THE WATER-RATE DISPUTE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5106, 4 August 1877, Page 2

THE WATER-RATE DISPUTE.

The Town Clerk intimated that he had served the members of the Council with notices of a protest entered by the Mayor against the rate levied by the Council. [As that document has already been published iu a contemporary we shall not reproduce it.] Councillor Oleland asked the Mayor if he had taken or purposed taking'any action in the matter ?

The Mayor replied that it was not for him but other people to take action. He had done all he could by placing the protest on record. The Town Clerk, having obtained permission, laid on the table an explanation in reference to the Mayor’s protest. Councillor George moved that the document be read.

The Mayor had not the least objection to the document being read, hut desired to point out that the proceeding was somewhat extraordinary, inasmuch as the Town Clerk’s letter must be looked at as a defence of the Council's resolution, whereas the Council should explain and defend its own resolutions. However, he had no objection personally to the letter being read.

Mr. Hester then read the Mayor’s protest, and next read his own explanation as follows; Wellington, 25tli July.

Sir and Gentlemen, —As I am responsible for the estimate on which the water rate of 10th July was struck, and against which his Worship the Mayor has protested, I beg respectfully to submit the following remarks in justification of that estimate As to Expenditure.—l. Interest on amount of loan; I consider this estimate quite correct, inasmuch as the amount borrowed for Waterworks is £BO,OOO, on which the Corporation will have to pay interest at the rate of 6 per cent, per annum. lam well aware that the whole amount will not be expended during the ensuing nine months ; but if any portion of it has been placed at interest. it is by an arrangement not recorded in the Council minutes, and of which I have no knowledge, either as to the amount or the rate of interest to be received, consequently I was unable to take anv account of it in my estimate. I submit, however, that any interest which may be derived from the unexpended portion of the loan should be placed to the credit of the capital account, and not the current, account. 2. Wages: Although there are eight men constantly employed, only two of them properly belong to the current account, the others being* employed in laying services, &c., and the amount of their wages is charged against the capital account. 3. The item for salaries was carefully estimated, and is as nearly correct as possible. 4. The item for sunries was purposely placed rather high, ns. I consider that in the matter of contingencies it is better to he above than below the mark. As to Receipts.—l. The supply to Government is at a fixed sum per annum. 2. The additions to assessment are put at the same amount that they lealised for the corresponding period last year, and tiie same remark applies to the estimate for receipts for water suplied at the wharf. 3. The amount likely to he received for water supplied, to machinery is placed at £l5O This is an estimate only, as the use of meters for guaging the supply is hot yet sufficiently established to enable an accurate judgment to be formed.

Councillor Mills, in referring to the subject matter of the papers just read, stated that he had made considerable inquiries relative to the striking of the rate, and he found that the sum it was necessary to reckon interest on was £BO,OOO, and any portion of the money unexpended would go to the capital account. This he had learned through conversations with Mr. Travers on the subject. Regarding the £17,000 said to be placed at interest, he said it appeared from enquiries he had made that the understanding arrived at with the bank that cheques should be drawn of the sums of money not likely to be used, so that the Corporation might have the use of it, had not been carried out. Unless the bank referred back, therefore, the result might be a loss to the Corporation, and he hoped that cheques wonld be at once drawn as originally proposed. Speaking to the Major’s protest, he must admit that he was very much surprised to see it in the newspaper. It conveyed to his mind the impression that the protest was the result of a little pique on the part of his Worship the Mayor. There was absolutely in it, because the action of the Council was in perfect order. The estimate was prepared by the Town Clerk in the usual manner, and submitted to the Council, who thereupon proceeded to strike a rate, and so far as he could gather the rate was justly made. Such proceedings as this simply took up the time of the Council, and threw obstacles in the way of really important business, which was not therefore conducted in a satisfactory manner. The Mayok asked Councillor Mills whether he intended making a motion 1 Councillor Mills said, No ; he didn’t deem it necessary, he was simply stating his opinion; but if a motion really were necessary, he should move that the action of the Council in striking the rate be confirmed. The Mayok then made an explanation, which he said was due to the public and him-

