CITY COUNCIL.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 36, 12 February 1886, Page 4

CITY COUNCIL.

Tut; Council met at 6 o'clock lost evening. Present: His Worship the Mayor, Ccuncillors Holland, Evans, Cooper, Dignan, Connolly, Masefield, Garratt, Crowther, Kidd, Montague, La Roche, Holdship, Burns, Goldie, Stevenson.

Correspondence.— Letters were received and dealt with as fo'lows:—From Hesketh and Richmond, on behalf of residents in Willow-street, Freeman's Bay, regarding the nuisance cauFei by the Council draining sewage from Wellington and other streets into a gully running through private property. Much sickness had been occasioned and the properties were depreciated in value. If the Council would not do something, an injunction would be applied for. Tho Engineer reported that tho cost of a sewer from Wellington-Btreet to Freeman's Bay would be £2,000. The Mayor said there was some difliculty in dealing with tho question. It was in thoSouth Ward, and they all knew the stato of tho finances of that ward; Referred, to Streets Committee. —From the librarian to tho Newcastlo-on-Tyne Public Library, giving particulars regarding the management of that institution: Laid on the table.-From E. Williams, calling attention to the fact that the drainage from four houses passed through ono of the city allotmen's in Picton-street, causing the oarth to fall on tho footpath, and rendering an allotment leasod by himself valueless.' Tho Engineer reported that the lessee should take tho same steps as other leaseholders had done to protect himself from surface water: Reply in accordance with report to be sent. — ■ From Mr Danaher, asking that the east side of the footpath in upper Nolson-street be kerbed and channelled. — The Engineer reported that the cost would bo £100.—The Mayor said this was ' also in the South Ward, though it was desirable that an asphalt footpath should be provided. There was at present a good footpath : Referred to Streets Committee.—From the Secretary to the Gas Co., forwarding a statement of accounts of the Company, and expressing regret that the directors did not see their way to reduce the cost of gas during the ensuing six months.—Tho Mayor, in moving the receipt of the letter, hinted that before long they might receive offers from gentlemen who were how in Auckland regarding electric lighting. — Cr. La Roche said that a lamp was required in St. Martin's Lone, and suggested that it should be provided and lighted with kerosene as an experiment.— From Dr. Stockwell, Health Officer, recommending that when the new cemetery was opened it would not be advisable that funerals should pass down Queen-street. — The Mayor said that the present cemetries could not be closed except to those who had not blood relations buried there, or had allotments. Besides, not one funeral in six would pass down Queen-street: Referred to Legal Committee.—From Mrs Spiers, going lengthily into a complaint she had against the Town Clerk' in connection with tbe cutting off of her water supply. She accused tho Town Clerk of having treated her with "rudeness."— The Mayor said that the rates had not been paid, and the ordinary course was pursued In cutting off the water. The Council officials had only dono their duty: The letter was received. —From W. Johnson, forwarding plans for approval: Approved. —From F. Fleming, opplying for a driver's license for a hackney carriage. He was over 17 years of age.—The Inspector of Vehicles reported that he had refused the application in consequence of the applicant's youthful appearance, and he had reoeived a letter from the lad's mother requesting that tbe license be not granted, as he was not 15 years of age i Application refused.—From J. F. Knight, asphalt contractor, asking for work: The Engineer reported that he might proceed with the asphalting of Grafton Road.—From Dignan nnd Armstrong, on bohalf of Featherston and Saunders, con-

tractors for removal of Empire Hotel, asking extension of time of permit : It was decided not to grant the request till the

time covered by the permit had expired.— From Father O'Gara, applying for permission to oroct a tent behind the Drill-shed in connection with St. Benedict's Fanoy Fair : Granted.

Petition.—A petition was presented from

residents of College Road and other streets complaining of nuisance from drain i Referred to Streets Committee.

