were sent in for the lease of right to supply water to the shipping for ten months:—W. V. Jackson, £265 ; John Linklater, £275; New Zealand Steam Shipping Company, £450. The last tender was accepted. TARANAKI STREET. A letter from Mr. K. E. Smith, with reference to the footpath in front of his house hi Taranaki-street, was referred to the Public Works Committee. CLAIM FOB DAMAGE. Messrs. Eichardson and Wilson addressed the Council, regarding damage done to their verandah by one of the Corporation carts. The Sanitary Inspector explained that the matter was a very trifling affair, and could easily be remedied. QUEEN’S WHARF. Mr. W. V. Jackson called attention to the sea foundation at the south-east comer of the Queen's Wharf having given way. The Surveyor explained that the matter was at present being attended to. Mr. Jackson also drew attention to the condition of some of the wharf plant, tracks, &0., which were out of repair, and requested the Council to attend to the matter. The Engineer explained that the request was a reasonable one, as the plant had had considerable wear during the past three years: The Council authorised the Engineer to aftend to Mr. Jackson’s request.
PLAN OP CITT. Mr. T. H. Fielding, of Dunedin, forwarded for correction a proof copy of the plan of the city of Wellington, which he is about to publish as part of the New Zealand Directory. The Engineer was instructed to make the necessary corrections, and forward the map to Mr. Fielding. The Clerk was instructed to order a supply of the maps when corrected. WIIARP REGULATIONS. Messrs. Krull and Co. desired to be informed whether Mr. W. V. Jackson, the wharf lessee, had power to charge tonnage dues upon the barque Prince Victor, which vessel had exceeded her lay days at the wharf. Councillor Gillon thought the lessee was entitled to tonnage dues where a vessel, by exceeding her lay days, prevented another vessel coming alongside to discharge. Councillor Mills thought the Council should bo careful before deciding upon such a matter. Other councillors agreed, and the matter was referred to the Wharf Committee. nOBSON-STEEET. Mr. C. C. Graham, secretary to the Hospital Trustees, addressed the Council with regard to the contribution due by the Council toward the Hobson-street extension. The balance due was stated to be £3O, which, it’seemed, included moiety of engineer’s fees. Councillors were of opinion that if the Hospital Trustees thought fit to employ an independent engineer,.the Council should not be called upon to bear a share of such an expense, havin'* a competent officer of its own. Ultimately the settlement of the matter was lef in the hands of the Surveyor, to report. SANITARY INSPECTOR’S REPORT.
The Sanitary Inspector’s report, accompanied by a statement of the operations of the nightmen, and the profit resulting therefrom, was presented. Councillor Gillon said he trusted all these profits reported fortnightly would be forthcoming at the end of the year! He very much doubted it; at any rate, he wouldn’t like to discount them. PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE. A report of the Public Works Committee showed that the Engineer had been called on to supply the following information i —lst. A return of all works which during the last two years have been authorised by the Council, hut which remain unexecuted, with probable cost in each case. 2nd. A return of all works now in progress, and probable time of completion, and cost of same. 3rd. Return of the number of men now employed, the work on which each man is employed, and the rate of wages paid in each case. THE BREASTWORK. The following record of the result of the conference with the Provincial Government,, with reference to the erection of a travelling stage along the present breastwork, was read :—“ The deputation appointed at the last meeting of the Council waited on the Provincial Government on the 11th iust. The Councillors present were Messrs. Mills, George, Greenfield, Rainie, and Gillon. The deputation having presented the resolution appointing them, his Honor the Superintendent said there seemed to be some misconception as to the extent of the land included in the grant referred to. He desired to know to what part of tiie land the Council referred. After consultation, the deputation said it was to that portion of the unreclaimed land extending from the General Government railway reserve towards Te Aro, as shown on the map on the table. His "Honor then said that the Provincial Government had fully considered the matter, and had come to the conclusion that as soon as the arrangement for the purchase by tlie Council of the Thorndou reclamation was fully carried out, the Government would make an absolute free grant of the piece of unreclaimed laud in question to the Corporation. If, in tiie meantime, the Council wished to proceed with the erection of wharves, the Government would offer no objection. The deputation expressed their thanks and satisfaction. His Honor then directed the attention of the Council to the desirability of extending the water-mains to the College and Lunatic Asylum, as being public institutions in which the city was largely interested ; and he also reminded the deputation that when the Te Am foreshore grant wjs made to the Corporation the Council had promised to consider the propriety of malting certain reserves for public purposes in it when reclaimed. He hoped this would not be overlooked. The deputation promised to bring his Honor’s remarks under the notice of the Council, and, having again thanked his Honor, withdrew.” REPORTS. Councillor Gillon said the Council was not at present in a position to carry out the recommendations of his Honor in regard to the water mains and the reserves, but it was only due to his Honor that they should signify their intention to carry out those very works as soon as practicable.