self. The matter was very simple, as the two sets of figures would speak for themselves, and it was absurd for Councillor Mills to say positively, without attempting to adduce proof, that the Town Clerk’s estimate was correct. He (the Mayor) then reiterated the statement contained in his protest with reference to the £17,000, the Council being charged with the interest on that amount more than it should be, that sum being the difference between the fictitious amount set down in the Council’s estimate and the real amount expended and about to be expended, during the next nine months, on the waterworks. Bor this sum of £17,000 the said rate was in no way responsible, it being an unexpended balance of the loan placed at interest under quite another arrangement. Mr. Hester had stated that he had no knowledge of that sum being placed at interest, and that therefore he did nut take it into account; but it appeared that Mr. Hester had that 'knowledge, he having applied to the bank to know < how the Waterworks’ account stood, although he might not have understood the bearing of it. Taking these circumstances' into consideration, it was simply folly to say that the Council’s estimate was correct. This ended the discussion, no one offering to speak further on the subject, and after a pause of a few minutes, Councillor G. Allen asked the Mayor whether there was anything before the meeting, to which the Mayor’s reply was, nothing; whatever, and that the other business would now be proceeded with. balance-sheet. Councillor George moved, That the balance-sheet for the half-year ending 31st March last, having been- approved by the auditors, it Ibe printed, and considered at next meeting, which motion was carried. correspondence. Copies of letters despatched by the order of the Council since last meeting were read as also the inward correspondence, which was as follows: -From Mackinnon and Tannahill, informing the Council that the plant for the Wateworka had been shipped. In reference to this Councillor George stated that, from information of which he was possessed on the subject, it appeared that an overcharge had been made for the water-pipes; and, at the suggestion of the Mayor, a committee was appointed to investigate the whole matter, the committee to consist of Councillors George, Greenfield, Mills, and Cleland. From Constable Doran, accepting the position of poundkeeper. From Mr. Blackett, thanking the Council for the honorarium of £IOO. On the motion of Councillor George, it was resolved that the application of Mr. B. Baker for £25 on account, in consideration of services rendered as native interpreter, connected with negotiations for the purchase of land, for the. , extension of Taranaki-street, be acceded to. • STREET IMPROVEMENTS. Applications from residents in Elizabeth, Nairn, and Ghuznee streets were referred to the Public Works Committee. DISCHARGE OP'CITY - SEWAGE. In relation tothe above’the following report from Mr. Climie was read;— • Wellington, August 2. Gentlemen, —In compliance witii your letter of the 24th ultimo, requesting me to furnish a report in reference to discharging the sewage of the city direct into the sea, instead of taking it through Mr. Crawford’s property to Lyeil Bay, I have the honor to inform you that there is no alteration required in the scheme beyond altering the route from Pirie-street, and taking the main sewer,along Adelaide-road to John-stre-t; thence along Uiddiford-strcet to Mr. Sutherland’s, from whence it would cross the range to near the north-west comer of Lyell Bay, at which place it is proposed to,have the pumping station; and from this point it would bo taken about seven furlongs along the flat to the somh-west corner of Lyell Bay, where the sewage would be discharged into the sea. By this route the tunnel would be longer, though the total distance from Piria-street to the outfall would be less than by Kilburnie; and I believe the scheme can be carried out within the original estimate. I have supplied the Government w-ith a chart of the coast, with a plan and section showing the proposed point of outfall. I also wrote particulars to the Under-Secretary, but have not yet received any reply. I saw Mr. Cooper, the Under-Secretary, to-day, when he told me the matter was being considered by the Cabinet, and that he and Dr. Lemon would probably accompany me to the district of the outfall on Saturday next. As to an Act of Parliament being necessary, the only private property that would he interfered with, outside the boundary of the city, is Mr. Sutherland’s, who assured me he would be wiliing'to dispose of two acres, or whatever was required, at a fair