CITY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5254, 25 January 1878, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the City Council was held last evening, the Mayor presiding and Councillors G. Allen, J. A. Allan, Hunter, Logan, Moss, George, Fisher, Macdonald, Diver, Maginity, and Greenfield were also present. CITT SOLICITOR. Mr. Travers stated that he had attended to mention officially that he was about to leave Wellington for England, and would probably be absent about eight months, and he would be sorry if his departure had the effect of severing the connection which subsisted between the Council and himself as its solicitor. He suggested that, during his absence, Mr. Ollivier, his partner, should advise the Council; and if any vary important matter cropped up which required further advice, that Mr. Ollivier should be allowed to consult any lawyer whom his Worship the Jlayor or the Council might tiimk fit to name. On the other hand, in cases where Mr. Ollivier might find any difficulty he might be allowed to consult what counsel he thought proper. With reference to Mr. Stuart’s claim against the Corporation for allege! loss sustained through the extension of Cuba-street, he had taken the necessary steps under the Government Works Act to bring his claim under the consideration of the judge and assessors, Mr. Stuart having appointed Captain Thomas as his assessor, whilst the Council bad appointed Mr, Bannatyne as theirs. The Court would receive evidence with regard to the claim, and adjudicate upon it. He thought that the Council should direct him (Mr. Travers), or instruct the Town Clerk to take some steps for ascertaining what would be a reasonable sura to pay Mr. Stuart for the' property taken. The advantage to Mr. Stuart which accrued from the making of the street would of course have to be taken into consideration. It would be wise for the Council to have some person engaged to make- the valuations, iu order that they might be able to give evidence before the Court of Assessors when it assembled for consideration of the matter. Of course he would make inquiries on the point himself, but probably Councillors would be able to make an estimate. A question had been put to him by the Town Clerk with reference to the sale of reclaimed land, and he was of opinion that no difficulty would arise if the consent of the Government was obtained, and that early, as it was in contemplation to have the sale prior to repayment of the moneys under mortgage. In the case of Mr. Schultze that was a matter for arbitration. He had abundant scientific evidence on the matter, and had no reason to change his opinion. If Mr, Schultze got an award he did not think he would, in law, be able to enforce it. Upon that point he would express his views more explicitly before he left, leaving it to the Council what course they should take in case the award should be of a moderate character. The reason why he had personally advised the Council to resist the claims was that they were made in a form that was not legal. He would be glad if the Council would favor him with an answer at their earliest convenience. Councillor Hunter asked Mr. Travers to ' put his views in writing. Mr. Travers assented, and withdrew. WHARF ACCOMMODATION. The Mayor, before the general business was proceeded with,stated to the Council what had been done with reference to wharf management. It was resolved at a meeting of the Wharf Committee that as Mr. Reeves was unable to sever his connection with the firm of Plimmer, Reeves, and Co., his services as wharfinger be dispensed with, and that be be allowed three months salary in lieu of notice, complete satisfaction being expressed with Mr. Reeves’ management of the wharf, and the only point objected to being his connection with a mercantile firm. It was decided that the Town Clerk should be the head of the wharf department, and that all accounts should pass through his office, the active duties of the wharf to be performed by Messrs. Kennedy and Prince, the former as accountant and nominal wharfinger, the latter as general manager of the wharf work, and Mr. Keeles to be in charge of the Queen's warehouse. Mr. Beeves has intimated his entire satisfaction with this arrangement so far as he himself is concerned, and the new system will some into operation at once. The Town Clerk was instructed to endeavor tc obtain from the insurance companies some reduction iu the premium charged on goods in the Queen’s warehouse, which amounted to 255., as compared with Bs. 9d. charged by private firms. Returns were ordered to be prepared so that it might be ascertained whether theoutward wharfage on exportedgoods could be abolished; Itwas resolved that thewharf should be properly lighted and the approaches widened. The Mayor next referred to the results of a deputation, consisting of members of the Chamber of Commerce, which had wait d on the Colonial Secretary and the Hon. Mr. Sheehan the p evions day. That interview he considered very satisfactory, the Government contemplating handing over the land being reclaimed to the Corporation, also promising to consult them as to future wharf accommodation and other matters. The Colonial Secretary had expressed a request that the Corporation would take into consideration the obtaining of a suitable site for a cemetery. PUBLIC WORKS REPORT. The following report was read and adopted, a remark being thrown out by Councillor Hunter, and concurred in by the Mayor, that the whole Council should constitute the committee : 1, That the Council defray half the cost (total 810 to £10) of filling In roadway at corner of itiddiford and Constable streets, giving access to .'dr. Wilson's premises.—2, That the water service be carried up the private street just formed by Mr. Bond off Camhrldgeterrace, to supply 32 houses at cost of company.— 5, That Mr. Watson's claim, arising out of extension of Taranakl-street, be referred to arbitration,—4, That when there Is no adjacent wall or fence to which fire-ping notices can be attached, posts for the purpose be erected.—6, That the item "refreshments ” bo disallowed in the account for expenses at fires rendered by the Wellington Volunteer Fire Brigade.