CITY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5824, 28 November 1879, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

The City Council met last night in the Municipal Buildings. Present—His Worship the Mayor, and Councillors Miller, Maginnity, Logan, Thompson, Allen, Brown, .aud Stafford. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. STATE OF TOBY-STREET. A deputation of Tory - street residents, headed by Mr. Evenden, waited upon the Council with reference to a nuisance caused iu the vicinity of that street by defective drainage at the back of the Foresters’ Hail, which was injurious to public health. The deputation having described the evil, His Worship promised that the matter would receive the careful attention of the Council. The deputation having retired, Councillor Allen moved that the matter be referred to the Sutveyor to take action. Councillor Miller seconded this, and said the nuisance was very great in summer weather. After some slight discussion the motion was carried. CORRESPONDENCE. A list of correspondence outwards and inwards was read. Amongst the latter was a letter from residents in Grey-street, objecting to the express stand lately authorised there. The letter was referred to the Public Works Committee. COUNCILLOR DANES. The Mayor stated that he had a note from Councillor Danks, expressing his inability to be present iu consequence of ill-health. NEW BY-LAW. The Council resolved itself into a special meeting for the adoption of a new by-law as an addition to the standing orders, providing that a bell shall be rung for three minutes before the chair is vacated upou occasions of no quorum occurring in the Council. The by-law having been adopted, the ordinary business was resumed. FIRE INSPECTORS. The Town Clerk brought under the notice of the Council that the fire inspectors had been appointed under the old Act of 1867, and the City Solicitor was of opinion that fresh warrants should be issued under the new Act of 1576. The Mayor thought the matter might be left for some Councillor to give notice of. POWER OF ATTORNEY. Upon the suggestion of the Town Clerk, a power of attorney was granted to Sir Julius Vogel to sign contracts for the supply of ironpipes on behalf of the Council. NEW BILLS. The Mayor reported that the Te Aro Reclamatiou Bill had passed the House of Repi-e----rentativos, and was now in the Council. The Hon, Mr. Waterhouse had kindly undertaken the charge of it, and it was likely to pa-s without much trouble. The Bill had lict-n materially changed and shortened, aud was considerably improved. He also laid the Hospital and Charitable Institutions Bill on the table, as it was a very important measure. MR. O’NEILL’S CLAIM. The claim for compensation made by Mr. O’Neill for the use by the Corporation of his patent flagging came on for consideration, but on the motion of Councillor Logan was adjourned to a fuller meeting. HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID COMMITTEE. The Town Clerk reported that there had been no quorum of this committee, so that there was no report to bring up. He asked whether the committee appointed at the last meeting was to supersede the other committee ? The Councillors generally expressed the opinion that this was not the case. WHARF COMMUTES. Upon the suggestion of Councillor Brown, the time of meeting of the above committee was fixed for Tuesday, at 4 p.m. PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE. The report of this committee was brought up to the following effect : —l. That the City Surveyor has been authorised to have the metal blinded in Featherstone-terrace. 2. That they cannot recommend the extension of Elizabeth-street through private property to the Town-belt, unless at the expense of the proprietors. 3. That a sub committee has been taking evidence on the value of the work at Hobscn-street bridge, done by Mr. E. W. Mills, but has not yet completed its report. 4. That a further report on the watering of the streets is being prepared by the City Surveyor, until the receipt of which the committee have postponed consideration of the question of purchase of steam engine and pump. 5. That they are of opinion that the Council are not liable for the accident to James Moulds, on the wharf last April, the accident being solely attributable to the exceptionally high wind at the time. The committee beg further to recommend—6. That Mr. Laughton be appointed overseer of works, vice Mr. Whiting resigned, at a salary of £5 per week. 7. That tenders be called for kerbing and channelling Wellington-terrace. 8. That a covered drain be carried through the recreation ground and across the Wadestown road, at the back of Mr. Turnbull’s premises. Estimated cost, £35. 9. That leave be granted to Mr. E. Tomlinson, for the formation of “ Levin-street,” a private street, on the usual conditions. 