WHARF SENDEES. The Harbor Master urged the Council to have the fenders rehung on the Queen's wharf, but as the Engineer explained that the matter had been attended to, the subject was not further discussed. FOOTPATH COMPOSITION. A letter from Mr. J. G. Burrell, of Melbourne-, recommending patent composition for footpaths, &c., was read. Messrs. Moody and Wallace forwarded testimonials as to the excellence of the Val-de Travers asphalte for foot pavements. Both coiunmincations were referred to the Public Works Committee. WESLEY-ROAD. Councillor'' Hainie drew attention to the fact that the Domain Board had placed a fence across Wesley-road, and asked whether any authority for this action had been obtained from the Council. The Engineer explained that he had given no such authority, uor had he been asked for it. ... Instructions were given to make inquiry into the matter. SYDNEY- STREET. Councillor Cleland inquired what steps, if any, had been taken towards continuing the the Hue of communication from Syduey-street to Tinakori-road. The Surveyor said he had had a conversation with Mr. O’Malley, the contractor for the Thorndon reclamation, upon the subject, and had spoken of the probability of lowering Sydney-street and , Hill-street at the same time, if favorable arrangements were, offered. Mr. O’Malley had promised to furnish him with an estimate of the price per cubic yard at which he would be prepared to remove the earth, but until then he could not {jlace the Council in possession of any definite information upon the subject. REPRESENTATION OF TE ARO. Councillor Gillon said that in such a thin meeting of the Council he would not press his motion in reference to the preparation of a Bill for dividing Te Aro into two wards. He would therefore move that it be postponed.
Councillor Kainie said that, as he intended to oppose the motion, he would second the proposal for its postponement. The motion was agreed to. THE QUEEN’S WHARF. Councillor Gallon moved, —“ That his Worship the Mayor be requested to communicate with the Hon. the Minister of Public Works, witijr'a view to obtaining from some competent officer of that department a report on the present condition of the Queen’s wharf.” This motion, he understood, had been interpreted as casting a reflection upon their engineer. Nothing was further from his thoughts. It could not be left out of sight, however, that the city had suffered by his services being diverted during the construction of the water works from the ordinary work of the town, and it would be much better that outside assistance should be sought in such a case as this. There were rumors that the wharf was in a most dilapidated condition, and it was nothing but right that they should spend a proper amount of money upon a structure which yielded them a handsome revenue. Some of the piles were sheathed with copper, and it was possible that some of these sheets might have come off, which would result to great damage to the piles. It would be better, too, that a reportfroma thoroughlyimpartial person should be obtained, for it should be borne in mind that their Engineer was in someway connected with Messrs. Kinuard, the contractors who built the wharf, and any opinion from him might be ojien to the imputation of being partial. In asking the Government to make such a survey they were asking what they were justly entitled to, for the province of "Wellington, in reality, provided wharf accomraodatiou for the whole colony. The railway material, for instance, for most of the provinces, and the massive water pipes for the Westland mining districts, the landing of which, he believed, did more damage to the wharf than two years’ ordinary traffic, all passed over the single wharf in Wellington, and the Government surely could not refuse the assistance asked , for.. Councillor Gillon read a return, showing that the amount which would have been received from the General Government had they paid ordinary wharfage rates upon the material landed on the wharf during the past three years would amount to £SOO per annum. Under these circumstances they could not refuse the assistance" of a professional gentleman to make the survey required. After a few observations from other Councillors the motion was carried. HALF-YEARLY BATES. Councillor Gillon moved—" That, in the opinion of this. Council, it is desirable that that, after the expiration of the current financial year, payment of ordinary rates and water rates should bo accepted in halfyearly instalments in advance; provided that such payments he made within thirty days after notice of the same being due shall have been given by public advertisement.”’ He explained that if the suggested alteration were effected, the periodical payments would fall much easier upon the working classes, and would not entail much additional work upon the Council officials. Councillor Cleland seconded the motion, whiclj/he thought would effect a very desirable ch/iDge. Councillor Geeeneield suggested that the discussion should be adjourned to a fuller meeting. The suggestion was adopted by the Council.
