CITY COUNCIL.—THIS DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2376, 31 October 1877, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.—THIS DAY.

The usual meeting of the members of the City Council was held this afternoon. Present: —His Worship the Mayor (chair), Councillors Wad dell, Goldie, Morton, Masefield, Dickson, Brett, and Cosgravo. MINUTES. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and adopted. THE TOWN CLOCK. His Worship announced that this evening the town clock would be lighted at halfpast seven, when three experiments of lighting would be performed, and he should be glad if Councillors would be present to witness the experiments, so as to form an opinion as to which would likely be the best. His Worship said he should be present, and Mr Pierce, and he should be glad to meet any of the gentlemen who might feel disposed to attend. WATER WORKS DEBENTURES. A letter was read from Mr D. Hean, Manager of the National Bank of New Zealand, withdrawing the offer to purchase the debentures for the £25,009 Water Works' Loan. PUBLIC BATHS. A letter was read from Mr W. L. Roth, : asking the Council to approve of his'proposal ! for establishing hot, cold, and shower baths, I at the corner of Victoria and High-streets, I and in the event of approval to allow him a j sufficient supply of water. The petitioner j stating that the intending baths are for the j benefit of the public, and at the lowest | possible scale of charges, viz., 3s 6d aud ls, ! Councillor Brett moved, "That the j letter be received." • Seconded by Councillor Dickson and \ carried. SUPPLY OF TIMBER. I A letter was received from Mr John Tay- i lor, informing the Council that he should ! no longer be able to supply the Council j with timber, as he was relinquishing trade, ! and recommending Messrs Jagger and Parker as his successors to supply the i C ounciL fc_lt was moved and seconded, "That Mr I Taylor's request cannot be complied with, j and if he is unable to complete the contract | fresh tenders will be called for." Carried. MANURE. Zvlessrs Baird and Layers, seedsmen, complained that they had been served with a notice from the Inspector of nuisances, in respect of animal manure, and which they submitted had the appearance of unnecessary interference with the liberty of the trail-, contending that bonedust was neithei noxious nor offensive, but was a valuable manure, aud asking for a deodorization of the manure as far as possible, without deteriorating its fertilizing properties. A certificate was put in from Dr Stockwell to the effect that the introduction of this manure.into the city would be prejudicial to the public health. Councillor Morton did not consider that the smell was unpleasant. After some remarks upon the subject generally, Councillor Waddel moved : " That the whole matter be referred to the Sanitary Committee to report upon." Seconded by Councillor Masefield, and carried. ..IRS WILLIAMSON'S CASK. An application was received from Mary Ann Williamson, of Karangahape Road, asking exoneration from paying her city rates, being in destitute circumstances, and unable to meet the demand ; she being a widow with four children. His Worship said if the Council did it in this case, they would have to do it in otners, as it involved a principle. The letter was received. JAMES BURKES ACTION. A letter was received from Mr. E. T. Duf-ur, informing His Worship that he has been instructed to take proceedings against Mr Reilly, for prosecuting and imprisoning Burke for his detention of two buckets belonging to the Council. His Worship said that the question was whether the Council would feel inclined to indemnify Reilly in case of a defeat. Councillor Morton said it was clearly the duty of the Council to defend Reilly, if they intend to indemnify him. Councillors Cosgrave and Masefield thought that the Council should go into the matter.

Councillor Goldie considered that if Reilly was cast in damages, the Council would clearly be responsible. Councillor Brett moved, "That the matter be referred to the Finance Committee with power to act." Seconded by Councillor Dickson and carried DRAKE-STREET IMPROVEMENTS. A letter was received from the Harbour Board, stating that the Board would undertake the sea-face in Freeman's Bay under certain conditions. Councillor Brett said he should like to hear from the Ponsonby Board whether they were prepared to do their part of the work, and provide the funds according to the original plan. It was finally resolved that the chairman of the said Board should be written to in respect of the work. P-TITION FOR A STAND PIPE. p petition from nineteen of the inhabitants of Upper Queen-street was received, o-kino- for the erection of a stand pipe m that locality, there being none nearer than th- on" at the foot of Grey-street. __ list of "subscriptions towards the work was appended,

Referred to the Waterworks Committee, with power to act. ! petition from Mr Edgecumbe, J praying to be released from liability on ! market account, was referred to the > Finance Committee. |