THE CITY COUNCIL.

Auckland Star, Volume IV, Issue 1021, 28 April 1873, Page 3

THE CITY COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the City Council was held this afternoon in the Council chambers. Present:—P. A. Philips, Esq. (Mayor), in the, chair, Councillors Dargaville, Hold ship, Prime, Isaacd, Williams, Cosgrave. AUCKLAND IMPROVEMENT BILL. The Chairman laid on the table a draft copy of the Auckland Improvement Amendment Act. It was moved that Bill be referred to the Streets Committee to report next meeting. CORRESPONENCE. Copies of letters sent were submitted to the Council, and the following letters received read:— A letter from the Harbour Board, intimat-

ing that the term of office of the Mayor on the Board would expire in May next. A letter from a ratepayer named Isaac Phillips complaining of the manner in which he was rated. Referred to the City valuators to report thence. A letter from'McArthur, Shera and Co., complaining that the contractor for rebuilding the Post Offices had erected a wooden structure on their property which would increase the risk to their premises from fire. Councillor Cosgrave moved that the letter be received, and the contractor be ordered to remove the shed and also the fencing, which was in close proximity to Messrs McArthur, Shera and Co. Councillor Dargaville seconded the resolution. The Mayor observed that the contractor had made no footpath in Shortland-street where he had fenced the front of the Postoffice. The motion was carried. A letter from Mr G. W-^ to add a wooden ve ra - uah to hig »«_«*. S9B Queen-strep v- deferred to City Surveyor. A 1( _.ter from the Mount Eden Highway _>o&rd regarding the royalty for carts bringing scoria into the city, and stating that their roads were very much cut up by the carts. The royalty could not be reduced. Moved by Councillor Cosgrave,—"That the City Surveyor be instructed to calculate the cost of keeping the roadinrepiir. with a view of making some arrangements." THI. MARKKT. The report of the Market Committee was read. It recommended that the stalls be let by auction by Mr R. Arthur; that a fence be'iput up on one side of the market; and that an upset price of 5s per week be placed on 46 of the market stalls. Poulters, fishmongers, and butchers' stalls to be confined to one particular wing of the , market. I Mr Williams objected to the market being fenced round, and suggested'that the ground be left open. The Mayor said that unless the Market squares were fenced in they would be taken possession of by people and used for carrying on their trades, thereby entering into com- ' petition with the occupants of the Market. Councillor Isaacs thought it absurd to fence in the Market. He considered it should be left perfectly open. Councillor Holdship explained that it was not the intention of the committee to shut up the different approaches, but to fenc that part where the back premises in the' different streets abutt on the market. Councillor Dargaville thought that every facility should be given to the public, and he would propose that the question of fencing the |property be left to a future period should it be found and inconvenience. Councillor Isaacs moved, and Councillor Dargaville seconded, that the fencing be postponed. The report, as amended, was adopted. WATER SUPPLY. The report of tbe Water Supply Committee was brought up. It recommended that tenders be invited in various papers in the colonies for the laying on water from the Nihotapu springs, the supply of pipes, &c. Councillor Dargaville moved the adoption of the report. He considered that the gravitation scheme would be found far preferable to the pumping scheme. The committee had not attempted'to go into figures seeing that so many practical men had differed in their calculation. They had found that the Nihotapu water was., better in quality an_ greater in :qua_t._y to any of'the other places recommended. Councillor Dargavilie was proceeding with his remarks when our reporter left. •