CITY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6696, 4 May 1883, Page 6

CITY COUNCIL.

■ —« The regular meeting of the City Council was held last evening. Present: — His Worship the Mayor, Messrs. Stephenson, Boardman, Phillipps, Waddel, Crowther, Devore, Thompson, Aiokin, Harper, Fleming, Bell, Burnß, Garratt, Masefield, Montague, Maekechnie, and Daore.

Royal Hcthane Sociktv.—The Royal Humane Society forwarded copies of resolutions, by which it would be seen that the Royal Humane Society of Melbourne was prepared to reward acts of bravery in saving life in Australian waters. The Secretary requested that the communication and enclosure: be sent to the Harbour Board.—Letter received.

Young Mes's Rooh3.—Mr. E. Bell wrote in regard to a notice from the City Building Surveyor as to the doors in the Young Men's Christian Association Rooms, stating that the doors are never closed from nine a.m. to half-past ten "p.m., so that there was no possibility of an accident. He trusted the notice would not be insisted on.—Referred to the Building Committee.

Driyes's License.—John Calvert, whose license as a cab driver .had been refused, petitioned to have it restored. tie had a wife and six children depending on him. He had signed the pledge, and would not offend any more.—On the motion of the Mayor, the previous decision of the Council was adhered to.

Olipuant - street. — Mr. George Sage wrotfe with regard to the street and footpath and necessity for a water channel.—The Engineer reported that the bridge over Grace-street gully would be erectcd shortly. This is a Hew street, but it is fairly built upon. When approaches to bridges ore being done if possible some ashes will be put on path.—On the motion of Mr. Boardman an answer was ordered accordingly. Brown-street. — Mr. E. J. Lees wrote drawing attention to the bad state of this street. Mr. Anderson reported that repairs to path and channel have been ordered, and will be attended to as soon as possible.—lt was agreed to forward an answer in accordance with the Engineer's memo.

Kelly'sCon'thact, Alexandra-street. — A letter was received from Russell and Devore, solicitors, on behalf of Messrs. Carden and Eeane, trustees in the estate of Thomas Keily, applying for payment to them of any monies due by the Council to Kelly in respect of his Alexandra-street contract. The consideration of the letter was deferred till the report of the Legal- Committee was before the Council.

Drainage, Beresfobd-street.—Mr. W. Coleman, on behalf of Alexander Bruce, wrote in regard to drainage into Mr. Bruce's property.—The Engineer's memo, was that the drainage from Karangahape-road has been going through the property since the road was made, sixteen years ago, and the surface water always went through this gully. There are no houses on this or Messrs. Wilson's property. The Council has agreed to lay a pipe through Mr. Bruce's property when funds were available. There were landslips here before Mr. Bruce had purchased the property, and they were now occurring above where there was no open drain.—lt was proposed that it be referred to the Streets Committee, and after the Oity Engineer had given an explanation, an amendment was proposed by Mr. Montague that the Engineer ascertain! how much the applicants would contribute towards the drain. — Mr. Crowther seconded the amendment.—Mr. Fleming was in favour of the work being done at once. —Mr. Masefield said that the city led the water from Daystreet and Karangahape-rond into this property, and if action was not taken at once the conseqnences would be serious. If it could be now remedied by laying a pipe it should be done at once.—Mr. Waddel spoke in the same direction, and pointed out the absurdity of asking Mr. Bruce to contribute to the drainage.—The amendment was withdrawn, and the motion referring the matter back to the Streets Committee was carried.

Rkfcse Deposit. — Henry Waite asked the Council to fix a deposit for factory refute. There was a memo, from the Town Clerk as to the necessity for such a depot, and he had asked the Sanitary Inspector to report.—Referred to the Streets Committee. —Mr. Phillipps in supporting the motion, pointed out the necessity for having some place to deposit manufacturers' refuse.

Ne h Road.—Mr. Graves Aickin wrote informing the Council of the intention of the Newmarket Highway Board to take land and cause a street to be made between Park-road and Carlton Gore-road. He hai been notified that a certain portion of his land would be required for that purpose. He stated ha was willing to give the land applied for provided necessary arrangements were made as to drainags, sewage, &e., and asked that the Council make the necessary arrangements with the Board as would be satisfactory to the Council, the Board and himself, and suggested the road in questiou should be made a boundary road.—-Refei red to the Streets Committee.

