CITY COUNCIL.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXXII, Issue 5724, 1 February 1876, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

The ubiial fortnightly meeting of tho City Council was held in the office, Canada Buildings, at2.30p.m. yesterday. Presont:— B. Tonka, Esq., Mayor (in the chair) ; Councillors W. Buchanan, E. Isaacs, F. L. Piimc, AV. C. Daldy, G. Von derHoydo, and J. Co-, 0 'i.ive. Tho minutes of preseding meeting weie read and confirmed.

Government Subsidy.— A letter was read from Mr. 0. T. Batkin, Treasury, Wellington, dated 21st January, 1876, to the following effect: — "Sir, — In reply to your letter of the 14th iustant, inquiring when the amount of the grantpayabletothemunicipality of Auckland will be paid, I have the honour, by the direction of the Hon. the Colonial Treasurer, to inform you that the necessary returns having now been received, the amount due will be remitted in two instalments, on the 1st February and 1st Maich lespectivoly."— Letter received.

Inspector ov Nuisances.— A letter was ie,ul fiom Mr. G. Goldie [stating tli.it he h.itl been four years and a half in tho service of tlie Council, that his duties were vaiious and niduons, and that if the Council could consistently make some increase in his salary ho would be grateful— On tho motion of Councillor D.ildy, seconded by Councillor Buchanan, the matter was referred to the Finance Committee.

Improvement Commissioners. — A letter was received from It. H. Stevenson, secretary to Impiovement Commissioncis, requesting the City Council to extend the time for the erection of wooden buildings in divisions 2, 3, and 4, of section 13, city of Auckland, which exphes in July next, until tho 1st i)ecember,1877, so m to expire concurrently with the permission granted for the sub-division in Princes-street. — Councillor Daldy said the Council ought not to consider the matter hurriedly, lest they run into danger.— Councillor Prime explained the object of the request, and moved that it be acceded to. — Tho Town Clerk pointed out that the concession would enablo ceitain property to be disposed of to advantage. — CouncillorBuchanan seconded tho motion. — HisWorship said the concession ought not to have been granted originally,but,that having been done, he would support an extension of it in the present instance. — Councillor Isaacs said he would not vote ag.unst the motion, because he felt that it would certainly be cariied; but he disappioved of such concessions being granted. — Tho motion was carried.

Omnibus Stand. —A letter wai received from G. Codlin, J. Brieily, W. White, and J. Beilly, licensed coach proprietors running between Auckland and Onehunjja, stating that tho removal of the 'bus stand to Victoria-street East would be an inconvenience, as the new stand would not be in sight of the public like the old stand, and requesting that the Council reconsider the matter. A memorandum attached to tho letter by Mr. G. Goldie, stated that the proposed removal would bo a convenience, at the 'busses would be found at the regular hours, and they would bo out of the way of traffic. — The To>vn Clerk said that a regulation was made some time ago appointing a stand in Vic-toria-street, but no stand had been appointed in Queen-street. — His Worship b.dd he was of opinion that a good omnibus site could be chosen opposite the now buildings on the old Supremo Court-house site. In the meantime the stand should remain at its present siteCouncillor Prime said it would take three months to alter the present regulation. — Councillor Daldy said the railway management appeared to have promoted the 'bus traffic— The Mayor : I suppose that is what we are paying tho £800 a month for.— The petition was received.

Closing a Market Avenue.— A letter was i-eceived from, Me3srs. B. Dunning, J. Smith, H. Lipscombe, and 15 others, renters of stalls in tho Market, calling attention to the injury done to their business through the doling of tho western avenue of the Market, considerably lessening tho traffic, &c. Without questioning the legality of the stop, the subscribers requested the Council to roconsider the matter. — A minute by tho Town Clerk stated that tho portion closed wa3 1 equired for water supply, and test purposes, and that there was no legal question involved. — Councillor 1'iime said the avenue had been closed against his will while Mayor, and he regarded it as a mistake, and detrimental to the interests of the market. — Councillor Isaacs disapproved of the closing of the avenue. — Councillor Daldy moved, and Councillor Isaacs seconded, " That the petition be referred to the Market Committee. " — Can ied.

Streets' Committee.— Tho report of the Streets' Committee stated that the committee could not recommend any works in the s>treets mentioned in the schedule to tho Loan Act beyond works of a temporary character. The surveyor, howevor, recommended that Wellington street be dish-channelled at a cost of £175, and that Upper Queen-street, from Scotia Place, bo dish-channelled. It was stated that plans of drainage in the lower portion of the street were being prepared, and tli.it estimates of cost would shortly be submitted. — His Worship the Mayor moved that tho report be adopted. The streots mentioned in the schedule would be difficult and expensive to construct. The channel would commence at Union-street and go down to the embankment.— Councillor Prime said he would like to see tho proposed channol extended up Wellingtonutreet,. past the Scottish Clmroh.— Councillor Daldy said he believed Beresford-street was tho starting point for any improvements in that quarter. —Councillor "Buchanan seconded the adoption of the ronort, which was carried.

