CITY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5638, 25 April 1879, Page 5

CITY COUNCIL.

A meeting of the City Council was hell last night in the Council Chambers. Present —His Worship the Mayor, Councillor; Miller, Greenfield, Young, ' Hunter, Fisher, Thompson, Logan, Magiunity, Dixon, Allen and Moss. THE RECLAIMED LAND. A letter was read from the Government ii reply to a question as to whether they woulc form the footpaths on the reclaimed land stating that the steps that they had taken ii calling for tenders for making the roads wen a guarantee of their intention to carry ou everything they had undertaken. FINANCE. The Pinanoe Committee’s report, which has already been published, was read and re ceived. NEW BATES. On the resolution that a general rate of Is in £, and a water rote of 5 per cent., and 2; per cent, on the ratable value be struck, Councillor Eisheb moved that the water rati for domestic purposes be reduced to 4 pel cent. It was pointed out by the Mayor and Councillor Hunter and others that if this were done the Council would not be able to undertake any filter beds or extension of the present supply. On a division the original resolution was carried, only Councillors Fisher, Maginnity, and Allen voting against it. THE WATEB SUPPLY. The following letter with reference to the water supply, by the City Engineer, was read ; Sir, —X have the honor to draw your attention to the necessity that exists for taking immediate steps for increasing the water supply. During the present season we have managed to hold our own, and the reservoir has never had less than 33ft. sin. of water ; but we are extending the water mains, and of course there will be a much larger consumption next summer. A larger supply will also be required when the drainage scheme is carried out. There are three courses open to the Council as follows Ist. To construct a . second dam just above the present reservoir, which would also act as a silt basin. I attach plans, &c., of this work. It will enclose about nine millions of gallons of water, which during the winter months go to waste, and will cost £4594. 2nd. To tunnel through the dividing range between the Kaiwarra and South Karori streams. The length of tunnel would be about 103 J chains, and an open cutting of about 20 chains. The South Karori stream has a flow equal to about 1,300,000 gallons per 24 hours. I estimate the cost of this work at £18,580. This and the former proposition could be carried out together. 3rd. To bring the water in from Wainuiomata, where there is almost an unlimited supply, and to be obtained at an elevation sufficient to give 300 feet of pressure in Wellington. When the stream was guaged by Mr. Clarke it gave about 15,000,000 gallons per day. I estimate the cost of the works required to carry out this scheme at, in round numbers, £IOO,OOO. The South Karori, in addition to our present supply allowing a consumption of fifty gallons to each person, would be sufficient for a population of 34,000. The Wainuiomata, in addition to the present supply, allowing the same quantity, would be sufficient for a population of 308,000. If we had the latter, there is no doubt a very large revenue would be derived from water as a motive power. It is entirely a financial question, and one for the Council to decide, which of these schemes it would be most advisable to carry out. It was arranged that the letter should be considered by the Water Supply Committee at their next meeting. POLL OP THE KATEPATERS. The Matob stated that he proposed taking a poll of the ratepayers on the drainage loan at an early date. He did not think it would be necessary to put the loan on the market at once, as they had sufficient in band to enable them to go on for at least twelve months. THE CITY VALUER. The proposition made by the City Valuer some time ago—that he should be excused from attending at the office during portion of tho year, and that a small increase should be made in his salary, in consideration of his providing the extra clerical assistance required—was agreed to. PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE’S REPORT. Tho following report was adopted :—l. That the City Tramway Company have undertaken to continue the line to Newtown, and recommend that the contract for the lowering of Kiddifordstreet be confirmed. 2. That the City Surveyor has .been instructed to remove the embankment in Maofarlaue-street to be used in .covering in the rubbish." depot at the kerosene store. 3. That the Corporation have no powei to accede to the application of the Education Board for leave to depart from the terms of the Building Regulations. 4. That Mr. Berg’s application for a landing stage for his deep Eeafisliihg boathssbeea referred to the Wharf Commit-

