CITY COUNCIL.

Auckland Star, Volume XII, Issue 3555, 30 December 1881, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the City Council was held last evening, there being present!:— The Mayor (Mr 3. M. Clark) and Crs Goldie, Aickin, Fleming, Hemus, Montague, Waddel, Crowther, Offer, and Thompson.

The Mortar Mill Nuisancb.—Mrs Kouritreo wrote complaining ot the nuisance caused by the smoke, &c, from the mortar grinding mill at the new opera-house, Wei-lesley-strcct. She claimed compensation for damage to her goods.—lt having been stated that the contractor had no special permit for the use of the mill, it was agreed to instruct him to lengthen the chimney, and to inform the writer of this resolve.

Water Supply.—A letter was received from Dr Purchas, thanking the Council for their compliance with the request to have the high-level water pressure laid on. ROKBBY- STREET.—Mr Crowther presented a petition from owners ot 'property in liokeby-street, asking that the levels should bo fixed, and the street formed, kcrbed, and channelled.— Referred to the Works Committee.

Works Committee.—The Works Committee, reported, re cutting away Hobson and Moore-streets, tbat the former reply of the Council be forwarded to the applicants; and re petition from residents in Karanga,hapo road Concerning the watering of the streets, it was agreed that, pending the receipt of appliances, the consideration of the matter bo deferred.—The report was apopted. Coffee Palace. Plans.—The report of the Finance Committee, delegating to the Council the matter of dealing with the Coffee Palace plans, was received.-Mr. Hughes, Superintendent of the Fire Brigade, attended by special request, in order to explain and sustain the objection i he had lodged to the construction of the Coffee Palace with a Mansard roof, as shown on the plans, Mr Hughes characterized the proposed building as simply a large timber stack, finished off with plenty of glass, and containing as little brick as possible consistent with an observance of the building regulations. The Mansard roof he regarded as peculiarly dangerous— quotations being made from various works to shew that it was extremely inflammable. The building, although nominally a fourstorey one, really contained five storeys, 'while the plans shewed a laundry in the roof, and conditions were made that the roof should be trimmed for 24 dormer windows, to bo put in at some future period, thus disclosing an intention on the part of the promoters to fix up sleeping apartments there at some time or other. It would also, he said, be seen from the specifications that the bond of the brick work was to be neither English nor Flemish.—Mr Anderson explained that it was the English bond modified.—ln answer to a question, Mr Hughes said that apart from the question of fire the building would not be of sufficient stability, and that the roof certainly would be dangerous.—After a short conversational discussion, Councillor Woddel moved, and Councillor Montague seconded, "That the matter be refened to the Works Committee, Mr Anderson in the meantime to report on the difference between a Mansard roof and a queen post roof."— The Mayor said tbat he had taken the opinion of Sir 6. M. O'Korke as to the right of Councillors who were interested in the company to voto upon the matter at the Council, and that the gentleman held that a shareholder in the company could not take part in discussing or voting on any question regarding the Coffee Palace.— Councillor Thompson considered that Mr Hughes was entitled to the thanks of the Council for bringing the matter up. They had appointed him an Inspector, and he had performed his duty.—Councillor Waddel's motion was then put and carried, it being decided that the Surveyor should be asked to furnish particulars regarding the roof and the bond.

Park Committee.—This committee recommended that an allotment at the corner of Wellesley and Park streets, with £1,250, should be offered to the Government in lieu of the armoury.— The Mayor explained the circumstance;. —A discussion ensued, and ultimately the matter was referred to the Finance and General Purposes Committee to bring up a plan and report. The remainder of the report was adopted without discussion.

Remission of Penalty.— Mrßlewdcn's application for a remission of the penalty for eleven weeks' delay in construction of the sewage drain, was recommended by the Surveyor, and allowed. Committee Mkrtings.—Cr Thompson drew attention to a paragraph which had appeared in the Star concerning a meeting of the Finance and General Purposes Committee. It gave merely a one-sided report of the debate, having evidently been contributed. He therefore gave notice that he would move that in future all meetings of committees of the whole Council be open to the Press and the public. HOBSON-STKEET Drainage.—Tenders for this work were received as follows :- Alex. Watson, £520; William Hauks, £511; W. Kirby,£s6B ; W.Blewden.£s4o; A. McGuire, £490; John Heath, £455; Alex. Archibald, £467. Heath's tender was accepted. The Engineer's estimate was £450.

Pumping Station Kequirehbnts.— The Engineer at the Pumping Station reported that of the tenders sent in, Messrs Porter and Co.'s was the lowest.—lt was agreed not to accept any of the tenders, the prices not being low enough. Court Fees.—The Mayor moved that the Government be communicated with, requesting that the Clerk of the K.M. and Police Court be instructed to supply a detailed return of all fees and tinea inflicted and liable to be paid to the Council for the year ISSI, showing the amounts paid to the credit of the Corporation account, and the amount of such fines and fees still unpaid; and that similar returns, be rendered quarterly to the Council. -The motion was seconded by Cr Wadael, and carried. Drainage. — Plans of draining Greystreet and Pitt-street were laid on the table, and ordered to be advertised.

Lighting.—CrAickin having complained of the defective lighting of Alfred and O'Rorke-streets, the Surveyor was directed to report on the matter. SaLiVries. — On the question of the Corporation salaries coming up, a discussion took place, and motions were made to increase those of the Mayor, the Town Clerk, and Surveyor, but.they were all negatived, the salaries being maintained at the same rates as last year, except in the cases of the bathkeeper and turncock, who were allowed coal and gas in addition to salary. Gakuck and Cran\vbu.'sPbemises.— The plans for Qarlick and Cranwell's new premises wore submitted and approved. Water-supply Extension. — The Mayor, in accordance with notice, moved, " That tho last clause of resolution re ' water-supply to Parnell,' dated 12th May, 1880, be rescinded, viz., the Council cannot undertake the laying of mains ontside the city, and further, thai in future all applications for and proposals to .lay down mains outside the city be considered on their merits." In urging the resolution ho pointed out th >t the question of extension must be met when the city boundaries were extended.Councillor Aickin seconded the resolution. —Councillor Thompson moved as amendment, and Councillor Fleming seconded, " That at that late hour the consideration of such an important question bo postponed."—The matter was finally referred to committee.

Finance. — The current accounts were passed, and the usual balances from the various departments were submitted and accepted. Tho Council rose at 11 o'clock.