CITY COUNCIL.

Auckland Star, Volume XI, Issue 3218, 12 November 1880, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

THK fortnightly meeting o£ the City Council was held last ovening. Present :— Councillors Waddel (acting Mayor), Fleming, Goldie, Hemus, Montague, Thompson, Crowther, and Oiler.

CORKESPONDENCB.—Letters were received and disposed ot as follows:—(1) From H. Shailcr, ro injury done to his property in Upper Queen-street by Corporation works.— .Referred to Works Committee. (2) from E. Byrne, ro overcharge of legul coats hy Kussell and Devore, and from .Kussell and Devore, denying that they had charged Uyrne anything—Referred to Finance Committee, (3) From A. S. liathbone, soliciting a share of the Corporation advertising on behalf of the " Observer." —Keferred to Finance Committee, so that the whole question of advertising may be considered. (4) From Heskflth and .Richmond, protesting on behalf of Messrs King, Copeland, Steadman, Macdonnld, Heath, Page, Hell, Knmmor, and other lessees of allotments from the Improvement Commissioners against permission being given for the location of the Circus on tho Albert Park, and threatening to move the Supreme Court for a writ of injunction to restrain the Council if their protest were disregarded. Tho ActingMayor mentioned that at a special meeting held on Saturday it was resolved to seek legal advice, and since then Hesketh ami Richmond had applied for tho injunction. The legal opinion was then read. It contained an expression of the lawyer's opinion that the Couucil was not linbln to an action for damages, hut that it would be if tho permit given the circus people wore withdrawn. — It was agreed not to withdraw the permit, (v) From J. Bennett, asking the Council to authorise a trial of the Kamo coal at the Waterworks. — Kesolved that the test shall take place now, provided the contractor is agreeable, otherwise, not until termination of contract. (G) From \V. J. Dalton ro Council's refusal to declare private street on the ground that to do so would be an infringement ol the Act. He wished to know the particular clanse which would be infringed.—Keferred to Works Committee. (7) From Colouial Secretary, stating in reply to Council's expressed desire to remove the immigration barracks, that the matter bad been referred to the Immigration Department. A telegram from this department intimated that ' it it had beon further referred to Mr D. A. Tole. Mr Tole had been written to since, but he had not yet replied. (S) Letters from harbour Board on vatiousmatters. (9) From J. Dalton complaining of drainage in Scotia Place.—Keferred with Surveyor's report thereon to Works Committee. (10) From W. Eyre, requesting permit for verandah. —Granted, onjtho understanding that all similar cases should be dealt with in Mio same manner. (11) From Commissioner of Crown Lands, relative to site for Grammar School playgrouud, and stating that sullicient ground did not exist for the cancellatiou of grant.—Deferred for consideration, nutil the Mayor's return to Auckland. (12) From H. Burslem, drawing attention to the state of the footpath in Grafton Road from the corner of Wynyard-streot to Mr McPherbou's.—Keferred to Works Committee; City Surveyor to report upon it. (13) From M. O'Sullivan, asking that the footpath in front of his premises, in Anglesea-street, might be filled in.—The Surveyor reported that if tho applicant would fill in insido the tenco he would try to find as much earth as would fill in the pathway.—Keply to be given in accordance with this report. (14) From Secretary Union Sash and Door Company, requesting leave to erect telegraph posts in various streets.—Referred to Works Committee.

