CITY COUNCIL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 4192, 23 November 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, Mr J. M. Clark (in the chair), Councillors Masofield, Burns, La Roche, Phillippa, Fleming, Harper, Montague, Aickin, Thompson, Waddcl, Crowther, Devore, Field, Stevenson,Garratt, George Mackechnie. Waterview. — Samuel Coombes wrote requesting the Council to form and make Wolaeley-street or road on the avenue through his property at Waterview, Ponsonby, forthwith, as it was his intention to sell the property shortly. The writer added that the Council had in hand the sum of £180, which was the total liability agreed upon to be paid by him as his total liability in respect of making the road, and which suni the Council had held for upwards of twelve months.—The Engineer recommended that the levels of Marino Parade and other roads should be taken beforo any cutting is done.—ln reply to the Mayor, the Engineer said it would be some time beforo the levels would be taken, unless he took Jervoia Road and Marine Parade first. In the ordinary course it would take four or five months before he could get to these streets. —Replying to a question, the Engineer said the prosecution of this work at once would cause a cessation of other work in the office, although it would not interfere with work outside.— On the casting vote o£ the Mayor, it was agreed that the levels be taken at once.—A further motion by Cr. Garratt, 'that the work be done by a special staff, wits lost, and it waa agreed, on Cr. Thompson's motion, that the levels be taken by the Ponsonby staff, and that the work be not allowed to interfere with the work boing done by the Karangahape staff. Grafton Road. — George Smith complained of the damage being done to his property by the storm-water from Grafton Road down Domain Road.—Referred to the Streote Committee. Wellesi.ey-street.—G. Crocker applied for permission to erect a lamp across the footpath over his promises in Wellesley street. —Granted. Verandah.—Samuel Coombes wrote in reference to his not having complied with demand re alteration of verandah over his shop, late Cosgrave's, stating that it was his intention when the internal alterations are completed to remove the present verandah and erect a new one. The necessary alterations would then be made.—Action was deferred for a month to give time for the required alteration. Burleiqu-street. —J. Rasmußsen applied to the Council to pay half the cost of a, dividing fe.nco ou the Kyber Pass reservoir property. —The request waa referred to the Streets Committee. Abbatoirs. — Stewart L. Knight, slaughterman, applied for private house accommodation at the abbatoirs.—Referred to the Endowment Committee. Permit.—Smith and Wooler, contractors, asked for permit to add six feet seven inches to corrugated iron building used as a diningroom, without chimney, at the back of the Wharf Hotel.—On the recommendation of the Engineer, the permit was refused. Patent Stone.—E. W. Glover wrote advising stone shipped by the Rotorua.—The Engineer said this was patent stone for paving. One hundred yards was to hand, and part of it would bo laid between Fort and Custom-house streets.—Received. Fence.—Devore and Coopor wrote stating the willingness of Mr Joynt to agree to tho proposals re erection of fence, provided that the fence in question be in accordance with the specifications submitted.—Tho Engineer said the fence applied for by Mr Joynt was more oxponsive than the one agreed to by the Council.—The question was deferred, the Engineer to report on the additional cost. Patte-son-street.— R. McCabe forwarded plans of shop, dwelling, and factory, to be erected in Patteson-street, Freeman's Bay, and requested approval. The total value of buildings to be erected was £370, —The plans were approved. Standing Orders.—The standing orders were suspended, and the order of business altorod to allow objectors to levels in Grafton and Karangahapo Wards to bo heard, intervening business being thus deferred. Proposed New Hotel.—Messrs Mahonoy and Son, on behalf of Mr Seccombo, submitted for tho consideration of the Council drawings of a three-storey hotel, exclusive of basement storey, which ho proposed to build at tho corner of Wellesley and Albertstreets, if the Council permit him to shift the present wooden building back to tho lane.—The Engineer reportod that it would bo preferable to have the new building as proposed with tho present one back than to add to the existing hotel.—The application was granted, it being explained that tho old building would bo no. part of the old hotel, Permit for Stable.—H. G. Seth Smith, Resident Magistrate, applied for permission to erect a stable for his horse adjoining the present phod on tho south side of the CourtfioußO. Tiip proposed shed would bo wooden frame, covered by corrugated iron, 12 by 10 feet, —Referred to tho Legal Committee, Ponsonby Wharf ArrKOAcn.— Andrew Stewart and other residents of Ponsonby drew attention to the fact that the new wharf at Homo Bay is now finished, and that Milton and Waitangi-streets, which form tho approaches to it, are not mado, and are wholly impassablo to tho public. Tlioy, thorofore, asked that tho" streets in question bo cleared and formed.—Referred to the Streets Committee Nbw Boaruixo-housk.