CITY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6098, 3 June 1881, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

The regular meeting of the Auckland City Council was held last evening. Present : His Worship the Mayor (in the chair), and Messrs. Goldie, Fleming, Hemus, Montague, Waddel, Crowther, Offer, Thompson, and Aickin.

Fire Alarm Apparatus.—slr. Louis A. Nathan forwarded several printed papers containing valuable information re fire alarms. They were Bright's patent. The letter was received and laid on the table.

Street Tisajiwats.—Letter was received from Mr. John Russell, of San. Francisco, intimating that the street tramways scheme had been advertised in that city.—There was also a letter from Mr. Hugh Graij as follows :—" I noticed a few divya since your advertisement in tho Chronicle of this city, inviting tenders for tramways in Auckland. I still take a warm interest in what is to me almost my native town, and for your information beg to advise that horse trams are being rapidly superseded in this city by cable roads. Messrs. Reid and Duncan, of Dunedin, have the patents for New Zealand, and have just completed a short line near Dunedin, and about to begin another. Passengers can be carried on. cable roads at half the cost of horse roads. The Geary-street road, completed in this city eighteen months ago, cost 375,000 dollars, for real estate, engines, franchises, rolling stock, and everything else. The stock is now selling at 700,000 dollars, and paying 8 per cent, on latter amount, uay three miles double track. Chicago sent experts to examine our cable roads, and the proprietors of the largest horse-car road thero ave fvbout taking it up, and. laying down a cable. They could be arranged along your steep streets, such as Shortland, Victoria, Grey, and Wakefield streets without much trouble, I send you rough details of the carriages and roadway, with profile of various altitudes obtained, some of them impossible for horse-ears. A line- could easily be built from the foot of Queen-street to the top of Mount Elan. If ever you determine to do that, send for a Yankee engineer or Reid and Duncan to pub it through for you. Mr. Rhind is patentee of an automatic switch, specially designed for cable roads, drawings and particulars of which I also furnish you. Yours, faithfully, Hugh Craig."— Mr. Russell's letter was received, and ordered to be acknowledged with thanks. Sir. Craig's letter was received, and ordered to be acknowledged with thanks. Newton Highway Board.—The Chairman of the Newton Highway Board requested a grant of £50 towards the repairs of the road from Arch Hill to the abattoirs. —Referred to the Works Committee. Dost Contract.—Mr. G. Wilson, conbractor, wrote in reply to a communication from the Council. Hβ would be happy to meet the Council, and arrange upon the various thoroughfares they would desire cleared of refuse tfy 9 a.m, —The Jlayormoved, "That Mr. Wilsoii jie instructed to arrange to remove the dust fi'.om the principal streets before 9 a.m," —Mr. Oiler moved, " That it be referred to the Works' Committee."—The Mayor withdrew his proposition, and the amendment, as a motion, was carried.