13. That accounts amounting to £173 15s. 9d. be passed for payment. Upon clause 1 a slight discussion took place as to whether it was not advisable to blind metal in other streets. Ultimately the clause was passed, and the other matter was left with the City Surveyor to act upou when necessary. With reference to clause 6, the Mayor said he was entirely opposed to the recommendation, for he thought such situations should be open to competition. He knew the Council were going to pass the motion, which was virtually the recommendation of Mr. Baird, the City Engineer, but he thought the principle a wrong one. Councillor Thompson also opposed the recommendation, as it was contrary to the practice of the Council. Councillor Stafford also opposed the recommendation on principle. Councillor Maginnity supported the action of the committee. Councillor LOOAN thought Mr. Baird was better able to judge as to the qualification of the overseer than the Councillors were. Councillor Brown supported the recommendation, as Mr. Baird was responsible for the work done, and was the best judge of who should be overseer. The Mayor said it was no use now calling for applications, for the thing was settled, and that was what he complained of. He could not of course over-ride a decision of the Council, but he would do all he could to put a stop to the pernicious practice of making these appointments outside the Council. After some further remarks, the clause was passed. Clause 7 gave rise to some little discussion as to what material should be used for the proposed kerbing and channelling. The clause was ultimately referred back to the committee to bring up a full report as to the difference of cost of the work done with timber and with asphalte. The report was then adopted as amended. tenders. Tenders were then opened for various works advertised. The Town Clerk reported that for the formation of a road at the Newtown Recreation Ground, Messrs. Brett and Co.’s tender was the lowest. For the formation and metalling of Eiddiford and Mansfield-streets, Mr. McKirdy’s tender was the lowest. These tenders were accepted. For the supply of stone and metal for portion of Adelaide-road and Riddiford-street, Messrs, Pudney and Scolly were ties for the lowest tenders, and it was directed that they shoold wait upon the Mayor next day to arrange the matter. ACCOUNTS. Accounts to the amount of £3216 13s. 7d. were passed for payment. ST. ANDREW’S DAT. The Mayor inquired if it was the wish of the Council that the Corporation employes should have a holiday on Monday ? The matter was decided in the negative. NEW FISH MARKET. The plan of the proposed fish market was laid on the table, and approved of. THE FAKE INQUIRY COMMITTEE. Upon the motion of Councillor Maginnity the name of Councillor Miller was added to the committee appointed to inquire into Mr. Fake’s claim for compensation for alleged damage. THE CEMETERY QUESTION. Councillor Logan drew attention to the following paragraph which appeared in our Wednesday’s issue u Mr. Mantell jester- y asked the Attorney-General, in the Council,

whether the Government have taken, or intend to take, any steps to give effect to a resolution of this Council, passed in the session of 1876, with regard to the Wellington Cemetery ? Mr. Whitaker replied : 1 can only tell the honorable gentleman that I am informed the Government have made every effort to obtain a suitable site in different parts of Wellington, and have given great attention to the matter. These attempts have hitherto failed. The Corporation was likewise asked to point out any site it considered desirable, but it has not done so. The Government will continue to take care to secure a suitable site if it can be had.” He (Mr. Logan) said what the Attorney-General had stated was simply not the fact, as the Corporation had made ever y effort to secure a site. He mentioned one in particular, which was a very good site, and which would be made accessible by the new Wellington and Foxton line. He thought some steps should be taken to inform the Government of what the Council had done in the matter. Councillor Allen was of the same opinion, and the Council resolved to direct the Town Clerk to write to the Government upon the subject. THE ADELAIDE ROAD DRAIN. A plan of the proposed line of the Adelaideroad drain when straightened and cemented was laid upon the table, and as it would iu places pass through private property a committee, consisting of Councillors Brown, Thompson, Allen, and Maginnity was appointed to confer with the owners upon the subject. MR. chapple’s salary. Councillor Logan moved that the resolution of 30th October, 1879, relative to salaries of officials be rescinded so far as to permit of the following resolution being moved, —That the salary of Mr. J. Chappie (the assistant clerk), be raised to £IBO per annum, to commence from Ist October last. He spoke in high terms of Mr. Chappie as a Corporation official, and said the increase was only a small one. Councillor Maginnity seconded in similar terms. The Mayor endorsed these remarks, and the motion was carried unanimously. The Council rose at 9.45 p.m.