—Henry G. Wado submitted the foundation plans for a building to bo erected on allotment 13, Market Reserve, for Mr Thomas Blister, the lessee, and requested that a permit for the same be issued. The contract for foundations to street levels would bo about £500. —The Engineer thought the plans should only bo approved conditionally, «,«., pro-, vidod thoy arp suitably for the pjqposed superstructure. It would, ho said, have been more satisfactory if the complete drawings had been forwarded.—The suggestion of the Engineer was ordered to bo carried into effect. Emilt Place Works,---Tha following letter from St. Paul's Vestry was road :— «Sir,-4am instructed by the Committee of St. Paul s to acknowledge the receipt of your lotter of the 9th inst., in which you state that the City Council object to the last plause of the resolution of St, Paul's parishioners, viz., 'that any alteration in the building to bo made by mutual consent.' The Committeo withdraw that clause. The matter now, in the opinion of the Committee, stands thus : Tha,t the City Council remove thf> present building, cut do\vn gjireets anp] church land, o.rid rfl-.orect build ing yith fittings complete as they now are, durjng progress of work to provide a place, for St. Paul's parishioners to conduct public worship in, free of any expense to tho parish.—l have, &c, Alfred Asiiton. Secretary St. Paul's."—The Council agreed, on the motion of the Mayor, to the conditions as submitted, on tho understanding that the Harbour Board and Freezing Company also agree ; that those two bodies be advised accordingly, and that the Legal Committee be requested to draw up any agreement that may be required. PONDRETTK MANURE.—J, A. WilsOll, On behalf of tho New iSealand Manure and Chemical Company, wrote stating that by the aid of White Island gypsum the Com' pany ppuld convert the * nightsoil into rigndFetfe nianuro, samples of which were shown, and approved at the Jate Agricultural meeting. The Company desired shortly, when funds permitted, "to commence tlie industry of pondrette manufacture at a depot an the shores of tho Waitemata, if it can obtain the njghtsoil delivered grails intp barges at tho west side of Freeman's Bay, provided also tlfat the Corporation supply four barges and a steam launch. This would abolish the nuisance of depdts and would reduce the cost of collecting. The Council would also have to provide a shipping wharf atFreeman's Bay.—Referred to the Legal Committee. Western Springs Purchase.—A lengthy discussion on a proposal to pay £13,000 for proporty adjoining the Western Springs is fully reported elsowhero Turkish BATHS-Cr. Phillipps inquired from the Engineer if ho was aware that tho approach to the rear of tho Turkiah Baths and other properties was- now entirely closed through huildings going up.—The M^lneor replied in the affirmative and said when the matter was under consideration r S, IW ?sM *f iab this Part of tho road Should be filled in to tho Queen-street levels and sloped off. This would be done when the walls wore high enough. BE.RKHFORD House. — Replying to Cr. Montague, tho Engineer said a permit had been granted to Mr Connolly for the removal of a. house through Pitt and Hobson-streeto-'-Cr, Montague said tho street was being torn- up by crowbars used in the ppeyation, Stoeetb CoMMiTTEE.^-Thls Committee recommended:—(l) Petition from residents of Gundry-street re repairs, &c: Pliat the temporary work, as recommended by the City Engineer, be done at a cost not axcoeding £6. (2) Petition from residents Auburn-street re lamp : That a lamp be jrected at the bottom of Auburn-street and Sool Road. (3) Letter from Chairman

Newton Road Board re cutting of gorse off roads : That Council undertake clearing gorse opposite their property when the Highway Board take steps to have same effectually clone on tho opposite side. (4) Memo, from Building Surveyor re public halls—re St. James's Hall : That no alterations aro needed, the means of exit being easy, and that a license be granted. (5) Re Cook-street Hall: That outward doors be fastened back and kept open during public meetings and assemblies. (6) lie Young Mon's Christian Association Rooms : That owing to the exit being narrow, the door open outwards. (7) Letter from F. Cherry re ventilator, Temperance Hall: That license be granted, the hall having one ventilator and eight windows. (8) Letter from W. G. Connolly re cutting Victoria Lane : That the sum of £10 be offered to Mr Connolly (without prejudice), ho to make the necessary alterations to his workshop in Nelson-street. (9) Petition from E. .Teffcoat and others re drainage, Sheridan-streeet: That City Engineer be instructed to prepare plans and specifications for main sewer to bo constructed in Lower Hepburn-street.—The report was adopted. Lkoal Committee.—This Committee recommended : (1) Opinion of solicitor (T. Cottor) re right-of-way, Flood v. Cochrana : Committee cannot advise the Council to take any action, and that Mr Flood be informed that he has his remedy for any private injury ho may sustain. (2) Petition of residents in Dock and Duke-streets re dust cart: Committee recommend that these streets bo included in the list of streets in tho now contract at tho end of the year. (3) Letter from Remuera Road Board re refund of conditional license fee (108): Committee cannot recommend the refund. (4) Draft by-law submitted re bicycles, tricycles, iSrc.: That same be advertised for consideration in the ordinary manner. ('>) Memo from City Engineer re salt - water baths extension : That the extension of the present salt water baths as proposed (plan submitted) be approved (prior application being made for permit to tho Harbour Board); the use of the new portion constituting a bath for boys, etc. Plans, etc., for fresh water baths are in course of preparation. (6) Memo, from Librarian rejrequisition: Committee request authority for six new tablecovers for library.