— 6. That the time-gun be fired every Saturday at 12 noon at a cost of about 4s. 2d. eacii time.-7. That concrete side drains, as in Christchurch, bo laid in Orey-street from Featherstou-street to wharf. —B. That Mr. Kreeft's application for concrete pavement be granted on the usual terms.— 1), That the open space adjoining the Martin Fountain be fenced and planted with shrubs.—lo. That the Corporation decline the cost of malting a drain through Mrs. London's premises.—ll. That Messrs. J. and H. Barber’s application for pave non:, in WilUsstreet bo granted on the usual terms.—l2. That a lease of Section 28, Town Belt Reserve, bo granted to Mr, Cl, 11. Luxford fqr fourteen years, at £1 per acre per annum, in pursuance of a former agreement with the City Council (October 12, 1875).—13, - That'no modification be made in the erms of agreement entered into with Mr. J. McKenzie for water supply during erection of Mutual Provident Institute's offices.—l 4. That the following matters bo allowed to stand over In the present financial position of the Corporation;— Filling In roadway S. W. corner of Snssex-srpiaro, and open drain in Tinakorl-road.—l3. That the following applications for drains he allowed to stand over, pending the adoption of the General scheme of drainage for the whole city:—o. Randall Johnson and others, drain in Murphy-etrcet, and John Lovell and others, drain la Courtenay-pla-'e. TINAKOBI-ROAD, On the item in the public works report regarding the making of a drain iu Tinakoriro.vl, Councillor Fisher moved an amendment in opposition to the recommendation of the

committee, ' and to , the effect that a drain 'be conatructed in the locality named, at a cost of £3OO. - a- su Councillor Maginity, m seconding the amendment, remarked that the few and not the million seemed to get the benefit of city rates. He knew the locality in question, and was satisfied that a drain waa very much required, T)ie Corporation had gone, to expense in accommodating the Speaker of the Upper House by removing a drain which passed under his residence ; and they had also made an excellent asphalt footpath which would enhance the property of the Hon. Matthew Holmes ; but iu a densely populated locality, where the’ health of the inhabitants waa endangered by a nuisance, no steps were taken to prevent it. Councillor Diver said he had learned from Mr. Monaghan that a serious nuisance did exist at the place mentioned, and it should be remedied. Iu such matters expense should not be considered. Councillor Hunter thought it judicious to ascertain the real state of their finances before committing themselves to further expenditure, and to see if they were warranted iu incurring expense. Councillor Logan concurred in the advisability of being guided by tbe state of their exchequer. The Mayor remarked that the present state of their finances justified very careful supervision, and he would do all in his power to prevent all unnecessary expenditure. The amendment of Councillor Fisher was put and lost. WATERWORKS INVESTIGATION. On the motion of Councillor HUNTER it was resolved that the evidence taken by the Waterworks Investigation Committee be printed and distributed. CORRESPONDENCE. The Council agreed to a suggestion made by the Mayor that all correspondence on municipal business should be sent to the Town Clerk. THE WATERWORKS. The following letter from Mr. Marohant, engineer, was read : Thursday, January 24, 7.30 p.m. Sir, —I have the honor to inform you that the receiving end of tile tunnel in the storage reservoir was to-dav permanently and satisfactorily closed. As the nature of the work necessitates the use of the concrete in a sludgy state, both Mr. Blackett and myself deemed it unadvisable to "strike” the timbers earlier than to-morrow forenoon. The workmen have been ordered to re-commence at daybreak, when the ' timbers will bo struck, the stream-bed cleared, and the storage of water commenced. The following letter from Mr. Blackett, waterworks consulting engineer, was also read;— Public Works Office, Wellington, January 24, IS7SSib,—l have the honor to request that you will inform His Worship the Mayor that, owing to delays arising from bad weather and other causes, I have been. unable to obtain all tbe measurements and other information necessary to enable me to report on the Waterworks contract, but that in a few davs I hope to he able to do so. Mr. Marohant, who’ is now personally superintending the work connected with the final closing of the dam, will then he at liberty to assist me in making the remaining calculations, very few of which now are left for consideration. DRAINAGE COMMITTEE. , The following report was adopted At a meeting of the Drainage Committee, held on January 16, in pursuance of a resolution of the Counc 1 dated January 10, 1878, the following resolutions were carried;—That the resolution of the Council of 29th November, 1877, by which Mr. Climie’s services were dispensed with after the 31st December, 1577, must bo considered final.—Tiiat the Toyn Clerk communicate the last resolution to Mr. Climie.—That the Town Clerk communicate witli Mr. C. Napier Bell, with a view to ascertain how much the Corporation are indebted to that gentleman for his services in connection with his report on Mr. Climie’s proposed drainage scheme. INSPECTOR OP NUISANCES. Councillor Maginity moved that the Inspector of Nuisances receive six months’ salary for loss of office. It was resolved that he be paid tiiree months’ salary. DRAINAGE VENTILATION. Councillor Diver moved,—That the City Engineer be instructed to bring up a report as to the best method of ventilating the present drains, bo that the gases from the drains may as far as possible not escape below the tops of the houses.—Carried. PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE. Councillor Allan moved, —That in future the reports of the Public Works Committee shall be printed and delivered to each member of the Council twenty-four hours before ordinary meetings, with the approximate cost of each work recommended ; and that, except in cases of urgency, no work exceeding the cost of £2O be sanctioned without coining before the Council. —Carried. The Council adjourned at 10 15 p.m.