CITY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5371, 14 June 1878, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the City Council was held last evening. Present—His Worship the Mayor, and Councillors Hunter, George, Dixon, Allan, Allen, Diver, Moss, Logan, Maginity, Greenfield, Macdonald, and Fisher. . CORPORATION SEAL. The Mayor laid on the table a design for a Corporation seal prepared by Mr. Graham It did that gentleman great' credit, and ho hoped the Council would approve of it. Councillor George moved that the thanks of the Council be given to Mr. Graham for the trouble he had taken in the matter. The motion, on being seconded, was agreed to. On the motion cf the Mayor, the seal was adopted unanimously. CORRESPONDENCE. The Town Clerk read a list of the letters that had been written since last meeting. Ho had written to the Colonial Secretary, asking him to appoint a time for receiving a deputation from the Council with regard to a grant of land applied for by the Council in the neighborhood of Plimmer’a wharf. A reply had been received from the Colonial Secretary, stating that he would receive the deputation at eleven o’clock next morning. The deputation would comprise his Worship the Mayor, the City Surveyor, tho City Solicitor, and himself. A list was read of the correspondence received since the last meeting of the Council. At the request of Councillor Hunter, the following letter was read with reference to sinking’ fund : “Audit Office, June 3, 1878. “ Sir, —I regret to have been unable to reply at an earlier date to your letter of the 15th May. I have now the honor to inform yon that his Excellency the Governor has been pleased to appoint Mr. Batkin to act for him as a trustee of the Wellington Sinking Funds, and that the Bank of New South Wales has placed the balance of the account left by tho late trustees, at the disposal of the' present trustees, although not without requiring from the Government a guarantee against any possible loss by tho bank, and which the Hon. tho Colonial Treasurer has given. The cash in the hands of the trustees, therefore, amounts at present to £521 19s. Id. “ It appears from the accounts of the late trustees, that securities amounting to £2300 at par, of which a list is attached, are still in their hands, and from their letter of the Bth May, of which a copy is attached, you will perceive that those gentlemen have some scruples as to taking any steps to hand over these bonds. “These facts will sufficiently explain the delay which has occurred in dealing with the funds in question. “ The present trustees areof opinion thatif the amount of the loan, which yon state is already lodged in the bank, is paid over to their account, they will be justified in at once releasing the accrued sinking funds, and will bo prepared to pay over the cash in their hands to the borough fund, and to unite with the late trustees in any way that may be found necessary in handing over the securities in which the sinking funds are already invested.—l have, &c., " James Edward Fitz Gerald, “ Commissioner of-Audit.” “ Wellington, May 8, 1878. “We have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 25th nit., requesting us to hand over to you certain bonds previously held by us jointly in trust, >ex officio; as Superintendent and Provincial Auditor respectively of the late province of Wellington. “In reply, we respectfully beg to refer yon to our previous communication upon this subject, and to point out that the statutes under which we acted in the matter having been repealed, and the offices under which we held the trusts having been abolished, we are as a matter of fact functi officio. While we regret that we are thus, by law, deprived of authority to •deal with the securities to which you refer, we mhall be most happy to supply any information .’respecting them which the Commissioners may require, and shall interpose no obstacle whatever to their dealing with these trust funds, if thev shall think proper so to do.—We are, &c., “Wm. Fitzhebbert, “ Superintendent. “E. Macalisteb, Late Provincial Auditor. •“Investments on account of Wellington -declaimed land : Wellington Corporation bonds, £IOO, 7i per cent., interest paid to ■January, 1878; General Purposes Loan, £IOO, 4 per cent., interest paid to 15th April, 1878; Immigration and Public Works Loan, 1870, £ISOO, 4J* per cent., interest paid to 15th April, 1878 ; total to 16tb October, 1877, 162300.” ■Councillor Hunter thought it would answer ■all purposes if the letter were referred to the Finance Committee, and he begged to move a resolution to that effect. The motion was agreed to. The following letter from the Underwriters’ Association was read,: — “Wellington, June 10th, 1878. “ Sir, —In accordance with a resolution of this association, passed at a meeting held on the 7th instant, I beg respectfully to point out the advisability of replacing all water mains under six-inch in the more. important cross . streets of this city by those of at least that • size. .: # “ It appears to the association that the chief "-value of the water supply as a fire extinguisher : .is to enable a plentiful stream of water to be rthrewn oh any fire at an early stage after ■discovery, and that with sufficient pressure to .reach the loftiest building in the city; and if, unfortunately, the fire should not be got under immediately, then