CITY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5500, 3 July 1879, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

The fortnightly meeting of tho City Council was held yesterday. Present: His Worship the Mayor, Councillors Buchanan, Crowther, Waddel, Hay, Thompson, Fleming, Masefield, Goldie, and Cosgrave: The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed, also the minutes of works and other committee meetings held subsequently. Lkase of City Endowments.—William Sinclair offered to lease a piece of land at Arch-hill, a portion of the Waterworks Endowment, at £2 per annum, and to pay the Highway rates on it, the term being for 99 years.—The letter was considered, and the offer declined. One reason was that the Council could not leaie for a term exceeding 60 years. ShORTLAND-STREET OBSTRUCTION.—Lydia Probert wrote complaining of the hinderance to business and traffic caused by allowing Messrs. Philcox and Holland to erect their mortar-engine and machine in Shortlandstreet. —Another letter on the same subject was received from Mr. John Leech, a third from Messrs. Winks and Hall, a fourth from Mr. David Nathan, a fifth from Mr. C. Port, a sixth from Mr. M. Murchie, and a seventh from Messrs. A. Clark and Sons.— The consideration was deferred until the report of the Public Works Committee was submitted. This was agreed to. Princes-street. —Messrs. Thomas Steadman and Charles Ring wrote calling attention to the bad sts.te of the footpath in Princess-street, opposite their residences, and asking to have a few load* of gravel put down. —It was agreed to inform the applicants that the matter was being attended to. Free Public Library.—Mr. W. D. Buttle wrote, suggesting as a suitable place for the proposed Free Public Library the premises in Queen-street lately occupied by the Colonial Bank. He wa3 prepared to take £250Q for the freehold, or lease them for a term of ye»r3 at £4 103 per week.—Mr. Masefield did not think the site suitable. — The letter was received. Weighbridge.—Messrs. T. and S. Morrin wrote to 3iy they could not procure an iron platform for the Howe's weighbridge, but desiiing to meet the views of the Council as far as possible, they would reduce their former tender for Avery's to £67 10s. They felt quite satisfied this machine would give every satisfaction. The machine was for use at the Western Springs Waterworks.— It was proposed that the offer should be accapted, but au amendment was proposed to have Howe's machine, with a wooden platform. The amendment was lost, and the motion that Sir. Morrin'3 offer be accepted was carried. Alleged Damage in Union-street.— Mr. J. A. 'Polo, solicitor, wrote on behalf of William Tait, of Upper Union-street, claiming for certain injuries done to his property by cutting down tho street. He had been put to an actual expense of £15, and he claimed payment of ';liat amount.—The Surveyor stated that the applicant had no claim ; that the property was improved.—lt was agreed to reply to Mr. Tole, conveying the Engineer's opinion. Subsidy - .—The Secretary of the Treasury forwarded a copy of the Treasury vouchers, the original of which, with a cheque for the amount, had been posted to the manager of the National Bank at Auckland, to the credit of the Borough fund account. The amount, after deduction, was £2127 183. It was laid on the table, and was as follows : —"Subsidy to local body for the half-year ending 30th of Juue, under the provisions of the Financial Arrangements Act: Receipts by general rates during the year ended 31st March, IS7B, as per return of the Mayor, £7346 14s 6d ; limit of la in the £1 on the annual value of rateable property, £7049 16s; subsidy of 103 in the £1, payable for the half-year above stated, £3524 18s ; less proportion of the cost of maintenance of the Auckland hospital, £1240, moiety for halfyear, £620—£2904 ISs ; less amount deducted on account of charitable institutions and aid, £777 —£2127 ISs." Custom house-street. —The proprietor of the Britomart Hotel asked to have some alterations made to prevent the water flowing into the cellar. In consequence of the flooding, he had been put to serious loss by the water from Gore-street.—The Surveyor reported that the matter was entered to receive early attention, and it was agreed to inform Mr. Fernandez to this effect.

Turner-street. —Mr. G. L. Hidings drew attention to the present state of Turnerstreet, which needed some scoria to prevent it from becoming impassable. The footpath also needed re-forming on a level with the street. —This also had been entered to receive early attention. Bank of Australasia. —The manager of the Hank of Australasia wished to know upon what terms the Council would authorize new kerbing at the corner ; also, to replace with stoneor asphalt the frontage in Queenstreet, and an asphalt crossing from the bank to the opposide side of Queen-street. A memo, from the engineer stated that the Council did the corner at Shortland-street themselves. He did not think the crossing necessary.—Referred to the Works Committee. Mb. Dejifsey's Claim. —Mr. Dempsey sent in an account for £4SI 4 s for lowering gas and water pipes in Wyndham-streot, Hobson-street, and Durham.street. He sent a letter in explanation of tho account. —The Surveyor reported that the claim was absurd. Mr. Carlaw was now measuring the length of the pipes.—Tho letter was referred to tho Works Committee.

