CITY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5516, 30 November 1878, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the City Council took place last night in the Connell Chambers. Present—His Worship the Mayor, and Councillors Allen, Maginnity, Thompson, Hunter, Miller, Young, Logan, Diver, Moss, Greenfield, and Fisher.. MINUTES. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE. The following letter was received from the City Surveyor : Please receive herewith a memorandum I have received from the City Solicitor respecting an encroachment on the Te Aro foreshore. Tho question has arisen through an application for a permit to build by Mr, W. "W. Taylor. I thought the building was not in accordance with the regulations, and consulted Mr. Travers with reference thereto. When the plan of the ground was produced it was found that tho proposed building was to be erected on what formed part of tho To Aro reclamation ground. I enclose tracing of the plan in question. The contract for tho building has been made and is now in progress. The Town Clerk, Wellington. The following memo, was received from Mr. Travers, City Solicitor : I find on searching at tho Deeds Registry Office that Mr. W. W. Taylor has no title whatsoever to the land shown on the accompanying plan as lying to the northward of town section 207. I think It will bo necessary that the Corporation should at once give Mr. Taylor notice that the land in question is their property, under the To Aro foreshore grant, and warn him. against using It. A tracing of the plan was laid on tho table. The Mayor remarked that it was a very important matter to Mr. Taylor, aad suggested that it be referred to a committee to decide. Councillor Logan was of the same opinion as the Mayor. Councillor Diver drew the'CouncU'a attention to Mr. Travers’ opinion. The Mayor said that Mr. Taylor had been in possession of the land for upwards of twenty years. Councillor Moss moved that the matter be referred to the following committee : —His Worship the Mayor and Councillors Thompson, Logan, Allan, and Maginnity. Agreed to. Councillor Thompson suggested that the committee should report at the next meeting of the Council. Councillor Hunter said he would not say much, as he was looked uponasbeing interested in the foreshore. He hoped the committee would give the matter very serious consideration. A letter was read from the secretary of the Foresters* Fete Committee, asking the patronage of the Council. Agreed to. From Inspector Johnson, requesting that some alteration be made in the bylaws in regard to impounding wandering cattle. Councillor Allen said that the Council should take the most urgent measures, and have a very stringent by-law passed. In answer to his Worship, Inspector Johnson said that there was a by-law in existence, but there was some flaw in it. Councillor Diver remarked that be^ had constantly seen numbers of horses wandering. The matter was referred to the City Solicitor, • Councillor Miller thought that Mr. Travers should have looked into the matter before. The Mayor remarked that Mr. Travers had been greatly frustrated by the action of the Legislature, and that it was scarcely fair to sensure him before he was heard on the sub* ject. Several letters were received from residents complaining of the nuisance of horses breaking into gardens. A letter was received from the City Surveyor in answer to Councillor Fisher, stating that the Tramway Company would be willing to take metal for the maintenance of the roads, free of charge. A letter was read from Mr. Somerville, complaining of the speed that the tramway cars ran in the streets ; also stating that the way was not kept in proper repair, inasmuch as tho rails were in [many places two inches higher than the road.—Further consideration was postponed until Mr. Hale’s report was obtained. PUBLIC WORKS REPORT. The following four clauses were carried without discussion:—l. That they cannot recommend tho Council to contribute towards tho purchase of a fire escape for the city. 2. That the City Surveyor has been instructed to comply, if possible, with the request of Mr. J. G. Anderson for an approach to town acre 4073 Also, to attend to the drain in front of tho residence of Mr. 0. W. Clayton, Thorndonquay. 4. That they cannot recommend the Council to accede to a request of Mr. Kussell for a further bonus on account of tbe contract for sheds at tbe wharf. 5. That applications from Mr. P. Vautier and Mr. Spiller, for leave to construct wooden houses on the Terrace and Boulcott-strcct, respectively, are referred for the consideration of the Council Councillor Fisher thought it would bo very hard on the parties if they were not allowed to build iu wood. The ground was precipitous, and it was considered really dangerous to build with brick. Tho Mayor thought that the by-law should be so amended to meet cases of this sort. It was resolved that Mr. Baird should prepare a plan of the place, with a view of having the by-law amended bo as to allow of wooden buildings being erected in that locality. 6. That the Council grant a sum of £l5O to the two fire brigades for the purchase of uniforms, on condition that the associated insurance companies contribute a like sum.— Carried. 7. That clause 16 in the fire brigades committees* report, (adopted 25th July, 1878), be struck out. Councillor Thompson observed that unless tho brigades were allowed to appeal to tho public they could not get enough money for their support. Councillor Diver coincided with tho remarks of Councillor Thompson, and considered that the efficiency of the fire brigades could not be maintained unless they appealed to tbe public for more money. It was a well known fact that the Wellington fire brigades were a credit to tbe city.

Cotmcillor Hunter thought the matter should be left in the hands of the public. The clause was carried. 8. That Mr. S. Brown be paid the sum of £BOO on account of extras for the new Corporation offices.—Carried. 9. That Hawker-street to Oriental-terrace be formed and metalled. Estimated coat £OSO. 10. That Daniel-streot be formed and metalled; estimated cost, £1270. 11. That Coromandeletreet and Owen-streot bo rendered passable for drays at an estimated cost of £l5O each. 12. That Adelaide-read, from Riddiford-streot to the gully opposite Colonel Leckio’s, bo formed and metalled ; estimated cost, £IO3O. This amount will giro a 30ft. formation, and 20ft. metal. 13. That the levels of Tirio and Brougham streets bo altered, in accordance with the .plans submitted by the City Surveyor, at an estimated additional cost of £230, making a total cost of £578. In regard to clause 13, Councillor Maoinnity presented a petition from the residents of Pirie-atreot, objecting to the levels of the street being proceeded with. Councillor Miller presented another petition, asking that the proposed levels should bo proceeded with. The Mayor drew attention to the faet that the proposed alterations meant the expenditure of a large amount of money. It was then suggested that tho five clauses should be taken together. Councillor Fisher observed that ho would decidedly vote for the expenditure on the Adolaide-road.

