THE INSTALLATION OF THE MAYOR.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5532, 19 December 1878, Page 2

THE INSTALLATION OF THE MAYOR.

The City Council held its usual annual meeting for the installation of the Mayor yesterday. Councillors Moss, Allen, Dixon, Maginnity, Fieher, Thompson, Greenfield, Miller, and Young were present, also all the principal officers of the Corporation. A report was read by the Town Cleek, setting forth that Mr. Dransfield was dulyelected Mayor. The Mayor was then introduced in due form, and his Worship signed the usual declaration.

Councillor Allen paid an appropriate compliment to the Mayor ou his re-election, and added that as tho Mayor and the Councillors had always worked harmoniously together in the past no doubt they would continue to do so. The Mator thanked tho Councillors for their congratulations, and also for the thoughtful consideration which they had shown him in the past. The harmonious manner in which the work had been carried on in the past had left nothing but pleasant recollections behind it. He looked forward with every confidence to the future, and coucluded by again thanking tho Councillors for the congratulations they had tendered to him on his return to office.

The annual reports of tho City Surveyor, the Town Clerk, Wharfinger, and Harbormaster were read.

Councillor Fisilee made a short speech, in which he repeated the warnings uttered by him last year. However, he was pleased to fiud that though tho expenditure during the past year had been unprecedently large, yet the overdraft had been reduced to within tho legal limit. Much useful work had been done, and it had given general satisfaction. Councillor Maginnity remarked that the Mayer had been generally supported by all the Councillors at the recent election.

The Mayok then congratulated the Council on the successful results o£ tho past year. He attributed the result to the cordial co-operation of the Council with himself, aa he took credit for nothing hut for "an earnest desire to give effect to their resolutions. The Council then adjourned.

After the adjournment the " Health of the Mayor" was proposed by Mr. Sheehan, in the Mayor's private office, to which a number of friends of the Mayor and citizens had been invited. The health of the successful candidato was drunk with the usual honors, and that of Mr. Hutchison, tho unsuccessful candidate, followed. Suitable replies were given, and the " Health of the Permanent Staff" was then proposed by Councillor Moss. The toast was most cordially received, and was replied to by Mr. Graham, who expressed his gratification at finding the services of tho officers so hcvrtily appreciated. We append the reports read:—

TOWN CLERE'S RETORT. Town Clerk's Office, Wellington, December IS, 1878. His "Worship tho Mayor of Wellington— Sir,—l havo the honor to report for tho information of yourself and tho City Council, that so far as I am capable of judging, the wholo of tho Corporation departments are at present working satisfactorily, and tho various officers and employes apparently actuated by a desiro to do their best for tho interests of the Corporation. At the commencement of tho year considerable changes took place in tho pertonncl of tho staff, in conformity with tho recommendation of tho Kcorganisation Committeo of last year, which, togethor with the removal of tho various departments to the present Corporation Buildings, where they are located uudor ono roof, instead of being scattered all over the city, has greatly contributed to tho state of things as noted above. , ... ~ r Tho valuation of the various city properties for rating purposes last year amounted to £507,605, while this year, owing to tho large number of now buildings which havo boon erected in all parts of the city, added to tho enhanced value of property genorally, as shown by tho various recent auction sales, it is expected that that amount will be considerably increased. Of the rates for the current year thero is still the amount of £1530 Ss. lid. to bo collected, as until lately it has not been considered advisable to take harsh steps in enforcing tho collection of these arrears; but the collector has now received peremptory instructions on tho subject, and I conndontly look to have all collected in a very short time, A very large amount of work has been done in tho various departments during tho year, as shown by the

