CITY COUNCIL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 4115, 14 September 1883, Page 4

CITY COUNCIL.

Ordinary Business Meeting,

The weekly meeting of the City Council was held last evening. There were present:—His Worship the Mayor (J. M. Clark, Esq.,) in the chair, Councillors Masofiold, George, Garratt, Burns, La Roche, Harper, Thompson, Aickin, Waddel, Ciowther, Devore, Phillipps, Dacre, Field, Mackechnie, and Stevenson. Permit.—J. Craig wrote, applying for permission to erect a temporary galvanized ironstable in Rutland-street.—The proposed structure not being in accordance with the Building Regulations, the application was refused. Right-of-way.—Hesketh 'and Richmond forwarded deed of right-of-way for execution.—Referred to the Streets Committee. Sarsfielii-.street. —R. J. Ross complained of tho road embankment, and asked that provision be made for carrying away the storm water.—Cr. Burns said Mr Ross required a great deal of work done, which the Engineer dill not feel disposed to recommend.—Deferred for Engineer to report. Ring Terrace.—D. F. Evans wrote asking that sonic repairs be clone to this thoroughfare. — Referred to tlie Streets Committee. Patronage.—Alfred Pooley thanked the Council for its patronage at the last of his Saturday night concerts this week, and forwarded tickets for the event.—Letter received. Duke-street.—Richard E. Graham complained of the wretched condition of Dukestreet, and pointed out that the thoroughfare was in a worse condition than before the cutting was commenced.—The Engineer reported that the cutting had been stopped in consequence of the wet state of the ground, but would be resumed shortly.— Agreed that an answer be sent accordingly. Accident. —F. G. Ewington drew attention to the recent accident caused by an unprotected glass skylight in a verandah.— A memo said the by-laws would not affect those verandahs until the first of next month, when tlie Inspector will take steps to have them enforced. Agreed that an answer be sent accordingly.—Attention was drawn to the fact that the by-laws had not been observed in connection with recently erected verandahs.—The Mayor read the by-law which provided that all skylights on verandahs shall be protected by iron bars not more than twelve inches apart, covered with wire netting.—On the motion of Cr. Thompson, it was agreed that tlie Building Surveyor be instructed to take proceedings against all «wnersof verandahs recently erected who have not complied with the conditions of tlie by-laws. Permit.—N. McMillan applied for permission to erect a corrugated iron building as blacksmith's shop on a site on the western side of Mr D. H. McKenzie's store in Fort-street. —The application was only for a temporary site, and the site was one on which a brick warehouse would be erected two years hence. Consent of owners in the neighbourhood had been obtained.—The BiiildingSurveyor reported thatrthe application was not in accordance with the regulations. —Permit refused.

Application for Permit.—J. R. Burnett wrote stating that he intended to build a shed and stable at tlie rear of his premises in Customs-street, and asking consent of the Council. —The Building Surveyor said tho building was in accordance with the regulations.—Permit granted, provided the blacksmith's shop shown on plan is of brick, and that the wooden shed at the rear be pulled down. Town Hall Site.—Letter received from J. and J. M. Mowbray, asking the Council to extend the matter of purchase of Army anil Navy site for seven days, as they had not yet had time to have a settlement with Mr Jagger.—Granted Gloucester-street. —Thomas Fergusson complained of tlie bad state of the steps in Cloucester-street, Karangahape Ward, and asked that something be done.— The Engineer reported that the matter had been entered in the Clerk of Works' book to be attended to.—Agreed that an answer be sent accordinglp.

Nelson-street. —H. J. Riordan asked that something be done to prevent the over How of the water on to his property in Nelson-street, between Cook and Welling-ton-streets, on the west side.—The Engineer reported that he would examine, and if necessary make provision for further escape of water.—Agreed that an answer be sent accordingly. Culvert.—W.J. Moyes complained that a culvert into his property in Karangahape Ward had not been carried in far enough.—Referred to Streets Committee.

