THE CITY COUNCIL.

Evening Star, Issue 11626, 10 July 1902, Page 6

THE CITY COUNCIL.

The fortnightly meeting of the . City Coqncil Was held last evening. In the absence of the Mayor at the Municipal Conference, Cr Carroll was voted to‘the chair. The others present were Crs Tapper, Halley,. Lawrence, Muir, : Braithwaite, Scott, Crust, Maitland, and M‘Donald. ’ ' ' COEEESPOKDUSaS. Messrs Noyes Bros, wrote that- during Mr . Goodman’s absencein America he would be in constant communication by cable with Mr Shepherd, and that should any point arise on which the Tramways Committee wished to consult Mr Goodman Mr Shepherd could notify him by cable. Mr Goodman had taken possession of his offices , in the Corporation Buildings, and all papers and drawings in connection with the Dunedin tramways would be filed there for reference.—Received. Tire Town Clerk, St. Hilda, wrote offering, on behalf of his Conned, to grant a two years’ option in respect of the construction of the Kennedy road line. With re'gard to season and other tickets the St. Kilda Council were in accord with the City Council on all points save that of season tickets and other tickets, and wonld be prepared to sign the agreement if the City Council would agree that within six months of the new system showing a profit concession tickets giving 25 per cent, reduction be issued.—Referred to the Tramways Committee to act. ‘ The Chairman of the Dunedin and Roslyn Tramway Company wrote that the company were, desirous of improving and br.nging up to date the property recently by them, and mode application to the Council for' permission to have a terminus near Princes street. At present the line was not completed through Rattray street, the tube being only covered by rough timber. The cable was released from the grippers above the Shamrock Hotel, and the cars were brought down round the curve and across the thronghshnnt without the cable. If the required improvement were sanctioned the cable would be held all through the completed line to the terminus, and thus additional safely and greater convenience would be assured to the numerous patrons of the tramway service.—The letter was ; referred to the Tramways Committee for report. THE STREETS OF THE CUTT. Cr Muir, on behalf of the chairman of the Works Committee, moved the adoption of the Works Committee’s report. Cr Braithwaite seconded the motion, and thought it was time that the Council were protected from the attacks made by writers m the papers on the condition of the streets. He held the’ opinion that it vas due entirely to the penny wise and pound foolish policy of past Councils. Had a small rate been struck at the time of construction, and been properly expended, the present cost of upkeep would be ten times less than at present. The public should a so understand that the Council had no money to repair the streets with, and. further, that it wonld be foolish of the Conncil to construct anything permanently until the Drainage Board and the Tramways Committee were finished with the streets. . Cr Maitland said that something ought to be done to the footpath in Lower High street, where Messrs Nimmo and Blair’s new premises were being erected. He would also like the street to be swept every, dav during wet weather opposite the railway staton. Cr Lawrence asked if the tenders winch had been called for 2,000 yards of metal had been accepted, and, if so, why was it that the streets were not being repaired? Beyond Princes street- he had not seen any put down. He had had a suspicion for a considerable time—ever since he had been in the Council—that the works were costing too much money. He thought they should endeavor to ascertain whether the methods adopted now in carrying out their works were really in the interests of the community. They had heard in the report read by Cr Scott that in times gone by they had paid 75 per cent, more they ought to have paid. He had prepared some figures, which he desired to read. Councillors would remember that some time ago he got “slated” by the Council for bringing up a document that should have gone to the Works Committee. . He did nob think he would ba “ slated ” for this cne, because lie was not on the Works Committee. He was not blaming anyone—either past or present H oiks Committees. For the year ended March 31, 1901, the wages paid amounted to £5,884 18s 2d. For the same period the material cost £5,182 4s 3d. In 1902, when, according to that report, the works should have been carried out at a considerably better rate, the wages amounted to £6,230 14s 2d, and the material used cost £'■'>,276 1,7s 2d. Instead of being a saving of 75 per cent., it was evidently very much the reverse, and the figures spoke for themselves. In 1901 the Council used £498 8s 7d worth of lime and cement, and councillors would remember that during that year there was a great deal of concrete channelling done. In 1902 theye was scarcely any channelling, and they used £345 12s of material—chiefly lime and cement. In his opinion this was not very satisfactory. In 1901 under the old system the metal used was £2,015 14s Bd. Under the new management £927 7s 7d had been used,' or over £l,lOO less, and yet their wage sheet was considerably more. Then again in 1901 they did £646 16s of drainage work, and in 1902 they had only spent £9l 4?. He had tried his level best to get to the bottom of it all when he was on the old Works Committee. Only the other day he saw five men filling one dray and four men at another. When the drays went away the men tinkered about till the drays came back. Sentiment had no right to gag the moutl'i of councillors when they had to deal with mismanagement. They could not get past naked facte, and it was quite time there was some remedy. The Chairman said that if ,Cr Lawrence would hand his figures to the acting-chair-man of the 1\ orks Committee they would be considered at the meeting next day. Cr Scott said he thought that better work would be done if they had a system of gangers. He did not think there was any one man who could supervise the men when they were working in different parte of the town. These gangers might be paid slightly extra, and they should have charge of so many men each. The Works Committee might look into the matter. He understood that it had been tried with success in other places. Cr Muir, in reply, sqid that the estimated expenditure for the year was £12,000 odd. They had ear-marked £3,000 for watertables ; steam roller, £800; the collection of refuse, £1.000; which made £4,800 altogether. Wages would account for £5,400, and this only loft £1,950 for public works, for material, and for emergencies. In regard to the 2,oooyds of metal, the engineer, to whom the tenders were referred, informed the Committee that- there was a combination among the quarries to keep up the price of metal to the Council. It was thought undesirable to accept any tender in the meantime. He was sorry he could not- refer to ' Cr Lawrence’s figures that night, but lie had a complete refutation of the figures before him. As a matter of fact, it. was costing less now- than under Mr Mirams’s administration. He would make a note of the suggestion for a system of gangers. The chairman of the Works Committee was strongjy in favor of it. The report was adopted. THE TRAMWAYS. . Or Scott, in moving the adoption of the Tramways: Committee's report, said that there were only one or two things calling for mention, and the first was the drafting of an Order-in-Council with the North-east Valley. This had been gone through very carefully, and they had struck out a number of alterations made by the solicitors for the North-east Valley Borough Council. Virtually the order was similar to other Orders-in-Council, and was perfectly in accordance with that of South Dunedin. Then it was proposed to cover in the ends of the cars—that was. the. new cars they were getting. If the councillors had travelled in the cars on a wet day they would understand the necessity for this. It was a big matter, and it would be, money well spent; and, besides, the covers wonld be movable. He bad been in hopes to be able to report fully upon the tenders for the carhouse, but it was considered inadvisable to mat™ any statement beyond saying that, satisfactory tenders bad been received, aodjwdificatiim