to enable the fire brigades to combat a face of flame, or cut off the communication in several directions at once. “Decent experience and technical knowi ledge lead to the conclusion that small mains ■are totally inadequate to supply the necessary pressure when tapped by a number of hydrants, “ The motive in .urging the course proposed may be considered a selfish one, and no doubt the risk to the several insurance companies doing business within the city is great, but the association respectfully submit that an extensive conflagration would be a public calamity, and the fact that the members of the association study the matter with peculiar interest may give some weight to a unanimous opinion bn the subject, such as is the case at present. ! ' , ■ . « The cost of laying down new mama would -■be considerable; but in view of the rapidly increasing population it might be only forestalling a measure which, at no very distant time, •would present itself as a necessity.—l am, &c,, “ W. W. Bannatyne, “Chairman of the Association. “His Worship the Mayor.” The Mayor said it was in consequence of 'the want of pipes that the small pipes were laid down. On the motion of Councillor Moss, the letter was referred to the Waterworks Committee. ' •; , . , ■ The following letter was read from the Gas Company . -Wellington, Juno 10, 1878.,. 11 Sir, —Referring to your letter of 22nd May, addressed to the manager of the company, I have now the honor to inform you -that the Hon. C. J. Fharazyn has resigned his position as chairman of this company, and to state, on behalf of the directors, that his letter of 20th May was entirely the company, and written as a private individual. “The second letter, dated 29th May, m which Mr. Fharazyn states that it was agreed he was to reply to your letter of the 22nd May, was never seen by the board, and did not coincide with the views of tho directors in any way, and as far as this company is concerned I beg to withdraw it, “While strongly disapproving of the proceedings'of our late chairman, the directors cannot but feel that whatever action ho may have taken as a private individual, it is not sufficient- to implicate tho company to - such an extent as to justify the Corporation giving notice of withdrawal (as per your favor of 22nd May) from an agreement entered into = after much discussion and consideration, and • on the faith of which the company has already incurred a heavy liability by having ordered -from England plant for the proposed extension ••of the works. “The position assumed by the Corporation would have been impossible but for accidental •delays on the part of the Corporation officials, the counterparty agreements, as drawn up by the Solicitor, being already sealed and executed,' and merely had to be exchanged to render it as absolutely binding on both parties ' -as In reality it is, both legally and morally, .. * tirot, therefore, the Corporation will do its part to complete an ageement entered into to good faith,- and which is without doubt advantageous to both parties.—l have, "bVAua. Krull, Chairman Joe, Dransfield, Esq, Mayor.” The letter was referred to the Fnbhc Works •Committee.

I LETTER FROM MR. CLIMIE. The following letter was read from Mr-. Climie :-i— ' , “Wellington, 13th June.' “Sir, —I should bo obliged by your laying tho following remarks before the Council at their meeting to-night. I am induced to request this favor from tho evidently mistaken ideas entertained by some members of the Council, as expressed in the discussion that took place at the late special meeting on tho drainage question, viz., Councillor George Allen is reported to have said : “ Then, as to the difference of cost, in his opinion Mr. Climie had jumped at the cost of his scheme, for he had given no detail, excepting the size of the sewers.” X beg to say this is an error. I submitted to the Council, together with my printed report, a detailed estimate (not printed) of the length, size, and cost of every sewer and drain, worked out separately ; also, cost of tunnel, reservoirs, engine, pumping machinery —in fact, every item connected with my design was given in detail; and in addition to this, a schedule setting forth the manner in which it was proposed to connect the drains in tho various streets with the main sewers. These particulars were not printed, in order to save what was then thought by the committee would have been an unnecessary expense. I should also add, I furnished Mr. Bell and Mr. Clark each with a copy of my detailed estimate, &c. I send with this a copy as given to Mr. Clark, in case you should not have found the original. As you suggested, X have spoken to Mr. O'Neil on the subject. He remembers seeing the detailed estimate on the Council table the first meeting of tho Council after I sent in my report, since which he has no knowledge of it. It was also stated by the same Councillor that I had not provided drainage for the reclaimed land at either the Thorndon or Te Aro end. By reference to the detailed estimate enclosed, it will be seen this also is a mistake. Possibly Councillor Allen, not being then on the Drainage Committee, may not have had an opportunity of examining this document, hence the cause of these misstatements. In conclusion, I hope I shall not be trespassing too long on the Council’s time by saying, if the same privileges had. been