THE CITY COUNCIL.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIX, Issue 4794, 7 January 1873, Page 3

THE CITY COUNCIL.

The Council met at 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon. Present: His Worship the Mayor (in the chair), and Councillors Prime, Hurst, S. Jones, Cosgrave, Williams, Hobbs, and Holdship. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Correspondence, e'R\— Letters sent and received since last meeting were laid before the Council. Petition. — A petition was icad from certain shopkeepers in the city calling attention to the nuisance and injury to their trade caused by street vendors of fruit, vegetables, and other perishable articles. Tho Mayor said he had given the police in- ' structions in tho matter. Water Supply. —A letter was road from Dalton, Brothers, civil engineers, on behalf of Mr. W. Edgcombe, offering to convoy 10 acres of laud for the sum of £2,000, exclusive of engineering expenses, &c. An offer was also made by Mr. Vaile of land at Mount Albert for £5,000. (These were considered at a future stage of the proceedings.) Correspon dence was read relative to tho invalidity of Councillor William's election, which arose from the ambiguity of the Act, in consequence of which a mistake had arisen. — A letter was read from the manager of the New Zealand Bank, stating that the city loan account had been credited with £5,400, aud the balance placed on fixed deposit for 12 months, at 4 per ceil* interest. , Cvrter 6 -. — The Mayor brought under the notice of the Council a petition relative to the putting in force rules relative to carters, and that they be licensed at a fee not exceeding 5s. The Late Mr. Diddams. — A short discussion took place relative to handing over to Mrs. Diddams a small sum of money found amongst the private papers of the late Mr. Diddams, and it was decided the matter should stand over for the piesent. Mount Eden Toll-gate —A letter was read from Mr. Kirby, lessee of the Mount Eden Tollgate, insisting on his riaht to charge toll on all road material.— The Mayor pointed out that this entailed a serious charge upon the citizens,amounting to about £400 or £,")00 a -year. He considered the action of the Superintendent had been discourteous in this matter. After the original conditions of sale had been drawn up, interhneated alterations had been made by the Superintendent.— xMr. Hobba said this was a gross piece of jobbery, and he thought a thorough inquiry ought to be made. It was a very odd thing if neither Mr. Lusk nor Mr. Hurst knew anything of the matter, and he would suggest that a committee be appointed. — Mr. Hurst said the freedom from toll was given to the city on condition that the road should be kept in repair, but this had not been done. The City Council had a heavy traffic cutting up the street, and paid nothing for it. That was why this toll was charged. There was no jobbery about this business. The Superintendent himself altered the conditions, and it would be well to have his explanation of the matter. Mr. Kirby's lease of toll was terminable qaarterly. —The matter was referred to the Streets Committee, with a view to an explanation being obtained from the Superintendent on his Honor's return from the country— an amendment by Mr. Cosgrave, seconded by Mr. Hobbs, that the City Councillors should make a road through their own ground, being lost. BAKER-srREET.— A petition was read from 22 inhabitants of Baker-street, praying that a good road be made in that locality.— The petition was received, and referred to the City Surveyor to report upon. William-street.— A similar petition was read from the residents of Williamatreet. — The petition was received. Streets Committee's Report. — Tho report of the Streets Committee was received and adopted. It stated that the owners of property objected to the levels in Hardingestreet, and it was recommended to leave this matter in the hands of the Council. That the City Park be fenced with puriri posts and Hobart Town rails, and that tenders be called for the work. That owners be informed that they will be required to pay one-half the expense of asphalting Wellesley-street. That the City Surveyor prepare plans and specification for works in Collmgwood-street. That a street-sweeper (machine) be obtained from Melbourne, if one can be got for £10. That windowblinds should be furnished to front office windows in Canada Buildings ; and that steps are taken to afford more light in Wellesley-street. Finance. — The finance report was received and adopted, recommending the payment of the auditor's account. The city accounts to be kept by the treasurer in a manner explained to him by Mr. Waymouth. That Mr. Jagger bo appointed to receive rates, is^-ue notices, &c, at a salary of £2 10s. per week ; two sureties of £250 each to be provided. That £100 a year be expended on valuation. City Surveyor's Report. — Tho City Surveyor's report as to street- works completed, or in progress for the past month, was received and adopted. — Some discussion took place as to sinking wells in tho city. — Mr. Holdship suggested that a supply of freah clear water be obtained from the Domain. — Mr. Hobbs said tho Council was prepared to supply water, but the public had voted against it. — Mr. Hurst observed that Thornton, Smith, and Firth had a firstrate supply of good water from a well on their premises 120ft. deep. He thought the artesian system might be tried to some extent. — The Mayor said some time ago £230 was votod for an experiment in that direction, but nothing had been done. — Mr. Holdship moved that the matter stand over until it is settled what is to be done with the Domain water supply, where any quantity of good water could be got, or from Mr. Seccombe's, if pipes were laid down. — Mr. Williams seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Accounts. — The usual monthly accounts ■were ordered to be paid. Pumps.— A tender from Mr. A. W.Craig for repairs of city pumps for the nevt two years, at £20 5s. per pump, was ordeied to stand over for fuither consideration. There were no other tenders sent in for this work. Tenders tor Carting. — The tender of Air. Faulder for carting was accepted. City Park. — In reference to the city Park, it was resolved that notice to occupiers in Alten Road be extended for six months. Fire Escape. — It was resolved that a fire escape bo piovided, to be placed at the disposal of the police and brigades, and that plans be invited, and the cost ascertained by next meeting. Water Supply. — The Mayor moved, "That this Council go into committee to consider the question of taking the opinion of the ratepayers as to putting in operation the Municipal Corporation Act Amendment Act, 1871, and water clauses 20 and 21." His Worship said this was a very important matter, aud ho would leave it to tho Council whether they should go into the question now or at the next meeting. Ho believed that, notwithstanding some opposition from a section of the community, the people were in favour of a comprehensive scheme of water-supply. They had heaid Mr. Edgcombe's offer, and Mr. Vailo's, and thero were other localities, and it would be for tho Council to say what should bo done. — Mi. Holdship thought that definite plans should be adopted to go to the public upou. Thu different localities ought to be visited and examined. —Mr. Pumo moved, and Mr. Cosgrave seconded, that the further cousideration of the matter stand over until next meeting. — This was agreed to. City Endowments. — Tho Mayor moved, "That the City Endowment Committee prepare a list of properties now unlet, and oiler the sanio by public .auction, or tender for lease for any peuod not exceeding .">() yeais subject to the usual conditions ; certain conditions to be drawn up i s to pieirmes being built on a uniform plan in certain cases. That such an ujiset pi ice bo fixed as the Council agree upon." — Mr. Prime seconded the resolution, which was carried.

TVo understand that Mr. Goldio has m»ds arrangements with the North Shore ferry-steamers, whereby a return ticket and strawberries can be hart for Is. 0(1. Wo ftdviso all who cnn to go. —(Adv.