Beresfop.d-street.—W. B. Montgomery drew attention to the loss he had sustained by the overflow of water in Beresford-street, a landslip having carried away a portion of the fence. Ho asked that repairs be made. —The Engineer reported that orders for repairs had been given some time ago, and material for the work was in course of preparation.—Agreed that an answer be sent accordingly. Montague-street.—W. Grant applied for a retaining wall in Montague-street for protection of his property.—The Engineer drew attention to the fact that the Council had already decided not to build the wall applied for, and further, he did not think one necessary.—Agreed that an answer be sent accordingly. Su.mmer-street. —F. G. Whiting complained of damage to his property in Sum-mer-street, Ponsonby, by overflow of water. —The Engineer reported that steps would bo taken to repair tlie defect in tlie channel, anil it was agreed that an answer be sent accordingly. Wood-street.—-Mr Chambers reported that he was about to sell an allotment through which a drain ran at present, and asking the Council to have the pipes removed.—Deferred in order that the Engineer may inquire into the matter. Cook-street.-Cr. Harperpreseotedapetition f rom theresidents of Cook-street between Union-street and Nelson-street, complaining of the unfinished state of the thoroughfare, and asking that it be formed, kerbed, and channelled.—Received and referred to the Streets Committee.

Lower Union-street. — Cr. Waddel presented a petition from the residents of Lower Union-street protesting against the asphalting of the western footpath, for which they would be compelled to defray half the cost. Drainage works were more urgently required.—Received and referred to the Streets Committee.

Dust Contract. —C. Brookes wrote complaining of the action of the dust contractor in refusing on two occasions to remove the contents of his dust box.— There were also complaints from Cruickshank and Co., Dowden, and ffanchard and Cranwell.—Agreed that Mr Brookes be informed that the attention of the contractor has been drawn to the matter. It was agreed at the same time that the conditions of tho contract be referred to the Engineer in order that they may be made more stringent. Advertising.—The following letter was read :—Auckland, September 7th. In reply to your letter of to-day we may state that we are quite ready to charge (and havo done so in the past) the price ordinarily charged to corporations, public companies, etc., for advertising in the "Herald." We ask, on public grounds, that such Corporation notices as are of general importance be inserted in our columns—(Signed) Wilsons and Horton.— Referred to Finance Committee.

Additional Loan Bill.—Tho following letter was read:—Wellington, Sept, 4,1883. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter conveying the thanks of the City Council to me in connection with the passing of the Additional Loan Bill. In reply, I tieg to express my appreciation of the same, and while congratulating the Council on the passing of this important measure, would take the liberty of noticing, with approval, the promptitude and thoughtfulness which tho Town Clerk has shown in this matter by forwarding the information necessary to secure its success.—(Signed) Thos. Peacock. To His Worship the Mayor of Auckland.

RepairstoCottage.—G. Glasscomwrote, asking for repairs to cottage owned by Council. — Referred to Endowment Committee.

Permit.—H. G. Wade applied for permit to erect a brick wall between tlie proposed Culcdonian Hotel in Symonds-street and a row of wooden cottages.—Declined, as Building Regulations must be adhered to. Legal Committee.—This Committee recommended :—(1) Re memo, from City Engineer re extra office accommodation : That the City Engineer have messenger's room asked for, and erect a partition in the N.E. corner room ; upper room in building to havo partition (wood). — (2) Letter from Thos. Slater re claim for damages at late fire : Committee find that the lessee has no legaMlaim, and they leave the matter with the Council, having no recommendation to make—(3) Letter from Whitaker and Russell re city tramways : That the time originally fixed for completion, viz., 30th March, 1884, be adhered to. — (4) Letter from J. G. Henderson re treeplanting in Ponsonby Road : Committee cannot recommend request being granted, thoy not being in favour of planting by private individuals.—Cr.Thompson opposed tho recommendations of tho Committee in reference to Mr Slater's claim very strongly,

