CITY COUNCIL

The ordinary meeting of. the City Council, held yesterday evening; was attended by the Mayor (Mr J. B. Thomson), Crs Carroll, Munro, Robin, Barneß, Dick; Murray, Street, Spedding, Guthrie, Fagan.'and Eliott. CORBESPONDKNCE. Mr George -W. Eliott, on behalf of himself and Mr D. Proudfqot, wrote informing the : Council that instructions had been given to an .■ | architect to have: certain" alterations in the - Queen's Theatre immediately effected.--Re-;/■ ceived.. ' . • ■>.■■'••/;. :- • ■ ■■-, :->". ■•■■■-■■- Mr G. L. Denniston drew attention to the unsatisfactory state/in which the Maitland street works are at present and have been all the winter.—The letter was referred to the . Works Committee, with power to act. The Secretary to.,the Dunedin Volunteer " Fice Brigade submitted for the approval of tha Council an application to have four additional fire-alarm boxes placed as follows:—Philp'sTerminus Hotel; Seddon's store,' corner •of ' Frederick and; Leith; streets; Krull's Al.Hotel, corner of Union and Forth streets ;•'•■' Mr Mirams'-private house at Royal terrace. "■'■. The estimated cost was£B3 8s for, the boxes ' and all appurtenances.—Referred to the Fire •'.•' - Brigade Committee.. ■ •; ,- ■ ■<.;.. ; '~.-;sjj:;.>' Mrs Amelia Muir informed the Council that; "f she had erected three houses inMoray place afe a cost of £4000, understanding, in Conjunction - ~* with other proprietors' in the locality, that a sewer would" be constructed in Moray place. ■ ' In; the event of the Council beiug unable to ' proceed with this-work in" the meantime, she -*-• requested pecuniary assistancein laying a nine* inch earthenwaro"pi[>e to Princes street, to tha . extent of one-half the cob t.—Referred to tha " Works Committee. '•:';■■'•' - ; s/<,'.".: ■;".■.■:.'," .Mr S. Lintern wrote to the .'effect-" that if "'* the Council would erect baths in some central position of the bay at Dunedin, with all necessary approaches, and properiy-tinish the same ; for the safety and convenience of bathers, he - : would undertake to pay rent for tbebaths at ; the rate of 10 percent, on the cost of construction for a term of five years.—Referred to the Baths and Sanitary Committee to report upon. Mr ,S. De Leon wrote, on behalf, of. himself..-, and others who had acquired"leaseholds atSf" Eglinton from the City Corporation," drawmap/ attention to: the fact that Messrs Smith and ■"■'■ Fothoringham, who had purchased leases fromother leaseholders, were excavating the sections leased by them for the purpose^, of using the earth in their brickworks, thereby ren-> deringithe township much less-agreeable for " residents. .:..■.:•.■•,;-■:..•■.•.■■,.-.: ... ■■ . ■.:.■;

, Some discussion ensued, Crs "Gothkie and FagAN holding that, it was never intended leaseholdors should be allowed to make excavations on Corporation property. .'■;.• ' Cr Barnes thought the Council had no power to stop the excavations, as the leaseholders.in question might allege that they were merely levelling the ground m accordanea with the street-line.. The only condition in the leases with .reference to the matter wag that quarrying for stone should not tacT carried on. . :-/. ' j, ~ ■■■~-..

The letter waa referred to the Reserves Committee. ,; \;;'. :.. '■■.■■■",,,,.;::■..;- ~.-■

Mr C. Kimbell applied. to lease the waterworks reserveior, depasturing purposes;—Re-' quired declined.. ~.'■... .....fv-,,r v ,'■;,'.-...... A letter was received from :the Colonial Secretary's office stating that the Government declined.to insist upon the recaption of fever patients in the Dunedin- Hospital, and that it wa? the duty of the Corporation, as the local Board of Health, to make provision for such cases. ■ ... . . .. . ~. • ■ "" ..: •

The following letter was read from the Chauv man of the Domain Board:—"I have again to address you on behalf of the Domain Board. The Board's proportion of the i.nnual -.■■■ vote taken, by the Government for Botanical •- Gardens last session .only amounted- to:'£2oo, ■ and this sum, with the exception of a few:, pounds, being exhausted; the' Board (finds " itself not in a position even to j)ay the current : month's wages. Under these circumstances I and the other members of the Board trußt that' the Council will afford-thein some assistance, as ;. before, to enable them to carry on their funcH..'•' tiohs until they again receive their portion of the vote, which they are making every exertion - to have increased this session."

