CITY COUNCIL.

Evening Post, Volume XIX, Issue 64, 19 March 1880, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

_ The usual fortnightly meeting of the Wellington City Council was held hist night. Present— Hi3 Worship the Mayor (in the chair), Councillors Diver, Danks, Allen, Logan, Maginnity, Brown, Young, Greeny field, Miller, Stafford, and FiaherT THE MATOB AND THE CITY. BSTQINSBB.; The Mayor, referring to the 4ppoihin*snt of some temporary inspectors to see that the proper amount of cement was pnfc"infc>4}»*> concrete used in existing contracts, stated that the City Engineer had nopowttsfco mako snch appointments vrithont bfinginK them before the Council. Ho was sure, however, that the Council would not agree with him (the Mayor) in this view. Several Councillors expressed the opinion that if Mr. Baird were not fit to make these appointments he was not fit to be City Engineer. (Hear, hear.) \*j Councillor Greenfield movedVima Conn* cillor Stafford seconded, that thfrOoundl go into committee to disousa the WJjWtey. The Mayor said it was no tfseaiifSusinff it, and refused to put the motion, as they had a good deal of business to do. He added that it could ba brought on by notioe of motion. A POOR-RATE TirR«AT«NBt>. A letter was read from the Benevolent Institute, asking for a grant of .£2OO, and stating that the strain on the funds had been very great during the last month. In reply to a question, it was stated that the Council had already paid the Institution jSoOO since the 12th December. Councillor Beown said he could state that in no case was aid given unless it was absolutely required; in fact, no one could realise the distress that prevailed who ~waa not present at the meetings of the Institution. ~~ In reply to a question, the Town Clerk said that the Town Council took over the charitable aid on oondition that the Government paid £1 for £1. They, however, got the Benevolent Institution to undertake the administration. Councillor Fisher pointed out that the money that was being voted for the purposo of charitable aid, was raised ostensibly for street-making purposes. If they went on like this they would have to fcßjft $[$$$- rate. *™ Councillor Danks said that it was impossible to expend the money more carefully than the Institution expended it. .He m6V6d that the money be paid. ' ¦ > This was agreed to. ' WALLACE-BTRKBT AND BIDWBr.t-STR'EKT. A petition was read, asking that the formation of Wallace-street might be proceeded with, four -of the residents offefjhMtto pay £40 towards the expense of a retsfaHg Wft H- ¦ {tiWIl It was resolved to' proceed witlt>sth* arjsk in Wallace-street and Bidwett^treet. qp objections being withdrawn ;«nd one-h£tfvof the cost of the retaining fWl^eing^pMd, Jjy the residents. '; '. }l *'!a THE PRIOB OS GAB. „ '" ''"'/ A letter, was read from the manager of the Gas Company in referenoe to the conference between the committee of the Council and the company on the Bubjeot of the reduction of the price of gas. Tho ootapany offered to reduce the net price to all consumers from 11s to 10s 6d per thousand feet. An opinion was expressed that the roduotion offered was not worth considering, and the matter was referred to the Public Works Committee. PROTECTION *ROM PIBB. A letter was received* from the Underwriters' Association, enclosing tt ohequ'o^fov .£250, their half-yearly subscription towards the maintenance of the fire brigades. They stated that on and after Ist April next they would only contribute one-third of the oost of the maintenance of the brigades, Buoh payment to be contingent on the fire brigades having but one superintendent instead of two as at present, on a diminution of -the number of members, and on their' thorough efficiciency. The Mayor oxpreßsediiHenSpinion that the only way to ineuWNpaapTd cheaply and well was for the ooftncH r 4to undertake ,tho insurance of properties in the boiough. On tho motion of Oobnoillor Ati.'BNi 'the letter was referred to the Waterworks Committee. - ; '[' MISCELLANEOUS, . • f tfI _ A sum of .£l6O was voted, towards the improvement of the .Newtown recreation ground. r : " '- w-A The Publio Works Committee's wporfc.tyas read and adopted. Accounts amounting to £3088 5s and some miscellaneous accounts were ordered to bo paid. ' "..,' f , -,',,, x The permanent levels of Mein-stroatland Grant road were formally fixed, no objections having been received. V \ I ,MR. CLIMIE AND THE COUNCIL. The Drainage Committee reported that in their opinion there was no prospect of Mr. Climie" being engaged #ithin a reasonable time as drainage engineer. With reference to his claim for compensation they intimated that they were consulting the Cify Solicitor. The report was adopted! ' '•- THE CORPORATION AND B®NDAY TRADING. A.lfltter wa&eaa,fnnfcMtoOori>oi*ti£n of Chrisfcohuroh, -asking 1 tho Council to«-oo« operate with ttidm in obtaining an Act to prevent Sunday trading. ¦ • Councillor Allen thought there was very little Sunday trading irt the oity^-nofc' sufficient to Call for any Bpeeial action; on "?tho ,part of the Council. ¦' ¦ f ¦.• Courteilldr Magi^nity also opposed tho proposal, observing that ho saw no necessity for it. Until there' was something detrimental to the welfare of the community exposed, he should "oppose snch a motion. Councillor Stafford remarked that there was already a law which could be put in force. The resolution was then put and carried, 6 voting for it, and 4 against. Ayes^-The Mayor, and Councillors JTißher, Greenfield, Brown, Logan*,' and .Young. . Noes—Counoillors Danka, Maginnity, Miller, and Stafford. Councillor Allea did not rote. The Council adjournecTaif about ltTp^m.