accorded me as were wisely given to Mr. Clark (irrespective altogether of the limited cost granted me) of only having my 'detailed estimate, with the other various particulars, printed, my plans, sections, and the numerous diagrams I had prepared, fully delineating my design, lithographed and bound together with the report, it would have been more generally apparent, not to the members of the Council alone, but to the public at large, that I had given the scheme a large amount of careful thought, working hard with the view of enabling me to design a scheme for the drainage of this city, that would not merely reflect credit on myself professionally in the present, but would prove of a lasting sanitary benefit to the community amongst whom myself and family had oast in their lot. I may add that during the last few months I have taken numerous sections ever the ranges, &c., so as to arrive at the shortest possible route for the tunnel. The correctness of the success of my efforts has been fully endorsed by Mr. Clark having adopted it. By the means taken in this matter I succeeded in finding a route for the tunnel that effects a saving of £BOOO, as compared with one through Mr. Sutherland’s property, and £II,OOO, as compared with the route to’lsland Bay, to the ratepayers. This fact should be a sufficient guarantee, I think, that I have used my best endeavors, honestly and conscientiously, for the benefit of my employers (the Council) and the ratepayers generally; and further, it should give that confidence to all, as it evidently has to some of the Council, that my scheme for the drainage of the city of Wellington, from first to last, has been the outcome of deep, earnest thought. “ Few if any schemes I venture to say have been subjected to the treatment mine has received, being criticised and pulled to pieces in she most unscrupulous manner by the public :or over seventeen months, and minutely by two professional gentlemen engaged for the purpose ; and yet the scheme as lately decided jpon by the Council embraces my original lesign in all its main points.—l have, &e., “Danl. Climie.” The letter and enclosures were referred to she Drainage Committee. BY-LAWS. By-laws with reference to the regulation of backney carriages were laid on the table by the Town Clerk, who stated that he had drafted them principally from the by-laws in force in Melbourne, with this exception, that he proposed two kinds of licenses, one for cabs, and the ether for borough stage carriages. Cabs were to ply in any direction, and borough stage carriages in that direction only for which licenses were taken out; no hackney carriage would be permitted to hold more, than one license. A schedule of fares was attached, and the whole would again come before the Council for approval. ‘ The by-laws were , ordered to be printed, and referred to the Public Works Committee. HONORARIUM TO MB.' BLACKETT. The question of honorarium to Mr. Blackett was referred to the Waterworks Committee, REMOVAL OP NIGHTSOIL. ; The adjourned discussion on this subject was resumed. Councillor Maoinity said that no doubt since last meeting of the Council Councillors had thought the subject out, and would be prepared to offer suggestions. To Councillor George’s motion for the adoption of the report, he begged to move the following amendment: —“That the report of Mr. Graham and Mr. Baird, on this night-soil question, be not agreed to, and further, that tenders be invited for the work for each of the wards.” No doubt that scheme was very well thought out, but he had two objections to it, which were, the saddling of the ratepayers with a further rate of fid. in the £, and compelling them to purchase pans. He thought the rate quite unnecessary, and he was therefore opposed to its being levied on the ratepayers. He was also strongly opposed to the Corporation officials having anything to do with the matter, as he lid not think it would work satisfactorily. Councillor. Fisher wished to expose the fallacy of its being supposed - that the imposition if a rate would add to the burdens of the ratepayers. - Mr. Clark had shown that the aightspil was only removed from two-thirds of ;he houses, in the city, and if. for no other reason than the removal of that one-third, he would be inclined to support the imposition of i rate. He thought the rate advisable, because it would have the effect of making some people clean by compulsion. Otherwise, they would not be clean. As Mr. Clark’s scheme would be in operation in . about three years’ time, he did not think ‘ the ratepayers should be put.to the expense of providing new pans and new closets in some instances, _ To show the fallacy of saying that the imposition cf a rate would impose such a great burden on the ratepayers, ha would point out that if a [onrpenny rate were levied, the sum realised would be £3OOO, including £SOO for the removal of nightsoil from the. Government offices. In round numbers they would have £4OOO ; at their disposal Persons who paid £SO a-year rent would have to pay 10s. Bd. ayear for the removal of their nightsoil and rubbish, and persons paying £25 a-year of course Bs. 4d. only. . He objected to tho Corporation putting themselves in.the position of contractors for the removal of the nightsoil. He begged to move as an amendment, —That a, rate°of 4d. in the £ bo levied, and that separate tenders be