CITY COUNCIL.

Evening Star, Issue 10852, 9 February 1899, Page 4

CITY COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the City Council, held last night, was attended by His Worship the Mayor (Mr W. Swan) and Crs A. Solomon, E. Howlison, A. Q. Christopher, H. Crust, P. Miller, and J. Carroll. ApoloS'es were received for the absence of Crs ore, Denniston, Chisholm, Park, and HaynesTHE TOWN CLERK. On the application of the.Mayor, the town clerk (Mr W. B. Taylor) was granted further leave of absence for one mouth. DEPUTATIONS. A deputation consisting of Messrs J. A. Millar, M.H.R., A. Sligo, M.H.R., J. M. Gallaway, A. R. Barclay, A. James, A. Black, S. G. Smith, aud J. Campbell (Mayor of North-east Valley) waited upon the Council to urge the Council to make the reserve oppbsite the Gardens available for recreation purposes. Air J. A. Millar explained that the deputation desired to represent to the Council the advisableness of closing the road that now passes through the reserve on the western side of the Alain .North road, Northeast Valley, opposite the Botanical Gardens. The reserve was practically useless as it was for sports, but by a little attention and a small expenditure it might be made available as a recreation reserve for the residents in the .north end of the City. To do this it would be necessary to close the road to Pine Hill that ran through the reserve, and to divert the Pine Hill road at the pound, and to carry it along the southern boundary of Valley property to join the Alain road at the tram terminus. They also desired to suggest that a traffic bridge should be erected across the Leith at the end of George street, and the road continued from that to the pound. As the mayor and councillors knew, there was a possibility ere long of our having electric tramways in Dunedin, and in that event there could be no doubt the return circuit must come over the Leith via George street. A traffic bridge at the point mentioned was very desirable, and would relieve the traffic in Great King street. The improvements asked for would not cost much, aud would prove of great convenience and value to the public. He presented a numerously-signed petition on this subject. Air J. Campbell said that the alterations suggested would be of value to the City, as well as to tbe North-east Valley. As all knew, the traffic over the Great King street bridge was so great as to be dangerous, and it would be-much relieved by the construction, of a bridge from the end of George street. He did not know that the change would be of any great boon to the settlers on Pine Hill; but they were willing, he understood, to waive any claim to the portion of the road from the Town Belt to the Alain road, provided the arrangement suggested was carried out. a bridge constructed across the Leith at George street, and the road continued to the tram terminus. The change would be of advantage to the people at the north end of the aud in the Valley. There was not much recreation ground in the north end of the City, aud this piece was spoilt by the road running through its centre.

Mr A. Sligo,. M.H.R., thought no oratory was needed to convince the Council that it was desirable to give effect to the prayer of the petition, if the Council could only see its way to enter upon the work. What was desired was to utilise the reserve for recreation purposes 'for the advantage of the public. The only traffic bridge over the Leith was an imperfect one for the purpose it had to serve, and it baaly required to be supplemented by some means, and the .means suggested seemed to him to be very desirable, and of advantage to the City and its inhabitants. The recreation grounds in the north end of the City were wholly insufficient, and it was most desirable that the ground referred to should be utilised for athletic purposes. To close the road and make the improvements suggested were, the Council must admit, matters deserving careful consideration, and as it appeared that no very serious expenditure would be involved, the' deputation thought they might fairly conclude that the Council were likely to give the matter favorable consideration. Mr J. M. Gallaway said he knew that in the past the City Corporation had always done anything that was possible to encourage the young men of the City to devote their spare time to the cultivation of their muscles, and it seemed to him that if the views of the deputation could be carried out, that would, to a great extent, encourage the athletic instincts of the young men in the north end of the City. He had been urged to join the deputation as president of the Otago Rugby Football Union. If the Council could see their wav to grant the prayer of the petition, it would, to a great extent, help the footballers and other athletes in the northern end of the City. Of course it was not expected that the City Fathers would favor needless expenditure in any direction; but the expenditure in this matter would be so small compared with the advantages to be secured, that he had no hesitation in asking the Council to take the prayer of the petition into favorable consideration. His Worship expressed the opinion that the Council would expect the North-east Valley Borough to contribute a portion of the cost of a bridge, and promised that the petition should be duly considered. Mr Millar thanked the mayor, and the deputation withdrew. It was then resolved, on the motion of Cr Carroll, that the matter be referred to the Works Committee, with a view to ascertaining the cost of the proposed improvements, the Committee to report to the Council. CORRESPONDENCE. Mr F. F. Smith wrote asking for the removal of a bank from the street line at the comer of Forth and St. David streets.— Referred to the Works Committee to act. The Inspector of Police wrote thanking the Council for their letters of appreciation of the conduct of Sergeant Gilbert and Constable Connolly in their efforts to protect the City reserves.—Received. Mr William Goldie wrote asking that the revaluation of his leasehold at Port Chalmers might be proceeded with forthwith, and that the arrears stand over for the meantime, and that the arrears be charged at the rate of the new valuation. —Referred to the Reserves Committee to act. Messrs C. Johnson and Co. (Maclaggan street), Sievwright Bros, and Co. (High street), Charles Bills (George street), Charles Bills for Arthur and Co. (Crawford street), and J. H. Pressly and Co. (Princes street) wrote asking for permission to erect signs.— Mr Pressly’s application was declined, and the others were referred to the Works Committee to act. Messrs Evans and Co. wrote submitting a plan of proposed alterations to the railway siding to the Crown Mills, Manor place, and asking for the Council’s consent to carry out the same.—Referred to the Works Committee to act.

The Dunedin and Suburban Reserves Conservation Society wrote calling attention to the spread of elderberry plants upon the Town Belt as tending to choke the native vegetation, and suggesting that they be cut down or uprooted before the fruit becomes ripe.—Referred to the Reserves Committee to report. The same society submitted a proposal to plant the bank between Serpentine avenue end Canongate street at the joint expense of the City Corporation and the society.—■ Referred to the Reserves Committee to act, DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS. The renorts of the Works, Water,. Reserves, Finance, Gas. and General Committees (previously published) were read and adopted. TENDER. The tender of A. Lees, of £49 18s, for painting and distempering work at the Town (Hall, was accepted. The Council adjourned at half-past nine o’clock. CONDENSED CABLEGRAMS. Mr See, late Colonial Treasurer of New South Wales, is a passenger by the Mokoia for New Zealand. Alexander Muir and Co,, distillers, Alloa, Clackmannanshire, Scotland, have suspended payment. The liabilities are estimated at £61,216 and the assets at 5s 6d in the £. The special session of the New South Wales Parliament to take the next step in the Federal movement will be held on the 21st inst. The writs for the Queensland General Elections will probably be issued next week. (The polling will take plaoe from the end of Jisroh to the middle of April.