MUNICIPAL.

Evening Star, Issue 7238, 14 June 1887, Page 3

MUNICIPAL.

Port Chalmers.—The fortnightly meeting of this Council was held last night, and was attended by the Mayor, Crs Cook, Watson, Schumacher, Read, Putman, De Maus, Murray, Miller, and North. The Under-Secretary for Justice asked to be informed what progress had been made with regard to the erection of the combined Government and Corporation offices at Port Chalmers. The Mayor stated that he had forwarded the information, and his action was ratified by the Council. —The UnderSecretary for Lands, in acknowledging the receipt of a letter enclosing extracts from the lease of the Dunbach reserve granted by the Borough to Mr Massey, stated that the correspondence tended to show that the land is more agricultural than pastoral, and that the consent of the Governor-in-Council to a surrender of the lease is not required under the provisions of the Public Bodies, Leaseholds Act 1886.—Mr G. Chick applied for permission to remove earth from near the pound in Ajax road, and to remove rotten rock from the cutting near Boiler Point, Macandrew road. If the permission were granted he would be willing to make the road the full width, and to the entire satisfaction of the inspector appointed by the Council. The letter was referred to the Works Committee with power to act. —Mr J. Ross, water officer to shipping, acknowledged the receipt of letter from the chairman of the Water Committee, stating that strict compliance with clause 4 of the agreement had been observed ; but this he pointed out was not the case. No injury of which he was cognisant had taken place. The chairman in his letter stated that numerous complaints had been made, but these complaints had never been known to him ; therefore he had no opportunity of replying. It was an old axiom of English justice that a man should be heard in his own defence ; and this, he submitted, had not been done. At the suggestion of Cr M'Kenzif!, the clerk read the Water Committee's report of May 16. in order to show that a full inquiry had taken place. Cr Millar objected to the time of the Council being wasted in discussing this question. A full inquiry had taken place, and the Water Committee had done their duty, while at the meeting eleven councillors were of opinion that a change was necessary in the iuterests of the town. The Mayor thought Mr Ross was under the impression that a public inquiry should have been made in reference to the complaints, instead of an inquiry by the Committee. Cr M'Kenzie then moved that the letter be received, which was carried.—The Auditor-General inquired why the sinking fund had been discontinued. The clerk was instructed to forward the necessary information.— Cr Read presented a petition from a number of residents in Scotia street complaining of the depredations of goats. The inspector was instructed to take steps to abate the nuisance. —The Works Committee reported that the inspector and staff had been employed during the past fortnight in asphalting footpaths in Harrington and Daly streets, in repairing sundry footpaths, and in sloping embankment in Currie street; that a portion of Macandrew road, from the dock fence to tho cutting, was very much in need of repairs ; and recommending that some rough metal from the Corporation quarry be used to fill up the ruts. Cr Watson was of opinion that some of the footpaths which were being asphalted were on private property, as several of the fences were some distance back from the street line. Cr Millar considered some of the work which was being done was unnecessary until the streets were cut down to their proper levels, whilst those streets which were cut and formed were neglected. The Works Committee's attention should bo drawn to Wickliffe terrace and Burns strecc. Cr De Maps moved that the report be adopted. Cr M'Kenzie moved, and Cr Millar seconded, as an amendment—"That the clause in reference to the repair of Macandrew road be kept in abeyance until next meeting." They had only just received an application from a contractor for permission to remove a quantity of rotten rock, and the town should not be put to an expense of some L2O to repair a road for the benefit of any one person, Cr Murray, as chairman of the Committee, considered it would be an injustice to the contractor not to fill up the deep ruts in the road. The motion was carried, only Crs M'Kenzie and Millar voting against It, The Mayor mentioned that the work in referenoe to the specifications of the Munioipal and Government buildings were being proceeded with, and he expeoted to be able to lay them before the Counoil at the next meeting. The estimated cost of the building would be about L 4,200, In answer to Cr Murray, the Mayor stated he was almost oonfldent that that sum would be sufficient; in fact, a well-knpWn contractor had offered to erect the building according to the plans for that amount, and was willing to take dc benturas at 6 per cent, in payment for the work ; but he was in hope that they would get the money for much less. They would only require to borrow L 3.500, as the Government would contribute L7OO. It was resolved "That steps be taken to raise a special loan of L 3,50 0"; and the Reserves Committee were authorised to take steps for advertising the sale of the lease of section 407.—Tw0 tenders were received for quarrying and breaking metal and referred to tho Works Committee.—The Fire Brigade Committee reported having informed Captain Mitchell that in future applications for supplies must be made to the Counoil quarterly, and that the amount should not exceed L2O per quarter, which would bo equal to an allowance of LBO per annum. Cr Schumacher moved that the report be adopted ; and an amendment was moved by Cr M'Kenzie—" That in future no moneys be given to the Fire Brigade unless they : forward vouchers to the Council for the same; and on no condition is any part of the money voted to be spent on either tobacco or liquors." On looking over the vouchers for the last eighteen months he found that several of the vouchers were for refreshments. Cr Millar said,, although, he would not second the amendment, he certainly thought that too much money was being spent on the Brigade. There being no seconder to the amendment, the motion was carried by 10 to 1.