CITY COUNCIL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXX, Issue 139, 13 June 1896, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

The ÜBual fortnightly meeting of the City Counoil was hold last evening. Present The Mayor (Mr F. Trask) ln the ohair, and Crs Everett, Akersten, Piper, Look, J. A. Harloy, C. Harley, Baigent and Askew, Accounts. The following accounts were passed for paymont: — £ s. d. Gas Works Account ... 232 16 6 Water Works Acoount 13 13 4 General Account . . 134 15 7 Trafalgar Park „ 0 5 0 £381 10 5 Wank litthttH: h. The usual report showed the Bank Balances to be : — Dr. Cr. £ s. d. £ s. d. General .. 3701 7 0 Water .. 73 11 5 Interest .. 042 0 10 Gas.. .. 749 12 3 Cemeteries .. 128 11 7 Contractors' Doposits .. 26 0 0 Trafalgar Park 28 17 1 £3774 18 5 £1575 1 9 Con e.sjtondence. From tho Auditor-General, consontiug to a reduction of the special rate from ljd to ld for the year ending March, 1897.— 1t was resolved that the special rate be reduced tj ld in the _*,' and _ that tbe Bocks Road rate for the same period bn not collected. From Mr R. J. Kingsley, on behalf of the Philosophical Society, presenting the Queen's Garden with two Antipo es Island 1 aroquets, aud asking that if they should dio tho bodies be given to the Museum —ft was staled that the birds were lively and attractive, and Cr Piper suggested that they be taught to talk.— The Mayor said the caretaker's wife was teoobing the birds to talk and dance, and one was more intelligent than tbe other, but both were learning fast ond proving a great attraction. A hearty vote of thanks to the Philosophical Sooiety was passed. Tho question of housing for the collection of birds at the Gardens wai referred to the Works Committee, with poWf r to act. From tho Manager of the Greymouth Toint Elizabeth Railway and Coal Company, stating that he was ready to deliver 70 tona of Greymouth-Brunner soreened coal for test purposes as soon as the gas engineer was ready to receive it, and hoping that if the test were satisfactory the company would get a fair price according to results. — Cr Askew said he hoped that if the test were suitable the company wonld get a fair price for coal, as it was hard on it to send only a small quantity.— The City Surveyor said .be intended to test Brunner coal soreened, unscreened, nuts, and slack and see which was best. It waa suggested that as 70 tons was a cargo for only a small ateamer, from 70 to 100 tons should be ordered, and oventually the matter was left in the hands of the City Surveyor to get a oargo of eaoh sort of ooal (Boreened, unscreened, nuts ftnd slaok), if he required it. From Mr A. H. Anderson, Ohristohutch, suggesting the purohase of an Aveling and Porter's steam road roller, and stating that tbo road making of Nelson was old fashioned and expensive,— Cr Lock said the Nelson roads were the best in the colony, and if suoh results were obtained by oldfashioned methods, they should be adhered to.— As the City Surveyor said tbe oost of a steam road roller would bs £600, the letter was simply ordered to be acknowledged. From Mr T. Holdaway, offering to ornsh stone for the Counoil at certain prions on a three years' guarantee, as he intended getting a very expensive portable plant. - Referred to Pnblio Works Committee. Boulder Bank Oravel. The Mayor said he had authorised the City Surveyor to repair the Rooks Road punt, and to get some small gravel from tho Boulder Bank for Hardy-street, to see how it would answer, - The aotion of tbo Mayor was confirmed. Reports. l-UIILIC WORKS COMMITTEE. Tho Committeo reported : — 1. As to tenders for tho Band Rotunda (to act). -That the matter of building tho Rotunda be left in tho hands of the City Surveyor. 2. Un 1 ttor from Mr A. Shone (to act). — That tho City Surveyor give Mr A. Shoho tho building line. 3. As to railing in Washington Valley. —That an iron top rail be placed on this railing, 4. As to trees on Church Hill (la act). — That the matter bo left in the hands of Crs Everett, Piper, and the City Surveyor. 5. On loiter from Messrs Ashmore and Co.— That tho pipes for tho now main be ordered at onco, to be sent out by two instalments. 6. As to tho lamp in Van Diomen and Ngatitama streets — That tho lamp remain in its present position. 7. Tliat the dead trees on tho reclaimed and bo roplaced, and that a few more trees bo planted on Fifcshire Island. Crs Piper and Everett wero appointed to sco to tho' further planting of Fifeshiro Island, and Or Baigont suggostod that some nativo trees, like totara, be planted. Clause 6 rotating to the lamp at tho coiner of Ngutitnnm and Van Dieman street was referred baok. In regard to tho gas pipos to be ordored Crs Askew and Lock had objectod to tlie purchaso on tho ground of expense. Cr Askow objecting that water pipes were more noccssa.y. Cr C Harley said lie >yas perfeotly awu're that the gas pipes ivero necessary, hut he was oortai'n tho Coi**ncjl would not be able to pay for thejq. " ' ' Crs Everett and Akersten said they had withdrawn their objoction to the ordering of the pipes in deference to thb opinion of the majority. The Mayor said that once the pipes were down no further expense would be necessary, and the gasworka would he a nourishing concern. Cr Piper said the new main was necessary, and he urged that when able to 4o so the Council should encourage increased consumption by selling gas stoves,' etc, to the publio on easy payments. '. Tho report was adopted bn the follow- 1 iug division (on the gasplpes'qneition) :-'i Ayea (5)-Crp Baigent, Akerateh, Piper,

Everett, nnd the Mayor. Noes-Cre C. Harley, Askew, and Look. Fikakcb Committee. The Committee reported :— On let ter from Messrs Aehmore and Co.— That the gas pipes for the new main be ordered from England, and that they be shipped in two lots by succeeding vessels. Ab the gaß pipes question had been discussed under the Publio Works, Committee s Report, the report was adopted on the aame division aa in the previous voting. Local Government Sub-Committee L"' That the Bill appears to bo very carefully prepared with regard to details, and asa statute consolidating the numerous acts relating to local bodies, to be a step in the right direction. 2. " The Committeo are however of opinion that the proposed constitution of the local bodies, the franchise, biennial elections atjwhich all members go out of oflice, and the financial arrangements', are not suited to the requirements and circumstances of the Colony. 3. "That the Mayor be accordingly requested to represent the views of the Council to the Municipal Conference. (Signed) " F. Trask, "J. Piper, " C. J. Harlev, "Wm. Akersteu." The report was adopted. Ordinary Business. Cr Askew complained of two holes in the road in Bridge * troet near the Bank,—Referred to Surveyor. Cf Askew complained of the gravel plaoed io Grove street, tho Wood, as it waa malodorous. It was agreed to hold a special meeting next Friday week to oonsider a proposed by-law relating to sanitary servioes. The Counoil then adjourned.