CITY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5226, 21 December 1877, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the City Council was held yesterday afternoon at four o’clock. Present —The Mayor, and Councillors Diver, Fisher, G. Allen, J. A. Allan, Maginity, Logan, Dixon, Hunter, Moss, .Macdonald, and George.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE. A letter was received from Mr. Travers, inreference to his being kept out of possessionof a portion of the Town Belt leased by him. He stated he woxxld hold the Council responsible for the loss sustained thereby.—Referred to the Public Works Committee.

A letter was received from the Superintendent of the Wellington Eire Brigade, enclosing an account of the expenses incurred by the brigade at different fires,—Referred to the Public Works Committee. A letter was received from Mr. Thomas Frost, the owner of three cottages on Clyde-quay, drawing attention to the defective drainage in that quarter.—Referred to the Public Works Committee.

The Mayor said it occurred to him that it would save time if such letters were addressed to the Public Works Committee.

TENDERS. The opening of tenders was postponed, as it was originally understood that tlxe Council would not meet till half-past seven that evening, and it was felt that it might not be fair to tho ! e who had delayed sending their tenders in till late iu the afternoon.

The applications for the various Corporation offices were postponed till later on.

REPORT ON AVATEHWORKS. The following report was read from the Waterworks Committee;—

The committee attended at the works on Thursday the 13th insfc., and made enquiries on the spot as to what works were in progress ; and it appears that the contractor's work is nearly complete, and that nothing that he has to do will prevent the storage of water immediately. The only men the committee could And who were in the employ of the Council were five, the person in charge stating that tie knew of no others, and that iie was the fitter charged with making the joints, and getting the pipes in position; that they were now engaged stacking pipes at the top of the hill, as they had not seen Mr. Marchant for several days, and were awaiting orders ; that he anticipated great" difficulty in completing the work, as the top pipes had been put in before the bottom ones for some distance, and that ho believed the top ones would have to be removed before the bottom ones could be put in. The committee called a meeting, and reque-ted the attendance of Mr. Marchant at 3.30p.m. on Tuesday, but Mr. Marchant failed to attend, although the committee are Informed that several notices and messages were sent to liim. , The committee finding, 1 as they believe, that Mr. Marchant is seriously neglecting the work, and that no progress is being mad* towards completion, recommend that he be suspended ; and that Mr. Blackett be requested to appoint some person to superintend the work until it is completed.' The committee have requested Mr. Blackett toreport to the Council on the subject.

Councillor George thought the adoption of the report should be postponed, as it might not be desirable to suspend Mr. Marchant as recommended by the committee, while Mr. Blackett might not be in a position to appoint anyone to take charge of the works. Councillor Hunter, was of opinion that it would be necessary to hold another meeting very shortly, owing to the loose manner in which the advertisements for tenders had been worded. ; Tt was stated that tenders would be received up to the afternoon of that day, and as the usual hoar of meeting was half-past seven, it might be a great hardship to some to open tenders before that time. , Councillor Allan hoped there would be no delay more than was absolutely necessary, as at present the works for the supply of wattr appeared to be at a standstill. It was agreed that the Council meet the following (this) day at 12 o’clock.

SIGNING CHEQUES. Some discussion ensued consequent upon a question put by Councillor Hunter as to a cheque for 42970 given to Mr. Saunders for extras on the waterworks contract. There was no schedule of items attached to the account. Councillor Macdonald said he was one of the Councillors who signed the cheque, and he did so after seeing the Mayor and Town Clerk’s signature attached to it. At the first meeting of the new Council, he raised the question as to how Councillors were to be satisfied as to the accuracy of accounts attached to cheques presented to them for signature, and it was then agreed that the Mayor and Town Clerk’s signature should be first attached, as a guarantee that the cheque was correct; and that this should he sufficient evidence without further inquiry on the part of the Councillor who might be called upon to sign. On this basis he had signed a large number of cheques, and amongst them the one referred to, and he disclaimed all responsibility in such matters. If the executive officers could not he trusted, they should he removed ; but he would be in favor of a plan by which two Councillors, to be nominated, should sign all cheques, and be responsible for their correctness before issue. In this matter, until they had the contract and full details before them, it was useless debating whether Mr. Marchant was or was not justified in giving the certificates for. extras on which the cheque had been issued. Councillor Fisher spoke strongly upon the conduct of the late, Mayor and Councillor Macdonald signing the cheque for such a large amount without the Council being furnished with a schedule of items. He had made inquiries of contractors, and he was informed that it was not usual to pay for extras until the main account had been settled.' But it appeared to him the matter was hurried because the late Mayor was leaving office, and it was thought Mr. Saunders plight have some difficulty in obtaining his money after the Mayor left. The Mayor thought it was not desirable to discuss the matter further then, as the whole subject would agaiu be brought forward at the meeting the following day.

