CITY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5190, 9 November 1877, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

The City Council met last evening at halfpast seven. There were present the Mayor, and Councillors J. A. Allan, George Allen, Dixon, Maginity, Logan, Greenfield, and George. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Before proceeding to the ordinary business, Councillor George Allen said he desired to draw the attention of the Council to the dangerous practice of fast driving which still was frequent in this city notwithstanding the by-laws which were recently put in force The Mayor stated he would draw the attention of the police to the matter. An application was received from Mr. Palmer, stating that the Wellington Volunteer Fire Brigade building, Manners-street, was allowed to be used for public purposes without being licensed. He considered it most unfair that the managing committee should be allowed to let it for public purposes without having fulfilled the requirements of the law.— Referred to-the Public Works Committee. A letter was received from Mr. W. H. Grainey, drawing attention to the dangerous state of the watermen’s gridiron. The Mayor stated that the gridiron did not belong to the Corporation. It was the property of the Government. He thought it would be better to refer the matter to the harbormaster. Councillor Greenfield was of opinion that as the Corporation received the watermen’s fees it was the duty of the Council to keep it in repair. Councillor Maginity supported the Mayor’s suggestion, and Councillors Allen and LogAn were of opinion that the work was such as the Corporation should undertake. On the motion of Councillor George the necessary repairs were ordered to be executed. Itwas then moved by Councillor Maginity— That the cost should not exceed £1 5, and if so that tenders be called for it.—Carried. A letter was read from B. W. Watson, asking compensation for being compelled to move bis premisesowing to the extension of Taranakistreet.—Referred to the Public Works Committee, An application was received from Mr. Joshua White, asking’ compensation for injuries sustained through slipping and falling on the concrete pavement. It was resolved that the Council could not entertain the application. A letter was read from the Hon. John Johnston, complaining that his name had been omitted from the burgess list for Lambton Ward. The Council ordered that the letter be acknowledged with an expression of regret that Mr. Johnston’s name wa« omitted. A letter was read from the Town Clerk, pointing out that at the late sale of two acres of land in Abel Smith-street and Cuba-street the conditions of the Municipal Corporations Act had not been complied with. Councillor Macdonald said that the Town Clerk had written the letter at his request. The land had been divided by narrow lanes, not of the width required by the Act. There were many cases of a similar nature. It was time that the Council took action iu the matter. It was stated that there was a penalty of £lO a day for every day such streets were opened after notice had been given by tie Council. Councillor Macdonald moved, —That the City Solicitor be requested to put in force, on behalf of the Council, the provisions of the Municipal Corporations Act in reference to streets laid out in town sections Nos. 104, 127, and 282, or any others.—Carried unanimously.

- KENT-TEKRACE DRAIN. It was resolved that the tenders for covering the above drain be not opened that night, as the Engineer estimated That the work would cost three times as much as was anticipated. After some discussion it was further agreed that the work be not proceeded with. THE TRAMWAY. Councillor Maginity desired to make a re-, mark in reference to what had taken place at a previous meeting. He bad been contradicted when he said that Councillors Macdonald and Greenfield were connected with the Tramway: Company. However, he had seen a document last Saturday containing the names of shareholders, and amongst them were the names of Councillors Greenfield and Macdonald. ■ Councillor Macdonald said that Councillor Maginity had displayed a stupid ignorance of the Municipal Corporations Act. The document which Councillor Maginity had seen was one for the incorporation of the Tramway Company, and contained twenty-two signatures. It was quite competent for any member of the Council to belong to an incorporated company, whether that company had dealings with the Corporation or not, so long as the number of shareholders exceeded twenty-one. He would continue to take an interest in works which would be for the welfare of the city, notwithstanding untruthful insinuations. His signature was attached to the document mentioned on the 27th October, but the charge was made by Councillor Maginity before that date. After some strong language from Councillor Greenfield, the matter was allowed to drop. TENDERS. The tender of Tim Foley, of £165, for the formation of Daniel-street, was accepted., The following report by Mr. O. O’Neill was read : “1. I have to report in reference to letters from Box, Williams, and others, proprietors in Donald McLean and Normanby streets, that on examining the matter I have to recommend that the culvert proposed to cross Donald MoLean-street should be carried along the street and extended to culvert at Riddifordstreet. The extra cost will be about £lO. “2. I have examined breastwork iu Hobsonstreet, referred to in letter attached from. Messrs. Bannatyne. Ido not consider the work meantime dangerous, but I have to recommend as a precautionary measure that some of the timbers be strengthened with iron straps. Cost about £B. “ 3. I have examined Austin-street contract , works, and have made arrangements for the necessary footpaths, as asked for iu letter from Messrs. Read and Martin, attached hereto. ~ “ In the operations at south end of Tasmanstreet, parties complained of the altered level doing much injury to their properties. I went to the works and found that by making the cutting about three feet deep for about two chains, the properties would be uninjured, and this new level would be a great improvement. I have to recommend the alteration. Cost about £20.” Councillor George moved,—That no money be expended by the Council on streets formed by private persona, although the same inay have become public highways within the meaning of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1876, until the same have been formed, metalled, kerbed, and drained by the proprietors of the lands adjoining the same, to the. satisfaction of the Council. Several Councillors having expressed a desire that as the matter was one of great importance, its consideration should be held over till next meeting, Councillor George consented 1 to the motion being adjourned till the next ordinary meeting. Councillor Allan moved, —That as a matter - affecting the honor of the City Council, that the serious charges which have been made, on the one hand, of an important public document having been improperly tampered with ; and, on the other hand, that such charge is false, should be inquired into by a committee; such committee to consist of Councillors Fisher, Maginity, Logan, and the mover. Councillor G. Allen seconded the motion pro forma. Councillor Logan thought no useful object would be served by referring the matter to a committee. Ox>e had already reported upon it, and it would be better to let the matter rest. Councillor Macdonald said it appeared to him that the Council were powerless to deal with the matter. They had the statement of the Town Clerk on the one hand and the Mayor on the other, and he did not think that referring the matter to another committee woxxld place the Council in a better position to judge between them. The Mayor said he was perfectly willing to have the committee appointed, but unfortunately, as Councillor Macdonald had said, the Council had no power to act in the matter. Councillor Allan, with the leave of the Council, withdrew his motion. The Mayor gave notice that at next meeting he would move that the City Surveyor be instructed to carry out the extension of Cubastreet from Manners-street to the foreshore. The Council then adjourned.