CITY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5242, 11 January 1878, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

The usual fortnightly , meeting of the City Council was held last evening at half-past seven. There were present Councillors Hunter, Dixon, J. A. Allan, Greenfield, G. Allen, Diver, Moss, Fisher, Macdonald, Maginity, and George. In the absence of Mr. Dransfield, Councillor Moss took the chair. A letter was read from Mr. C. C. Graham, accepting the position of Town Clerk, and stating that he was prepared to furnish the necessary sureties. Sir. Graham was present, and discharged the usual duties of the Town Clerk at the meeting. A letter was read from Mr. Wm. Hester, the late Town Clerk, conveying his thanks for the liberal manner the Council had treated him hy allowing him six months' pay on his retirement. He looked upon the action of the Council as expressing satisfaction at the manner in which he had discharged his duties during the six years he was in office. An opinion was read from the City Solicitor, to the effect that in accordance with clause 107 of the Municipal Corporations Act all accounts against the Council must be submitted at a meeting of the Council before being paid by cheque as provided. A letter was read from Mr. Bishop, grocer, asking the patronage of the City Council for a soiree, to be held in the Arcade, Mannersstreet, on the 22nd inst.—The letter was ordered to be recived. THE DRAINAGE SCHEME. A discusssiou took place in reference to giving the Drainage Engineer control of the sewerage works now being undertaken, and a letter was read from Mr. Cliraie on the subject. In answer to Councillor Fisher, the Chairman stated that no specific arrangement had been made with Mr. Napier Bell. Councillor LOGAN stated that if the report of the Re-organisation Committee had been adopted in its entirety, a City Engineer would have been appointed before the let of January, and it was proposed that no arrangements should be made with either Mr. Climie or Mr. Marchant till the permanent head of the Engineering Department of the Council was appointed. In answer to Councillor Macdonald, the Chairman stated that the small drainage works now being carried on were under the control of the Acting-Engineer (Mr. O’Neill). The consideration of the matter was postponed. THE RATE COLLECTOR. A letter was road from Mr. Leonard Stowe, census enumerator for the Wellington District, asking that the Council permit Mr. Solomon Levy to undertake the duties of sub-enumerator. Councillor Fisher said he - believed they would be consulting the wishes of Mr. Levy if they refused the request. , As it had been previously resolved that the rate collector should devote all his time to the duties of the office, the request was refused. PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE, The following report of the above committed was read and adopted : , , “ 1. That it is advisable to purchase two new fire-alarm bells, at an estimated cost of, £SO each for 5 cwt. bells, one for each end of the city. 2. Market Hall Reserve. —By clause 177 of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1876, the Council cannot let except by public auotioh. Recommended that the upset price be reduced below £2OO, that having been found, to be too high. 3. Recommended that Mr. C. T. Batkin’s application for 1 the removal of earth from the Tiuakori-road be agreed to, under the supervision of the City Engineer only. 4. That the old steps removed from Thomson-street bo used to replace those formerly giving access to Mr, Benbow’s premises in Tasman-street, the latter having been removed by the Corporation. 5. That the City Solicitor bo instructed to take the necessary