and pointed out that the question of equity had not been considered. Ho was being less fairly dealt with than were Messrs Fleming and Bell in tho matter of their claims.—The Mayor, Cr. Crowther, and others spoke to tho same effect.—Cr. Crowther moved that clause 2 be omitted from tho report, anel referred to the Finance Committee.—This was, however, negatived —Clause 2 was referred back to the Leo-ai Committee, in order that they might report what amount Mr Slater is entitled to in equity.—The report was adopted in its amended form.—A suggestion was made that Mr Slater be ottered £40 without prejudice, but was not put in the form of a motion. Streets Committee. — This Committee recommended (l)re right-of-way in Lornestreet (Boylan & Tanfield): That same be granted subject to following conditions viz : Gate to be erected and maintained -' no buildings to be erected with frontasre thereto ; road to be kept covered nit], scoria ash. (2) Letter from Whitaker and Russell re Gas Company's tramway j That same be granted subject to the foliowinconditions, viz. : —Rails to be flush \,i_\ road at present levels, subject to notice of removal (in writing) from Council at any time, and the joints to be laid so as not tn interfere with city trams. (3) Letter from W. MeArthur anel Company re drainage in Elliott-street: That Engineers report bo adopted, viz., that Elliott-street be kerbed and channelled if proper retaining wall? are built by property owners. (4) I'etition from residents of Marmion-street re repairsThat petitioners be informed that as soon as Liverpool-street works are done Marmion street will be considered. (5) Petition from residents of Napier-street re dust cartThat same be granted. (G) Report from City Engineer re steam street roller: -hat tlie Council order a steam-roller (15 tons) at a cost of about £'500. (7) Same, re earth from excavations in Ponsonby Road • That City Engineer fubmit names of streets where it is desirable to have the earth deposited. (S) Letter from W. G. Connelly re Victoria Lane : Committee have no recommendation to make.—The Engineer reported in favour of a ten-ton roller, believing that the fifteen-ton machine would be too heavy for local streets.—Clause 6 was deferred till next meeting, pending the production of further information by the Engineer, and the report was adopted ml itamended form. L

Ponsonby Road Works.—Tenders were opened as follows : —John Irwin, £2 669 • W. Kirby, £2,838 ; Geo. Mullinger, £2.896John Taylor, £3,085 ; Alexander McGnire' 13,169; John Brown, £3,347; Alexander Archibald, £3,023. Schedule prices were appended.—The Engineer's estimate was £2,500. Irwin's tender was accepted. Brass Hydrants.—Messrs Branston and Forster, ±24, were the only tenderers for four brass hydrants.—Tender accepted. Gaol Road.—Objections to the levels of Gaol Road were received from Mrs Grace i and Mrs Moriarity, Thompson, Brewin and Irvine.—After hearing the objections, it appeared that there was no real cause of complaint. The levels were fixed m advertised, Waterpipes.—Mr Errington reported that some of the pipes landeef by the Grass mere were "flat cast," and thus defective! and should be received under protest,—Referred to Streets Committee, Committees.—Messrs Thompson, La Roche, and Aickin were appointed members of the Finance Committee ; Messrs Aickin and PLillipps to tlie Legal Committee; and Mr Bum 3to the Streets Committee. Mr Thompson was appointed to sign cheques'.'; Compensation.—The Engineer reported against any money boing paid to Messrs Bourke and Colten, and the recoKmendation was adopted. Napier-street.—Cr. Phillipps movaf: " That the Engineer be instructed to pre-, pare plans and specifications for the completion of the drainage of Napier-street, and at the same time as the kerbing ani}. channeling already authorised by the Council."—Carried. ' Charge ogainst the Town Clerk.— ' Mr Garrat moved : "That an enquiry be made by the Legal Committee, at a special meeting called for the purpose of hearing and reporting at the next, sitting of the Council, upon the cvi dence to be adduced in support of the following charge:—"l hereby charge thea Town Clerk with having unduly retarded^ tlie delivery of certain letters addressed to myself and others."—Agreed to. -~*_. This concluded the business.