CITY COUNCIL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 4124, 21 September 1883, Page 4

CITY COUNCIL.

The ordinary weekly meeting of the City Council was held last evening. Present: His Worship the Mayor (J.M. Clark, Esq.), Crs. Woddel, Harper, Phillipps, Thompson, Masefleld, Dacre, Stevenson, Crowther, Devore, Burns, La Koche, Field, Aickin, Mackechnie.

Correspondence. — Correspondence received since last meeting was received as follows :—From Shaw, Mason and Company, notifying that plant had been forwarded per Piako. Received.—From the Secretary of the Rifle Association, stating that it had been decided to hold the next meeting of the Hide Association at Auckland, and asking the Mayor and Council to assist in making the matter a success. Mr Cooper, solicitor, had been asked to act as local secretary. —The -Mayor said his feeling was that this was scarcely a matter in which Council or Councillors could move. He thought the matter should be taken up by the shootista, and ho said be was sure individual Councillors would bo happy to subscribe and give the Association their support— Or. Devore moved the reference of the matter to the Legal Committee, saying that in the meantime inquiries might be made among the leading shooting men as to what steps they intended taking. Carried.—From thu Superintendent of I'olice, forwarding application from Sergt. Kielyfor reward for securing conviction against persons damaging trees. It was decided to pay a reward of 10s. —From J, and G. Buchanan, stating that they intended erecting verandah in front of their building in Wellesley and Elliott-streets, and asking that the wooden kerbing in these streets be repaired. Referred to Streets Committee.—From the Town Clerk of l'arnell, stating that the waterworks plant was expected to arrive shortly, and asking that the Council should not delay laying their portion of the mains from Symonds-'street. The Mayor stated that provision for this work was being made in plans now in course of preparation by the Waterworks Engineer.—From A. Wood, of Sheridan-street, threatening to take action against the Council for damage unless a retaining wall was at once erected. It appeared that the Council hud offered if Mr Wood would make the wall they would till up the street. It was decided to adhere to previous decision.—Permission was given to R. S. Carbines to retain shed on allotment near Market for three months.—From P. Lawson, complaining that he was charged ISs for arrears of rates that were not due.— The Town Clerk said it appeared that the mistake arose through there being two Peter Lawsons in the ward. — From the Secretary of the Tramway Company, asking permission to stack tramway rails in Cus-toms-street on the v/estern side of dock. Referred to Legal Committee, with power to act.—From E. Bovey, asking that Upper Symonds' street have the use of the water cart. The Engineer reported that when the new water cart was completed the high level streets would be watered regui larly. Reply in accordance sent. — From R. M. Heighten and Co., asking permission to erect signboard in front of their offices, Queen-street. Proposed signboard not being in accordance with the regulations, the request was refused.—From tho Chairman of the Grafton School District, drawing attention to chasm near Nugentstreet, which was dangerous to children attending the school. Engineer appended memo, to the effect that the matter would be seen to. Answer in accordance ordered to be sent.—From R. Barstow, re permit to cross footpath in same street with cart. Referred to Streets Committee.—From J. Ansenne, asking permission to erect small iron shed on an allotment in Lower Symonds-street. The writer was requested to send plan of proposed shed.—From W. Thome, asking a reconsideration of the right-of-way in Kyber Pass which tho Streets Committee had declined to recommend. It having been moved that the matter be referred to Streets Committee, Cr. La Roche moved an amendment to the effect that the application for the right-of-way be granted. ' Cr. Aickin seconded. Amendment was lost, and resolution carried.—From W. Whitehead, requesting refund of Ss, water rates paid erroneously, as the property was more than 100 yds. from the water main. It was de cided to reply that the ground had been measured, and that the writer was liable for the rate.—From E. J. Lees, complaining of damage done to his property, Sentinelstreet, through the storm-water, and asking the Council to supply scoria to repair damage. Consideration deferred pending report of Engineer.—From J. M. and J. Mowbray, agent for Mr Jagger, closing with the Council's offer for the Town Hall site. Received.—From the Secretary to the Harbour Board, stating that the stormwater had flooded the dock.—A permit was granted to Mr Birnio to erect iron store at rear of his premises. Petition. — Cr. Thompson presented petition from residents cf Victoria-street West, asking that thoroughfare be watered daily.—Referred to Streets Committee.

