CITY COUNCIL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 213, 7 September 1900, Page 6

CITY COUNCIL.

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the City Council was held last evening:, when there were present the Mayor (Mr David Goldie), Councillors J. Jameson, Y. Warren, R. Salmon, A. J. Entrican, B. Tudehope, A. Kidd, J. H. Hannan, T. T. Masefleld, C. J. Parr, J. Stichbury and J. Paterson. Mr Graves Aickin, the newly-elected member for Graf ton Ward, Mr A. C. Atkin, the new representative for JSorui Ward, and Mr John Court, successor to Cr Courtney, for Ponsonby Ward, made the customary declaration and took their seats Cr. Robert Farrell, who was reelected for South Ward for the fifth time continuously, also took his seat, and Cr. C. D. Grey, who was returned unopposed for the East Ward. His Worship moved that a vote of thanks be accorded Mr C. Hesketh, Mr W. Courtney and Mr W. B. White for past services rendered to the citizens during their term of office in the Council.— This was ngxeecl to. Cr. Entrican, on behalf of the Council, expressed pleasure at the infusion of new blood into the Council.—Cr. Aickin replied on behalf of the now members. Swanson-street.—Messrs Baker Brothers wrote asking for an extension of time for removal of a building in Swanson-street as per notice given by the Council.—On the motion of the Mayor it was decided to reply that the matter was in the hands of the Board of H.alth. Drainage.—Cr. C. J. Parr, on behalf of residents of Hamilton Road, wrote asking that a sewer be put in before the advent of the hot weather.—lt was decided to reply that the work was already marked urgent.—Mr A. H. Vickerman asked to have a pipe sewer laid in Selwyn-street.— It was resolved to reply that the matter was being attended to, and plans would be submitted sortly. Complaint.—Mr T. T. Anderson complained that his son had been bitten by a mastiff belonging: to 'the caretaker of the Western Park.—The caretaker reported that his dog was not a mastiff but a small bull terrier, and that it bit the boy as he was running: past before the.owner could intervene.—lt was resolved to refer the matter to the Parks Committee. Tram Car Licenses.—Mr W. Coleman wrote, on behalf of the Auckland Electric Tramway Company (Ltd.). stating that license' fees' for the existing tram cars were not payable by that Company under the-agreement between the Council and the Company, dated June 2Sth. He submitted that the liability of the Company to pay only commences when the electric cars begin to run.—The matter was referred to the Legal Committee. Prospect Terrace.—Mr Tibbut asked for a lamp in this street, also that the channels be cleaned.—lt was decided to clean the channels and to consider the question of the lamp at the next allocation. Rennell-street.—Mr A. Nott wrote complaining that a nuisance existed in this street.—The engineer was instructed to take the necessary action. Wood Blocking Queen-street.—Mr J. Stewart, engineer for electric tramways, wrote re laying wooden pavement in Queen-street, suggesting that the Council should do the blocking at the same time as the tramway was laid, which would save expense.—The Mayor said the Council considen 1 the drainage the most important work, and which was required first.—The matter was referred to the Streets Committee. Art Gallery.—Mr Payton wrote protesting against any divisions being put in the Art Gallery unless they went to the ■ height of the main wall.—Messrs Bartley, J. L. Holland and L. J. Steele forwarded letters in favour of the contract being carried out as" arranged for.—This course was agreed to. Lamp.—Ci\ Stichbury presented a petition from residents of Sarsfleld and Curran streets offering to pay the cost of a : lamp.—The Tnatter was referred to the . Streets Committee. Committees.—Councillors Aickin, Atkin, and Grey were added to the Finance Committee, Councillors Court and Paterson ■to the Streets Committee, and Councillor . Farrell to the Legal Committee. Streets Committee.—The report of this ■ Committee was read ag follows: Re letter from the Auckland Bowling Club re llood- . ing of bowling green: That one new grat- ; ing at the corner of Grafton Road and ■ Domain-street to bo put in at a cost of £G 10/.