CITY COUNCIL.

Evening Post, Volume XII, Issue 8, 9 July 1875, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the City Council was held yesterday afternoon. Present : The Mayor and all the Councillors, The nightsoil contract was referred to [ the Sanitary Committee to receive the Corporation seal. The Town Clerk reported that the general rates already collected amounted to £5183 15s Bd, leaving £1025 19s 4d still due ; and that the water rates collected amounted to £2852 18s 7d, leaving £1641 7s lid still due. He also reminded the Council that the lighting contract expired on the 20th inst. The latter subject was referred to the Lighting Committee for report. A letter was received from the Piermaster in reference to an article in the New Zealand Times censuring him for neglect in allowing the Luna to take the Easby's berth unckecked. He explained that he was absent at dinner at the time, and according to liis view of the wharf regulations he would not have been justified in moving the Luna. Councillor Gillon thought the complaint made in the newspaper referred to was very just. A large ocean steamer, with mails and a great many passengers from Sydney, had to remain in the stream, and land her mails and passengers by boat, because the captain of the Luna was allowed to slip into the vacant berth to take in a little Government cargo. That berth was set apart for steamers with mails and passengers, and the Luna could not come under this definition. He .had seen a similar report from the Harbor-Master, Captain Halliday, which was equally unsatisfactory. He considered the complaints veiy just, and should move that the letter be referred to the Wharf Committee. Councillor Dransfield thought that the mover was simply advertising an article in his own paper. *" Councillor Ramie remarked that the complaint only appeared in the New Zealand Times. Councillor Moss was not satisfied with the Piermaster's explanation. Captain Mundle.said he was away at his dinner, but surely when a large steamer like the Easby was coming in he might have postponed his dinner hour a short time for ouce. The motion was agreed to. The Public Works Committee's Report — (1) that certain drains in Vivian-street be replaced by earthenware pipes ; (2) that the works on the Terrace for the protection of Mr. G. Moore's property be postponed until spring ; (3) that £15 be spent m clearing drains and repairing footpaths in Sydney-street ; (4) that the attention of the Council be directed to the fact that — whereas, in accordance with their recommendation of 11th May, the Council adopted a resolution authorising the Engineer to engage what extra labor he deemed necessary to put the main thoroughfares in proper repair for winter, the said thoroughfares still are in a very unsatisfactory state, owing to the originally bad formation of the streets and the difficulty of obtaining a sufficient supply of metal; (5) thrt on the inhabitants contributing £33, half the estimated cost, a drain be placed in Arthur-street. The Committee further reported on the works already finished and in progress, and added a supplementary recommendation that Muturoa and Hobson-streets should be put in good repair, and that preference should be given in clearing and repairing to the Thorndon and other thoroughfares .most used during the sitting of Parliament, that the footpath from Sydney-street to Tinakori Road be made good, and that Adelaide Road, near Berhampore, be made passable for vehicles. The Mayor thought that works such as those for the protection of Mr. G. Moore's property, might in some cases fairly be chargeable on the property thus protected, and not on the city. He threw out this suggestion for future consideration. The report then was adopted. A letter was received from Mr. Gordon Allan, in reference to Arthur-street, stating that a few of the residents refused to contribute to the cost of the works which the Council had promised to subsidise to the extent of £33. It was asked that the Council should put in force the 299t1i Clause of the Act, against the recusants. The Council considered it had no power to do so, unless all were treated alike, whether willing to contribute or not. The letter was referred to the Public Works Committee. Reports from the Pier-master and Inspector of Nuisances were referred to the •Wharf and Sanitary Committees. The salaries, wage 3, and other accounts were passed. Councillor Dransfield asked what position the Corporation was in with reference ' to Mr. Schnltze's claim for compensation for the diversion of a stream. The Mayor suggested that notice should be given of the question for next meeting, when he would be prepared with the necessary information. This was agreed to." The Council then went into committee with closed doors, to consider a memorial received from the officera for increase of salary. _