Councillor Hunter said that it was necessary that a stop should be put to such irregular practices as appeared to have taken place in reference to the payment for extras on the waterworks contract. He trusted that the Mayor would see that such matters were conducted in a regular manner.

The Mayor said it rested in a great measure with the Town Clerk, and he trusted to receive the assistance of that official in seeing that the affairs of the Corporation were carried on in a proper manner. The subject then dropped. REPORT OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE, The following report of the above committee was read and adopted’:— 1. On letters from Mr. Joseph Ames and Mr. M. Bohan, asking for permission to erect a balcony in front of their premises at Lambtou quay and Man-nois-sir-et respectively, the committee recommend that permission be given in. these and other cases on the following conditions (1.) That the balcony shall be compose-! wholly of iron, except the flooring. (2.) That the flooring shall be watertight. (3.) That the balcony shall extend the whole width of the footpath. 2. The Town Clerk havin g reported that the lease of the Market Hall was put up to auction on the 30lh ultimo, but that no bid was made up to the reserved price—viz., £2OO per annum, the committee recommend that applications for the lease be invited by advertisement, the conditions to be the same as were prepared forth© auction, and the reserve price to remain £2OO per annum. 3. The committee resolved as follows :—That the Waterworks Engineer be called upon to furnish an explanation to the Council at its next meeting as to the reasons which justified him in issuing a certificate for extras on the waterworks contract before the completion of the same, and that he also furnish details as to the said extras. 4. Mr. Bond waited on the committee re water supply to houses off Cambrjdge-terracc, also as to the drainage of the same place.—The committeee recommend that a drain bo laid across the road by the Surveyor at Mr. Bond’s cost, and th Mr. Bond continue It through his property to the satisfaction of the surveyor, the drain to be used for surface water only. Also that the Waterworks Engineer lay on a main at Mr. Bond’s cost.

5. Several residents in streets where water-mains having been newly laid having complained that the water not yet been turned on, and that they are getting' no supply, although they have paid their rates, the committee recommend that no more rates should bo received for water In such streets until the Engineer reports that it has been turned on. 6. The attention of the Council is drawn to the practise of Mr. J. Saunders removing soil from Grantroad, and the committee recommend that lie be called upon to discontinue' the practice, and to make good the road where he has been excavating. 7. The committee recommend that the resolution of tho Council on section 17 of Public Works Committee's report of (>th inst. as to forming a portion of Grant road at Mr. Saunders’ .request, be not for the present acted on. 8 The committee have examined accounts amounting t o C7SOPS. 0.1., and recommend, that they he paid; but they are of opinion that an account sent in from Messrs. Lyon and Ulair, amounting to £45, for in-