The Mayor recapitulated the amounts which had been voted by the Council to the Board during late years, and pointed out that the Corporation had received from the Domain over 1000 trees, which ■,< had been > recently planted on the Town Belt. - CrBABNES moved that the sum of £100 be rotod for this purpose. .. Cr Fag AN moved as an amendment that £50

only be voted in the' meantime, and the matter ' •: was, after a short discussion, referred to; the - ;; Reserves Committee to report upon.: "■: ;5 ■ "H ( The Caversham .Borough ' Clerk wrote "ex- '"*' pressing surprae at the-action ,of-the City > Co'unoilin declining to.support the Caveraham \ Baths Site Bill. .If .the-; St. Kilda and South Dunedin Boroughs ivauld guarantee the erectiojtgf tto.baths, the Caversham Council would wiHkaKjtheir bill, but would oppose any * 4WdH!iMncorporate them "with the1 other ■ bJ)fc»jrt|*Ht)»e proposed Board for the control : . of BRfSWlniilla.—The letter was received.;; , -, ." Sir M;-?W. Green, M.H.R., wrote in reply to a communication from the Council; promising '"'"• to do all-in his"power to: further the Auc-> ; tioneers'- Licenses BUlih accordance with their wishes. : • .;■;. .;,.; ..■ .. ' ..,-. ... ~■ ..

; Messrs Sievwright and Stout wrote on behalf of Messrs A. and J.: Solomon, stating, that damage had beendoue to:the latter's property ■"■•-. by, the blasting operations in Dowling street, and that the Council would be held responsible '; •' for the same.—Referred to tho Works Com--mittee. . ■■• .-..-.:.:;-,. ; •.-.■■ .■-•?>.;;,,..'.:■.■•.■;■■ 1 THE TBAMWAW CONTRACT; ' • ,- ' : ' -. The following letter. was~-read from Messrs Smith, Anderson, and.iOo.:— ..-, .;..;;..:; As instructed Id your litter .of the 6 iTiriW, we tub-' : mitted the new draft deed of covenant to tie Com. . ' pany's solicitors, and also to Mr.Fenwick. We return .: 501 the drate herewith;-approved by Messrs Siev- ' wright, Stout, and Co. on behalf of the Compmy.. Mr Fenwick haa verbally Intimated to us his approval of ths draft. Ab Mr Prnidfoot is.not to boa party to tho uco 1, Mr Fenwick does rot Eoe tho necessity for his written approval of the draft. .-.-■- Mr Fenwick baa approved of tbe Castle street draft contract. . The < ngrossmont ia new in bind. " :■ Tho draft bond for execution by the Company is \v th Vies re Sievwright, Stout, and Co. for perUsal. We hopo to bo in a prsitiotfto'advi c completion of tho matter in a few days. - We have, &c., : :',. .SMITHiiAKPBItSON, AJD Co. Cr Street pointed out that Mr Proudfoot's attorney declined to put his assent in writing, and suggested that this should be made an express stipulation by the Committee. ' The letter was referred, to the Tramways Committee, to take all steps necessary to .complete the contract. T _ " ,'■'■'