Street Tramways.—The following letter upon this subject was read :—Auckland. November 10th, 18S0. P. A. Phillips, Esq., Town Clerk, Auckland. Sir,—With reference to the above matter, I beg to lay before the Oouucil the following, which may assist them in the discussion of this matter, and what I request from the Council:—l ask for a lease o£ the roads of the city of Auckland for a term of 21 years, for the purpose of constructing and working tramways or street railroads from and to the city and the suburbs thereof—aud the same right will be asked from the several other Councils and local Boards for the purpose of extending into those several districts the system of communication aforesaid. That no travelling, steam, or other motor ■will be used ' along the atreets of the city. With rc3pect. to the fares to be charged, these will be placed as low as possible, according to circumstances ; but I can here say that I shall be prepared to enter into an arrangement or undertaking that the cash faro shall at no time exceed the rate of threepence per mile. I shall be glad if the Board or Committee will proceed to the discussion of this matter during my absence.—l am, etc., H. H. W. MUTH."—Cr. Waddel explained that Mr Smith had called upon him on the previous day for the purpose of ascertaining what the Council had done while he was away. (H<s (the Bpeaker) informed him that the matter had been held over pending his return. Mr Smith mentioned that he had to go South yesterday and then made a communication substantially the same as that contained in the letter. He (Cr. Waddel) recommended him to put it into writing and he had done so. Something else wa3 said about the Council meeting the suburban boards with a view of finding out what assistance they would be prepared to give. —Cr. Montague asked if Mr Smith had himself interviewed any of the highway boards upon the matter ?—Cr. Waddell did not think he had. The only board to which Mr Smith had made pointed reference was the one of which Cr. Thompson was the chairman. He did not think however, that any arrangement had been made. Cr. Thompson stated that hewas unaware of any arrangement having been entered into. —Cr. Montague said that he had seen Mr Smith on the previous evening, and that the gentleman then told him that he had interviewed Mr Evans (Chairman of the Ponsonby Board),who had informed him thatthere was hot the slightest doubt that his Board would acquiesce in the agreement which he (Mr Bmith) intended to make with the city. Mr Smith had also remarked that the Ponsonby line would be the first which he would lay down.- Councillor Offer thought that it should be understood that they were not going to deal exclusively with Mr Smith. The construction of tramways should be open to competition. They had only affirmed the desirability ot providing the city with a tramWay system, and. had not decided upon giving a monopoly to anyone. The matter should, in his opinion, be referred to the Works Committee without any reference to Mr Smith, for there were other parties as well as that gentleman willin" he believed, to gointo such a scheme. — Councillor Waddel remarked that no other one had the right of constructing tramways upon Smith's principle.—Councillor Offer retorted that there were tramways constructed upon other principles.—Cr. Waddel said that that might be, but that according to Mr Smith's representations there was nothing equal to his system. It was noiseless, smokeless, etc.—Councillor Goldie considered it advisable to secure all possible information on the subject from the South and elsewhere beforearnving atany decision. He knew that some difficulties had been encountered in connection with it at Wellington, and as that was j bo it would be batter for them not to commit themselves to anything which they might afterwards have cause to regret. He did not like the idea of making a test of the thing. It should be done permanently or not at all. They should have a guarantee that at any rate the tramway would be run for a certain number of years •whether it paid or not; otherwise there was no use in driving off the stage carriages. —Councillor Thompson said that he could quite understand the willingness of the Ponsonby Board to fall in with any arr&nse- j ments which Mr Smith might make with i the city, seeing that that district would have'the benefit of the first line laid down. He was not aware, however, that any other Highway Board had been consulted.—Councillor Montague observed that Mr Smith intended to leavo by the outgoing mail for San Francisco, where his principals resided. The gentleman had told him that if a contract were arranged -with him he would telegraph to England for the necessary material, and be prepared to proceed with the work in four months' time.—The matter was then referred to the Works Committee, all possible information on the subject to be procured in the meantime. Cad Fares.—Councillor Offer presented a petition from the cab-drivers of Auckland, submitting a table of cab fares, which they thought easily understood and reasonable, viz • One-horse cab, 2s the first quarter of an hour, and Is for every subsequent quarter of an hour ; fare and a half from 8 p.m. until 8 a.m., time to count from stand back to stand whence engaged. Two-horse cabs 2s 6d the first quarter of an hour, and la dd for every subsequent quarter of an hour; fare and'a-half from 8 p.m. until 8 a.m., time to count from stand, back to stand whence engaged ; cabs to be compelled to drive inside the ten mile radius by timesix miles per hour ; the public to have the option of making special agreements. The petition went on to say that the new bylaws would not allow the cabmen to clear more than their bare expenses, and that, from their extent and complicated nature they were unworkable.The petitioners gave seriatim their opinion of the various by-

lawa.—The petition was referred to the Works Committee.

A Nuisance.—A petition was received from the residents of Graham and Hardinge streets, complaining of the stench utisiug from tho lime-kiln, and the Oil Co.'s premises. — Keferred to the Works Committee.

Works Committee,—The report ot this Committee recommended :—(1). That the Council contribute half the cost of constructing a road to Mr Ashtou's property in Wynyard-streot, the coat not to exceed £30. (2). That pending the settlement with the Harbour Board re reclamation roads, tho committee cannot recommend that Gleeson's application for drainage be acceded to. (3). That permission be granted to Wilson and Co. to lay trial pavements and ctossiugs. (4). That tho llobson-street sewerage be done as soon as funds are available. (0). That Mr C. Williamson's application for the removal ot a bank of earth bo acceded to, the same to bo done by tender as soon as Mr Can's assent has been obtained without any claims for compensation.—Tho report was adopted. Finance committee. —The report of this Committee recommended:—(l) The acceptance of Mr White's tender for the erection of public baths, £887, Mr Maguire's tender to be retained in the meanwhile in case Mr White should refuse to sijju the contract; (2) That tho services of the assi<tant clerk be dispensed with at committee meetings, aud for ordinary meetings he be paid la (id per hour up to tho end of the year ; (3) That Mrs Lowe's rates for tho present year bo remitted ; (4) That a wall about threo feet high be erected between the road and the Western SpriDga mill, tho Inspector of Abattoirs being authorised to carry out the work.—Tho report was adopted. ACCOUNTS.—The accounts as audited by the Sub-Finance Committee were passed for payment. LOW AND MOTION'S MILL.—As Messrs Garrett and Stimpson had sent no reply re the removal of stones from tho Western Springs Mill, which they were requested to return, it was agreed to refer the matter to the Council's solicitor. Gas Contract.—Tho Secretary of the Gas Company wrote ottering to reduce tho cost of keeping tho gas lamps alit to 10s and 17s per annum respectively for the two classes, provided ttio contract were renewed for throe years.—deferred to Works Committee.

