CITY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 534, 1 May 1878, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

A meeting of the Waterworks Committee was held in the Council Chamber.yesterday afternoon. Present—His Worship the Mayor, and Councillors Logan, Maginity, Hunter, Allen, and Greenfield.' MINUTES. The Clerk read the minutes of the pre-i vious meeting, which were confirmed. ' CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION. , . : The following letter was road in reference to certain damages said ,to be done to Miv Baker’s land at Glenview.

Fealberston-strect, Wellington, Fob. 5,1878. Sir,—Wo have the honor, on behalf of Mr. Samuel. Marsden Baker, to write to you with reference to his claim for compensation for the' use of his lands,’ private roads, &c.-. at Glenview, near Wellington, by the officers of the Corporation, under the powers given by the Wellington Waterworks Act. 1871, and for incidental losses and damage occasioned to him by • reason thereof. . , . : Mr. Baker has already had several communications : with your Worship's predecessor upon the subject:; but so far no understanding appears to have been -arrived at between himself and the Corporation. Mr. Baker now desires to claim as compensation the sum of £4OO. which we are satisfied your Worship will find upon proper inquiry to bo a fair and reasonable SUm. . ' If, however, tiie Corporation refuse to recognise Mr. Baker’s claim it will bo necessary to take steps to have tho matter referred to arbitration in manner; provided' by the Act in question. With the view to saving the not inconsiderable coats of a reference, it would, however, bo well if an understanding could be otherwise arrived at between Mr. Baker and the Council. We shall feel obliged if your Worship will favor us with an early reply to this letter, as Mr. Baker is desirous of settling tho matter, which has already been some time in abeyance, as early as possible.— We are, &c., Moonnouaß & Edwards.

. His Worship the Mayor of Wellington. " The Town Clerk remarked that Mr. Saunders, the contractor, was liable for any damage that might be done. The Clerk also said that Mr. Saunders repudiated any damage said to be done to Mr. Baker, and he thought that £IOO would be ample compensation. Councillor Maginity thought that the claim should not be recognised, and Councillor Allen expressed the same opinion. Councillor Hunter was of opinion that the claim should be considered. Mr. Baird, the city engineer, said that tho road has been put in very good repair daring the last week; in fact, better than ever it was before. The Mayor was of opinion that Mr. Baker was entitled to some little compensation. ■ Councillor Maginity would like to know why the Corporation used the road in the first instance ? ...

The Clerk replied that the Act empowers the Corporation to use any road. Councillor Allen would agree to giving Mr, Baker compensation provided that Mr. Saunders paid half.

The matter was ultimately ’left in the hands of the clerk, Mr. Graham, to make what arrangements ho could. APPOINTMENT OP A CUSTODIAN TO WATER

WORKS. ' Mr. Baird, city engineer, suggested to the Council tho advisability of appointing a carponter named Gore as custodian at tho reservoir. Mr. Baird stated that Gore had been at the works since their commencement, and that he had agreed to accept Bs. a day. It was also mentioned that there were always some members of Gore’s family about tho place, who would look after tho works. In answer to a question put by Councillor Hunter, Mr, Baird said that Gore would have the responsibility of turning on the water in cases of fire. APPLICATION FOR A FULL-SIZED MAIN.

The following letter' was received from Messrs. W. and G. Turnbull ; Wellington, March 27,1878. Gentlemen,—Wo beg to make application to have a full-sized water main for fire purposes laid on from the street down the centre of our yard between our two brick warehouses, at our expense, with the view of having two fixed hydrants, together with suitable hose, always available, in case of fire.—We are, &o„ W. and G. Turnbull. To the Public Works, Committed, Wellington City Council, •' ' ■

The committee granted the .request unanimously without any discussion. WATERWORKS RESERVES/ ; ■■ The following correspondence relative to the disposal of land for waterworks purposes was read : ■ j Evans Bay, March 27, 1878. - Sir,—l may state the price I will require for the' seven acres of land which the Corporation propose taking for water supply purposes will be £2OO. It deprives me of any chance of ever getting the long promised road up the Kuiwarra stream to niv land. Or you can take the section of 192 acres at £lO per acre, which m-iy he required after for an increased supply of water.—l have, &c., E. Thibkell. Mr. C. 0. Graham, Town Clerk.

Karori, April 3, 1878. Sir,—ln reply to your letter regarding the land, proposed to be required for the Corporation of "Wellington for waterworks, I beg to state that I-will dispose of ray right to the land possessed by me at the rate of £l5O per acre.—l am, &e., John - Campbell. Mr. C. C. Graham, Town Clerk.

Wellington, April 6,1878, Sir,— Jic proposed purchase from Mr. Binnimore of 377 acres tor further waterworks reserve. —

Wo are instructed by Mr. Finnimoro to reply to tho minute of yoitr Town Clerk, dated Kith March, 1878, and to state that he will accept' £50,000 in full of all demands for the land taken, and also in compensation for the injury to the portion of the property left in his hands. .

On Thursday last our Mr. Barton, accompanied by Mr., Finnimore, waited on : Mr. Graham, who explained that the Corporation claims the right to take this land under the provisions of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1876. Bo so good as to inform us whether this is correct. . We are instructed to add that Mr.-Finnimoro does not consider.that £50,000 equals the value of; the property. Ho only proposes to accept this sum to avoid, If possible, what Mr. Graham s minute calls the costly process of arbitration. If, therefore, tho Corporation do not accede to tho terms, it must bo understood that this letter is not to prevent Mr. Finnimoro from hereafter claiming tho full value of the land taken ; also full compensation for the injury to the property left on his hands by the compulsory taking of the best and most valuable portion situate in in the centre. This severing or the sections which remain to Mr, Finnimore renders them useless for any of the purposes for which lie bought the whole. . ; : , The taking of tills land will entirely upset business arrangements with a view to which Mr. Finnimoro invested his capital in the land in question. An early answer will oblige.—Yours, &c., ■ .B\ ETON AND FITZHERBERT.

Tho Mayor and Corporation of Wellington. ’ ! The Mayor was of opinion that it would, bo advisable to leave the matter alone, and |he would like the Council to pass a resolution that no money be spent on these works.He considered it would be to the advantage of the Council to reserve their funds for hew works. ... • ■ , . ’

A resolution to this effect was passed by the committee unanimously. , 1