MR FISH AND THB HABBOUK BOABD. The following letter was read from Mr H. S, Fish, M.H.R.:— :. . -■.-,: To.hO^nClerk. : ■; tWll! ingtOn'Ju^ Mr,—ln e-insequence of the publication by Mr Boss (aotin? Chairman of the Harbout Board) of teegrams nt mine blended for the private'information of the ratmbe.-M, and also of general dissatisfaction at his mat ajreme .t since my departure from Dunedin, I have deemed it to be myduty to reßign my position us a member or that body; and aa I was one of your Counoil's representatives on the Board, I now have Hm honour to hand yon my resignation. In doiDK ro yo.i mil perhaps allow nio to express my grateful thanks lor the honour you have three times conferred upon me in electing me to that position, and! to expr ss a hops that my successor will bo enabled to effect more good for the city than I have been enabled to do—lam, it, ,11. S Fish,' Jus. . The Mayor stated that he believedit was Mr Fish's intention that the above letter should have been read at last meeting, but it. only arrived the morning after. Cr Barnes moved—"That the letter be received, but that Mr Fish be requested by the Council to allow himself to be re-elected to the office." The speaker knew, very well what had transpired in the Harbour Board during the tinio he had been a member, and no one regretted Mr .Fish's resignation more than he did. Mr Fish had taken a stand about, cer- ' tain matters which had resulted in carrying out ' of improvements which would effect a eavirigof £3000 or £4000 a year. /There were also other things which he had mapped out bef«e his departure) for Wellington, and which had been standing over until he came back. Certain letters had been received from Mr Fish which he asked should be kept private, and they were so kept until the meeting of the Board broke up. Mr Koss wantwd to read the letters at the meeting, and it was objected to, but after the members went away the reporters got hold of tho documents, and they appeared m print, which the speaker thought was very winner. He thought Mr Fish had resigned his position in a hasty moment, and if the Council asked him to reconsider the matter there was no doubt that he would dp so. If the Council would place him in the same position again it would be a great saving to the citizens, and tho speaker did not think that there) was any man upon the Board who1 could take the reins as Mr Fish had done. A letter had been recently received from that gentleman saying that he would take the Fame active i»rt in furtherink the Board's infors'tts at WjHlWjpa ac ' he had hitherto done, and yat &ft«e'tqis "tH«

Acting-chairman had been sent up. That expense might well hava been saved, and Mr is lah would have handled affairs peihaps bettor than liad been done. He would move that he bo requested to stand for re-election, and had no doubt that he would consent. Cr Pagan seconded the motion. He thought, owing to the position Mr Pish had held upon tha Board, his long ssrvices as a member of that Council, and the manner in which he had represented them, that he was entitled to reelection if he would accopt it. Thoy were given to understand that once Mr Fish's back was turned on his departure for Wellington, advantage had been taken o£ his absence, and if that were bo, in justices to him the Council were bound to replace him in hi 3 position if ho ■wished it. Tho speaker did not; entirely approve of the harbour poKoy of either Mr Fish ■or Mr Ross in the past. Too much money had been Bpent upon the Victoria Channel; but he thought both gentlemen now saw that attention must be more particularly given to tho Heads. He would second the motion, at all events, to the extent of writing to Mr Fish and asking if be would desire re-election. Cr-EUOTT thought the better plan would be not to re-elect Mr Slab, but to ask mm to withdraw his resignation. He argued that it the resignation was to be tendered to the Harbour Board and not to the Council, the former body would by tho samo reasoning have a right to refuse to receive a membor elected by the Council. ' • , The Mayor and other councillors contradicted this view. '~,".' Cr Mubbay did not think it would be wise to ask Mr Fish to reconsider his decision. If he had tosigned in a fit of temper, let- him have the benefit of it, and if his heart wore away from the Board, let his heels follow it.— (Laughter.) The Counoil should not bo a body to promote ferment in the Harbour Board. A complaint appeared at the very outset of ■■ MiFish's letter against Mr Ross, and the Council had nothing' to do with Mr Ross. They sent Cr Barnes to tho Board, and could not receive the complaints contained in the letter. . Ho would move that it be received, aB confirming the one previously received from the Harbour Board, and that the Council proceed to elect a man who had time to attend to the duties, and would not.be obliged to spend three months of the year at Wellington. Let them choose two councillors to represent them in the Harbour Board. It was, unfortunately, not a pleasant position to occupy, but they should try and elect the two best men they could, if not in the Council, out of it. The speaker said nothing against Mr Fißb, but it would not do to send him where he would be an element of contention. The speaker moved as an amendment —"That the letter be received, and that tho Council proceed to elect a representative upon the Harbour Board in the place of Mr Fish.". • Cr Dick.seconded the amendment. Thoy had heard pajans in praise of Mr Fish,but that uttered by Cr Fagan was somewhat modified by tho admission that he hadacted unwisely in the past, and vas only now coming into the right way. The speaker would prefer a repreeentative who had seen the bungles that had been made even during the time of Mr Fish's membership, and would act upon convictions formed from the commencement. .He did not see that the Council had a great deal to thank Mr Fish for in connection with the Harbour Board, or that they need take this unusual step of asking him to reconsider his decision. There was evidence that this letter had not been written hurriedly, and the best oourse would be to go on- quietly to the election of a member to take Mr Fish'B place. • Cr Speddinq said that no one would be more gratified, at the re-election of Mr Fish-than himself, but after several councillors'had spoken aa they had, it would be impolitic of the proposers of the motion to press it. He was sure that -Mr Fish would not resume hia position unless there was a unanimous feeling on the part of the Council that ha should do so, but when there had been an antagonistic expression on ths part of nearly a third of the Council he certainly would not sonsent. Cr Guthrie would support the motfon.: He might say without offence that even among the whole Council they could riot Ret so good a representative on the Harbour Board as Mr Fish. Taking into consideration hia long connection with that Council and other bodies and the active part he had always taken for the public interest, the speaker felt compelled to support the resolution, and believed Mr Fish would go back to the Board and work as he had hitherto done. Cr Stbeet thought it would be Very bad taste on the part of Mr Fish's friends to urge the matter on that night, as the expression of one-third of the Council had been against the reelection.. Mr Fish had resigned evidently after great consideration, and had "allowed some time to.elapse before he wrote to the Council. The speaker did not agree with the gentlemen who had spoken against Mr Fish. fie had done a gre;it deal to benefit the Council in the Harbour Board, and. he did not think it would be doing him any honour to ask him to resume his position on the vote of a meagre majority. It would; be the very reverse of an honour, and, as Cr Spedding had remarked, Mr Fish would be the lsst man to accept the appointment on these terms. He would recommend that the motion be withdrawn, as it would ba uncomplimentary to Mr Fish to pass it by a bare majority; and if it went to the vote it might possibly be rejected altogether. In the latter case it would be casting an unmerited slight upon Mr Fisb, and giving him a slap in the face which the Council had no desire to do. They had repeatedly passed votes of thanks to him for his efforts on their behalf, and the most complimentary thing they could: now do was to accept his resignation..: "... '•'-'■ ' Cr.FAGAN agreed that had the Council been unanimous, Mr Fish might have accepted Hip position, but that he would not do so on the vote of. a meagre majority. He would, therefore, urge the mover and seconder to withdraw their resolution. • >..