Legal Proceedings. — It. was resolved to institute lesral proceedings for the recovery of the amount duo by tho Ponsonby, Newton, and Karangahapo Highway Boards in respect of tho repair oi boundary roads.

A Special Water Committed— The Mayor, and Councillors Oiler and Montague were appointed .1 Sub-Com-mittee to deal with applications for extraordinary water supply. Dog Kkgistration.—The Town Clerk drew tho Council's attention to the desirability of making some arrangements for the issue of dog collars, collection of registration fees, &c. Under the new Act the duty devolved upon the Council at the commencement of the next year, aud the fees became Corporation revenue. Last year tho net profit from this source had been £113, but it would be much more in future, seeing that the fees had been doubled in price. The fee had been ss, but henceforth it would be 10s. Specimens of collars which could be made for 7d and lOd each respectively were then handed round the Council table. A letter from Superintendent Thomson upon the same subject having been read, the whole question was relegated to the Finance Committe.

The Inspector and the Slaugiiterjian. Councillor Waddel pointed out that the Inspector of Abbattoirs (Mr Woolfield) had complained that iv cousequeuce of the threats of a slaughterman named Murray he went in tear of his lifo. Mr Woollield had asked him whether he should seek the protection of the Court, but ho had advised him to await the action of the Council. The officer had told him that ho felt very uncomfortable in approaching tho houses while Murray was killing. At present Moylao, the assistant, was doing the inspecting, but as Mr Woolfield himself saw the beasts before being killed, no evil consequences would ensue.—Councillor Thompson did not believe in the principle involved in the neglect of inspection simply because a slaughterman had made use of threats. If that were to bo the course pursued slaughtermen had only to kick up a row with the Inspector in order to evade his visits. Hg understood that Mr Woolfield had provided himselt with a aix-shooter in case of accident.— Several other Crs. expressed Bimilar opinions.—lt was determined to hold a special meeting at 10 o'clock on Saturday morning for the investigation ot the Inspector's charges. Stone Breaking..—lt was resolved to keep on for a month longer the SO men who are at present engaged in stone breaking. . Reception of the Governor.—Councillor Waddel submitted a telegram stating that the Governor would probably arrive on the 19th, but on the 20th at the latest.— After some discussion it was resolved to have an arch and platform erected at tho foot of Queen-street; that an address should be presented to his Excellency, and carriages provided for, tho vice • regal party, and that the Volunteers, Police, Friendly Societies, Fire Brigade, and the citizens generally should be invited to co-operate in making the demonstration a success. The Town Clerk and Councillors Goldie, Oiler, Waddel, and Hemus, were appointed to prepare the address aud carry out the resolution.

Tenders. —The following tenders were received for kerbiog and channelling Custom House-street Ea?t:-H. Smith, £146 19s 6d; James Davidson, £138 19s ; Elias Andrews, £132 10a. Mr Andrews' tender was accepted. . The engineer's estimate was £145.—F0r'lampheads :—Branstonand Foster, £37 10s for 25 copper lampheads. The gross amount being £2 10s under the estimate it was agreed to accept the tender. ' '" " For kerbing and chanelhng City Road: — John Walsh, £320 ; A. Maguire, |£305 8s; Kirby and Co., £183 15s ; Jas. Attwood and Win. Hauke, £323; Alex. Woolley, £413; John Heath, £298. The engineer's estimate was £380. The engineer having been called in gave it as his opinion that the contract could not be dote for £180. His own eatimate he deemed a moderate one.—Heath's tender was accepted. martin's -Complaint.—Mr W. H. Martin's complaint having been fully considered, snd the whole correspondence there anent read it was resolved on the motion of Cr. Thompson " That a reply be forwarded to Mr Martin, to the effect that the Council are of opinion that the Inspector of Abattoirs has not exceeded his duty in drawing the attention of the Council to the manner in which the gorse, etc., was being removed from the paddock, and that the instructions forwarded re same be adhered to." Cab By-IA'WS.— The consideration of these was postponed till next meeting. PatTESON-STREET. —As there were no objections to the advertised levels of this street, they were adopted. BATH Site.—The Town Clerk was authorised to bid for the bath site at the sale authorised by the Harbour Board. The rough; minutes were then read.