CITY COUNCIL.—This Day.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1753, 27 September 1875, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.—This Day.

The nsnal fortnightly meeting of members of the City Council was held this aftetnoon. Present: His Worship the Mayor (in the chair), Councillors Daldy, Holdship, Hurst, Buchanan, Isaacs, and Brett. SHOOTING IN THK CITY. A letter from Captain Harrison was read asking permission to shoot, as he was troubled with cats, rats, and rabbits, and at present not permitted to shoot them on his own laDd, as the bye-law did not permit the use of firearms. Councillor Hurst suggested the use of poison. Councillor Holdship proposed, and Councillor seconded, " That the matter be referred to the Inspector of JNuisances to report thereon." CITY INDEBTEDNESS. The Finance Committee submitted a statement of the city indebtedness, which showed that (including waterworks) the city is now liable for £140,000 on loan, as follows :—Loan raised in December, 1871, £20,000 for Market, drainage, &c, at 6 per cent., on security of a special annual recurring rate of 6d in the £ on city rateable property. The debentures are payable on the 10th January, 1887, and the accumulated sinking fund now amounts to £5,200. The present receipts will pay off the loan in 1883. The second lean was that of October, 1874. £50,000 was authorised for city improvements on security of the rentals of city endowments, which dow amount to £2,191 per annum. Of the total authorised, £20 000 have been raised, which yielded only £18,000 nett. This loan is to be paid off by a 2 per cent, sinking fund, in from five to fifty years, the first drawing to take place in 1880. Of the amount raised £4.500 remains unexpended, and there is still unraised £30,000. The third loan is for waterworks £100,000, dated October, 1874. The nett amount realized was £98,195 6s 6d. The security for the loan is a special rate not exceeding Is 3d in the £ on city rateable property ; also, a water rate, not exceeding 7 per centf on assessment; and additional water supply It is to be paid off £25,000 in 20 years, £25,000 in 30 years, £25,000 in 40 years, £25,000 in 50 years. FINANCE COMMITTEE. A report of Finance Committe as to further loans was read and commented upon, as to the expediency of borrowing a loan of LIO.OOO. His Worship the Mayor considered they would be right in borrowing LIO.OOO, and he would move the adoption of the report. Councillor Daldy spoke at length on the subject, and said that the Act authorised them to borrow £50,000, they had already borrowed £2C,000, and he would second the report especially that part which related to the LIO.OOO debentures. The motion was carried. The Mayor moved—" That Mr John Buchanan be paid I 50, as compensation for the losses he suffered in the forfeiture of a piece of land." Councillor Isaacs seconded, as he thought Mr Buchanan was entitled to compensation. Councillor Holdship objected to giving of LSO ; he thought it best to give back the' land as it was. He should like to move about it. The Town Clerk then went into the particulars of the matter, from which it appeared that Mr. Buchanan did not build upon the land bo soon as he ought to have dome, and consequently forfeited certain right. He subsequently sold one of the allotments to a Mr. Parker, which he waa net in a position to 1, do.

Councillor Buchanan thought the Council hed better let the land go It was finally resolved to give the LSO. TENDERS FOR WATERING THE STREETS. The following tenders were received for watering Queen-street :- George WiJson, L 5 a month to the City Council, and get his remuneration from the public ; John Mullally, 7a 6d a day ; John Stewart, 11s a day ; George McCaslio, pay to Council 6d a day, and trust to the public; Joseph Craig, find three water carts and men, at 14^ per day. It was resolved that George Wilson's tender be accepted, to be under the control of the Superintendent. WATERWORKS. The report of < be Kngineer on the progress of <he \s»te<works was read, in which Mr. rriDgti'ii asked for provision for resting purposes in the Market-houses which was left over. BREAKWATER KOAD. After a good deal of discussion on the state of the road, Councillor Daldy moved : "That the expense connected with the making and keeping of the Breakwater-road in good repair, be borne by the City Council and Harbour Board respectively." It was resolved " That until the Breakwater road be properly defined the road be kept in order jointly by the City Council and Harbour Board." Carried. NEW SPECIAL RATE. His Worship the Mayor then proposed " that a water rate of One Shilling in the pound be struck." Councillor Daldy would second the motion as a matter of necessity. Councillor Holdship objected on Jcertain grounds, and could not support the motion. He was of opinion that the various rates should be knocked into one ; they should all fall due on the same day so as to prevent confusion. Such a course would be more satisfactory to the people. Messrs Isaacs, Cosgrave, and Brett also spoke against it. The subject was deferred till a special meeting to-morrow.