CITY COUNCIL

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 138, 12 June 1891, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the above body was hold iasfc night. .Present : Cvs. Crowther, Warren, Treavvith, Farrell, I'aterson, Layer, Cooper, Swalos, Dignan, Smith, Lennox, Grey, Holland, Wright, Hewsou, and Julian. In the absence of the Mayor, Cr. Crowther was voted to the chair. P.EKMITS.—Mr William Johnston wrote asking for permit to shingle a house in Franklin Road. The matter was deferred pending receipt of plan of building.—MiWalter" Buchanan wrote asking for a permit to erects a lean-to roof against his premises in Wakefield-street. Referred to the Streets Committee with power to act. Blectbic Lighting Bill. — Messrs Hesketh and Richmond wrote on behalf of Mv Dβ Castro forwarding copies of the Auckland Lighting Bill which he proposes introducing into the .House afc the coming sessions. The writer stated that it was not unlikely that a Public Act would be passed appointing- a Board of Control, and giving general powers to local authorities to purchase the undertaking. A further letter was read from Messrs Hesketh and Blchmond asking whether the Council's solicitor had reported on the Electric Lighting Bill, and whether they could be of any assistance in the way of giving information or otherwise as the session was drawing near, and Mi- De Castro was anxious to know whether he had satisfied the Council with regard to the Bill, and whether the Council had determined to oppose it. Mr De Castro was prepared to consent to a clause being inserted at the instance of the Council enabling the Corporation to take over the undertaking compulsorily on the terms mentioned in the epitom6 forwarded previously.—The Chairman said thab the Council had agreed to have a solicitor's opinion. The Mayor had gon6 away that afternoon, and the solicitor's opinion was not yet to hand. The solicitor had said there were difficulties in the matter. He suggested that the matter should be referred to a Committee.—On the motion of Cr. Cooper the matter was referred to the whole Council in Committee next Wednesday night at 6.30 o'clock. Stanley - stkeet Sewer.—The Parnell Borough Council wrote drawing attention to the fact that a great nuisance existed in Mechanics' Bay, and asked thab the Council would take steps to abate such nuisance. —The City Engineer reported that the Bay was outside the Borough of Paruell, and the nuisance was largely caused by drainage from that borough. He suggested that the Parnell Borough be requested to attend to the drainage and find an outlet for the sewage in their own borough.—The Chairman said the sower cost nearly £5,000, and the General Government contributed £500. He thought thab they might reply that they would be prepared to consider the matter when a definite proposal was received.—This was agreed to.

Hamilton Road.—Mr E. Butler wrote I on behalf of the residents of Hamilton Road, stating that they were willing to forward tho £18 as agreed, and provided there would be no difficulty in the matter of drainage through Mr Dufaur's property in Sarsfield-street.—Mr Anderson reported that the drain must pass through Mr Dufaur'a property, and would cost £60 in addition to tho £18.—The letter was referred to the Ponsonby Ward members to report. Drainage Fkoh the Masonic Hall.— Mr F. Shortland wrote on behalf of Mr John Mulvahill, complaining of a nuisance caused by leakage from the drains of the Masonic Hall property.—The Sanitary Inspector reported that he had inspected the premises, and proved conclusively that the drains were in a defective condition, and that the Secretary to the Masonic body being also convinced had taken steps to have the drains attended to.—The letter was received, the matter having been dealt with. Albekt-stkeet. —• Messrs Mennie and Dey wrote asking for a new crossing over the footpath in Alberb-street opposite their factory, and also for permission to lay down an irou platform over the watertable, as tho present arrangement was not satisfactory. —The Engineer reported that the weak of laying tha crossing must be done by the applicants themselves.—lt was resolved to permit applicants to lay the crossing at thair own expense, subject to the approval of the Engineer. Manning-street. — The Eden Terrace Road Board wrote asking if the Council proposed to make the approach to the Manning-street bridge practicable for ■wheef traffic. The engineer reported that something was proposed two years ago, bub he had nob received instructions to proceed with the work.— This was referred to the Karangahape Ward members to report. Water Supply.—The Epsom Road Board wrote asking at what price tho Council would supply water to that district from the Mount Eden reservoir.—The letter was referred to the Waterworks Committee.