—Tho report was adopted. Symonds-street.—Tenders were opened for kerbing and channelling as follows : — Kirby, £2,140; A. McGwire, £2,800; Elias Pascoo, £3,386.—1t was proposed that Mr Kirby's tender be accepted.—ln answer to Cr. Garratt, the Engineer said Mr Kirby's contracts gave more trouble in the matter of supervision than others. He was not giving the attention to the present contract that he might give, and Ms holding two contracts would make matters worse. The Engineer's estimate was £1,800. —An amendment that fresh tenders be called was lost, and Mr Kirby's tender was accepted. Wynyard-street. — Tenders for drainage works were received as follows :—John Brown (accepted), £750; L. Bourke and Co., £925 ;J. Kirby and W. Murphy, £923 j Conlon and Kegan, £971; Elias Pascoe, i' 1,055; Alexander Archibald, £1,077 ; Allan McGuire, £I,lls.—The Engineer's estimate was £940. Hakoreaves and Greenwood-streets.— Tenders were opened for these works as follows -.—John Irwin (accepted), £89 ; L. Bourke and Co., £89; John Brown, t'97) Alexander Archibald, £1GO; Millington, £207.—Th0 Engineer's estimate was £100. —Cr. Garratt asked if a contractors defaulters' list was kept, and the Engineer re> plied^in the affirmative. Cr. Garratt then drew attention to the fact that the present holder of a contract was fooling the Council by working as sub-contactor in another contrac|j| and neglecting his own. Qceen-street. —-The Engineer recommended that as the paving stones on the east side of Queen-street between Customsstreet and Fort-street are getting much worn, and as tho new buildings on the block are now completed, that new twelveinch kerbs be laid down, tho flag stones lifted, and footway asphalted. The Council had 1,000 feet of these kerbs in stock, and it would require 400 feet for this block. He also recommended that the channel be concreted.—Recommendations adopted, HoFETOWIf-STREET ENDOWMENTS. —The Engineer recommended that when the houses nro sold and removed off the endowment block bounded by Karangahape and Ponaonby Roads, Howe-street and Hope-town-street, the levels of the new streets authorised in this block be taken, and that the work of formation be made at the same time as Hopetown-street. This was desirable, as the earth from these streets would bo required for tho embankment in Hopetown-street.—Agreed to. Stone Breaker.—The Engineer reported that Mr Swanson had received, a telegram from Wellington stating that the gaoler at Mount Eden had boen instructed to hand over a stone-breaker whenever applied for, It was to bo lent to the Corporation till they got their own out. He asked authority to utilise tho two-acre sjto granted.— Agreed to, JiEVELs.—The Engineer reported that drawings and specifications are submitte.4 for formation of Karangahape R.aad from Symonds.-street to -Pitt-street. Also, permanent levels fo,r approval for Lincoln and Vermont-streets, Pbnsonby Ward. He In. tended going out to the new cemetery site on Saturday next to arrange for » series of levels over the ground. Ho found that the site handed over is 188 acres, instead of 100 acres as at first supposed. Kyber Pass Levels. — Two objections wero received—from Messrs Downey and. Moody. Both objections wore heard, and Mr Moody also opposed the elevenTfcet c,^.; ting in Burleigh-strcet.— r Mr Batgor was also heard on p.ahalf of St. Sepulchre's vestry, a.nd explained the cutting would be ] 1 feet In depth, within 6 feet of the spire of the church, which was 125 feet high, and would be endangered ; besides, which access would bo cut off. They did not object to puhjip improvements, but objected to, having to pay for it. they would prefer having no cutting at all, but if some cutting should be made, they wished, it to bo as little ns possible, They did- not wish their property endangered", or that they should bo put tp expense in improving i*. — Mr Simpson supported the putting, and said, the majority of' the residents wero in favour of it.— Eventually, on tho motion of Cr. La Roche, tho plan was referred back to tho Engineer to report on the proposed modification,, Other Levels.—The levels of "Mount Eden Road, Auburn-street," Nugent-street, and Qthpr thoroughfares were fixed as advertised. Somerset Place.—Cr. PhUUpps pre- ; sonted a petition faim tho residents of Somerset Plao.e, oft Howe-street, praying that the street be kerbed and channelled^ a,nd a culvert formed at the approach to ' permit of wheeled trafi|o.-R.eceived, and 1 referred to the Streets Committee. Fire Alarms, — Cr. George moved, " That the Engineer be instructed to ascertain the number of fire alarms that are required in the new wards, and that they be obtained and put in position without delay." —The mover adopted a suggestion mado, and the matter was referred to the I<egai Committee. Hoarding.—Cr. Montague moved, "That no extension of % permit for hoarding in any of tl<o principal streets be issued prior ti reference, report, and authority from the Council."—The motion was carried. The rough minutes wore read ovev, and the Council adjourned at 11.30 p.m.