CITY COUNCIL.

Evening Post, Volume XVIII, Issue 4, 4 July 1879, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

An adjourned meeting of the City Council was held last night. Present, his Worship the Mayor tin the chair), and Councillors Allen, Dixon, Maginnity, Hunter, Young, Miller, and Thompson. The Pubic Works Committee's report (published in our issue la3t night) was read and adopted. TBMDEBB. The following tenders were opened :— Tinakori-road contract. — Accepted — J. Saunders, £639 10s. Declined— P. ScaHy, £960; 0. M'Kirdy, £1210; Moore and Co, £1168 15s 6d ; J. Powell, £1293 16s; I. Morrison, £1068 ; Kelleher and Mahoney, £997 10s ; W. F. Oakes, £1000 5». Adelaide-road.— Accepted— P. Scally, £1319 Declined— Kelleher and Mahoney, £1875; J. Powell, £2787 19s 9d; E. O'Malley, £1788 19a; J. Saunders, £2204. WIDENING STREBTS. The meeting was tbon made special to discuss notices of motion Councillor Allen moved, " That steps be taken to widen that part of Manners-street and Cuba-street, destroyed by the late fire, and that it be referred to the Public Works Committee to report on the subject " He "observed that the committee could ascertain on what terms the street could be widened. Councillor Maginnity seconded the resolution which was carried without opposition. THB WAINUI-O-MATA "WATER SCHEMB. Councillor Fisher moved, "Thatthesum of £100,000 be raised by way of loan for the purpose of bringing into the city a water supply from the Wainul-o-mata ßiver, the said loan to be raised on debentures to extend, over a period ' riot exceeding 50 years, that the principal and interest secured by such debentures be charged upon a special rate, and that notice of the proposal be forthwith published, and the necessary steps taken-to convene a meeting of the burgesses to consider it and take action thereon." He calculated that there would be £3000 profit from the water supply, and that the remaining £3000 required to pay off the interest would be met by a special rate of 3d in the £. If a sinking fund were thought advisable, that- would necessitate an increase of Id on the rate, but he added tbat there was some difference of opinion as to whether this was advisable. He pointed out that the question of raising the loan would have to go before th« ratepayer?, and if it were objectionable to them they could veto it. , Councillor Tho^ip3on seconded the firs) part of the resolution, to the effect that a han of £100,000 be raised to carry out the Wainui-o-mata scheme. He observed that the necessity of this further supply was amply demonstrated at the late fire. Councillor Millbr opposed the resolution, on the ground that the Council had not sufficient information to go upon. Councillors Yoano and Drxorr supported the resolution, the latter pjinting out that a further supply was required not only for tho protection of property from fire, but also for the drainage of the city, and for machinery. Councillor Hunter supported the resolution. Councillor Allen moved tho adjournment of the debate, urging that it was too important a question to dispose of in such a small attendance of the Council. i's3ta*neillor*_ Millb* seconded, but the amendment was lost. Councillor Allen then addressed the Council in Opposition to the motion, urging that the present' supply was sufficient for ordinary purfptees. 'He did not think that it was their duty to provide water-power for machinery. Who knew that, in this age of progress, some new motive power, which would eutirely supersede water, might not be discovered ? In conclusion," he observed that the rates at present amounted to 2s in the £, and he urged that the street loan and drainage loan would probably doublo tbat amount He added that he should walk out of the room, so that the discussion would have to be adjourned for want of a quorum. The Mayor said he saw there was almost a feeling of unanimity that the £100,000 loan should be negwriated, and, looking at that feeling, he was uot going to oppose ft, although he thought it was due to himself and to the Council to stite what he thought would have been the better course to adopt. He thought, looking at the prpsent state of the community, and looking at the whole circumstances of the case, It would have been more advisable to have deferred dealing with this scheme for some years to come. He was quite convinced that, with [he means they had already, they would have an abundant supply for ten years to come, and before that time they would be in a very much better position to go in for the loan than they were at the present time He was convinced that tho Wainui-o-mataßcbeme would cost£lso,ooo, instead of only £100,000. He strenuously apposed a single penny of the money being raised by a specialtHte, urging that if it were resolved to go in for the loan the interest should be charged upon the water rate. He thought that if they were to avail themselves >f a clause in the Municipal Corporations Act, md pay the first year's interest out of the loan, tbat bis suggestion would be found practicable. What he thought required to be lone at once was that the arterial pipes in the aty should be immediately taken up and realaced by larger ones. (Hear, hear ) While the Mayor was speaking Councillor lUen left the room. Councillor Miller having, jy arrangement, also left a few minutes before, here was not a quorum of members present. Coundlior Fishbr rose to reply, when the Mayor pointed out that there was not a luorum present, and therefore x>i action could >c taken. Councillor Fi-her, howover, elected o go on speaking, for the purpose of baring us sentiments " put upon record," andaccordogly addressed the Council at considerable ength. At tha conclusion of Councillor Fisher's ptech, the Council broke up.