Councillor MaoISNITT thought that tho further discussion of the clauses should bo adjourned until the wish of the ratepayers was ascertained. Councillor Moss was of the same opinion as Councillor Maginnity. Councillor Young did not see why the works should be stopped. He considered the streets of Wellington tho worst in the colony. (Cries of “ No, no.”) Yes, yes ; and ho said so without fear of contradiction, and therefore thought the works should be proceeded with. Councillor Hunter thought that by expending the money they would be creating more rateable property. Ho looked upon tho work as only being just to the settlors in the district. The present was the beat season for the making of streets ; they could be dono cheaper now than later on. There was no doubt the district hod been neglected, and the time had now arrived for something to be done. Perhaps the work could not be done until they had a fresh loan, but ha thought that if the ratepayers were made cognizant of the facta they would not object to borrowing a sufficient sum. Councillor Looan believed that the streets in the four wards could be improved and put in repair for £50,000. This sum would not put on a polish, but would make the roads passable enough. Councillor GREENFIELD remarked that tho district was growing very fast. The Mayor was of opinion that money should be borrowed. Councillor Diver thought that if the Council decided to borrow they should borrow a large sum. It would be easier to borrow £IOO,OOO than £50,000. Councillor Fisher could not see the reason of borrowing £IOO,OOO when £50,600 would de os well. Councillor Mobs was of opinion that the matter should be adjourned until the ratepayers’ vote was obtained re borrowing tho money. In answer to Councillor Thompson, the Mayor said that it would be about two months before it would be settled. ■ Councillor Thompson; observed that the summer would be passed before tho work was started. Clauses 9, 10, 11, 12, and IS, were then passed. The following remaining clauses were passed without discussion, with the exception of clause 18, which was referred back to the Works Committee :—l4. That Parkstreet be put in repair at an estimated cost of £l3O. 15. That a new 12-inch pipe drain be laid in Bowen-street, at an estimated cost of £SO, on condition that the residents contribute half of the amount. 18. That Mr. Bayliss and Mr. B. Port be allowed to construct drains through their premises in Adelaideread, under the supervision of the City Surveyor, the Council contributing one-half the cost. 17. That Mrs. London be refunded half the cost of constructing culvert in Cuhastreet, viz., £22 10s. IS. That rates to the amount of £5 10s., charged to Mr. Johns on two houses in Tinakori-road, be refunded, on account of the entrance to the houses having been blocked up by some alteration to the road. 19. That accounts amounting to £332 ss. 2d. be passed for payment. tenders. The following tenders were considered : Birch logs.—E. Greenwood, £BO (accepted.) Kerbing Tinakori-road. —J. Morrison, £3 11s. 6d. (accepted.) Formation Eoxburgh-strcet.—Jehn Dooly, £449 ;O. McKirdy, £372 Bs. (accepted); J. Saunders, £478 ; G. Pndney, £497 ; T. Hayes, £660 ; J. Joy, £SOO. APPOINTMENT of night watchman. There were 27 applications. It was arranged that all tho testimonials be placed on the table, and that the appointment be made at a future meeting of the Council, to be held next Monday at 4 o’clock. GENERAL BUSINESS. Accounts amounting to £2208 11s. Bd. were passed for payment. Councillor Fisher asked tho members of th o Wharf Committee whether any information had been received relative to the missing qr.-oask of brandy which was supposed to have been stolen from the ship St. Louis I Councillor Greenfield said that the matter was still under the consideration of the committee. On the suggestion of Councillor Thompson Councillor Fisher was allowed to postpone his notice of motion re Mr. Climie being retained as Drainage Engineer until next ordinary meeting of the Council. Councillor Fisher moved, —That with a view to the immediate removal of the nightsoil depot from its present site at Newtown, the Inspector of Nuisances ho instructed to select a site beyond the limits of the city. Councillor Thompson thought the depot must he removed before the next twelve months had expired. Councillor Miller said that he had a petition from the residents, signed by a large number, asking that the nuisance might be

removed. Councillor Young thought that if two men were constantly engaged burying the stuff there would be no nuisance at all. The motion was carried. Councillor Moss moved, —That no owner, driver, or conductor of any licensed carriage shall carry, or permit to bo carried, in or upon any such carriage, any coffin or deceased human body. Agreed to. COirTLIMEIITABT. Councillor Hunter stated that at the wish of his fellow Councillors he wished to congratulate the Mayor on being re-elected. The Matob, in thanking the Councillors, said that during his present tenure of office ho had noticed that the outside public were under an erroneous impression regarding the power of the Mayor. He wished every department to work on its own responsibility. Mo had been very careful to toko no responsibility on his own hands but what he could not really avoid. Ho referred more particularly to impromptu meetings which he had called expressly for the purpose of hearing the views of the Council. He considered that the office of Mayor should be more like the position of the Speaker of the Legislature. He again thanked the Council for their kindly feeling towards him. VENTILATION, Before adjourning Councillor DrVEB brought under tho notice of the Engineer tho very bad ventilation of the Council Chambers. The Council then adjourned.