Grammar School Board and Council.— Messrs. Kussell aud Devore, solicitors to tho Board, wrote that they could see no power in the Grammar School Board to make a. lease such as they were instructed to prepare. The only coarse was for the city to occupy without any authority, or to tako the land under the Public Works' Act.— Tha Mayor said the Governors of the Grammar School were leaving the little corner out. It was not worth the cost of a Bill, and he moved ths-t the first suggestion, of the solicitors be adopted.—Mr. Waddel thought there was risk in case the Grammar School was converted into a Girls' High School. —Tho Chairman said there was a resolution oa the books of the Grammar School Board to give the land at a peppercorn rent. —The Mayor's motion was car ried. VERASDAH. —Mr. A. H. Nathan roquested permission to erect a verandah in front of his premises in Little Queen-street. It was a temporary structure, as the street and footpath were not formed.—Permission was granted, subject to the condition that it would be removed and a regulation verandah put up when the street was formed.—The resolution was carried on the easting vote of the Mayor. Drainage.—Messrs. E. Mahoney and Son, architects, on behalf of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, applied with regard to a drain from the back of the premises. Messrs. Fisher and Co. would not object to the drainage being carried under their wooden building to the main sewer.— The Surveyor recommended that the work be done if applicants pay half the cost— £40.— Referred to the Works Committee. Gas Lamps.—A letter was received from the manager oE the Gas Company as to the cost of lamps for largo light proposed. They would cost .617 per annum, and the price of the lamp was £11. This was the cost of the new lamp nt the foot of Grey-street, which was equal to four light. —Keferred to the Works Committee, tho Councillors to inspect. Standpipe.—William Jaffrey complained of the nuisance caused to him by the standpipo at the corner of Lome and Abercrombie streets, requesting that it might be removed.—The Mayor moved that it be referred to the Finance and General Purposes Committee. —Mr. Wiiddef moved as an amendment that the request be complied with. — Mr. Crowther questioned whether a great injury would not be done to poor people by removing a standpipo from which they had their only water supply.—Mr. Goldie thought it would do the tenants good instead of harm, for it would force landlords to lay on the water. He thought it a mistake putting up standpipss at all.—Mr. Thompson opposed doing away with the standpipes until they adopted means to lay on the water to their houses. If they did away with the standpipes they would drive people to stinkpots, &c, and the result would be disease.—Only Messrs. Goldie and Waddel voted for the amendment. — Mr. Thompson moved that the request be not complied with.—Mr. Crowther seconded, and this was carried. Heru Basdmann.—Mr. J. H. Grey, secretary to Herr Bandinann, applied £or the patronage of the Council on the occasion of Herr Banslmtuin's benefit on Friday evening. Tha request was granted. Mais Sewer.—The Secretary of the Harbour Board ferwarded a copy of resolution passed by the Board, as follows:—"That permission to extend the main sewer will be granted, provided that plans be submitted, and the work carried out to the satisfaction of the Engineer of tho Board." The Mayor was in favour of sending the resolution to the General Government, with an intimation that the Council approves of its prayer, and requests the work be carried out. Ccstomiiodse-stkeet.— Mr. Aickin presented a petition from the residents of Customhousestreet re drainage and surface water, aud prayed the Council to remove the nuisance; signed in all by 21 people.—Referred to the Works Committee.—Mr. Dawson'a letter on the same subject was referred to the committee. Street Lamps.—Mr. Hemus presented a petition iu favour of erecting a lamp in Upper Hobson-street, near Mr. Hill's place.—lieferred to the Works Committee. Public Library.—The following petition was presented: — "To His Worship ' the Mayor and the Councillors of the City of Auckland, the petition of the undersigned burgesses and inhabitants of Auckland sheweth:

That a large number oE citizens are debarred by their occupation and businesses during week days from availing themselves of the privilege of visiting tho Free Public Library, and enjoy that mental wealth there stored for those seeking knowledge ; that the opening of the Library on Sundays would supply the wants of persone so debarred; that your petitioners believe that the Library will be well attended on Sunday?, and exercise an elevating mental aud moral influence on a large section of the community; that for these reasons your petitioners liopo you will grant their request, which is—that you will direct the opening of the Frea Public Library for tho use and enjoyment of tho people on Sundays as well as week days, and your petitioners will ever pray.—Signed, W. Swaxson," and 22S other ratepayers and residents.—Beferred to the Finance and General Purposes Committee

Public WORKS.—The committee reported: — That temporary repairs be made to footpath in Hopetoun-strect; that a water main bo laid in Yernon-street ; that the drain from Beres-ford-street be adopted if the owners would consent to the street being out to its permanent level without claiming compensation j - re petition (Wellington-street), that a reply be sent that the petition would havo early consideration; that the concession asked by Mr. Dempsey under the Building Regulations be granted ; that the fencing of Albert Park be iron with concrete base, as recommended by the Survejcr.— The adoption of the report -was moved by tho Mayor.—Sir. Fleming objected to the clause re drainage of Upper Union-streat.—A discussion ensued, and finally tho report as it stood was adopted.—The Mayor moved, " That tenders bo called for the fencing of Albert Park."—Mr. Thompson secDnded the motion.—Mr. Goldio urged that ample time be civen, to enable tho fencing to be imported from England. — Mr, Montague, to foster colonial industry, urged that tenders bo called in the other cities of the colony.—Finally it was ordered that tho Surveyor submit specifications to the Works Committee, and the latter have power to acfr.

