CITY COUNCIL.—This Afternoon.

Auckland Star, Volume IX, Issue 2564, 26 June 1878, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.—This Afternoon.

A meetiug of the City Council was held this afternoon. Present—His Worship the Mayor (in the chair), and Councillors Cosgrave, Waddell, Masefield, Buchanan, Fleming, and Goldie. The minutes of the previous meeting were read aud confirmed. THIS LATE COUNCILLOR MORTON. His Worship referred regretfully to the death of Councillor Morton. He said the Council must feel deep regret for his loss, and he waa sure would join with him in sending a letter of condolence to Mrs. Morton. Councillor Buchanan seconded the motion. The late Councillor Morton was a most straightforward and valuable man, and would be greatly missed. Councillor Goldie had much pleasure in supporting the motion. He thought it would be a long time before they got a truer and more energetic confrere than the late Mr Morton. A test. Letter from N. Wilson, asking the permission of the Council to lay down 20 leet of footpath with concrete in one of the streets where there is most traffic, as he wishes to test the relative methods of concrete and asphalting. Councillor Goldie proposed that the letter be received, and the request graDted. Councillor Fleming seconded tho motion. —Carried.

PONSONBY ROAD.

Letter from the Secretary of the Ponsonby Highway District Board, with respect to the cutting of a footpath on the Ponsonby Road, fronting Mr Dickson's property. Councillor Waddell said he remembered moving that the surveyor should be asked to report on tliG matter. He did so and stated that it was not at all dangerous. He moved that the letter be received, and the matter be attended to. The Mayor thought they ought net to do so after the opinion of the surveyor. Personally he did not think the place dangerous. Councillor Waddell said it was very steep. Councillor Masefield corroborated Councillor Waddel's remake. Councillor Goldie said Councillor Dickson had clearly a right to cut it down and read extracts to prove this. Councillor Masefield said the place had already been filled before and cut down again. He supposed it must be filled in once more. Councillor Buchanan aaid the present level of the street was very objectionable. Councillor Goldie moved, and Councillor Buchanan seconded, that it be referred to the Works Committee. Carried. DANGEROUS KEROSENE. Letter from the Colonial Secretary's office, stating that 19 out of the 21 samples of kerosene tested in Wellington by Dr. Hector were of a dangerous character. The Wellington City Council, on being made aware of the tests, applied to the Commissioner of Customs, requesting that the Customs officers might be instructed to take steps for testing all kerosene as it arrives, leaving it to the officers of the Corporation to enforce the provisions of the " Dangerous Goods Act," in respect of any kerosene found not to be equal to the standard prescribed by the Act. The request has been complied with, on condition that the Corporation will allow some of its employes to draw off and supply the samples; and similar instructions will be given to the Customs in Auckland, if the Council considers that all kerosene should be tested on its importation into the colony, with a view to prevent such as is found to be dangerous from being delivered for consumption. THE HOWE-STREET PROPERTY. Letter from the Board of Education, asking the Council to re-consider the result of the Howe-street property, and suggesting £10 per annum as a reasonable rental. ARCH HILL ROAD. Letter from the chairman of the Arch Hill Highway Board drawing the attention of the Council to the state of the road from Arch Hill to the abattoirs, stating that the Board has spent nearly the whole of its income on the road, and asking the Council to «rant them 70 or SO loads of broken metal to'assist to widen and mend the road before it becomes utterly impassable. The reqnest was granted, HOWE-STREET FOOTPATH. A letter from some ratepayers and householders of Howe-street, drawing attention to the fact that it is no use putting scoria on the path of that street unless something is done to prevent the hank from washing down on it. The letter also contains a suggestion how to amend ihis, which is respectfully submitted to the Council. ADDITION TO WORKSHOP.

Letter from W. Hall, asking permission to make an addition to- his workshop m Albert-street.

EDEN TERRACE EOAD. Letter from Adam Brock, drawing the attention of the Council "to the almost impassable state of Eden Terrace road, opposite the property of Mr Chapman Councillor VVaddel moved and the Mayor seconded, that it be referred to the surveyor, to be acted upon as soon as possible. Carried. LAMPS. Petition from subscribers and owners of property in Parnell, asking the Council to remove the lamp on the original footpath leading to Mechanics's Bay to the corner at the top of the hill, near a telegraph post. The Mayor moved, seconded by Couni cillor Waddel, that it be referred to Works Committee. The Mayor said he wished, while they were on the subject of streets, that one of the Councillors would look at Mills Lane; a lamp was badly wanted there.

FOOTPATH IN CUSTOM HOTJSE-STREET.

Petition from a number of merchants and ratepayers, calling attention to the footpaths of Custom House-street. East. The whole of the intake allotments are now rilled up, so that a footpath can be made. Referred to Works Committee. CROSSING.

Petition from a number of ratepayers &c , asking that a crossing may be made at the foot of Queen-street, from the Waitemata to the Thames Hotel.

Referred to Works Committee. DRAKE-STREET.

Petition from ratepayers, &c., of Drakestreet, requesting the Council not to reduce the width (as proposed) to 40 feet. Referred to Works Committee. Mr Greenway, who was in the room, said he had something to do with this, and if the street was not widened at once he would take proceedings against the CounC'l. CHARITABLE AID. The Mayor read telegrams from the Colonial Secretary, urging the municipality to take up the management of charitable insti. tutions. REPORT OF MR CLARK, C.B. The report ot Mr Clark, C.E., was read. He urges upon tha Council the " necessity for a sufficient and complete plan on the scale of 40ft to lin, of the city and its more populous suburbs, which should be considered when devising a scheme of drainage. On it should be shown the position, &c. ; of all the existing sewers, water-pipes. In hilly streets Mr Clark thinks the best place for the sewer is not in the street, but at the back of the houses. What he proposes

do is to construct an intercepting sewer which will prevent the sewerage from entering the harbour, its conveyance to a distant point, and its ultimate disposal in an xmobjectionable manner. Mr Clarke's report was received. REPORT.

It Avas moved and after some discussion resolved that the portion of the Public Works Report, referring to Mr Clarke C. E. be confirmed.