—Town clerk Grey Lynn re removal of ■ sod wall, Richmond Road: That the -work ,be done.—Donald and Edenborough, re ■ Fort-street Lane: Reply that under ordinary circumstances the pipe is sufficient to carry off the storm water.-Messrs God- ' rlard, Massey and Warner re destructor: ■ That the matter stand over for two • months.—Crs. Farrell and Entrican urged • that it was most important to get a deI structor. — The Mayor said the-expense could not be faced until the cost of the water supply was ascertained.—Messrs 1 Briscoe and MacNeil re footpath, Beach • Road: That inquiry be made on what • terms the land can be acquired.—Engineer, 1 plans etc., Newton Gully drainage: That ' tenders be called for Thursday, 20th September.—Tenders for laying water mains: That the lowest tender, that of I-I. Bailey 1 and Co., .-ES-15, be accepted.—Tenders for 1 kerbing Darby-street: That as only one • tender!" that of W. Henry, £117 15/3, was ! received, fresh tenders be called for.—Tenders for drainage of Beach Road: That ' the lowest tender, Knight and Woods, ! £140 3/4, be accepted.—Signed, A. KIDD, Chairman. Legal'Committee.—The report of this Committee recommended as follows:— I Tenders for alterations to the Art Gall lery: That the lowest tender, Messrs Jas. , Lye and Sons, £137, be accepted.—Secretary Women's Christian Temperance Union, re Curfew Ordinance: Recommend that aby law be framed.—F. A. Lee, re widening Chancery-street: Reply that he must move the building off the Council's property.—Superintendent of Parks re repairs to gates in Domain: That the Mayor and Cr. Hewson have the repairs made.— That the Librarian's request to have the "' use of the vacant treasury office be agreed to.—E. Porter and Co., asking payment of expenses incurred in tendering for puinping machinery: Recommend, without admitting liability, that half the claimed amount be offered.-Engineer, re band stand for Albert Park: Working plans to be submitted.—Audit inspector account for yearly audit.— Mayor and town clerk to draft a letter to'the Audit Office suggesting a reduction to the ordinary charge.— Application from caretaker Cricket Ground for new horse: Resolved that a horse be supplied from the Council's stable and a new horse bought for the streetf-Signed, D. GOLDIE, Chairman.— The report was adopted." Finance Commit tee.— The report of this Committee recommended:—That the question of rating on unimproved values be discussed by the Council in committee; that W. Thornes' request for an extension of Erierly's lease, Drake-street, be declined- that re Geo. Buchanan's request for reduction of rental of leasehold, Wel-ieslev-street, a 10 per cent, reduction be allowed for this year; that tenders, be called for' erection of six barbed wire fence on western side of Western Park from Ponsonby Road to Totara-streefthe adjoining lessees to pay. half the cost.Signed J. "STICHBURY, Chairman.-The report was adopted, and it was decided that a special' meeting of the Council in committee be held next Thursday evening at 7 o'clock for the purpose of discussing the question of rating on unimproved values. . Darby-street.—The following tenders were received for kerbing in Darby-street: W. Henry, £86 2/6; John Irwin, £80 5/4.The lowest tender was accepted. Traffic Inspector.-Cr.C. J.-Parr moved "That the Departmental Committee be directed to enquire into the matter of the non-licensing of tram cars for the past three years,- and generally into the working of the Department of ..the Inspector of Traffic," and to report to.the Council.— He said an enquiry;was needed for various reasons. For instance, it was peculiar when the Council had a paid Traffic Inspector that a private association should have to take proceedings for cars being overcrowded; and still more strange that those proceedings should be defeated because 'Mr Turner had not taken the trouble to take licenses, already made nut and lying in the office, down to the tram car people. There were also other

matters to be considered. It was time a stop was put to the racing between tram cars and 'buses. It might be that Mr Turner had too much to do, but, whatever was the cause, it was just as well to have the matter attended to by the Committee.—Cr. Jamieson seconded the motion, which was agreed to.