Finance and General Purposes ComJIITTEE.—The committee reported, re Kev. P. Mason's complaint, "That, after fall inquiry into the matter of his complaint against the Town Clerk, the Council is of opinion that there is no evidence whatever to bear out the chargo made ; and further, to express regret that the time of the Council should be taken up with such frivolous matter." Be visit of the squadron, that the Council consider the question at its first meeting. That John Rosse'a claim for compensation be not entertained. That the old buildings in Wakefield-street be sold by auction. That the contractor be required to supply firealarm posts under the contract conditions. The Ways and Means report as printed was appended.—The report was .-irlopted. Visit of the Royal Phixces.— He tho visit of the squadron, the Mayor said tho squadron would arrive on tho 28th, and ren;aiu five days. He bad paid some attention to what was being on the other side. There was no elaborate-re-ception, but the Council might present an address, and he moved, "That the Finance Committee prepare a draft to be submitted to the next meeting of tho Council." The Council might also take into consideration to hold a. citizens' ball, durinß the visit of the squadron. He moved, "That the Council be n. committee to take inifcatory steps, and associate themselves with the eitizena in getting up a citizens ball." —Mr. Aickin spoke in fuvoui of the ball, as the most suitable reception for the officers and princes.—Finally, the Mayor's motion for the preparation of an address wa3 proposed, and an amendment, " That the whole matter be referred to the Finance Committee, with power to act." Wats and Meaks Eepokt.—lt was agreed to consider th 3 clauses of the Ways and Means report seriatim. The principal discussion w*3 on the question of the City Park. After a full discussion, and explanation by the Mayor, tho report was adopted. Legal Committee. —This committee recommended thAt the solicitors be charged, .rad that certain powers be granted to the committee obtaining advice, &c. —Mr. Montague moved, " That the consideration of. this report be post,poned."—The Mayor supported the suggestion, which was seconded by Mr. Aiekio, and it was adopted on the casting vote of the Mayor. Parks Committee. —The report of the Parka Committee was submitted, with accompanying plans numbered in plots for the purposes of contractors. —The report was adopted, and it was agreed to call for tenders for the planting, cutting, &c. Finance and Report.—Accounts were pnssetl for payment on tho recommendation of tho Finance Committee. Returns were presented from the Treasurer's, Waterworks, and Surveyor's Departments, aud from the pumping station. A memo, from the Town Clerk as to persons taking water from the stand-pipes was referred to the Finance and General Purposes Committee. The works recommended by the Surveyor were adopted, on tho motion of Jlr. Thompson, re Karangahapo Road and Liverpoolstreet, &c. Fire Brigade.—The Superintendent applied for the annual supply of boots. —The request was granted.—A long discussion arose between Messrs. Offer and Hemus relative to tho specifications, and finally, on the motion of Mr. Thompson, the specifications were referred to Messrs-. Offer and Goldie.—Mr. Offer declined to net, and the conditions were referred to Jlr. HerniiF, Contract Deposits.—Tho Mayor, in accordance with notice, moved, "That in future all deposits accompanying contracts shall bo it proportionate fixed sum previously arranged by tho Surveyor or Town Clerk ; that such deposit, in cash or marked cheque, shall be paid to tho treasurer, and the amount received marked, outside the tender, a receipt given to the person depositing the same, and all such deposits bo arranged to be deposited in the bank on tho day received by the treasurer."—Mr. Thompson seconded the motion, and it was carried. Library Committee.—The Mayor, in accordance with notice, moved "That Messrs. Hemu3 and Montague be added to the Library Committee."—Mr. Aickin seconded the motion.— Mr. Fleming proposed as an amendment, " That Messrs. Thompson and Goldie be re-appointed." —The Mayor said he only moved to have the I vacancies filled, and would have moved in the same direction as Mr. Fleming had he knotvn the gentlemen would accept the position. He would, therefore, withdraw his moiioa.—Tho amendment was carried.

Steam Mills, Bricktatie, Londor. Export Chicory Mills, Biagcs, Belgium.