tee. 5. That a water service has been authorised to be laid down in Broadway-terrace. 6 That accounts amounting to £582 4s. 2d. have been passed for payment. 7. That in consideration of the removal of the night soil and rubbish to the depot in Britomart-street, the contractor, Mr. MoKirdy, be allowed to charge per bucket extra for night soil and 9d. per yard for rubbish for the nine months ending 31st December, 1879. In regard to the statement that he had refused to allow fish from the Lena to be landed at his wharf, Councillor Hunter said that he never made any such suggestion, but he objected to the fish being cleaned on the wharf, a great nuisance being caused by the refuse being left on the wharf. The Mayor said it was proposed to allow the fish to be landed at the breastwork. The Inspector of Nuisances would see that no nuisance was caused. MAP OF THE CITY. Councillor Maoinnity explained that he found that he was mistaken in stating at the meeting at Thorndon that the map of the city being prepared would take thiee years in preparation, and that the surveyor by whom it was being executed was being paid one guinea per day. The Surveyor said that it would not cost £l5O. It was now completed except the coloring and lettering. Mr. Czorwonka, who was getting one guinea a day for the work, had been tlyee mouths at it. The Mayor, Councillor Greenfield, and others protested against Councillors making statements in public when they had not taken the trouble to verify them. Councillor Maoinnity urged ithat he had made the amende honorable, and the discussion dropped. CHARITABLE AID. The following report was read : —“The committee beg to report for the information of tho City Council that they have conferred with a deputation from the committee of the Benevolent Institute and with the chairman of the Hutt Council, and have also ascertained the views of Government on the subject of the administration of the Hospital and of charitable aid. Government have signified their intention of deducting from (he Corporation subsidy the whole of the cost of maintenance both of the Hospital and charitable aid for the current half year, less any such portion as is deducted from the subsidy of the Hutt County Council, the whole amounting to £3457 per annum, of which the Corporation share would be £2698 and the county £759, one half of which sums would be saved to these bodies respectively by their relieving the Government of the administration of the Hospital and charitable aid ; Government, on the other hand, defraying one half the cost. "With a view to effect such saving, the committee recommend that the administration of the charitable aid be handed over to the charge of the Benevolent Institute, and that the Corporation assume the administration of the Hospital, the Corporation primarily defraying tho cost thereof, and receiving pound for pound from Government, and from the Hutt County Council their proportionate share. The committee further recommend that the services of Mr. A. G. Johnson be placed temporarily at the disposal of the Benevolent Institute as relieving officer to receive applications for aid, and to report as to the nature of such applications ; and that he be allowed to receive from the Benevolent Institute a salary at the rate of £SO per annum for such services. The committee beg further to report that the Hutt County Council and the managing committee of the Benevolent Institute have signified their agreement with the foregoing proposals. The above arrangements do not include anything in connection with the new Hospital building.” After some discussion the report was adopted, an opinion being expressed by Councillor Hunter and others that this could only be a temporary measure, that the question would have to be dealt with hereafter in a comprehensive way by the Government. tenders. ■ Metsrs. Allen, Dixon, and Young were appointed a committee to examine; some tenders for stationery and general supplies. ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to £2731 Bs. were passed. THE DRAINAGE. On the motion of Councillor Fisher it was agreed that a return be laid on the table showing in detail the sums expended out of the drainage loan to 31st March, 1879, the dates, under what authority the amounts were expended, and who superintended the work. OBANT-EOAD. Councillor Fisher moved, —That the City Solicitor be instructed to take steps to compel Mr. Joseph Saunders to repair the damage done by removal of earth from Grant-road. Councillor Allen seconded. After some discussion an amendment moved by Councillor Maoinnity that Councillors Greenfield, Miller, and Young visit the spot, and report at the next meeting, was carried. THE LATE POLL. The Mayor officially reported the result of the late poll re the £IOO,OOO loan. He stated he would have a meeting of the Finance Committee shortly, when the steps to be taken to give effect to the resolution would be discussed. The Council then adjourned.