Streets Committee.—This Committee re. commended —1. That application for right-of-way (re Hesketh and Richmond's letter) be granted on the usual conditions, viz., gate to be erected and maintained with frontage thereto ; lane or right-of-way to be asphalted. 2. That reply be sent to Mr Evans (re repairs of Ring Terrace) that the Foreman of Works has Deen instructed to make the necessary repairs. 3. That (re culvert, Dubljn-stroat) work be done in accordance with Engineer's report; that on the west, tho lower end, culvert be extended 20 feet further into applicant's ground (W. T. Moyes), and on the upper end, whore embankment is not so steep, it should be extended 10ft. 4, That, when the consent afproprietorsisobtained, tho cutting and tilling to permanent leTel be taken into consideration. 0. That (re Lower Unionstreet) the Committee cannot recommend the prayer of the petition. 6. That report of Mr Errington (re casting mains) be referred to the Waterworks Engineer to report whether it is safe to lay the pips (pipes cast on the flat four inch), or that they should be received under protest, f. That the Engineer'o report (re surplus earth, Ponsonby Road), be adopted., and that the earth cutting on the east end of work bo deposited in <;ullie,s in Vermontstreet(late Grace-street) and Lincoln-atreet; and that a schedule of prices be included in tho tender for building these culverts in the gullies, and that surplus material at the west end of work bo utilised in raising Sheehan and Dignan-streets, behind the Ponsonby Hall, and the lower side of Prospect-street.— Cr. Harper, in moving the adoption of the report, suggested that the mains be tested as suggested by Messrs Porter and Co.—Cr. Burns said that the pipes had been tested, but the question referred to tho Committee was—was it safe to lay the pipes, they having been cast in tho Hat, instead of vertically ?—Cr. Devore urged that the Council should not accept any waiver of the contract.—The Mayor pointed out that the report committed the Council to nothing.— The report was adopted. Legal Committee.—Tho Committee reported :—l. Supply of sundry small articles tor Lock Hospital. 2. That Mrs Bryce be informed that the Committee do not see their way to make any alteration in building, but are prepared to provide curtains for enclosing beds, 3, That the Town Clerk procure nqocssary farms, about 100 each, under the CD. Act, 4. That copy of regulations submitted by Dr, Goldsbro' be forwarded to Wellington for approval, and to be gazetted. 5. That by-law re bicycles be submitted to solicitor for his opinion. 6. That Town Clerk inquire cost of erecting out-stations for fire-bell and telephone. 7. That tho Princes-street bell and one at the junction of Grey-street be retained ; that the bell opposite the station in Albert-street be erected at Ponsonby station ; that bell in Upper Symonds-street bo removed, and erected at tho station, Kyber Pass Reservoir.

The Complaint Against the Town Clerk. — The Legal Committee also reported that they had passed the following resolution in regard to the complaint of Mr Garratt, which had beon referred to it by the Council:—"The Committee find that a letter addressed to Mr Garratt was delivered at the City Council letter-box on the 20th of June last, at the Post-office, endorsed by the Town Clerk ' not in offico, try workshop,' and put back again into the Postoffice box ; that the charge appears trivial, and the Committee regret that Councillor Garratt considered it necessary to bring forward the matter by motion ;at the same time the Committee think the Town Clerk might have made more inquiries before dealing with the letter as he did. The delay of other letters appears to have been caused without any fault on the part of the Town Clerk. The letter addressed by H. S. Connop, dated sth of September, the Committee think should have been read to the Council, and not disposed of by simply being submitted to His Worship the Mayor."—Cr. Garratt expressed regret that the report of the Committee bad been altered. This report had then stated that the " Town Clerk might have shown more courtesy and consideration to Cr. Garratt." Ho maintained that his charge against the Town Clerk had been sheeted home, though the Town Clerk exculpated himself by making the Mayor an accessory. —Cr. Thompson thought Connop's letter should have been laid before the Council.— On the request of Cr. Garratt, Connop's letter was produced.—lt appeared that the