PRIVATE STREETS. Councillor Gillon moved—“ That a return be laid on the table, giving the names of all private streets on which public money has been expended during the last two yo a1 ’ 9 I whether such money has been expended for formation, maintenance, or repairs; the amount (if any) contributed voluntarily in each case , and whether such rtrcet.s have been regularly dedicated to public use.” Councillor Cleland seconded the motion, which was carried.
HANITAEY SUBJECTS. . Councillor Gili.on moved—“ That the Sanitary Committee be instructed to consider and report whether the removal of night soil, rubbish, &c., could not be more cheaply performed by contract than by men in the employ of the Council Also, whether the duties of Inspector of 'Nuisances would not be more efficiently and regularly discharged if that officer were attached to the police force, and subject to its discipline.’' With regard to the Inspector of Nuisances, ho maintained that Ids office was placed entirely upon a wrong basis. He was the head of a growing department, but was subject to no sort of control ; in short he was a kind of monarch of all he surveyed. He was not responsible to the Town Clerk, ho was not responsible to the City Engineer, he could not be responsible to the Mayor, who was away, and the Council knew whether or not ho was responsible to it. He might take a fortnight 3 holiday and no one would be any the wiser; certainly the city would be none the worse. It had been said that Sergeant Monaghan had performed the duties, and that the arrangement did not answer. He was prepared to admit that though there were more nuisances abated during his term than during the term of the present Inspector, what he proposed was that they should have an officer of their own, who should he under the control of the Inspector of Police, and be paid through the police department. In Dunedin, Sergeant Nimonperformed the duties under a similar arrangement to that he had suggested, and it had worked admirably. He had to account for his time, which was placed in the form of a return. Under the supervision of the Inspector of Police ie duties of the office would he properly attended to, and regularly and efficiently earned out. As long as Mr. Pilmer held the office he would not suggest any reduction in the salary ; but as soon as a vacancy arose there would, he did not doubt, be no difficulty in obtaining the services of a person who would perform the duties for the ordinary pay of a sergeant of police. , Councillor GIii'.ENHULU pointed out that when the removal of night soil was entirely in the hands of private nightmen, groat difficulty, was experienced in getting the done. They were not subject to this annoy-
ance at present, so that the Corporation carts had done some good. Councillor Mills bore out the statements of Councillor Greenfield. Councillor Bainie did not believe in change merely for the sake of change, but if the motion merely meant that the matter should be referred to the Sanitary Committee he could see no objection to that. The motion was agreed to. CORPORATION EMPLOYES. Councillor Cleland brought under the notice of the Council the fact that many of the Corporation men, instead of being at work at eight in the morning, did not begin till nine, and in some cases after. Councillor Gillon said such a matter as that should be dealt with by the Public Works Committee. Councillor Greenfield protested against such statements as those made by Councillor Cleland, unless there were some good grounds for them. Speaking for Ins own end of the town, he knew the men were always at work at eight o’clock. ' Councillor Mills said that such statements were not true ; they did more harm than good. Councillor Gillon said he had often seen the men come to work on the Pipifcea footpath job as late as a quarter to nine in the morning. The Engineer explained that he always insisted on the men being at their work at the proper hour, and he was not aware of their being at their work late, as stated. The subject was allowed to drop. NOTICES OF MOTION. Councillor Gillon gave notice of several motions to he considered at next meeting, and the Council adjourned.
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New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4367, 19 March 1875, Page 2
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3,294CITY COUNCIL. New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4367, 19 March 1875, Page 2
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