Mortuary. — The Secretary of the Harbour Board forwarded the following resolution : —" That the City Council be offered a ?ii;e ios a new mortuary of such

size as may be required, on the west side of Nelson-street, with right of water frontage. , ' ' —The Chairman moved that the offer be ac« I cepted, which was agreed to, J Dredging.—The Harbour Board SecreI tary reported fchab it had been decided to proceed with the dredging at the wharf sewer. —The letter was received. Pictos-stueet. —Mr D. S. Cattanach wrote offering to rent lot 39, Picton-street, ab a nominal rental nob exceeding £2 petyear.—lt was resolved to offer the allotment by public auction, Petitions. — Cr. Earrell presented a petition from the residents of Cook-street West, asking the Council to form the roacj> ' way in West, East, and Centre Streets . The petition was received and referred to the ward members to report. Reports.—The report of the Streets Committee recommended as follows : Letter from residents Elliott-streefc re formation footpath, etc.: That work be done, viz., retaining wall built, road make full width, iierbed and channelled, and charged to ttia ward allocation. Petition from ratepayers Picton, Selwyti, a:id Hepburn-streets, re condition of footpaths : That Engineer's report be adopted, viz., that the paths be trimmed and prepared for the next season. Letter from Henry Hewin re nuisance, right of way, Wellesley-street: That a reply bs forwarded that negotiation to open the Opera House urinal has failed. Letter from George Wilson re carting contract: That an allowance of 3d per yard be made on the scoria ash. Memo, from Engineer re meter fittings required : That same ba obtained at estimated cost, £15. Memo. from Engineer re fencing Ponsonby reservoir, Hopetoun-street : That work be done at estimated cost of £10. W. Crowthee, Chairman. — Cr. Cooper moved: "That clause 4 be struck out." If they granted that they might just as well invite all their contractors to ask for an increase in price.— Cr. Farrell seconded the motion. — Cr. Atkin said if they could deal leniently with leaseholders they should be correspondingly lenient with their contractors. If one were honourable and fair, the other was.— The Chairman said one of the reasons for the recommendation was that they found that they could nob get it done more cheaply by any other contractor. Wilson's pit at Three Kings liad been closed, and he had to go to Mount Albeit.—Cr. Layer said that the Council had no power to give an increase that meant £75 per annum.— Cγ. Wright opposed the recommendation, —Cr. Julian thought that Wilson should be held to his contract. There was the £200 bond, and that might ba worked out. —■ Cr. Swales said that the Eugineer was satisfied with the way Mr vVilson had carried out his contract so far. —Cr. Hewson said if Mr Wilson was noo able to fulfil his contract, ho should thnjw it up.—Cr. Dignan considered the recommendation of the Committee was a fair one. The Council had the power to vary the [contract.—Cr. Paterson eaict there was a question as to whether this would be fair to other contractors who were higher than Mr Wilson. — Cr. Cooper lin reply stated that ho was positive that it would be illegal to grant a contract and then increase the price shortly afterwards. Let them release him from his contract if they chose, but do not make him a present of £75.—Upon the motion being put to the Council the clause was struck out, Councillors Farrell, Lennox, Julian, Grey, Cooper, Writhe, Layer, Hewson and Paterson voting for Cr. Cooper's motion, and Councillors Warren, Trenwith, Holland, Atkin, Smith, Digcan, Swales and Crovvther against it.—The remainder of the report was then adopted. Motion.—On the motion of Cr. Cooper (on behalf of the Mayor), seconded by Cr. Hewson, it was resolved that the Mayor move (rescinding motion), that the resolution, viz., " That application be declined,not being in accordance with by-law, passed on the 14th day of May, 1891, be rescinded, with a view of considering a similar application from Mr Cooper.' , Domain Board. —An application from J. Grey to renew his lease for five years waa referred to tho Domain Committee.