Constitution Hill.—Mr. R. Kay wrote calling attention to the wretched state of the road on Constitution Hill. He complained that the black gravel was unsuitable.—Mr. Crowther moved that it be referred to the Surveyor, to examine the place and report as to forming a footpath of easier access than the present one.—Mr. Phillipps supposed the motion, and alluded to the pressut dangerous state of the path, especially to ladies aod children.—The Mayor suggested that it be referred to the Legal Committee, in its capacity as Park Committee. An easier grade might be found for the footpath.—Mr. Crowther adopted the suggestion.—Mr. Aickin supported it with a view co utilising the Alten-road reserve.—ln this form the motion was agreed to.

Pay.—Mr. J. Wait aiked for an increase of salary, as caretaker of the Fire Brigade station, and pointed out that his duties compelled his constant attendance. His wages were £2 a week, and he asked for an increase of 10s.—Mr. Garratt moved that the request be granted, and strongly recommended it. Mr. Bell seconded the motion.—Mr. Crowther moved that the letter be sent to Superintendent Hughes for his report on the application.—Mr. Devore supported the resolution. The man's whole time was occupied.—Mr. Fleming supported the amendment, on the ground that they would shortly have to reorganise the whole arrangements of the Fire Brigade.—Other members spoke, aud the amendment was barried.

Strbets Committee.—This committee's report was submitted. Re Bayldon and Stephenson's application for right-of-way in Napier-street, the committee reported that they had this application under their consideration and consider it undesirable that any such right-of-way should be permitted, but a building permit having been issued and the houses partly built, the committee ask the Council to decide the question as one of some importance and that will be used as a precedent for aDy similar applications. Re footpath in West-street, Newton, that a reply be sent to Mr. W. F. Donald in accordance with the Engineer's report that no slip has apparently occurred; nothing can be done until the owners build a retaining wall. That a few loads of scoria be supplied for footpath, College-road. In reply to Mr. Macffarlane's letter, re kerbing, &c., Jermyn-street, the committee recommended that a reply be sent that drainage work bas been authorised, and recommended that the footpath be asphalted on both sides. In reference to Mrs. Lendrum's letter, re cutting in Blake-Btreet, Newton, the committee recommended that a reply be sent that if Mrs. Lendrum benches out her ground s milar to that on the west side, no slips would take place in future. Regarding the sower from Karangahapo-road South to the foot of the guily, it was agreed to reply that this would be better let alone until the levels are taken and a drainage scheme agreed upon. Re Mr. Slater's letter as to repairs to Market yards, &c., it was agreed to coat the two yards with scoria-ash and repair the urinal, to cost £11. Mr. E. K. Tyler, solicitor for Mrs. Phillips, had made an application re right of way, Lorne - street. The committee recommended that the application be granted, subject .to the conditions that a gate be erected at the entrance, and no building allowed to bo erected with frontage to the lane, or right of way, or contiguous thereto ; and also that the right of way be asphalted to the satisfaction of the City Engineer.—Several other applications were dealt with, and the concluding part of the report dealt with Mr. Burns' motion, "That the older part of the city streets retain their names, and that streets in Karangahape, Ponsonby, Grafton, and South wards be renamed as indicated.—Mr. Boardman moved the adoption of the report, but suggested that the items be taken seriatim.—This was agreed to. The items were then considered as to the right-of-way in Napier-street, and the question arising from the fact of a build-

