CITY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5407, 26 July 1878, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

■Thursday, July 25. The Council met at the usuallicur. Present —His Worship the Mayor, and Councillors Dixon, Allen, Hunter, Diver,.George, Logan, Maginuity, Greenfield, and Pisher. , FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY, The Mayor said that before proceeding to the business of the evening he would claim the indulgence of the Council for a few moments. A deputation had waited on the Premier the other day with reference to the provincial library, and the reply of the Premier was one which he thought ought not to be lost sight of. : [Premier’s remarks read.] The view which occurred to him (the Mayor) was that perhaps it would be well to call a public meeting, to ascertain the views of the people generally on the subject of a. free public Hbrary, and whether it was their desire that a free public library should be established. He asked for the approval of such a course, because the Corporation would have to provide a portion of the means to carry it on. If he had not the approval of the Council for calling a public meeting, then he would let the matter drop, and perhaps someone else would take it up. He should be glad to hear some ex* pression of opinion from the Council on the subject. Councillor George said it ought not to be lost sight of that about two years ago a poll of the ratepayers was .taken, and the question of - having a free public library was decided in the negative. Possibly the views of the ratepayers had since undergone a change. It must be recollected that a free public library meant an additional rate. He would support the suggestion of the Mayor, but he thought it but right that what he had stated should bo - pointed out. ' ' * . The Mayor said that perhaps it would be as well to postpone the matter until next meeting, meantime the Councillors could think the subject over. The Council would therefore proceed to the business on the paper. * DEPUTATION OF SHIPWRIGHTS. A deputation of shipwrights waited on the Council with reference to the Te Aro reclamation. Captain Mclntyre, who acted as spokesman, read the resolutions .which had been passed at a recent meeting of shipwrights, &c. In the .first place,-when the reclamation was commenced it was anticipated the only available slip for small vessels would be. shut out. This would be a great loss, not only to the owner, but to the owners of vessels as well. The committee thought there should be a water frontage reserved, and also a place in which small vessels could be repaired. The next recommendation was a graving dock, but this would be a matter for the consideration of the Council. Of course it was very desirable that therfe should be a place to which vessels could be taken for repairs in the harbor of Wellington. He would now call on Mr. Coffey to produce showing * what were the recommendations of the deputation. ''

Mr. Coffey produced plans, from which it appeared the deputation wished to have *a reserve for shipbuilding purposes outside the proposed reclamation, and a wet and dry dock. It was resolved that a special meeting of the

Council,he held on Thursday evening next, at half-past seven, to meet the deputation, for the purpose of considering the whole question. The deputation then thanked the Council and withdrew. * - CORRESPONDENCE. The Town Clerk read a list of the correspondence that had been written and received since last meeting of the Council. CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS. The committee reported as follows : The committee having taken Into consideration the circular from Government, dated March 5, 1878, as also letter from the Colonial Secretary, dated June 2), beg to report for the information of the Council, — 1. That the cause of delay in reporting on the matter ■has been the inability of obtaining certain information relative to the Hospital trust estate, caused by - the absence of certain of the Hospital trustees. 2. That the committee have now taken the matter ihto consideration without any knowledge as to the view 8 of the Hospital trustees in the matter. S. That the committee recommend that the Council take over the responsibility of the maintenance of the-present Hospital on the basis of the terms offered by Government, viz., “that they receive a.subsidy of £1 for every £1 voted by the Council or contributed by the general public by way of subscriptions to the extent of half the actual outlay,” on condition that the present Hospital estate be vested in the Corporation, and that the Government undertake to complete the new Hospital building and hand it over to the Corpo, ration ready for occupation. 