etmmenta supplied lo Mr. CUmio, should not be paid. 0. The Acting City Surveyor reported that ho had placed stench-traps at the top o£ I’limmer’s steps, to abate the nuisance complained of at last meeting of the Council. 10. The committee beg to make the following recommendations (1.) That the City Surveyor be inetructed to fence off a dangerous hole in the road at the corner of Mary-sireet and Tinakori-rond : to report on letter from Messrs. B. Smith and Co., agents for h'lyger’s estate, rc hooding of a house in IViUisstreet; to attend to the fencing encroaching on the footpath in several places in AVillis-street ; to report on letter from Mr. C. P. Fowles, complaining of the detective state of the drainage near Ids otliees in Hunter-street; to report on account sent in by Mr. O'Malley. (2.) That the Inspector of Nuisances be instructed to take steps to prevent horses straying about the Thorndon end of the city at night. (3.) That a water main he laid on at Pipitea Point (in accordance with a petition to that effect), provided there are pipes on hand suitable. (1.) That the Drainage Engineer be instructed to report, on a letter from Mr. dV. E. Cooper re drain in Cambridgeterraco, . 11 On report of Inspector of Nuisances m respect to tho drainage of Mr. Walker’s property, Moiesworth-street, the committee recommend that a drain be laid on, and the cost recovered from Mr. Walker. CORPORATION OFFICIALS. Councillor Diver moved the following motion standing in his name : —“ That the proceedings of the special meeting of the Council, held on the 29th of November, respecting the special committee’s report on the re-organisation of the departmental offices, be rescinded, and that the report be reconsidered.” He asked leave to amend his motion by striking out the word “rescinded,” and insert in lieu thereof, “be amended so far as concerns the departments of the Town Clerk, Accountant,' Collector, and Engineer.” He had moved at a previous meeting that the adoption of the report of the Re-organisation Committee be postponed, as he then had not time to consider the matter. Since the report was printed, he had come to tho conclusion that reform in the city offices was highly necessary. He referred to the Town Clerk, and thought he should receive a month’s pay for every year he was in office, as was usual in dispensing with the services of officials. The report stated that it was cheaper to obtain the services of efficient men at liberal salaries than be burdened, with inferior men at low salaries. Councillor Diver then went into the question of the various salaries proposed to be given to the Corporation officials, with the object of showing that ttie remuneration fixed was inadequate. Had time been given for the consideration of the report bis motion would have been unnecessary.

Councillor Hunter seconded the proposal of Dr. Diver, and was sorry that the report of the committee had been adopted so hurriedly. He regretted that any important discussion should have taken place with closed doors. There was no mention in the report of the committee of the legal expenses of the Corporation, and he thought they should have inquired into that as well as other matters. He agreed with Dr. Diver that the salary fixed for the Engineer was too low, and to obtain the services of a really competent man to superintend the works of the city it would be necessary to give a higher salary ; but, as regards the Town Clerk, £SOO he thought sufficient for that office.

The motion was then put that Councillor Diver obtain leave to amend his motion, and the voting was as follows ; —Ayes—Councillors Diver, Moss, Maginity, Fisher,' Hunter, Drausfield. Noes —Macdonald, Dixon, Logan, J. A. Allan, G. Allan, and George. The votes being equal, the Mayor gave the casting vote in favor of Dr. Diver’s motion, saying that in doing so he only followed the usual course of enabling the matter to be again discussed. The motion as amended was then discussed. Councillor Fisher agreed with the motion. He did not think Mr. Hester had been treated fairly. He was of opinion that, as he had not given any offence, he was entitled to a month’s salary for every year he had been in office. The committee had done right in making a clean sweep of the Engineering department. As for the Wharfinger, the sooner they got rid of him the better, as it was stated that he had offered inducements to masters of vessels to moor at the wharf of Messrs. Plimmer, Peeves, and Co.

Councillor Hunter said he agreed with the last speaker that a change should be made in the office of Wharfinger, unless Mr. Reeves gave up his connection with the firm of Messrs. Piimmer,'Reeves, and Co. In reference to a certain matter in connection with the Town Clerk, it must be remembered that he was not the only party to blame. The following letter was read from Mr. Reeves, the wharfinger ;

Wellington, December 7,1877. Sir, — 1 have received an intimation from the Town Clerk that by a resolution of the Council I am called upon to state on or before the 15th instant that my connection with the firm of Piimmer, Reeves, and Co. will close at the end of this month. I regret to say that in terras of Messrs. Piimmer, Reeves, and Co.’s deed of partnership, as drawn up by Messrs. Travers and Ollivier in February, 1870, re-constituting the firm, and making me a sleeping partner in the concern, in terms of ray letter of candidature for the appointment of Wharfinger, it is quite out of my power to leave the firm except by giving six months' notice before the 31st of every January. I thoroughly believe that the City Council did not mean to make any condition that I could not perform. lam prepared to leave the firm of Piimmer. Reeves, and Co. ns soon as it is possible for me to do so. Tt may have escaped the memory of the Councillors, and I mention it now solely in case I might be afterwards blamed for not having done so, that my position as their Wharfinger and my appointment differ materially from the position and appointment of other officials. Permit me, sir, to thank the Council through you for the expression of approval of my management contained in the resolve to give me more salary than would be offered to anyone else, if I continue in the office of Wharfinger, and to assure you that f am desirous to meet the views of the Council in every possible way. To His Worship Wra. Hutchison, Esq., Mayor of Wellington.