invited for the removal of nightsoil from each ward. Councillor Allen seconded Councillor Fisher’s amendment. Councillor Macdonald thought the whole matter should be referred to the Public Works Committee. The Mayor said he was inclined to support Councillor Fisher’s amendment, but he thought it would be bettor to adopt Councillor Macdonald’s suggestion to refer the matter to a committee. , . , t t .. Councillor Fisher pointed out that tho present contract terminated month. Councillor George did not believe in the matter being put off from fortnight to fortnight. If they continued to go on in that way/, they had better ask the present contractor to continue his contract for throe months longer, and probably for three months more after the expiration of that time. Councillor Maginity opposed Councillor Fisher’s proposition to levy a rato of 4d. in the £, as it was no : more necessary than the rate of fid. which would result if the scheme suggested by Messrs. Graham and Baird were carried out. , .. . Councillor Fisher’s amendment for tho levying of a rate of 4d. in tho £ was then put and negatived. • . .. The original motion, for the adoption of the report, was then put, Councillor Diver opposed the adoption of the report. He' believed that if the drains were flushed there would bo little or no complaint (as at the present time) of the existence of bad smells. Ho did not think the pan: system would be found to be any improvement, and besides, ho did not think tho ratepayers should be put to the additional expense which it departure from the present system would / necessarily entail, On the

whole, he thought it would be an act of very gross injustice if the report were carried. Before coming to the Council, Mr. Saunders said that to avoid any difficulty he was prepared to continue the work, and do as he was told in the matter. Councillor Allen thought the Council were very much indebted to the tvvo gentlemen who had drawn up the report; but he objected to the Council purchasing plant, as proposed, which might be thrown uselessly on their hands in a short time. It was for this reason that he had seconded Councillor Fisher’a amendment. Councillor Greenfield said that to establish the pan system alone would cost every ratepayer from 255. to 30s. a year. He objected to another rate of 6d. in the pound being levied on the ratepayers, and begged to move that the report bo referred to a committee. Councillor Macdonald seconded the amendment, which was carried. The matter was then referred to a committee of the whole Council, on the motion of Councillor Allan. Councillor Hunter entered a strong protest against appointing committee after committee and doing no real work. It seemed to him that matters were referred to committees when they were afraid to undertake any responsibility. On the motion of Councillor Fisher, the Council went into committee. In committee Councillor Maginity moved that the report be not adopted. The amendment was agreed to. The Council resumed, when progress was reported, and the resolution from the committee, —That the report be not adopted, was agreed to. TOWN BELT RESERVE, NO, 13. The Council then proceeded to consider clause 9 of the Public Works Committee’s report of 30th May, as follows : —“ That the question of permitting the erect’on of brickworks on part of Town Belt Reserve, No. 13, has beau remitted to be dealt with by the Council.” After a short discussion permission was declined. public works committee. “ The committee beg to recommend for the favorable consideration of the Council, —1. That Victoria - place, Ghuznee-street, be metalled at an estimated cost of £l3, on the residents agreeing to pay half the cost of same in advance. 2. That the present ditch in Cambridge-terrace be filled in, and a 9in. drain pipe be laid down in portion of it; estimated cost, £35. 3. That Elizabeth-streot be gravelled and put in a proper state of repair; estimated cost, £l2O. 4. That Isaac Plimmer’s application for leave to form a private street, ‘ Newtown-avenue,’ be granted in accordance with the regulations. 5. That the damage caused by the embankment in Thompson-street be made good, and the same repaired; estimated cost, £35. 6. That extra lamps be erected in Epuni-street, on the Tinakori-road at the foot of the steps leading to Featherstonterrace, in Abel Smith-street between Willisstreet and Seed’s corner, and at the corner of Manners-street and Parish-street.- 7. That the side walks in Hopper-stret be gravelled. 8. That a water main be laid down in Kingstreet. 9. That an extra fire plug, for fire prevention purposes only, be erected at the Kechabite Hall, at the cost of the proprietors. 10. That the bellman’s bceaae fee.be fixed at 10s. per annum. 11. That Bute-street bo metalled; estimated cost, £45. 12. That Manners - street from Cuba - street and Willis - street to McDowell's corner be kerbed and channelled; estimated cost, £350. 13. That the City Surveyor be authorised "to call for tenders for other 2000yds. gravel for various purposes. 14. That tenders be called for metalling Austin-street ; estimated cost, £145. 15. Also Brougham-street; estimated cost, £240. 16. That the Corporation decline to acknowledge Mr. C. O’NeiU’s request for a royalty for a patent pavement in concrete blocks. 