CITY COUNCIL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 10, 13 January 1899, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

The City Council met for the firsttime this year after the vacation lastevening. There were present: — The .Mayor (Mr U. (ioldie), Councillors Y. Warren, .). Trenwith, R. Farrell, A. J. E|itrican, .1. T. Julian, i \V. Courtney, A. Cairns, \V. Hewson, lA. Kidd. .Jameson, Beecroft, Grey, | White, Hesketh, Masefield. Freeman's Bay Contract.—Mr Ashley Hunter, _ C.E., and Mr Taylor (Foreman of Works to the Harbour Board) reported that itwould take nine to twelve months for ; the completion of the contract for ! tilling- in Freeman's Bay. They pointed out the necessity for careful tilling- in on the line of the sewer so that no damage should be done to the work, and recommended the exten- ■ sion of time of the contract for filling : in.—The City Engineer reported that if the time was extended care must be taken that the Council was not charged with cartage. As the contractor for both the filling in and the sewer was the same man he was not likely to carry on the filling in so as to injure the sewer. He considered the extension immaterial to the City Council.—The letter-was referred to the Streets Committee.

Hopeto tin- street.—Messrs Ambury, English and Co. wrote offering to rent allotments on Hie North side of Hope-toun-street, at present covered with gorse.—The letter was referred to the E n dowmen t s Com mi ttee.

Water Supply.—Mr J. J. Craig wrote asking- the Council to lay a water main from Mt. Eden reservoir down Firth and Owen's lioad.—The letter was referred to the Waterworks Commit tee. Oakley Creek Bridge.—The Avondale Road Hoard wrote forwarding engineer's estimate of cost of proposed works at Oakley Bridge, £949 10/, of which the Council has to pay its proportion.—The letter was referred 1o the Finance Committee.

Mounted Rifles.—Captain Hoi gate wrote asking permission ■ for the Auckland Mounted "Rifles fo encamp in the Domain from the 21st to the 30th January.—The letter was referred to the Domain Committee with power to act.

Cabdrivers' Licenses. —A number of applications from cabdrivers whose licenses had been cancelled were, on the motion of the Mayor, referred to the' Legal Committee, applicants to be allowed to attend and support their objections to the Council's decision.

License.—Thomas Neill applied for an auctioneer's license, which was was granted.—R. Miller applied for a license for a billiard room Jervois Road.—Cr. Masefield moved that the application be not granted as it was not a necessary adjunct of the district.—Cr. Warren seconded the motion.—Ultimately the letter was referred to the Legal Committee.

West port Coal.—The Secretary wrote asking that this coal should receive a trial at the Western Springs Bumping Station.—A similar application was made by the secretary of the Hikurangi Coal Company.—lt was resolved to accede to the l-equest. Grey Memorial.—This Committee wrote asking for the use of the Domain Cricket Ground on February 18. —This was referred to the Cricket Ground Committee with power to act. —An application for a. loan of the phonograph cylinder with Sir George Grey's message to the people of Auckland for use at a concert in the evening was granted, and also the services of the Traffic Inspector on the day of the procession.

An Important Question. —The Pre* sklent of the Council of the Fire Underwriters' Association wrote as follows: T will ask you to kindly inform me what steps, if any/have been taken towards the improvement of the water supply and fire brigade appliances of Auckland and suburbs.— "This was referred to the Waterworks Committee.

Tender.—R. J. Eccles wrote stating that in his tender for horse feed best oaten chaff was quoted £2 15/ instead of £3 15/. —Referred to Engineer to report to Finance Committee with power to act.

Auxiliary Water Supply. — The Streets Committee report re water supply procurable from Lake St. John was adopted as follows: Your Committee having received Messrs Pond and Maclaurin's report, of 22nd December last, concluding which they state, 'From the data given herewith we are of opinion that the water of Lake St. John if treated by the iron process as contemplated will yield a very good potable water, thoroughly suitable for the supply of the city,' has deferred further consideration until next meeting-

Finance Cotpmittee. — This report was adopted. Engineer's report' re nuisance caused by drainage into Western Park. Engineer's estimate for drain, Hopetoun-street, £S0: Your Committee having received the report of the South Ward members as to the urgency of the work recommends the adoption of the engineer's report, the work to be taken in haqd at once. —Letter from* secretary Grey Statue Committee re subscription: Your Committee regrets it cannot recommend, the Act not allowing a donation. Signed, J. Trenwith, Chairman.

Bonus. —The M ayor said he noticed by the accounts of the Military Tournament Committee that £5 had been voted as a bonus to Mr Yates. His Worship quoted Clause 128 of the Municipal Corporation Act, which reads as follows: 'If any person employed by the Council exacts or. accepts on account of anything done by virtue of his office any fee or reward other than the salary or allowance appointed by the Council or is in any pecuniary way concerned or interested in any bargain or contract made by tha Council he shall be. incapable of being thereafter employed by the Council and shall forfeit the sum of fifty pounds, which any person may recover as a debt in any court of competent jurisdiction, together with full costs of suit.' He moved: 'That Mr Yates be requested to explain whether he received the bonus of £5. This was seconded by Cr. Jameson and agreed to

Shop Hours Act.—lt was decided that the annual meeting of delegates to the Half-holiday Conference under the Shop and Shop Assistants- Act should take place at noon on January 28. On the motion of Cr. Jameson, Messrs Warren, Kidd Jameson and the Mayor were appointed delegates to represent the City Council. Cricket Ground Committee. —The Mayor was appointed a member of this Committee.

Cemetery Bridge. — The engineer called attention to the danger of large crowds passing over the Cemetery Bridge on holidays. He suggested that if the people would not be controlled so as to prevent danger it would be better to close the bridge for traffic

when there were sports. The matter was referred to the Streets Committee, with power to act.

Swanson - street. — Cr. Masefield moved: 'That the Streets Committee be requested to arrange at an early date to call for tenders to cut cartway through to permanent level in Swani son-street, from Albert-street to Hob- ' son-street, making branch connections in Chapel-street North and South, and I to include the formation of BrunswickI street from Hobson-street to Customs- | street.' He said the street was a very I narrow r one and in an unsafe condition. Already two accidents had taken place and it wras time something was done. If compensation would be required then he would not advocate the 1 street being cut to its permanentlevels. Cr. Hesketh seconded the motion. Cr.Cairns presented a petition from a number of ratepayers praying the Council not to pass the motion of Cr. Masefield re cutting a cartway through the permanent level through Swanson-street from Albert .to Hob-son-street and making branch connections at Chapel-street. The petition was received and referred to the Streets Committee. Cr Cairns said to cut the streets to the permanent level would be like making intrenchments.

Ultimately the matter was referred to the Streets Committee to visit and report. Leave of absence Was granted Cr. Baume for one month.