CITY COUNCIL.

Evening Post, Volume XXII, Issue 96, 21 October 1881, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

«. The usual fortnightly meeting of the City Conncil was held iast night. Present — Hia Worship the Mayor, and Councillors Dunks, A lion, A. W. Brown, Maginnity, Logan, Stafford, Newman, and M'Kenzio. Tho Mayor mentioned that the City Solicitors' Committeo had not yet finished thoir enquiries, and, ooneequontly, their re« port could not bo laid before the Council that evening. The report of the Building Regulations Committoe wore read. The main features havo already been published. The Committee recommended that within No. 1 District buildings might be erected with tho external walls of iron, of tho character and dimensions doscribed in the following schedule: ¦" Tho wa'ls of buildings may be constructed with studs of H or T iron of suite bl6(l*izcß, according to height or dimensions of building, and that eaoh fifth joist be plated on each side with i|in. boiler-plate, bolted through tho joist diagonally, every two feet, with gin. screw bolts; the boiler-plateß to have at scarfs plates of similar iron of same thickness rivetted on to them, and the joists to be so fixed as to tie tho outer walls together ; the covering to be of iron of not less than No. 16 gaugo. All mouldings or projections to be of iron of similar gauge, and parapets to be carried up to a similar height as prescribed for brick buildings, and to be covered both inside and outside with irou of the quality specified for mouldings, &c, viz., not less than No. 16 gauge." On the motion of Councillor Allhn, seconded by Councillor A. W. Bbovtn, it was roßolved, as an addition to olaueo 1, to exolude from No. 1 Distriofc that portion of tho city lying to tho north of Bunny-stroet, on the roclaimcd land, between Thorndonquay and the railway reserve. The Mayor expressed the opinion that, in adopting the schedule, they would be "jumping out of the frying-pan into the fire." He asked Councillor Danks (who with Councillor S. Brown signed the report) if such buildings would not be of a oostly character ? Councillor Danks replied that it was tho cheapest form of iron fire-proof building that could be adopted. He believed, however, that a brick building was the cheapest of all, and that, considering tho insurance, people in No. 1 Ward would find that for reasons of economy aa well as safety, brick buildings were the best. Councillor A. W. Brown did not think it was any part of the province of tho Conncil to consider the Insurance Companies, although that had been apparently , the tendency of the Council's proceedings in this matter. He moved that clause 2 bo struck out, and an amended regulation substituted, 80 as to admit of buildings being constructed of galvanised iron on a framework of wood ; any external walls within 10 feet of an adjoining building to be of briok or concrete, and party walls to be of these materials, to the satisfaction of the City Surveyor. Councillor Newman seconded, observing that the schedule drawn up by Councillors Danks and Brown were far too stringent. Ihe Mayor pointed out that it was very inconvenient to discuss such a resolntion without notoe. He suggested that the consideration of the report should bo further postponed. Councillor Danks warmly attacked Councillor Newman for n< t attending the meetings of the committee, and then coming down to the Council to oppose what had been done. Councillor Brown's motion was then put and lost, and an amendment for an adjournment of the debate till next meeting, proposed by Councillor Logan, was carried. On tho recommendation of the Hospital Sub-Committee, it was resolved to procure a further supply of drugs from Home. Tho Mayor mentioned that the Conncil wonld be again asked to take charge of the Hospital and Charitable Aid, tho Government continuing to pay a subsidy of 7s 6d in the £ on the rates. He suggested that before consenting to do this the Council should urge the Government to put the Hospital in a proper state as regards fences, gates, laying waterpipoa, &c. The Council ought only to be charged with tho ordinary current expenditure for tho maintenance of the Hospital. | There were only two tenders for the pipetrack tnnnel on the Hutt-road, in connection with the new waterworks. That of Air. A. Whiteford was accepted. The report of the Public Works Committee was then read. Messrs. T. Carter and Bilman attended as a deputation from the cabmen with a memorial against the removal, aa recommended by the Pnblie Works Committee, of the cab-stand in Upper Willis-street to the north side of Boulcottstreet. After some discussion, it was resolved, on the motion of Councillor Logan, that the stand should be removed .about 100 feet further along Upper Willis-street, oppoposite the vacant plot of land in that locality. In reference to the recommendation of the committee that the snm of £b b« paid to Mr. Bulliman in fall of all claims for damage to his property in fine-street, it was resolved, on tho motion of Councillor Danks, that the amount be increased to J2lO. Councillor Dan Kg moved, and Councillor Newman seconded, that tenders for cement be called for six months only, instead of 12 months, as recommended by the committee, stating that they had reason to believe oolonially maaofaotured cement, aa good ai

he Imported article, would then be in the market. Other Councillors expressed tho opinion that at least two years would elapse before this event, and tbo amendment wan lost by sto 4. The rest of the report was adopted without discussion. The Council adjourned shortly after 9 o'olook, _______________