17- That the road through the Town Belt to the Ohiro-road bo put in repair at a cost not exceeding £SO, after which that an arrangement be entered into with the Bo ad Board for the joint maintenance of the same. 18. That Mr. Barber have leave to erect a steam boiler in Tory-street, subject to the approval of the City Surveyor. The committee beg further to report,—l. That .it has been found necessary to continue the 9iu. pipe drain in Willis-street for 24 chains, in order to allow of the drainage of the properties on the crest of the MU which were at too low a level, for the main sewer. 2. That the City Surveyor has been instructed to proceed with the Boulcott-street drain, the necessary arrangements having been made with the adjoining proprietors. 3. That Mr. S. M. Baker- has agreed to execute a deed granting the Corporation the right to the use of the road to the Waterworks through his property. 4. That out of twenty-one samples kerosene in the kerosene store, tested by Dr. Hector, only tvvo samples came within the Dangerous Goods Act, 1865, as being not ‘.dangerous,’ and that tlie Town Clerk has been instructed to enforce the provisions of the said Act. 5. That an additional lamp has been erected in Thomp-son-street. 6. That the City Surveyor has received instructions to erect several additional lamps where urgently needed.” Clauses 1 to 15, inclusive, were passed. With regard to clause 16, a letter was read from Mr. C. O’Neill, C.E., enclosing his solicitor’s opinion, and expressing a hope that the Council would see its way to preferring an amicable settlement of the matter to a serious lawsuit. CouncUlor Macdonald moved that clause 16 be referred back to the Public Works Committee; The motion was negatived, and the clause in the report was passed. Clauses 17 and 18 were passed. Clauses 1,2, 3,4, and 6 of the committee’s further report were adopted. ■ Clause 6, was struck out. Information was asked by Councillor Fisher as to permission given to Mr. E. W. Mills to occupy a part of Custom-house-quay for building a steamer. It was stated that the Public Works Committee had agreed to give Mr. Mills permission to use the street, at a rental of £l2 per month for four months, and . £SO per month after O’Malley’s reclamation had been completed. Councillor Moss would oppose giving leave to build a steamer upon a public street. Councillor Macdonald thought the committee had taken too much upon themselves in instructing the Town Clerk to accept Mr. Mills’ offer, before the matter came before the Council as a body. Councillor Hunter was prepared to take his share of the blame. The matter had been very fully discussed at the committee, but it should have been mentioned in the report. Ho believed a majority of the Council had been present when the resolution was adopted by the committee, who considered giving the permission could do no harm, but might be the means of doing good. Councillor Greenfield thought the only mistake was in instructing the Town Clerk to write to Mr. Mills before the Council had agreed to the report. Councillor George pointed out that it was a matter of urgency that Mr, Mills should learn the decision of the Council, so that ho might send in a tender. Councillor Fisher considered permission should not have been given before tho resolution was reported to the Council. Mr. Mills had occupied tho street for eight years past, and four months would not now make much difference. The Mayor thought if an error had been committed they might condone it. The action of the committee was confirmed. TENDERS FOR FURNITURE. The following tenders wore received for furniture for the Town Hall:—D. Drake, £225 ; William James, £226 ; John Buck, £203 155.; John Bichards, £2OO ; George Harrison, £239 ; T. S, Ohatfield, £285 ; G. H. Hunt, £272 ; J. Falconer, £240 ; James Quinn, £6OO ; B. Angus, £347 ; W. Nicholson and Co., £327 10s. " John Bichard’s, £2OO, was accepted. DANGEROUS GOODS ACT, 1869. Mr. Johnson, inspector of : nuisances, was appointed inspecting officer under this Act. ' ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to £1516 10s; 7d. were passed for payment. ( '■ TE ARO, RECLAMATION.: : ■ The consideration of this question was postponed until Wednesday next, at 8 p.m, ASFHALTE CHANNELS. Councillor Dixon moved,—That inasmuch as Mr. Clark has signified his approval of tho asphalto water channels as already laid down in several of the streets of tho city, the same, bo continued in all the and that the work be proceeded with at once in such streets ns the City Surveyor considers it is most ; urgently needed, to be protected by kerbing where nccesssry. . After a short discussion the motion was negatived. - . : ; distributing basin. Councillor Allen moved,—That the City Engineer be instructed to supply plans, specifications, and approximate cost of fencing the

distributing basin at the Waterworks, to prevent the possible loss of life by its present unprotected condition. The motion was agreed to.. WATER-CLOSETS. Councillor Diver withdrew the following notice of motion, —That all water-closets shall have a ventilating pipe placed to the. satisfaction of the engineer within days, or be disconnected. All drains to bo periodically cleansed. Ho would bring the matter forward at some future opportunity. The Council then adjourned.

distributing basin at the Waterworks, to prevent the possible loss of life by its present unprotected condition. The motion was agreed to.. WATER-CLOSETS.