Custom house stheet. —Mr. G. Holdship drew attention to the bad state of Custom-house-street, between the Gas-works and Drake-street. By ';he immediate expenditure of a small sum it might be saved until the summer, but if left for a week or two longer it would cost a large sum to repair.— Mr. Cosgrave moved that the matter be referred to the Works Committee.—This was agreed to. William-street Contract. —The contractors for the William-street works applied for leave to suspend operations during tho wet weather, as they found it impossible to carry on the earthworks.—The Engineer recommended that the request be granted if the contractors put ashes on the footways, and made crossings on the road where metalled.—There was a good deal of discussion on the subject. The contract time had expired on the 7th of June.—Mr. Fleming moved that the request be granted.— Mr. Masefield moved that the matter bo referred to the Works Committee, and this was agreed to. Kyber Pass Keseuvoir. — Mr. W. Errington, Waterworks Engineer, wrote, suggesting that the enclosed space on which Kyber Pass reservoir stands should be fenced in a substantial manner. The appearance of tho place would be improved by planting a few shrubs and trees in it.— Referred to the Works Committee. Public Works Committee.—The report of the Public Works Committee was read. In regard to tho permit to J. J. Holland for erecting a steam mortar-mill in Shortlandstreet, tho committee recommended that it be amended by substituting the rear of building for Shortland-street. In respect of W. Down's application, respecting Sapicrstreet, they recommended that no action bo taken. ifc Mr. Caere's application for reduction of water-supply charges, it was recommended that they be reduced to £4 per annum. Tho Surveyor having reported on the dangerous condition of Domain-street, caused by the slipping of earth, the committee has authorised immediate steps being taken to have the same remedied.—The report was considered clause by clause. In re•erence to the first clause, Mr. Fleming moved, «That the permit be granted to Mr.

Holland." He believed some outside influence had been used. He believed that it would only be fair justice to grant it. It would be not so injurious as it was in Lower Queenstreet, and at the foot of ShortUnd-street. —Mr. Goldie seconded the amendment, and urged similar arguments. —Mr. Waddel could not see the necessity for having a mortarmill in the front street, although havingit at the back woald be, of course, some increased expense to Mr. Holland. He hoped that in future no permission for the erection of mortar-mills in the main streets would be granted.—Mr. Buchanan said that one reason for granting the permission for the erection of the mill at the South British buildings was that the building occupied the whole Bite.—Mr. Thompson objected to the term used by Mr. Fleming, that undue influence had been used—Mr. Crowther spoke to the same effect.—Mr. Hay insisted that it was quite time the Council took some stand in regard to these mortar-mills.—Mr. Fleming said if the stand was taken, it was all right; but it was a fact that under the Building Regulations, persoos in favonr with the Council would get permits granted to them while others could not.—The amendment was put, and lost, and the clause, as it stood in the report, was adopted.—The remaining clauses were adopted without discussion.

Finance and Genkril Pubposes Committee. —Thi3 committee reported, recommending that J. Carlaw'a (jun.) pay be increased' to £2 5s weekly. In respect of the cost of leases, the charges for the same being reduced, the committee did not deem further action necessary. They concurred in the desirability of having the city loans consolidated, aud making provision for the offers of the Improvement Commissioners, and that a snb-committee be appointed for framing or obtaining a bill for such purposes in the forthcoming session of Parliament. They recommended certain amendments in the Corporations Act; also, that in future no bonds made out by solicitors be taken from contractors. The report was considered seriatim.—An amendment was moved by Mr. Crowther to the first clause, to the effect that the salary be increased to £2 10s a-week.—ln reference to the charges for the cost of leases, Mr. Goldie moved, " That Messrs. Hesketh and Richmond be appointed solicitors to the Council," but the Chairman ruled that it was out of order, and notice of motion must be given. The motion, as a whole, was adopted.—A sub-committee, consisting of the Sub-Finance Committee and Councillor Goldie was appointed iu regard to the consolidated loans. A committee was also appointed to consider the question of a safe, and the consideration of . bonds for the officers. Proposed Tran.-fer from the Improvement Commissioners to the City Council. —An interim, report from the committee acting with the Improvement Commissioners, was read, containing a plan and copy of the draft bill. Finance.—The ordinary financial statement was read, and the accounts, as approved by the Sub-Finance Committee, were passed for payment. Timber Supply.—There were tenders lodged by the Auckland Timber Company, and Messrs. Jagger and Parker, Freeman's Bay. The latter being the lowest, was accepted for a period of tix months or 12 months, at the option of the Council. Leave of Absence.—Leave of absence was granted to Mr. Goldie, M.H.8., during the ensuing session of Parliament. This concluded the business.