resolution for leasing certain property had come before the Council and been disposed of by the Council. But there was an error in the lease (re Corporation v. Connop), and Mr Connop wrote to the effect that he would surrender his lease if lie got £40. Under the direction of the Mayor, the matter was referred to the Solicitor.—The Mayo- said, he bowed before the decision of the Council but he considered that the action taken had been in the interests of the Council,— Th e report was then adopted.

Fisaxce Committee.— The report of this Committee recommended (1) That a fixed arrangement (re charges referred to in letter of Mr Errington) with Mr Errington to pay him 2h per cent, in addition to his salaryfor all new works, including cost of material (2) That the application of Mrs Hamilton (re lease Howe-street) cannot be entertained. (3) That three Commissioners be appointed, viz., the Mayor (for the time being) and two Councillors nominated by the Council (re Consolidated Loan Act) (4) Letter of Messrs Wilsons and Hortoii deferred, and that Messrs Wilsons and Horton be requested to attend the novt meeting ot the i inance Committee. (5) Buildings on all allotments in Grey and Albert-streets to be sold on the sth November, tenants to be allowed to occupy the same until the Ist of November Cr Crowther said there was only one account calling for comment, and that was one for £121 lls 10d, furniture fortheLock Hospital He thought that tenders should have been called for the supply of the furniture Cr Thompson said that the Council, on giving the Lock Hospital Committee power to act° had not contemplated that no tenders should be called.—The Mayor said that the Municipal Corporation Act prescribed that works of more than £20 should be tendered for, and the Town Clerk was not aware of any other instruction.—Cr. Crowther : But isn't the making of furniture a work?— The report was then adopted. Loan- Trustees.—The Mayor, Crs. Waddel and Fleming were appointed trustees under the Loan Act.

The Armoury.— Cr. Aickin asked if it was correct, as he had been informed, that tho Government intended to erect an armoury at a cost of £800, whereas they had charged the Council for the removal cf tie old armoury the sum of £1,500? ij appeared that they wished to make a profit out of the transaction.—Th» Mayor said that he had received no official commnnication from the Government regarding the armoury, but he learned unofficially that th« new armoury was to be erected next the police barracks, and not on the allotment given by the Council. He had heard £1 200 mentioned as the cost of the new building. —Cr. Aicken suggested that the Government should be applied to to return the allotment which it appeared they did not require. Steam Roller.—The report of the Engineer recommended the purchase of a steam roller.—Cr. Masefield moved that a 15-ton roller be ordered.—After a lengthy discussion, an amendment, "That manufacturers should be invited to consider upon descrip. tion of the streets as to grades being submitted to them, whether the employment roller of 15 tons were practicable, and if they thought not, that they shoud send out a machine suitable to the gradients of tho streets, &c.(guaranteed)," by Cr Thompson, was carried.

Library Catalogue.—lt was decided to authorise the Library Committee to get the catalogue of the Library printed. Road Metal.—lt was resolved, on the motion of Cr. Thompson, " That the Engineer be instructed to report at as early a date as possible as to the probable quantity of broken metal likely to be required for city purposes during the next year, and the best mode of providing it; also, as to depots for storage of same in the several wards of the city." Fire Brigade. — Cr. Stevenson moved for a return showing the cost of the Fire Brigade during the preceding twelve months, to include the cost of new material now ordered or work authorised to present date.—During the discussion that ensued it wa3 stated that the cost to the Council for the current year had been £I,ooo.—Motion carried.

Presentation.— Mr S. Brooking presented to the Library two copies of s rare work, " Nicholas's Visit to New Zealand ia 1514."

This concluded the business,