Dhunaoe Committee. — Tlio report of the City Surveyor (which is published in another column) was brought up ; aud, on the motion of the Mayoi*, seconded by Councillor Isaacs, it was agreed that it be discussed at a future special committee meeting of the whole Council.

Fire Bmo.ade Committee. — Tho committee recommended that the resignation of tho existing Fire Brigade bo accepted, and that the presont Superintendent be requested to form a paid brigade of 20 men, subject to such conditions and terms of payment as may be approvod of by the committee, the Superintendent being rendered* responsible for the safety and good order of tho plant.— His "Worship said a meeting of tho Associated Insurance Companies' was held, and it was unanimously admitted that the Volunteer Fire Brigade system vras a failure. It was now proposed to organise a paid brigade of 20 men, on certain conditions. It was felt that the present superintendent had been obliged to work with bad materials, and it was therefore proposed to test bis capabilities with a better brigade, Tho men would be enrolled for 12 months, but the agreement with the superintendent would be subject to one month's notice. He moved that the report be roceived.—Councillor Buchanan seconded the motion, which •was agreed to. Finance Committee.— Tho committee reported as follows :—" Your committee report ■with reference to tho interest n*e::t duo oti tho Waterworks Loan, that tho accruing interest on deposit and GovDpmont grant, payment of which is wow promised ©avly, will bo ample provision, and will avoid the necessity of levying a rato at present. With a view of consolidating tho rates the committee recommend that a "Waterworks Loan rate and general rate be levied on June 1st in half-yearly payments, and, if found practicable, that the collection of the special rato be allowed to lapse for a year or more.— His Worship svid the matter required serious consideration. It was apprehended that £2,000 would be received from the Government, and £1,750 on the "Waterworks Loan, making £3,750, " It was proposed out of that to pay the interost' on loan due in May, amounting to £2,000, but to moot tho next half-year's interost it was absolutely necessary that a rate should be struck. Witti this yjow and to consolidate tho rates, so that they might be struck at the same time the committee recommended the ■Waterworks Loan and general rato be lovied payable in two instalments. This would consolidate the rates, and reduce tho rate to 6d. in the £1, by allowing the general rate to lapse for 12 months, instead of Is. in the £1. The committee had given muoh thought to thematter. —Councillor VonderHeyde : Tho realpurportof the change is that the rate i» increased Gtl. only for tho next twelve months. — Councillor Daldy seconded tho adoption of the report. Ho said the water supply would reduce tho cost of insurance, and the ratepayers would not be taxed more heavily than at present. He hoped tho reduced rate would be promptly paid. — Tho report was adopted. , Valuation. — Councillor Von dor Heyde called attention to the necessity for a new valuation of the city nroporty. He said some people were taxed while others escaped scot free. — Tho Mayor »aid the matter needed attention. — Councillors Daldy and Isaacs admitted tho necessity for reform in this mitter. , AcoouNTa. — Tho following were the accounts to January 31 :— General account s Balaiioo in bank, £433 33. ; accounts to pay, £275 13s. Od : balance cr., £162 9s. 3d. City endowment loan :. Balance cr., £981 17s. ; accounts to pay, £218 7s. lOd. : balance or., £763 9s, 2d. City ondowmeat revenue : Balance, £244 2«. 9d. ; accounts to pay, '£11 13s.: balance or,; £232 9s. 9d. Waterworks account : Balance in bank, £1,857 18s. 8d. : 'accounts to pay, £117 13s. 7d. : balance cr., £1,740 5s. Id. Special rato account Balance or., £54 10s. lOd. Fixed deposit*, Bank of New Zealand, &c. : City endowment loan, £5,500 ; do. revenue, £800 ; waterworks, £67,500; special rate, £2,G00; do. Auckland Public Buildings Cominissioncis bonds, £1,500 ; do. Government 1 per cent, debentures, £1,900. — HLj Woiship tho Mayor moved, and Councillor

Vonder Hoyde seconded, "That the account* be passed," which was agreed to. PEnriojj- kiiom Jehmvn-stkeet Batepayers. —Councillor Von dor Heyde preionted a petition from certain residents in Jermyn-street requesting that some repairs be made to the causeway between Emily Place and Jermynbtreefc, and stating that in winter it was impassable.—On the motion of Councillor Von der Heyde, seconded by Councillor Daldy, tho petition was received, and Councillor Daldy gave notice of a motion for next Bitting of tho Council, "That it be referred to the Streets Committee."— The Mayor said last year £23 li. was spent on that street which was in excess of the rates. A surveyor would be sent to examine the place, and if any repairs were necessary they would bo done. Rates. — The statement of special rates, rents, licenses, &c, received and collected from 17th January, 1876, to 28th was £243 19s. of general rate, No. 5, amount ng to £6,546 18s., there had been collected £5,735 8s. 9d., leaving a balance of £811 Da. 3d.— This concluded the business.