4. The committee have asked the Benevolent Society whether they would be willing, as an incorporated body, to undertake the administration of-all charitable aid outside of the Hospital, Government being willing to grant a similar subsidy to that mentioned above, and have to . report that the society have refused to undertake the responsibility. 5. The committee are of opinion that it is not advisable that the Corporation, ns such, should undertake the administration of charitable aid, but that it should be left in the hands of an independent committee, say of s.<x gentlemen, to bo nominated by Government, the Benevolent Society, and tho Corporation.- This committee to bo empowered to appoint a salaried rclieving officer. 0. The committee suggest that the question of charitable aid is one that it would he well to bring before the Municipal League at its approaching meeting, with the view to the adoption oLsorae mode of procedure to be common to the whole of Zealand. ■ ' , The report was ordered to be printed, ana taken into consideration at next meeting. > FINANCE COMMITTEE, The committee reported as follows 1. The committee beg to lay before the Council for their information a statement prepared by the City. Treasurer, showing the present state of the Corporation accounts, which the committee consider satisfacBills are now being prepared by the City Solicitor for tho following purposes :—faJ Tq Aro reclamation, in which will be introduced powers to enable the sum of £150,000 to be raised for the necessary works in connection therewith; this amount will bo a special charge on tho, reclamation itself (h ) Thorudon reclamation purchase, granting powers either to sell sufficient of the said reclamation or to borrow sufficient money (say £100,000) for the purpose of defraying the purchase money and forming and completing the necessary streets therein. 3. In the event of the reclaimed land both at Thorndon and Te Aro being leased, it is estimated that a revenue of £38,750 per annum will be realised .therefrom to meet the interest on loan (say £15,000), supposing it to bo raised at 0 per cent. 4. With tho exception of the foregoing, the committee are of opinion that it would not be wise at present to raise' further sums on loan, there being at present on hand a sum of £48,000 as. available for drainage and sewage purposes, and which will be as much as tho Corporation can spend in that direction within the next year ; and until Mr. Clarke's report on a further water supply, the outcome of observations and surveys made by him and tho City Surveyor Is received, it will be unnecessary to borrow further sums for this purpose, the' more particularly that there is every reason to believe that our present water supply will be sufficient fo'r some time to come. Wellington City Coimoil, July 25; isrs. For tho information of the Finance committee I bog to report ns under. 1 That tho overdraft on general account at 31st December. 1577, amounted to £23,415 ss. Oil. 2. That tho overdraft on general account at the present date amounts to £20,034 11s. od-, and in this amount is included tho sum of £3422 ss. 2d. paid on account of the nev,- Corporation offices. '.. ";.... “ ‘ 3/ That the", unexpended balances on separate accounts are now. as nndei Drainage account £4«.257 0 0 Waterworks account .. .. 18.253 0 7 Wharf extension account.. .. .. 2,002, 9 4 Wharf tolls account ■ .. .. .. 201 0 3 Cash received from trustees wharf— * Sinking fund 521 19 1 Bonds.. .. .. .. * • • •. 2,300 0 0 4. That tho liabilities of the Corporation for con- ' tracts now in progress amount to the sum of £11,700 10s. as shown below Wharf extension contract - .. ■ .. £0,007 0 0 Corporation offices .. .. A 1,743 10 0 Other contracts, road metal,- shingle, street formation, street metalling, and - cement •» .* ••i •• .. ,3,956 0 0 £11,706 10 0

5. That the amount of uncollected revenue to the end of the flmnclal year, including general and water' rates, Government subsidy, rents, licenses, and sundries, is estimated at £30,450.-1 have. Sea.. j. 13. Page, Treasurer. It was resolved that the report be printed and taken into consideration at the next ordinary meeting of the Council. HARBOR FUNCTIONS. The following letter was received : Colonial Secretary’s Office, July 24, 1873. Sir,—l have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 13th instant, and in reply am directed by the Colonial Secretary to inform you that If the City Council will haven Pill prepared to confer authority on them to perform all the functions devolving upon a Harbor hoard, the Government will not oppose the passing of tho Pill in Parliament — 1 have, &c., G. S. Cooper. The Town Clerk. FUBLIO WORKS COMMITTEE. The Public Works Committee’s report (published in the New Zealand Times of yesterday) was then considered. The second clause, with regard to tho removal ©f nightsoil, was amended so as to terminate tho present'contract on tho 31st December next. Clause 3 was postponed. Clauses 1 and 4 were passed. With