Cr Baenes was very sorry that thore had been any opposition at all to Mr Fish. If the Council knew the active part he had taken upon the Board there would not have been. Day after day he had given up entirely to the business of the Board, and had gone down the harbour with the speaker to lay plans for saving expense to the citizens. When Mr Fish topkup a thing like this he went heai-t and boul into it, and a great deal of the work was .now being done tat; about half the cost that .it waß when he joined the Board. Mr Fish had given an enormous amount of time to the affairs of the Board, and the speaker should not withdraw the resolution,' but hoped it would be carried by a large majority. The motion was then put to the vote and carried, only Crs Murray and Dick voting for the amendment. =

. ... ;' . . ■■! . KETOETS. ' ; : Some discussion, took place on the reading of the Works Committee's report. It was eventually adopted with an amendment moved by Cr KOBE?, that the salary of the inspector and foreman of works should be fixed at £175 instead of £150. ■;..■- The report of the Water Supply Committee •was adopted, with the exception of that clause relating, to tho caretaker's salary, which was deleted. * " The reports of the Gas Supply, Fire Brigade, Finance, and Legislative Committees (as already-published) were adopted. ' ' The Beserves Committee reported as follows: .•.•:■'-■'■ • (1) Your Cemmittco rccommomls that the lease of the City Corpoiatiou properties, part of te;tlonfi2 and 3, block I, Lower Harbour West, falling in on February 28, '1884, be submitted to auction for a term of seven years, under conditions similar to those of existing lease, at an upset rental to be fixed by valuers. With referenco to yonrCoromittee's report, 29 | 5 | S3, referred back for reconsideration—that the services of one gardener, bo diapensoi wiih. At the. close of the planting season a . further reduction mil be' made i| practicable. with efficiency. (2). The application from the Robert Burns Committee for permission to oicct a statue cf Robert Burns on the centre of the north-west section of the Octagrm has been graced, tho selection of the precise site being left to the deoi ion of jour Committee ard the city surveyor. (3) Inspector Weldon baa been requested to enjoin the p.lico to give increased watchfulness over trees, fences, &c. on the city roserves, to prevent damage to such property.