Ponsonby ' Waiid 'Members' Rbtoht.— This report recommended as follows : —(1) Petition from residents Elizabeth-street re filling in of gully : That the prayer of the petitioners mentioned in said petition should be complied with by the Council. (2) Petition from residents George-street re cutting: " That the prayer of the petitioners mentioned in said petition should be complied with by the Council. (3) Letter from Town Clerk, Newton, re necessity of making provision for vessels entering and leaving Cox's Creek by the erection of a swing bridge. After inquiry, the members for Ponsonby Ward, that tbe i Government should be requested to make provision' (while building a bridge across Cox's Creek) for .easy access by vessels to',and from Cox's Creek. (4) City Engineer's report, approaches to Cox's Creek bridge : That the road between tha proposed bridge across Cox's Creek and Jorvois Road: be metalled (when formed, free of coat to the Council), at a cost of not exceeding £300, as mentioned in City Engineer's report.—The Mayor, in moving the adoption of the, report, pointed out that tho question of levels in Elisabeth and George streets was brought up in tho report. .He had consulted the Engineer, and that official said he could not recommend the adoption of these- two clauses.—Cr. Holland said their: streets were for all time, and tko residents; were only for a short time, and it would be ,a pity to spoil the street In the interest !of a lew ratepayers. He moved tbat the report be referred back to the! Committee.—Cr. Cooper said that no'good purpose could be 'served by the adoption of. ' that , course, as the Engineer bad over and over again reported that no good grade could be. obtained. It it was referred back to them they could only moke the same .recommendation.—Cr. Holland thought they should .adopt the report of the ward members. Jho filling of tho gully could not possibly spoil the street. That is what they recommended should be done. — Cr. Growther. suggested to Cr. Holland that, ho should amend the motion to the effect that the report be deferred, In the latter portion of the report there was matter for consideration. It was " mythical" that a swing bridge was required at Cox's Creek. He did not see the feasibility of erecting a swing bridge in the midst of a mangrove swamp. If it had been suggested that the creek be deepened up to the bridgo there would be some sense in it. — Cr. Holland agreed to this. — Cr. Crowther then seconded' the amendment, which was carried.

Lboax, Comsitteb (interim report).—The Committee reported :-(1) Application for payment to Auckland Hospital Charitable Aid. ' Solioitor's opinion received: Your Committee recommend that the sum of £58815 aBd be paid.—(2) Ro Cemetery: Committoo recommend that an advertisement bo inserted for a sexton at a salary at the rate of £125 per annum and house, and assistant at the rate of £100 and house, and that telephone communication with the central bureau be authorised.—(3) Memo from Town Clerk, re shops in front of baths in Albert-street: That applications for tenders to rent same for a term of 5 years be advertised. '— The Mayor moved the adoption of the report. — Or. Garratt moved as an amendment, " That tho salary of the chief sexton bo £150, and the assistant £75." The amendment was carried by 8 votes to 6. - Cr. La Rocne moved the addition to tho hst clause of the roport, "except the shop next the bath."— Cr Goldio suggested that the shops should bo let from week to week. He had heard in the case of the Market that a greater number cf stalls would bo let if the leasing was from week to week.—The addition was made, and the report as amended adopted, Cemetery.—The Mayor said that while the present cemeteries hod been closed by gazette notice, nothing was said as to whether they should remain vested in the hands of the . present trustees or in the hands of the Council.—ln reply to Cr. Garratt, the Mayor said that the cemeteries would be close I on the sixth of March,— On the motion Of Cr. Goldio, the matter was deferred for a fortnight, and in the meantime tbo present trustees to be consulted.—This was carded. OVERCROWDING OF .TRAMCARR — Cl\ Montague askod had the City Solicitor given any opinion with reference to alleged broaches in tho overcrowding of tramcars. The Mayor Baid no steps had yet bean taken.

Road Roller.—ln reply to Cr Laßocho, the Mayor said that the Tramway Company had paid to the Council £47 for the ueo of the road roller.

, Tenders.—Tenders for two wood crossings in Svmonds-street wore opened as follows:—Bolton and Walsh, £67; Conlon and Regan, f64 ; J. Clough, £50 ; J. Ching, £69 18*; T. Freeman, £57 ;A. G. Wheeler, £149; J. Merrick, £44; W. Hill, £66.— Mr Merrick's tender, £44, was accepted.— Tenders for drainage works behind the Drill-shed were opened as follows : Bolton and Walsh, £153 2s 6d; Conlon and Regan, £143; J. Clough, £173 I3s lOd; A. Archibald, £195, Messrs Con-

lon and BmuV ta_tfy3____| Tenders for drainage worb itW|*4l ford, and Jersey streets- _"K_2_i E. Pascoe anil Co! go^ M«I Grosvenor, £1,148 6s;J m, J? 1 Mil J. Clougb, £662.8. Conlan and Regan. __» TSwJI Walsh, £495 15s IM-__,'■'i¥t_l Walsh's tender was «27'«1 Drainage it WM % tenders for drainage of »ill»i__%sL:il and Grey-atreets. ybe%©l Waterworks Supplies' a•- § Mr Errington, Waterwor£Tj®wl commendedthe purchase of k_3»sf supplies from Porter and GrSSMii portion from T. and S. MorKSSPii Newton Road-A metioMpl son for plans and specia^twri?.^ L and formation of NwtoE'2sii The Council then adjouS^l