regard to the list of recommendations, it was resolved that the formation©? the footpath in Adelaide-road, from Sussox-square to the Newtown Hotel, be proceeded with, and the road repaired. Clause 2 was parsed. Clauses 3 and 4 were postponed. Clause *5 was passed. Clauses 6 and 7 were referred back to the committee. Clauses from 8 to 13 (inclusive) were passed. TENDERS. The following tenders were received for repairs to Old Custom House-street :— George Pudney, £8 9s. per chain (accepted); N. ICinsella, £ll 1,05.; C. McKirdy. £l2 10s. There was only one tender received for repairs to Ohiro-road through Town Pelt, which was not accepted. STANDING ORDERS. The standing orders were confirmed and adopted as a Corporation by-law. CUTTING DOWN THE TERRACE AT HILL CREST. Councillor Diver moved, —That the resolution of the 27th June, striking out clause 11-6 of the Public Works Committee’s report, be rescinded, and that tho clause be adopted. Councillor Diver pointed out that this was a work which was required to be done ; and bo thought tho liberal offer of the residents,to pay one-half the cost ought to be taken advantage of. By the cutting down of ' the hill 4000 feet of frontage would be added to the rateable property of the city. Councillor Macdonald seconded the motion, and pointed out that it would be true economy to carry out the work at once, as it would have to be done at some time or other, and the inhabitants now offered to contribute one half of.the expense. The Mayor said he had been requested to state that the inhabitants were not unanimous in this matter. j Councillor Allen could not support the motion unless all the inhabitants were unanimous. ■ Councillor Logan would vote for the motion, believing in the principle of helping those who helped themselves. Councillor Fisher opposed the motion. Councillor Dixon supported the motion.. Councillor Hunter said he was unaware of what the Mayor had stated in this matter. There could be no damage done to parties, and the work, if carried out, would bo found to be a very beneficial one, and there would be a great deal more traffic on the Terraco. He was not aware of any objections to the proposed work. Councillor Diver, in reply, thought that if there were any objectors they ought to have sent down their views in writing! Those who had spoken to him on the subject considered, as he did himself, that the cutting down of this hill would be a great boon to the city, and they were glad there was a liklihood of the motion being passed. The motion was then put and carried. : * FIRE FRIGADES. The Fire Brigades Committee’s report was then considered as follows : 1. That they have had placed before them communications from the Tuwn Clerks of Dunedin, Christchurch, and Auckland, which show that the cost to the Corporations of those cities for the maintenance of the Fire Brigades ranees from £BOO to £1250 a year, exclusive of amount for purchase of new plant. 2. That in each case the principle of payment to captains of. brigades is recognised. 3. That they have received from the captains of the local brigades information which shows clearly that the rapid extension of die city has thrown adargely increased amount of duty npon the brigades, whose services are purely voluntary. 4. That there are seventeen or eighteen insurance companies In the city, whose share of the £3OO, paid by the associated companies, amounts to the small sum of £2O ‘per annum each. ,V That paid brigades are maintained in the most important Aus-, traliaa cities at the sole cost of the insurance com'panics. - 6. That the Government owns a large amount of property in the city, which shares in the protection afforded by the existence of. the brigades. 7. After careful consideration of the whole subject the coxmnmittce beg to recommend—8. That in future the annual grant from the Corporation should bo £SOO. O. That in view of the increased amount of insurance business, and the increased duty thrown upon the brigades, the companies should be asked to increase their annual grant from £3OO to £4OO. 10. That the Government should be asked to contribute £IOO annually towards tho expenses of th-? brigades. 11. That the £IOOO thus raised should be expended as followsAnnual contribution to each brigade to defray current expenses, £400; fund for repairs, each brigade. £SO; annual gratuity to captain of each brigade. £SO. Any surplus from repairs fund to go to accident fund. 12, That this sura of £IOOO should cover all expenses of any kind whatsoever, except purchase of new plant. 13. That permission should bs given to deduct 10 per cent, from the annual grant, to be applied to the accident or benefit fund. 14. That tho control of th'e respective brigades should remain in the hands of the captains, as at present. 