LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Press, Volume XI, Issue 1337, 19 February 1867, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

(By Interprovineial Telegraph.) "Wellikgtok, Monday, 6.40 p.m. Business almost entirely suspended. A cricket match has been played between the Wellington and IN'elson C'ubrf. "Wellington made in the first innings 55, in the second 06 Nelfon, first; innings, 33; second, 32. Wellington therefore won by 50 runs. The Commissioner has decided that fire policies are exempt from duty not coming under the head of ' ; deeds or other instrument" or "' otherwise charged." A fire occurred in the night by which one small house was partly consumed. General Chute makes Melbourne the head-quarters as soon as the 12th and 57th Iteginients are despatched home.

CITY COUNCIL. The weekly meeting of the City Council took place "last evening at the usual hour. Present—Messrs. Wilson (chairman), Duncan, Ruddenkl.iu, Anderson, Culvert, Tombs, Jameson, Hislop, and Thomson. The minutes of the previous meeting were rend and confirmed. The Town Clerk reported that the balance .it the credit of the Council in the B:mk was £429 19s 7d. The receipts during the week had been : if rom acner:il rates, £106*133 ; frO!U drainage rate £7 17s ; from the Inspector, for s.cavengeririg,£2B 14sGd ; for license?, .€-t3*6d ; for rents in tho Market-place, £tl'Js; total, £152 Ss. A letter was read from Mr K. Wilson, asking that the footpath in front of his property and that of other gentlemen, should be formed. The property was situated in Gloucester street, and the path was at present in a very indifferent order. The matter, after some discussion, was referred to the City Surveyor. A letter was read from Mr A. March, asking that the City Council would be at half the expense of sinking an artesian well at the corner of Tuam and Durham streets, for the use of children attending St. Michael's School. It was decided that as the well must be sunk on private property, the trustees must bear the expense, as the resolution of the Council only related to wells sunk on City Council property. A letter was read from Mrs Dew, praying for a remission of rate, on the ground of ill health. The letter was referred to the Kate Collector for explanation. A letter was read from Mr William Swale, stating that he had that morning paid his rate, and therefore had a right to call the atteution of the Council to the state of iulmore street east. It was in a most disgraceful condition, and called for immediate repair. Mr Calvert considered the street in a most disgraceful condition, and required their immediate consideration. He would move a motion to the effect that it be repaired at once. Mr Kuddenklau seconded the resolution. Mr Thomson considered that tho matter should be referred to the Public Works Committee. Mr Thomson's amendment was seconded. Mr Duncan supported the original resolution. They were all aware that the late chairman of the City Council, Mr Luck, was nearly lost in a bog, and a similar fate might happen to the present chairman if he passed down the street in wet weather. Mr Thomson hoped that before proceeding with the work an estimate of the cost would be obtained from the City Surveyor. The Chairman considered that there was no immediate necessity as tho weather was fine, for tho work being immediately carried out. Mr Anderson considered that by advertising for tenders they could soon find out the cost. The Chairman considered it best that the opinion of the Surveyor should at once bo obtained. The City Surveyor was then called in, and gave an estimate of the cost of forming the road. The amendment was withdrawn, and the original resolution was carried, it being decided that contracts should be at once called for the work. The Chairman stated that he had that day had an interview with the Government relative to the supply of hroken metal, and had been told that the Government were quite willing to furnish metal on the terras originally specified, namely, 10s fid per cubic yard, the cost to be charged against the Government vote. The following gentlemen, Messrs Alport and Ollivier, were then introduced. Mr Alport read a requisition, eigned by merchants, farmers, and others, asking the City Council to reconsider the present bye-law relative to the driving cattle through the public streets, and requesting the time to be shortened. The requisition was signed by about 130 persons. The present bye-law was a subject of great inconvenience and loss to a considerable portion of the settlers. In winter time, in fact, it would be impossible to take cattle out put in for sale on Saturday until the Sunday morning. He hoped that at least the time would be altered during the winter months. The petition was ordered to be received. The Chairman then stated to the deputation that tho petition would have the due consideration of the Council, and an answer forwarded to them at once. Mr Thomson, before tho deputation retired, wished to ask if it were not possible to drive cattle through the back streets to the yards. Mr Alport said decidedly it would not at present, they had no option. It was not desirable perhaps to drive cattle through the principal streets at all. Mr Ollivier stated the evening hours were as much objected to as the morning. It frequently happened that cattle had to remain in the yards ail night. The report of the City Surveyor was read and considered. It drew the attention of the Council to the desirability of forming stone side-channelling in certain portions of the city before the winter set in. Mr Kuddenklau moved that the side-chan-nels should be at once laid down, so as to do away with the present nuisance caused by stagnant water. Mr Jameson considered that by way of experiment it would be better to lay down side-channelling from Colombo street to the river. He understood that a plan had been prepared by the Surveyor at tho request of the Public Works Committee, which would be submitted to the Council. Ho thought however that a portion should be at once commenced. Mr Thomson considered that when the inhabitants wished side-channelling they should be compelled to bear one-half of tho expense All the finances of the Council were already pledged, even if they obtained £1000 for the sale of the pipes, which wa3 very unlikelj , . Moreover, it was not just to the outlying districts to spend the rovenuo of the Council in the more central etreets. The Rate Collector's report was read and considered. A letter was read from the Inspector of Nuisance?, stating that in consequence of illness he was unable to report that evening. The Chairman drew the attention of the Cjuncil to certain nuisances which existed in Gloucester street. The Town Clerk was instructed to write to the owners of the property mentioned, requesting them at once to remove the nuisance. Messrs Tribe and Haskins were appointed valuators for the next year, and the aeal of the Council was affixed to the agreement. Mr Duncan suggested that the pipes should be sold according to their value, a larger price being charged in proportion for the most valuable. The report was adopted unanimously. The following is the report of the sub-com-mittee appointed to consider tho subject of the tale of the pipes, as to price, &c. : — " Your committee having ascertained the cost of the pipes, consider that if they are offered for sale at 200 per cent, on the original English invoice, it would return to the Council about the amount that has been expended on their payment, and the charges for freight, tic.; and your committee therefore recommend that that prico be fixed accordingly, ttiih the allowance of 2} per cent, on pmehases of £50 and upwards, all lo ba paid for in cash. " Total cost of pipes at invoice ...£635 6 G "Total charges fsr freight, &c, say 1334 15 9 2 3 " One-half ... 1010 1 l^ £1010 1 1J " Amount anticipated to be realised by sale of one half the pipes 1192 10 0 " John Andeusok, " Chairman." The resolution standing in the name of Mr Ruddenklau, that the side channels 6hould ar once be carried out, was read. He did not think it necessary to draw their attention par-

ticularlv to the question ; they had only to walk through the streets to find out the nuisances arising from the stagnant water standing in tho streets. He knew that under their present law they hid no power to levy a special rate for the purpose, ,but much rniijht bo done if the pipes were sold and the money appropriated to the purpose. Mr Calvert seconded tho resolution. The question was one of finance, and if they had not the funds to carry out a systotn of underground, they phculd do the next best tiling, viz., tho side channels.

Mr Tombs s:iid that if the underground drainage system w;is ever carried out the side channels would still be necessary. After some discussion the resolution of ilr. Ruddenklau was carried. Some further routine business was transacted, and the meeting separated.