CITY COUNCIL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 273, 17 November 1899, Page 6

CITY COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the Auckland City Council was held last evening, when there were present Messrs D. Goldie (Mayor), J. Ilewson, J. Patterson. Y. Warren, J. Jarnieson, T. T. Masefield, A. Kidd, C. Grey, A. J. Entrican K. Salmon, J. H. llannun, \V. J. Courtney, J. Stichbury, C. J. Parr, C. Hesketh, and F. E. liaume.

JN'atives' Association. —The New Zealand Natives' Association wrote expressing satisfaction than steps were being taken to replace the monument to the late Rev. J. F. Churton, and stating- that the Association had also passed a resolution, approving' of ihe steps being taken to secure Freeman's Bay reclamation for recreation purposes.—The letter was received and referred to the Park Committee.

Auckland Mounted Rifles.—Captain Holgate, on behalf of the Auckland Mounted Rifle Volunteers, applied for permission to hold the annual camp in the Domain, beginning- on December ~\ under the same conditions as last year.—The matter was referred to the Cricket Ground Committee.

Hospital Board.—-The Secretary to the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board wrote notifying1 the Council thai Wednesday. 22nd inst., was The day appointed for the election of four members to represent the Council upon the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board for the ensuing year.—lt was. decided to hold the election at 2.30 p.m. on the 22nd.

Stanley Street.—The Standard Corn Broom Factory applied to have the entrance from Stanley street to their factory put in good repair, as in wet weather it was almost Inaccessible. — Kef erred to the Streets Committee.

Parks.—A long' communication was received from the Auckland Ratepayers' Association making various suggestions concerning' the city parks. A comparison was made "between the respective amounts of money spent on the Domain and the Albert Park, and the Association thought more money should be spent on the Domain. The writers also recommended that ithe management of the parks should be reorganised, and that a special committee should supervise the parks. The Cricket Ground and its surroundings should be specially looked after; grass terraces should be made for the convenience of spectators, and "the athletic sports ground should altogether be made more attractive. The Association recommended that a pei*manent staff of five or six men should be employed to look after ithe Domain and other parks. The expenditure of money on the various parks should be more fairly apportioned, so tha.t the Domain would get its fair share. —The Council decided to refer the letter to the Parks Committee for consideration and report, and it was also resolved to thank the Association for their valuable communication. —The Mayor said he was not at all satisfied with the condition of the parks, and the Domain was in a worse position now than when it was ta.ken over.— Cr. Salmon olso said the Domain was in a bad condition.—On the suggestion of Cr.. Ilewson, it was also resolved that the Cricket Ground Committee eonler .with the Parks Committee on the subject.

Ai'gyle Street. —Cr. Courtney presented a petition from residents and ratepayers of Argyle street, Ponsonby, asking- that a concrete channel be formed in that street so Ihat the stagnant drainage could be carried off.— > Referred to Streets Corammittee.

Lamp.—Cr. Stichbury presented a petition from the residents of Curran street, Ponsonby, asking that a lamp be erected at the corner of that street and Sarsfield street.—Referred to Streets Committee.

Right of Wa3 f.—A number of Gra?ton Road residents petitioned (through Cr. Patterson) that the Council should take steps to reserve a 30-foot right of way between Graf ton Road and Wynyard street, so that pedestrian traffic from the vicinity of the Bowling Green to Symonds street "vvould be facilitated. —The petition was referred to the Streets Committee.

Streets Committee.—This committee .reported as follows:—(1) Letter •from Town Clerk, Grey Lynn re Richmond Road formation: Deferred for Engineer's report as •to where earth can be placed. (2) Letter from Hayman and Co. re crossing- and cartstand: Deferred for inspection and report. (3) Letters from E. Mahony and W. Coleman re alignment, Smithstreet: Recommended that proposal as approved by the. Engineer be adopted. (4) Letter from J. Rolleston re permit, alteration to porch: '"Recommended that application be granted: (5) Petition from ratepayers, Ponsonby, re road, Harbour-street io Freeman's Bay: Deferred for further information. (G) Memo from Engineer re tenders for boiler stays, Western Springs: Committee recommend that tenders be called. (7) Letter from railway traffic .manager re lighting lamp,. Queen-street: Recommend that Council light same. The report was adopted with the exception of clause 1, which was referred back to the committee. 4 Legal Committee.—This committee recommended as. follows:—(1) Letter from Town Clerk, Newmarket re gorse Domain Park Road boundary: Recommend reply that Council has no power to contribute cost. (2) Letter from Mrs E. Hackett re permit issued to Mr Adams for building: Committee has instructed Engineer to adhere to by-law. (3) • Petition from ratepayers of city re tea kiosk in Albert Park: Deferred for design and estimate by Engineer. (4) Art Gallery attendant: Committee has authorised that applications be invited, returnable. 22nd November, and will report names of six candidates to Council on 30th. (5) Memo from Registrar of Dogs re reduction of registration fee: Committee recommend that fee be reduced to 5/ per annum. (G) Memo from Sanitary Inspector re. deposit of refuse on vacant allotments: Resolved that Inspector report sections required to be fenced. The report was adopted, with the addition, on the motion of Cr. Farrell, of the following clause: "Re letter from master of Auckland College and Grammar .School, re alteration of hours at the Freshwater Baths: The caretaker of the baths can arrange to set apart Wednesday afternoons from 1 o'clock to 6.45, in. addition to the times already in operation, for the use. of females at the .baths."

Finance Committee. —This committee recommended:—(l) Re letter from proprietors N.Z; "Punch" re share of advertising: Committee cannot _at present recommend request being granted. (2) Letter from City Solicitor re Tobin's lease (additional in^ surance): Recommend ■ that application be granted. — The report was adopted. Ex-City Engineer.—On the motion of the Mayor it was decided to find temporary" employment for Mr W. Anderson, ex-City Engineer, as superintendent of the Freeman's Bay reclamation works, at the same remune-

ration as that hitherto paid for that worlc. I

Ee.turn. —Cr. Hannan moved for a return showing ihe cost to the city of Town Clerk and City Solicitor dur-j ing the last five years, the return to j include salary, travelling expenses, i retaining fees* etc. Cr. Parr said the i motion was a trumpery one. The in- j formation required was to be found in the annual accounts of the Council. After some discussion it was decided j as an amendment, on the motion of i Cr. Jamicnon, that Cr. Hannan be fur-1 nished with the Council balance sheets! for the last five years. ',