The report was adopted. THE COBPOBATION GASWORKS.

The Gas' Committee submitted the following additional report :—

Tour Committee recommends that the contract for eupply of gas to the borough of South Dunedin be executed; all prclimlcary arrangements bei <r now completed. ■ ■ - A reply ha 3be n forwarded to Mr W. C. Robsrls to the effect that Council "is not in a position to ei.tertain his proposal to purchase or lease the Gasworks, having no legal power to negotiate such tran for.

The report was discussed in Committee, and the first clause was adopted, the second clause being referred back to the Committee. . The following letter was also read iv Committee, and was referred to the Finance and Gaß Supply Committees to consider: — Sir,—We have the hunour, by instructions from a syndicate of gentlemen <>I this town, to make you the following offer to lease the Dunedin Gasworks. Our clients aro prepared to take a lea c of tbe works for 21j ears on the following conditions: - 1. Kent to db £6 per centum on the amount at which the. property now (stands in tbe books of-tbe Corporation, payable half-yearly in advance. 2 A bonus to be paid to the Council at tho rate of 20 per cent' on the net profits for each year.after deducting rent and working-expenses. • 3. Gaß to be of a quality equal or superior to that dow supp ie^ _to i lnme diat,ly reduced from the present price (10s) to 9s Ed per ldOOft and for manufacturing purposes from 7s 0d to 6s 6d, and in the event of the bonus received by tbe Corporation rHng above an amount to be -aureed upon by our clients and the Council,* further reduction in the price of gas according to a sliding scale^to be made. 5. Full valuation to be given by the Corporation at the termination of the lease for. all permanent -im-. provements made, or a renewed lease far 21 years on the same terms excepting valuation. 6. Tho public itehtiDg to bo charged at the present rate, but to be reduced in the same proportion as the chante for eas supplied to private consumers. 7. A condition can bo iosortod in tho lease allotting tbe Corporation to cancel ths lease il tbe reut is in arrear for 21 days without discharging tho lessees from the liability for current half-year's rent. As a guarantee of the bond fides of our offer, we aro prepared, should ths Council entertain our proposal,, to il-posit a Bum ol jESOCOin tho hand? of the Towu Clerk, to be forfeited thouM a. lease in tbe above terms not be executed by th? losseee. We may cay, in conclusion, that our dienta are prepared to sustain a considerable loss for some time to come in carrying on the works and exetutlog alterations, which for the purposes of valuation cannot be deemed to he permanent improvements, but believing, as they do, that a ga%work» tan bo m .naged more economically and su -cy3 fully by private individuals than J>y a public body, Ih^y tnteda'n no doubt that 'ultimately they wiU succeed in recouping themselves, and at the tame timn wippljin ■ no* to the public at 0. viry consideralily roduced rate.-We hive, &c., CIIAPMAX AND STKODE. Hia Worship iho t'ayor of tho City of Duncdin. ; . FINANCE. The Mwoii stated tho present Corporrtion overdraft was £19,100, against £24,700 at last meeting. It wan nearly £1000 below the amount at this time lastyear Cr Jaoan moved — That the Finance Committee be asked to bring up a report to this Council,- Bhowing thenature of the security and tjie awbutit of interest at which the amount of sinking fund; belonging to the Council is now

fixed; also, as to whether it would be advisable for the* city valuer to inspect and report on all securities,, and as to whether it would be advisable to appoint commissioners in Accordance with section 161 of tho Municipal Corporations Act." . The motion waß carried, Crs Stbeet and Diok remarking that the Council had no power to appoint commissioners.

NOTICE OP MOTION. Cr Robin gave notice that he would move at next meeting—" That tho Baths Committee bo asked to take into consideration the possibility of providing bathing accommodation for tho citizens during tho approaching" summer months, and to report at next meeting of tho Council." The Council adjourned at ll;30 p.m.