n>ade. , .The engineer would probably" accept one of these tenders, which was slightly m excess of the estimate, the following day. Cr Lawrence seconded tie adoptionofthe report. - Ct Maitland wonld Eke to ventilate the subject' of the motive power to be' used in connection with the temporary plant, or, if they found it necessary, with the permanent plant. From the commencement of the tramway business he had been a very strong advocate in favor-of a gas engine, and* the opportunity was now placed in their ban 's of getting full information, as Mr Goodm ri was going to America, which was the place where the best gas engines were made. That being the case, he was perfectly satisfied that when Mr Goodman was there he would get all the information possible, and could report when he came back. In connection with the pas engine at the ‘Times’ Office, it had worked a load of 25 horsepower at a cost of 5s for a good two hours; He thought it was only fair to say that if a 27 horse-power engine could work np to 25 horse-power for two hours at a cost of ss, larger engines would, of course, cost less in proportion. He thought the matter was well worth considering, and he would move —“ That as Mr Goodman was about to leave for America he be requested to obtain the latest information in regard to gas .engines, and submit a full report on his return;” Cr McDonald mentioned that the difference between landing material at Dunedin and Port Chalmers was something like 4s per ton. Tins was something for Mr Goodman to go into. . Cr Scott said that they had gone into that, very fully,, and the difference was Ss per ton. He was quite agreeable to Mr Goodman reporting upon gas engines. The Tramways Committee’s report was then adopted, and Cr Maitland again moved his resolution relating to gas engines, winch was seconded by Cr McDonald. , Cr Muir: It will be perfectly understood that there will be no charge for this. It is part of Mr Goodman’s duty as engineer -to the Corporation. Cr Tapper said that Mr Goodman mil, inaly agreed to that. There was a complaint from the owners of gas engines about thei explosive qualities of our gas, and if something was 'not done the use of gas engines would be abandoned. Mr Goodman, who was present, said that he would like the opportunity of taking a formal farewell of the Council. There were several matters that required his personal attention in America, and if anvthing special took place he could be cabled to. He was quite prepared to make the inquiries suggested. During the last twelve months there had been a great improvement in gas plant, mid he would give the subject of gas engines very careful attention, and supply a report to the Council based on the very best information he could get. It was still an open question whether they were going to have water, steam, or gas power, and until it was decided be thought it was only wise to make such an inquiry as had been entrusted to him. He thought it would be in the interests of the Council to get the rails brought over by steamer, end not by sailing vessel. He was to leave next Monday, and he felt that he took with him the goodwill of the Council. They could rest assured that he would do his best in their interests while awav. The Chairman, in formally wishing Mr Goodman good-bye, said that he felt sure be was expressing the unanimous opinion of the Council when he said that they bad every confidence in him. Mr Goodman, went away with the best wishes of the) Council. Cr Maitland’s motion was then carried.