total receipts, exclusive of loans, which have nassed through the Corporation books, amounting from all source* to the Urge sum nf £09,702 3s. lid., while iho expenditure hai been £01.5 U 19s. Id. The detailed reports from the • 'ity Surveyor and Wharfinger accompanying this will still further show the importance and magnitude of the operations of the Corporation. In my own department the following important matters have been >.ttended to aud completed :—A complete set of standing orders for the guidance of the City Council has been framed and adopted ; bylaws for the regulation of hackney carriages, &c, ; ditto for enforcing the laying down of pavoment ; ditto for regulation of tho -water supply other than that for domestic pnrposos; by-laws for regulation ot the laying out of new streets, &c; by-laws for amending the building regulations. Owing to the action of the Legislature In throwing out the Bill for ratification of tho various by-laws of the city, framed under the provisions of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1567, a large number of our by-laws are at present in abeyance. These have, however, been re-framed, are at present under the consideration of tho City Solicitor, and will very shortly be submitted for approval and confirmation by the Connoil. Trusting that the various nfflcers of'the Corporation will continue to retain that confidence of the Council which at present they evidently possess,—lam, Ac.,' Charles C. Graham. Town Clerk, CITY SURVEYOR'S REPORT. The following report from tho City Surveyor was read:— City Surveyor's Office, Wellington, Bee, 17, 1573. Sir,—Herewith please receive a detailed schedule showin? public works in progress -before.the 18th December, 1877, but completed since that date. Works commenced since ISth December, 1877, now in progress, completed or authorised. Summarising the various works under their different headings, tho following particulars will show approximately what work has been done, together with the payments made, and liabilities contracted in connection therewith. Queen's Wharf, kerosene stores, and Queen's BondDay labor in repairs, &c, ' .. .. £414 10 1. Contracts (paid) 12,758 10 S Liabilities on do .. .. -.. 3,600 0 0 Timber and other supplies .. .. 769 15 1 Total .. £17,543 13 8 WaterworksDay labor • .. £8.728 0 S Contracts.. 7.502 15 2 Timber, pipes, and other supplies .. 1,C09 iO 0 Liabilities (approximately) .. .. 6,094 0 0 Total £17,824 4 8 The sum of £712 15s 6d has been received (rom tho Government and other individuals on waterworks ac- .-. count for service in connection therewith. Drainage— y:f Daylabor.. £728 t*f±■ ~ Contracts 878 17 0 ' Pipes, bricks, timber, and other supplies 161 7 0 Total .:' £2O6S 7 11 The sum of £IIS 12s Gd has been received from sundry individuals for work in connection therewith. Scavengoring— Daily labor £893 8 E Liabilities for carts, horse-scraper, &c. 200 0 0 Total £IOO3 8 5 Street lighting, &c.— {Day labor £2SS 18 9 New lamps, services, &c. .. .. 273 It 9 Gas and kerosene 1272 10 8 Total £1832 12.8 . Street watering— Daylabor .. .. £233 17 10 Wator carts , .. 37 10 0 Liabilities on do 108 0 0 Contracts, pumping, &c. •. .. 105 8 0 Total £554 10 19 General work on streets— Daylabor .£7,053 18 10 Supplies, timber, ic 2,232 8 1' Contracts 9,509 8 8 '•■ Liabilities on do ~ ... .. 5,465 S 3 Total .. .. ~ ..£14,230 0 11 '. The sum of £I3OO 17s- Sd, has been received from the Government and other individuals for work in connection with this service. General work authorised, but no payment yet made—Liabilities £5,745 10 SUMMARY. Queen's wharf, kerosene store, and Queen's bond £17.543 18 8 ' Waterworks 17,824 4 S Drainage , SO6S 7 11 Scavengering 1098 8 5 Street lighting 1832 12 0 Street wateting .. 544 10 10 General work on streets £4,230 Oil Authorised on do 5,745 1 0 Grand total expenditure or liabilities in connection with public works in the city of Wellington for year ending 18th December, IS7S .. .. £7O,SS3 10 G 493 water services have been laid on during the year, and about 5£ miles of wate- mains have been laid down or contracts let for the same. About Si miles of pipe mains have been contracted for, and will arrive within the next two months. 56 wator meters have been attached to services for the supply of water for other than domestic purposes, and tho sum of £555 lis. Bd. has been obtained, or* is. due from this source. There is 63 feet 6 inches of water in the reservoir, and the stream is at present date sufficient to supply all demands. 3576 square yards of concrete pavement have been laid down. 13 block timber crossings have been constructed. In connection with the two latter items, tho sum of £SO6 Is has been received from ratepayers and others, in part payment of the3B particular works. A dray stand, 300 feet long and 10 feet wide, constructed of concrete bottom and timber blocks, has been laid down in Custom House-quay. 550 chains of kerbiug have been put down, or is now in course of construction. 220 ohains of channelling have been constructed. 325 permits to build have been issued, and the fees . received in connection therewith amount to the sum of £3SS 13s. 13 licenses to plumbers have been issued,and tho sum of £39 has been received in payment for the same. The averago number of men employed on tho general work has been 41 ; the average on waterworks, IS; drainage, 4 (since July only); lighting, 1; scavengering, 6 ; horses and carts, 12. The officers in my department have been fully oc cupied in connection with the various city works, and the necessary surveys in connection with an increased water supply and proposed new outfall for - the drainage scheme. Both of these subjects are now under const leration, aud will be specially reported ' upon as soon as I have obtained the data necess<ry for this purpose. I may, however, add that I believe a satisfactory solution of both can bo arrived at at a less expense then was at first sight thought of—l have, &c, J. D. Baird. City Surveyor. City Surveyor's Office, Wellington, December IS, 1873. Sir, —With reference to the division of the expenditure uuder the headings of scavengering, st eet light- ■ ing, street watering, general work on streets, and ' general work authorised, as reported npon yest rday, it (works out approximately between the different wards of the city as under: Thorndon. Lambton. Te Aro. Cook. £1859 53.. £S7I3 19 4 .. £10,26S 50.. £12,307 13 9

Of course this is simply an approximation, and it would take some considerable time to get at the expenditure accurately.—l have, &c, J. D. Baxbd. WHAIvFrNOEu's REPORT. Tho wharfinger's report, was read. It was as follows: — Queen's Wharf, Wellington, December 17,1878. To His "Worship tho Mayor—Sir.—l beg to submit tho following report showing the general work done on the Queen's Wharf for the past twelve months. Tho number of vessels which entered the port of Wellington for that period was 1057, composed of 40 foreign, 1131 at amers, 455 coasting vessels and colliers, with aggregate registered tonnage of 354.555 tons. The imports of general cargo amounted In round numbers to 90.000 tons, including transhipments, to which may be added—coals, 17,000 tons ; timber, 8.767,000 feet. Tho exports of general cargo were 16,073 tons ~Wool 84,411 bales. ~<SZ?" Preserved meats.. .. 8,131 cases. ■"* Tallow 6,156 pkg 3. The total receipts, including bonded warehouse, were £19,500; and a sum of, In round numbers, £OOOO has been paid away in wages. The receipts show a very satisfactory increase over previous years in the face of very considerable reductions in some of tho charges, viz.: — On transhipments .. .. reduced 35 per cent. On grain, malt, potatoes, &o. .. „ 20 „ On ballast ,» 35 „ On limestone .. .. ■ ■ ~ -.70 ~ Tho reductions may bo estimated at £ISOO per annum. —I have, &c., W. F. Kesnedy, Wharfinger. Addenda. —l beg to state wo have found very sensi- . blo relief from the new extensions and woolshed, and the business of the wharf works more smoothly; but that the additions were made not a day too soon, I may mention that two days this past week all the extensions were covered with wool and cargo, and the new shod full of the former. We had to provide room for eleven (11) steamers one day last week, independent of English vessels and coasters landing and discharging simultaneously. W. F. Ken-sedv.