That letter was referred to the City Solicitor, and the following opin’on' was received from Mr. Travers :—“I presume that Mr. Reeves refers to the fact that he is not an officer of the Corporation within the meaning of section 102, but is merely managing a wharf, wh : ch is an accidental grant of the property of the Corporation. As such manager he occupies the position of an ordinary servant, and appears to me to he entitled to the usual notice of dismissal. The Queen’s Wharf does not, aa it seems to me, come within the provisions of section 336, 337, and 338 of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1870. —Wit. Tuos. Locke Travers.” The motion of Dr. Diver, as amended, was agreed to, and the Council proceeded to reconsider the report of the Re-organisation Committed.

Councillor Diver proposed that Mr. Hester receive a month’s salary for every year he was in office —viz., six years. The statement in the report about the Town Clerk was unfounded, as the late Mayor had distinctly stated that the burgess roll had never been tampered with. Councillor Maointiy moved a further amendment to the effect that Mr. Hester be requested to withdraw his resignation, and that no tenders he opened for the office till specific charges should be made against Mr. Hester, and thus give him an opportunity of replying.

Councillor C. A liven said the committee, in considering the position of the officials, came to the conclusion that it would be better to make as few charges as possible. The Town Clerk having intimated that he had no desire to retain the office, Councillor Maginity withdrew his motion. It was agreed, without division, to give Mr, Hester six months’ salary. Councillor Diver then moved that the Town Clerk receive £4OO a year, instead of £SOO as suggested, but withdrew it on Councillor Hunter pointing out that applications had been inserted for the office at the higher salary. Councillor Diver then moved that the Accountant’s salary be £3OO instead of £250. The motion was negatived by the casting vote of the Mayor. Councillor Diver moved that the Collector’s salary he £2OO instead of £l7s.—Negatived by 7 to 5.

.Councillor Divbk moved that the fees required to be paid to fidelity companii s be paid by the Council,—Agreed to. Councillor Dxvmt moved that the salary of the Engineer be increased from £6OO to £BOO. He drew the attention of the Council to a resolution passed in June last that Mr. Marchant’s services should bo retained till the waterworks and wharf contracts were completed. Councillor Hx'NTKU said at present they were paying £IBOO a year to the engineering department, and he thought it would be better

to say at once that they would give a firstclass man £IOOO or £I2OO a year. He alluded to the large salaries paid to high-class engineers. He mentioned Mr. Clarke, who was to receive a retaining fee of 5000 guineas from tho Sydney Government, and it was stipulated that ho should not be detained over six months. He had since been engaged by the .South Australian Government at even a higher salary than that stated. He was to receive £SOO a week for the time he was engaged in Christchurch. Councillor Dixon thought the services of a competent man could bo obtained for £BOO a year, and he would vote for that amount. Councillor Fisher said if they secured a first-class man, he might, for instance, be able to save his salary by reducing tbs £3OOO which had been paid for extras on the waterworks contracts. ,

Councillor George said it would be a mistake to make any change in the report of the committee. In his opinion the salary fixed would be sufficient to secure the service of a good man. Councillor Macdonald pointed ont that the engineer of Birmingham only received £6OO a year. The Mayor thought it would be advisable to confine the salary to £6OO. Really firstclass men were paid higher in that profession than in any other, and even for £BOO a year they could not hope to obtain the services of men eminent in their profession. Councillor Allen moved an amendment that the salary be £7OO. The amendment was negatived, and the motion for £BOO a year was carried by 7 to 5. It was then moved by Councillor Diver that advertisements be inserted in the papers of New Zealand and in the Australian colonies for tlie services of a competent engineer, applications to be sent in not later than the Ist of February next. Councillor Macdonald said it would be a waste of time and money to advertise in the Australian papers. It was well known that there were more engineers in New Zealand at present than all the neighboring colonies put together. Councillor Allen moved an amendment that no advertisement be inserted in the Australian papers. A man might be a good engineer in Australia, but might fail here from a want of knowledge of the materials he would have to work with. Great trouble and expense had taken place through the cause he alluded to.

The original motion was carried by the casting vote of the chairman. The Council then adjourned till the following day (Friday), at 12 o’clock noon.