price, but would not fix any sum, Mr. Hunter being his agent; since which I have seen Mr. Hunter on the subject, who, from some unexplained cause, does not seem favorable to it. hut added he would give the matter his consideration on receiving an official application direct from the Council as to their requirements. I should here observe that I have the section of the route referred to ready, and should you approve it, the contract for the shafts requisite for the tunnel may be let at once. In works of this ' kind, it is usual to sink shafts prior to calling tor tenders, as a much more reliable estimate can then he made of the cost of constructing the tunnel, and the work can therefore he let with more satisfaction. I have got plan section and particulars of the length and size of the sewers proposed to be constructed, and how the drainage would be connected with the main sewer, to lay before the consulting engineer, with whom I should be glad to have an early consultation. I am, &c., Daniel Climie. An undertandiing was arrived at that the report would be considered at the next meeting of the Drainage Committee. TENDERS. The following tenders were accepted:— For constructing: drain in Arthur-street, Webber and Co., £9 10s. for main drain, £2 15s. for side drain, and 4s. for junction.— Quin-street : Webber and Co., £9 10s. for main drain, £2 ss. for side drain, and 4s. for junction.—For forming and draining Lornestreet : P. Keeves, £303 12s. fid. forming, £ll 12s. fid. main drain, £5 15s. for side drains, and 2s. for junction.—Tory-street formation : Ackroid, £B9 10s.—The lowest tender for two mud carts was that of Watson (£69), which was accepted. TOWN CLERK’S REPORT. The following report from the Town Clerk was read : 1. I have the honor to ask you to pass a resolution, confirming the one passed at special meeting of the Council held on the 21st June last, adopting certain by-laws providing ’for the' greater ■ convenience and safety of the public in regard to animals and vehicles in the streets of the city. Everything required by the Municipal Corporations Act had been done previous to the last sitting of the Council, and I had placed it on the order paper for the day, for the purpose of being confirmed: but his Worship the Mayor refused to bring it before the meeting.- I have therefore no option but to draw your attention to it in this way. 2. By section G 6 of the Municipal Corporations Act, at the first annual election of Councillors occurring after any borough has been divided or redivided into wards, all the Councillors shall go out of office. I conclude that, the division of the old Te Aro Ward into two wards, viz., Te Aro and Cook, will be looked upon as a redivislon of the city, and that consequently all the Councillors will retire in September. 3. I would respectfully suggest to the Council the advisability of calling upon the Wharf Committee or Wharfinger to report generally, say once a month, to the Council. 4. In order to abate a nuisance on acre Ho. 252 Carabride Terrace, the Inspector of Nuisances is dedirous of compelling the owner to fence it in. Will the Council he pleased to pass an order in terms of section SOT of the Act. Councillor George moved that the resolution of the Council adopting certain by-laws, providing for the greater convenience and safety of the public in regard to animals and vehicles in the streets of the city, be confirmed. Councillor G. Allen, in seconding the motion, remarked on the necessity of taking steps for the enforcement of such by-laws, either by the appointment of some Corporation officer to act as traffic manager, or by soliciting greater co-operation from the police force of the city. The motion was then put and carried. In reference to the nuisance on Cambridgeterrace, the request of the Town Clerk was acceded to. The Mayor refused to put a motion proposed by Councillor George, to the effect that the Clerk, should be requested to consult the City Solicitor in reference to the division of wards, as notice was required to be given. Councillor George remarked that in his opinion the Town Clerk would have done quite right to act on his own authority, and Councillor Mills expressed a similar'feeling. PUBLIC works.' , The report of the Public Works Committee was as follows : 1. A letter has been received from Mr. H. Jacobson, stating that he is unable to take np his contract' for drain, Sussex-square, and asking that his deposit may be returned to him; The committee are of opinion that the deposit should not be returned to Sir. Jacobson, and that the next lowest tender be accepted : but they do not wish this to be looked upon as a precedent.