steps for placing himself in possession of the 'Town Belt section leased by him, at tbe same time he being furnished with a copy of a letter from Mr. J. Collins, the present occupier, the committee expressing no opinion as to the contents thereof. G. That immediate steps be taken by the Inspector of Nuisances for removing alTobstructions from certain streets in the neighborhood of the breastwork. 7. That the application of Colonel Decide and others for extension of street formation in the Adelaide-road cannot be entertained, the matter having been previously decided upon. 8. That the application of Messrs. W. and G. Turnbull and Co., for concrete pavement to be laid in front of their premises in Custom House-quay, Waring Taylor-street, and Johuston-street, be agreed to on their paying previously one.lialf the cost of same, 9, Ihat the application of Mr, Haynes, of the Newtown Hotel, for a cattle-drinking trough, and for water to be laid on to a bath room cannot be entertained. 10. That the application by Mr. E. W. Mills for a water supply for the hydraulic machinery in 'Turnbull’s bond should not be entertained until the probable total supply of water can be ascertained. 11. That the application of Messrs. George Rage and others, for a continuance of the culvert in Dauiell-street, on the recommendation of the City Engineer, be agreed to, the estimated cost not to exceed £25. 12. That the whole of-the land comprising the Waterworks reserve he at once fenced, and that the Engineer be instructed to prepare specifications witli a view to tenders being called for. 13. That the employment by the City Engineer of two assistants at 12s. and 15s. per diem, respectively, he confirmed. 11. That a drain with grating.-, be laid down between Ghuzuee-street and Dixon-street, at an estimated cost of £lO. Tenders to be called for. 15. That the various advertisements now in the papers referring to water supply and the City Engineership be withdrawn. 16. That accounts amounting to £B2l 15s. Sd. be recommended for payment-. ’ Councillor Fisher said be understood when, the bell towers were erected a code of signals would be furnished to each. Ihe cost would not be much, and he looked upon the code as highly necessary. In other cities a code of signals was attached to a bell tower. It was said Jiat a man would have to attend at each station, but he did not think that that was necessary. ■ The Chairman stated that in those places where fire signals were used there were paid fire brigades. . It was stated that the siguals would cost about £SO. : Councillor Diver said if a code of siguals were 1 necessary they should not let expense stand in the way. It was extremely desirable that the earliest intimation of a fire should be given. A few minutes delay in giving the alarm might entail a loss of thousands of pounds. No action was taken in the matter. Some discussion ensued on the clause in the report recommending that the application of Colonel Decide for the formation of a road in Co >k Ward leading to his place be not acceded to. - Councillor George moved that the recommendation of tho committee be not agreed to. When the matter came on for discussion previously it was Stated that the work was for the benefit of one man ; but since then a petition signed by a number of ratepayers had been sent in, praying that the work should be done, as it would be a great convenience to them. He (Councillor George) thought the work was necessary, and would propose that ifcbe carried out, 1 . Councillor Greenfield supported this. It was a work which would benefit a large number (if the ratepayers of Cook Ward.- He trusted members would not take a one-sided view. : Councillor Macdonald thought it would not he treating the committee fairly to reject their recommendation. This work would be included in the general scheme of works in Cook Ward, and it was felt that it would be better to hold it over till the works could be undertaken as a whole. Councillor Fisher pointed out that there was an overdraft at the bank of £35,000 odd, and he did not think that the Council was in a position to undertake such works. : ■Councillor MACINI :T would oppose it on the ground that when he asked for certain expenditure on a work in Sydney-street it was urged that the Council was' not in sufficient funds to undertake the work. The clause in the report was agreed to. Councillor Hunter called attention to the omission from the paysheet of the signatures of,tbe men who received the money. Across and tbe letters J.S. were attached to each of the payments, and he found it certified at the end of tbe pay-sheet by John Shanaghan that the payments were correct. There, was no receipt* from the men—no discharge whatever. Councillor Macdonald explained that when he was auditor he found that a cross was attached to one-third of the payments made to the men. There was no guarantee that the crosses were genuine, and he suggested that the payments to the men should be witnessed by two officers of the Corporation. By this means they had a guarantee of three Corporation officers —the engineer who employed the men and the two officials who witnessed the payments. No claim had been made upon the Council for money already paid. Councillor bUNTEB still thought it was a loose and irregular way of doing business. Every man who could write should sign a receipt,and those who could not sign their name should affix crosses, each attested by a witness. That was tbe course adopted in steamboats and other places where a large number of men were employed. He also pointed out a discrepancy in the accounts, where a liability of £4 10s. was charged to the Waterworks account, which should be placed against the Wharf account. Such practices would lead to confusion in accounts. It was highly necessary that all expenditure should be properly scheduled. Councillor Fisher said signing in the block opened the door to dummyism. He had read Mr. Brassey’s work on contracts, in which it was stated that the names of women were often placed on the pay-sheet. The accounts were then passed. WATERWORKS INVESTIGATION COMMITTEE. _ Councillor Hunter brought up an interim report of the Waterworks Investigation Committee. The report was adopted unanimously. inspector op nuisances report. The report of the Inspector of Nuisances was read, and referred to the Public Works Committee. THE MAYOR’S SALARY. It was moved that the salary attached to the office of Mayor be the same as formerly, viz., £2OO a-year, and £IOO a-year as Chairman of Wharf Committee. Councillor Dixon moved that the sums be £3OO a-year and £loo.—'This was supported by Councillor Macdonald, on tho ground that the claims of hospitality, &c., made upon the Mayor in virtue of his office entailed a considerable outlay. Councillor Hunter opposed the increase. It would - he a transparent farce to expect the Mayor to give entertamments on £3OO a-year. He would vote for the original proposal on the distinct understanding' that the Mayor would not be jexpeoted to expend any of his salary on hospitality. Councillor Fisher said the finances of , the city were not in a position to admit of an increase. He spoke highly of Mr. Dransfield, who had in previous years filled the'office of Mayor without pay. It was carried that the amounts should remain as formerly, viz,, £2OO and £IOO. BUILDING REGULATIONS. Councillor Macdonald asked what steps had been taken to carry out ‘the building regulations ? He walked through a place the other day which would be a hotbed of fever in a year or two. The Chairman said that the tenements referred to were constructed before the beginning of j the year, hut from the Ist of January the Inspector would see that the regulations were adhered to. 1 . BY-LAWS. , . ■ ■ , Councillor Allan moved; that the Town Clork be instructed to have printed copies of the by-laws prepared in the, form of a pamphlet, in accordance with the Municipal Corporations Act.—Carried.,,

unauthorised expenditure. Councillor Fisher moved, —That uo , officer of the Corporation be permitted to incur any expenditure of any kind without previous reference either to his Worship the Mayor or to the Council. Councillor George opposed the _ motion. They had been endeavoring for some time past to obtain efficient men who would be responsible for expenditure, but it was now proposed to throw the responsibility upon the Mayor It would be exceedingly inconvenient to prohibit the Engineer or other responsible officers incurring any small and necessary expense. Councillor Hunter was of opinion that the resolution went too far. _ However, he felt that a motion on the subject was necessary, but it might be better to fix an amount which might be expended. The fact was that the Investigation Committee were somewhat alarmed hy the disclosures of the past fortnight. Their opinion might be gleaned from the interim report which they had presented. After some further discussion, Councillor Fisher obtained leave to withdraw his motion. wharf extension contract. Councillor Fisher moved, and it was carried, that all accounts connected with the wharf extension contract be henceforth kept by the Corporation accountant, and he passed through the books kept in the Town Clerk’s office. the tramway in vivian-strbet. _ On the motion of Councillor Fisher it was agreed that the attention of the Traimvav Inspector be called to section 26 of the Tramways Act, 1872, and that he be requested to report specially upon the condition of that portion of Vivian-street lying between Cam-bridge-terrace and 'Tory-street. ■' Several motions were and I the Council adjourned shortly after 11 o’clock.