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New Zealand Herald, Volume XIV, Issue 4747, 2 February 1877, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL. The monthly meeting of the City Council was held yesterday afternoon in , Canada Buildings. Present: The Mayor (Mr. W. J. Hurst), Councillors Waddel, Maeefield, Goldie, Brett, Dickson, Isaacs, Cosgrave, and Von der Heyde. LICENSES. A letter was, read, sent to Mr. C. F. Batkin, asking what was to be done respecting the collection of the licenses in the city of Auckland. The reply stated that the licenses were part of the Consolidated Fund, and that the collection of them is in the hands of the Government. small- rox. A letter was read from Dr. Stockwell, health officer of the city, stating that from the reference in that day's Hebaid of the spread of small-pox in Sydney, that a system of thorough inspection of every person arriving by steamer or sailing vessel be made to prevent the introduction of this disease. The Mayor stated that a copy of the report had been sent to the Central Board of Health, and that the matter was now under the consideration of the Government. The Government, he unierstood, were of opinion that there was no necessity to take immediate notion in the matter.

After some further consideration the matter dropped, THE CITY BAND. A letter was read from Mr. J. Fenton, Secretary of the City Band, asking the Council to make a grant to the fnnd of the band, to enable them to play at least once a week during the day time in the Government House grounds. The application was negatived. FIKE BRIGADE ANKIVERSABY. .An application was made by Superintendent Hughes, of the Fire Brigade, for a grant to enable them to have a supper on the 14th February, the anniversary of the Brigade. Mr. Von dkr Heyde moved that a grant of £5 be made. Mr. Masefield moved as an amendment that the request be not granted. The amendment was carried, Mr. Isaacs Mr. CoscjRAVE, and others declaring that they would be willing to contribute privately for the purpose named. KIBB BRIGADE REPORT. Superintendent Hughes's report upon the Brigade was read, in which he acknowledged the receipt of certain Brigade material. The report was received. GRAITON ROAD EMBAUKMENT. The Secretary of the Graf ton Road Highway Board wrote, stating that the embankment at the foot of Grafton Road was now nearly completed, and asking' the City Council to carry out their former promise to metal the roadway. The minute of the City Surveyor was read, in , which he estimated the cost at £4S 10s. The work -was ordered to be carried out. CHANNELLING DRAKE-STREET. A letter was read from Messrs. J. Oglivie, G. Akors, and others, asking that the channelling of Drake-street be carried out so far as Graham-street. The City Surveyor's minute showed that the cost of channelling Drake-street toi Nelson-etreet, would be £28. It was agreed to carry the work out to Nelson-street. THE NAPIER-STREET CONTRACTOR. A letter was read from Mr. A. L. Wilson asking that no deduction be made from the sum of his contract in consequence of the alterations which had been made. The matter was referred to the Streets Committee. STREETS COMMITTEE'S REPORT. The report of the Streets Committee was read, and the portion relating to the drainage of Grey-street agreed to. FINANCE COMMITTEE'S REPORT. The report of the Finsmce Committee, to gether with the report of Mr. Wright, accountant, and Mr. Brodie's reply thereto, were laid on the table. Mr. Maseiteld moved that the consideration of this matter by the Council be taken up at a special meeting, to be held next Wednesday, at three o'clock. Mr. Waddel seconded the motion. In doing so, he remarked upon the irregularity observed in the matter in causing Mr. Wright to report on the state of the City Treasurer's books singly. The resolution of the Council was that he should report jointly with another accountant.

The Mayor explained that there was no irregularity, and read the resolution that was passed, which authorised Mr. Wright to report on the matter alone if Mr. lYazer declined to work with him. Mr. Waddel apologised. The resolution was then put and agreed to. WATERWORKS REPORT. Mr. Errington's report on the progress of the Waterworks was read and laid on the table. FINANCE. The Town Clerk read an abstract of the city accounts. City Fund Account—credit balance, f 1-2,091 19s 10d ; Endowment Revenue—credit, £286 15a 6d; Endowment Loan—credit, £1184 Oa 3d; Waterworks Account—credit, £554.4 11s 4d; Waterworks Special Rate—credit, £471 12s 8d; Special Rate—credit, £462 13s 8d.—£7949 13s sd. Waterworks Contract Department, £3783 3s 4d.—£11,732 16s 9d. General Accountcredit, £359 3s Id Total, £12,C91 19s lOd. WORKS IS ANGLESEA-STREET. The following . tenders were received :— Thos. Jones, £1825; A. Watson, £1592 (informal, in consequence of enclosing a bank draft for £190, instead of cash); McCabe and Walsh, £1950; Larkin and O'Brien, £1777 ; J. C. Kirby, £1G98; Glendinning and Co., £20(>G; A. h. Wilson, £1749. After a good deal of discussion, motions and counter motions, it was agreed not to accept any of the tenders, and to refer the plans, &c, back to the Committee, -with power to instruct the City Surveyor to so alter the plans as to bring the cost of the work within £1050. DRAFT BY-LAW. The following draft of a by-law was read : —'' In pursuance of eub-section lof section 203 of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1876, the Council of the city of Auckland ordain that the following shall be the respective charges for the cost of constructing footways (or the proportionate part of such charges aforesaid as the Council may from time to time determine), that is to say—kei-bing stone, dressed, per lineal foot, 2s; kerbing totara timber, ditto, Is ; channelling, rough, per yard . superficial, ■ 2s ; channelling, dressed, ditto ditto, 4s; asphalting paths, ditto, ditto, 3s 3d; asphalting timber kerbing, 4Jd, per chain, 10s; asphalting crossings, per yard superficial, (is ; paving with Mangawai stone, per foot superficial, Is 4d; paving with bluestono, ditto ditto, 2a 2d; formation of paths with ashes, per superficial yard, 6d; cutting or embankment of footways, per cubic yard, Is.

INSPECTION OF MACHINERY. Mr. Masefielb moved "That Messrs. Dickson, Goldie, Waddel, and the mover, be a committee to inspect the machinery at the Western Springs." Mr. Isaacs.seconded, and the motion was agreed to. " ARREARS OF RATES. "' The Mayor moved " That, with a view of closing the old- rate books, the Town Clerk be authorised to have entered in the arrear books all arrears of general rates, Nos. 1 to f>, ending May 31, 1876, and all arrears of special rates, Kos. 1 to 6, ending January 9, 1575, and all payments received on account thereof from the balances at the last audit to be credited them as received." The motion was agreed to. KECORD OK CITY LEVELS. Mr. Dickso>- moved " That Messrs. Maseneld, Pnme, and Dickson, be appointed a committee in conjunction with the City barveyor to devise a permanent record of the city evels, and report the same to the (Joiincu. The motion was seconded and agreed to.