2. An application has been mads to y°urcommittee by the manager of the Bank of New their consent to the erection of a porch the bank entrance, and he explained that the ian« on which it is proposed to erect the porch was or *= in i l l -J the orooerty of the bank, but through non-usage had of the footpath. The committee recommend that the application be acceded to 3 ; On a petition received asking for a drain to oe put down P on the north side of G '“ tween Cuba ami Taranaki streets ; A'AArcet Jd bo erected at the .junction of and Ghuznee-streot, —The committee petition be acceded to in eacli case, tenders being caUed lor the drain. frnm Superintendent. Wel.l ■. Wn -w iLnLJr Pirn Brleade re night watchman, thecommitteo recommend that the.Council[ appoint and that a wire be laid from the look-out to each brigade consideration of a letter from the Colonial Secretary °of the Ctli instant, re extension of formabecretary, oi General Government BSud 0 4grt; b u:"iiaib™7st,ition, on the side of the road next reclamation, has been postponed, rntf letter from Mr, W. Potter, asking to be allowed some deduction from town belt lease, due 30th of June last, as the road to Vogeltown had been taken throX his section, the committee recommend an aII 7. W A 1 petition has been received askirig tlio Council to make Normanby-struet, the residents in the street a'weeing to pay one-half the cost. Ihe committee cannot Recommend that the application be to, and would advise that the residents should do what tS BeqOß eq On e a d 'leUer from Mr. Ivor James, asking; for an entrance to town acre 771 from Owen-street/the committee recommend that the Surveyor attend to it, at a cost not exceeding £2O. . . . , . o On petition asking for a water-mam to be laid m Epunl-street, recommended that it bo granted so soon a3 m e Apphcation has been nmdo to jpur committee by Mr. James Mitchell, for a drain to be laid in> Almalane off Tory-street: but they cannot advise that the request be Seeded to, as it is a private street unless the residents in the street are prepared to pay the C °ll. Mr J. McLean, contractor, waited on the committee—First, re drain Molesworth-streef, stating that he had heard that it was the intention of the Council to make some alteration. The committee are of opinionthat it would be unwise to interfere with the contract. Second, re connecting drains, and asking at whose cost they are to be laid down. The committee are of opinion that they should ho paid for by the persons needing them. Thud TC J V race contract, offenngto accept £SO viz., A eposit £BO and money out of pocket £2O, in full ho claims. The committee recommend that this offer ho aC I2 Pt On letter received from Mr. F. Stevens re damage likely to bo done to his property through the alteration of the watercourse in Hay-street, and on hearing from the Surveyor that it would he necessary to p"? down a culvert in the street, your committee reMmmend that he be instructed to call for tenders f ° 13? On received rs gutters, Lamhton-quay, also asking for a foot crossing opposite Gene , ral , Government Buildings, —Instructions have already been given for asphalting the gutter from Mr. Lindsay s to Hill-street; and the committee recommend that the Surveyor be instructed to put down two crossings at the most suitable places. * • 14. After consideration of a petition received, your committee recommend that foot crossings be put down in Custom House-quay at the junction of Panama and Brandon-streets. r .. 15. Oa letter received from Mr. H. W. Cl;rtlsasking for a drain to be put down in Chapel-street, off MOlesworth-street,—The committee cannot entertain this application, as it is a private street, but suggest that the residents in the street should, at their own oost. put down the drain connecting it with Moies-worth-street drain. . OAtl 10 On letter received from Mr. M. Holmes, of 30th inst., offering to pay half the expenses of kerbing and laying down with concrete or asphalt, oft. wirte, the footpath opposite his residence in Hajvkestone-street. the committee recommend that Ms offer be accepted, 17. On petition for a waste main to be laid m Elizabeth-atreet, the committee advise that this petition be granted so soon as there are pipes on hand. 18. The committee lecommendas follows:--(l.) ihat the Surveyor widen and repair Oriental Bay road. (2.) That a reward of £1 be offered to any person who shall give such information as will lead to the conviction of’anyone taking gravel from the beach adjoining the road round Oriental Bay to the Patent blip. (3.) That tenders be called for from persons willing to take charge of the kerosene store. The following instructions have been given to the Surveyor:—To put down a crossing InAVillis-street, at a suitible place between Xambton-quay and Mannersstreet ; to. attend to Woolcombe-street; to remove long piles from Custom House-quay; to gravel footpath, Bixon-street; to fence in gravel-pit foot of Cam-bridge-terrace. , , , vr Tn reference to the subjects upon which -Air. J. 'McLean, contractor, waited on the committee,'the Council decided not to make any alteration in the contract for drains in Moles-worth-street, and approved of the committee’s opinion as to connecting drains. ; lie the Gleu-hervie-terrace contract it was resolved that Mr. McLean should be returned his deposit of £6O, and be paid £2O for the money which he was out of pocket in connection with the contract. Clause 10 of the report was referred to the committee. No action was taken -bn several of the recommendations contained in the report. - _ SHOULD THE TOWN CLERK BE A SOLICITOR. The motion of which notice was given at the meeting before last, tbat the time has arrivedwhen the office of Town Clerk should be filled by a solicitor, was postponed. TOWN BELT LEASES. Councillor George briefly proposed his motion for cutting up a portion of the Town Belt into-extended-building leases, and remarked that be did not wish to press the matter now, bnt simply desired to bring it under notice. Councillor Lain IE seconded the motion pro forma, bnt stated that he should like to see the consideration of the subject adjourned. Councillors Cleland, Allen, and Allan opposed the motion, which was not further proceeded with. EE THE WHARFINGER. Councillor Kainib’s motion with reference to the Wharfinger was postponed after slight discussion, in which several members of the Council repeated the . views previously expressed at meetings during which the position of Mr. Beeves as an official under the Corporation was so elaborately discussed. The Council then adjourned.