CITY COUNCIL.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 11243, 8 April 1902, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

The City Council met last night. Present—The Mayor, Crs. Gray, Samuels, Clark, Wood, Taylor, Simpson, Loughnan.. Morris, Maodonald, Sorensen, J. T. Smith, and Pavlins , . The "sum of £439 16s 4d had been received during the fortnight. Accounts to the amount of £2738 3s 6d, were passed for payment.

His Worship the Mayor said that during his absence from Ohristobureh Cγ. Smith had acted as Deputy Mayor. The contract isor the supply of the water pipes had been signed. Dr. Mason had telegraphed to him, congratulating the city on taking the first steps towards a water supply. The Tenth Contingent were in camp now, and ha. proposed calling a meeting of citizens on Thursday evening, to consider what should be done in the way of a send-off. He had also been asked to call a meeting as to the recognition of the many services rendered in the past by Inspector Pender. The meeting would be convened for Wednesday evening. The St. Albans Council wrote, asking for. payment of share of fees due. On the motion of Cr. Macdonald, it was rescf.ved, that whatever amount was due would be paid. A letter was read from the Selwyn County Council, asking that the services of Mr Dobson might ba allowed to be utilised in advising them, owing to the destruction of their water-races. The Mayor said that Cγ. Smith had granted the leave. The letter was received.

The District Railway Engineer wrote with reference to the siding at Sockburn. Ths letter was referred,to the Special Committee. •

Dr. Nedwill drew attention to a dangerous place at the junction of the North 1 , beft and Springfield road, which had resiif.ted in an accident to his dog-cart. The matter was referred to the Works Committee. ,

Messrs Garrick, Cowlishaw, and Fisher •wrote, asking why they, as city solicitors, ■had been passed over in the recent case in the Assessment Court re the gas mains, though they had given up the case for the Gas Company, who were clients of theirs. Cr. Smith said the Finance Committee, finding that the firm were also the solicitors for the Gas Company, and also that the- valuer asked for an' independent «olici-, tor, had engaged Mr Stringer. Cr. Simpson moved—"that the action of the Finance Committee be endorsed." Cr. Olarke seconded the motion, .which was agreed to after some discussion. ■

The Surveyor reported that the building permits issued were:—Outer area/ 10, value £5500; inner area, .7, value £3100.

The Fire Brigade Committee reported that with regard to the dismissal of a member of the Brigade, an ' inquiry into the matter hadbsen held, and-witnesses' examined and the Committee had no re-, commendation to make. The quarterly reports from the Superintendent and Inspector of Buildings were.laid on. the Council table. The report was agreed to. ■■••-. The Sanitary Committee reported that a commencement had been made, in Richmond, to remove nightsoil in the daytime, the pans being collected between the hours of 12.30 and 6 o'clock p.m. That an out ; builddng at No. 77, Liohfield : street, was a harbour for rats, and consequently dangerous to the public health. The Committee, therefore, recommended that the owner have 14 days' notice to pull the said building down, also that the verandah at 175 and 177, Armagh street, be ordered 'to be pulled down. That the Council notify the Linwood and Sydenham Borough Councils that, unless carrying sealed pans, their nightsoil carts should not be. allowed to pass through the city after the Ist June next. Lime was aow being • used in the water for washing the sealed pans, and a considerable improvement effected, Cγ. Sorenson .called attention to the,fact that the Sydenham carts came through the city as early as 9.30 p.m. He thpugnt the Borough should bs asked to come into line with the city in the sealed pan system.. Some discussion ensued on the clause with reference to the Sydenham nightaoil carts, and ultimately it was resolved to refer the clause back to the Sanitary Committee with a view to their ascertaining the legal position of the Council in the matter.

Cr. Sorensen reported the total purchase of 1120 rats.

The Works Committee reported that the Council's position in reference to Bealey's land was far from satisfactory, as the Council, at a special meeting ;hield on the 17tli September, 1900, accepted the offer of Bealey's solicitors unconditionally, and thereby undertook a serious The Committee made no recommendatioif The contract for water pipes had been signed.

The Council went Into committee to consider the clause re Beailey's land. On resuming, it was reported" that a resolution had been carried to the effect that Messrs Bealey's solicitors be written to for definite information as to what they required. With respect to the water pipes contract. Cγ. Gray expressed the opinion that the Council had acted illegally in signing the contract for the pipes before a poll of the ratepayers had been taken. On toe motion for tlie conformation of the action of signing the contract, a division was C3i-led for, and Crs. Gray, Payling, and Smith voted against it. In reply to Cγ. Taylor, the Chairman of the Sanitary Committee said his attention had not been called to a building in Tuam street where fat and skins were kept, and which was alleged to be a nuisance. Hs wou'd have the matter enquired into. Cr. Sorensen stated, in reply to Cr. Claik. that he did not vote for the increase of salary to the Secretary of the Charitable Aid Board, nor did he propose it. Cγ. Smith said, as chairman of the Finance Committee, he had brought forward the recommendation of the Committee that the salary of the officer in question should be increased, which was aeieec to. Cr. Samuels—l should like to ask Cr. Smith when the maximum will be reached . Every year £25 is added. Cr. Smith, couid not say. Cγ. Gray—What about*the increase o: the salary* to the Drainage Boajd Engi net?r? Cγ. Samuels—He is a professional man, Cr. Taylor asked if there was any re port from t.be Special Committee re tram ways. Cγ. Gray said the Conference had ap pointed a * sxto-committee to £i> into tta question of a constitution, and it would re, fporr. to the Conference on the 16th inst.J { The Council then adjourned. m