15. The committee have considered the question of supplying now uniforms to the brigades, and* have, come to the conclusion that the brigades should themselves* furnish uniforms out of the Increased grant. I*6. The committee recommend, the Council to purchase 1050 feet ofcanv<s hose, to meet the increased requirements of the brigades. Councillor Fisher, In a speech in the course of which he recognised the great value of fire brigades, moved the adoption of the report. Councillor Greenfield seconded the motion. Councillor Macdonald said he was not sure whether the Corporation should vote money for the support of fire brigades, as it was a duty that more properly belonged to the insurance companies. The Auckland City Council had refused to vote any of its funds. Apart from* this portion of the subject, however, he thought the insurance companies should subscribe £SOO a year instead of '£3oo, and the Government £2OO instead of £IOO. He thought, too, that the amount for repairs should bo increased from £SO to £IOO. He considered that tho insurance companies accepted risks without due consideration. The amount of insurance on buildings should be fixed at some fair and reasonable limit, and he thought the two brigades should be under the control of a superintendent, who should inspect risks, and be paid £4OO a year by the insurance companies. He thought they • could well afford to pay this amount, when they paid their agents from £SOO to £ISOO a and their canvassers good salaries also. Seeing how risks "wore at present taken, he viewed with apprehension what might be expected from incendiarism, should hard times ensue. The rates charged by the insurance companies were absurdly high, and very little care was exercised in the acceptance of risks. He would object to £SOO a year beiug votedout of the Corporation funds unless the insurance companies contributed more than they did, and provided a salary for a superintendent, part of whose duty would be to inspect risks. Councillor George would support Councillor Macdonald’s amendment, with tho exception of the appointment of a superintendent. , It being 10.65 Councillor Hunter moved the postponement of tho matter until next meeting, in order to test tho feeling of the Council as to whether they intended to proceed with the discussion at that late hour, or postpone it until next meeting. The motion for adjournment was loft, and the Mayor vacated the chair for twenty minutes. On the Council resuming, Councillor Hunter said it would have the effect of breaking up the fire brigades if a paid superintendent were placed over them either by the City Council or tho companies. He thought tho tiro brigades had worked in a most magnificent manner in Wellington for a long scries of years, and it would bo a great loss to tho city to disturb their efficiency. With reference to the risks, when places were burnt down, if the agents found they could erect them for a less amount than they were insured for, of course that cemrse coqld adopted. Hd djd qofc think thp Council could interior© with tho manner in which tho various Insurance companies conducted their business. Ho wonld also remind tho Council that the .engines Were brought out at the expense of tho insurance companies,'and handed over to the brigades, under a certain arrangmont. In addition to this, the insurance companies also contributed £SOO when tho water supply was introduced, and this contribution tended to make tho supply much more efficient than it would ; otherwise have been. Ho did not think it. would be wise to ask tho Government . to. give more than £IOO a year. He thought it was one of the things tho pooplo of Wellington should set their faces most against, that of going to

the Government and asking for sums of money. -He would prefer to see the money raised by private contributions, or. voted by tho Council. He was strongly in favor of the brigades being provided with the most perfect appliances, and no doubt the insurance'Companies should meet the Council in a liberal spirit in a matter which interested them to so great an extent. He thought, also, that the public, and the Council as representing the public, should deal liberally with the brigades, considering how hard they worked on all occasions when their services were required. Councillor Allen moved the adjournment of the discussion. The motion was lost. After some further discussion Councillor Macdonald’s amendments were carried, with the exception of those proposing au increased contribution from the Government and the appointment of a superintendent. On the motion of Councillor Diver, a clause was added to the effect- that in consideration of the amounts raised from the foregoing sources the public should not be canvassed for subscriptions. On the motion of Councillor Fisher it was decided that the new arrangement take effect from the Ist October next.

The report, aa amended, was passed, and tho Council adjourned at 12.20 a.m.