' ing permit had been granted. The application for the permit was produced.. It was for five cottages 10 feet, off the line of Napier-street. , The Mayor was of opinion that the builders had failed to properly describe the property ; four out of five did not front- Napier-street at all. Mr. Ellis may have been misled by the application. Mr. Boardman and Mr. Masefield pointed out the necessity of plans being lodged with applications for permits, but Mr. Phillipps pointed out that sometimes persons applied for permission to build say a stable, and he would have no plans. In this ease, however, five of the six buildings did not front Napierstreet, and were in contravention of the building regulations.—Mr. Aickin moved "That the permit be withdrawn, in consequence of misdescription, and that the houses erected are contrary to the regulations." The Mayor seconded the motion. In reply, Mr. Garratt said the carrying of the resolution would involve taking down the buildings. It appeared that on the block of the permit there was an endorsation by the Building Surveyor, "Application for right-of-way to be made to the City Council."—The Mayor, in the absence of Mr. Ellis, the Building Surveyor, moved, "That the consideration of the matter be postponed for a week, and that in the meantime the buildings, if continued, be at the owner's risk."—Mr. Garratt asked whether the Buildiag Surveyor granted permits without inspection.' If so, the Counoil should take steps, but if the owner or builder acted in good faith, it would be injustice to ask him to take down the buildings erected.—Mr. Anderson was called. He said the contractors applied for the permit, and then proceeded to build. As they did not call for it Mr. lillia went, and it was only then that he discovered that it was a right-of-way. He then told them to desist until they obtained the consent to right-of-way. The application was for six cottages fronting Napier street.—A long discussion ensued, after which the whole matter was referred to - the Legal Committee, and that the builders be advised that they proceed with the building at their own risk. The remaining clauses were adopted without much discussion, except as to the 6th clause, the drainage from Karangahaperoad through Kast, W eat-, and Dublin .Streets. —Mr. Garratt pointed out the danger from fever, and asked what prospect there was of a drainage system being taken up. -. He moved, That the Engineer report on the coat of providing the necessary drainage."— Messrs. Thompson and Waddel objected to' the stand taken by Mr. Garratt in respect to this particular district.—The amendment was withdrawn.—The street nomenclature was considered. Amongst other alterations* it was suggested that East-street be changed to Clark-street. .. This was objected to by Mr. Gairatt and supported by Mr. .Thompson, who desired to attach His Worship's name to a more important street—Customhouse - street West from Queen - street to Freeman's Bay. ■; The latter suggestion was unanimously adopted. ... Some->,■ discussion arose as to other names,'.and the,consideration of the matter , was ,deferred ' till': next meeting. -. Legal Committee.—This :■ committeeVreport was submitted. : ; - : Letturß from Noah Wood, J. M. Alexander, and Thomas Cotter re charges were'deferred' fori'furtheriuformation. Re Mr.' W. ■ Joiies' 'com-' plainst against the night 'soir contractor, the * Committee could not recommend any actions in the matter. Ke Mr. Tole's letter as to District Court, costs that the solicitor's explanation was satisfactory. ' regard;'to.Mr; Thomas Kelly's letter as' I, to the Alexandra-.' street contract, the com.-nittee reported that there is a credit balance of, £192.2 a less 'any. forfeiture of deposit or/time J penalty. ■; Your" committee recommendthe credit balance ;be; paid less any expenses attendant; on,the reletting andfurnishingof the contract aud overtime. As to the petition from Freeman's Bay'residents regarding the bone mill;;* I'The'com-: mittee recommended that the ,petitioners be informed that action was taken iri'the matter, but the magistrate was of,,opinion' it should' have been brought under another":-statute; viz., the Public Health Act. The committee would recommend no action on Mr; Motrin's ■ letter re widening High-street;-. MrvC. H. Mitford wrote regarding'some,-books'.'which had been given in error,to..the Free Public Library, and it was agreed that they be returned for forwarding to the Art Gallery as requested. Regarding the Engineer's memoas to pipes, &c., for Albert Park, the committee recommended that the Engineer be instructed to deal with the. surface drainage of Albert Park as indicated in his report, viz., a 12-inch pipe to cost £10.' The only discussion on this report was as "to Kelly's claim under his- contract' for -Alex-, andra-street. It was moved to. remit * tho ' time penalty of the contract,' but it was lost, ! and the motion was carried, and th-3 1 report as amended was them adopted.-. .. Lock Hospital.—The Chairman said the gaoler on the committee visiting- tho site of : the lock hospital .objected to the : fencing; that the gaoler required a right of way between tho fences, and objected to the present fence. : The fence was already up. ..Thegrant of the site was road. -'It appeared that tho Council had really less than'was by the Government,;'and on-: theimotion of the Mayor the matter was left in tho hands of the committee. This was agreed to. ■ 1 Finance.—Current-accounts 1 were passed for payment.;'" Returns from the various de-, partments were aleo submitted. There was a discussion as to'the charge foe compiling«| and checking tho burgess roll," and'the extra clerical assistance entailedj' but it was agreed I to pay the amount'of the account;- with; the I extras, as presented.Suggestions. —On tho motion of Mr 1 Montague, the attention of the Engineer-was drawn to the state of the junctiou of' Patte- I son-street and William street.-""-":- I

Dublin and Edwabd for this work were ? opened; .They were Conlan and Regan, - £301; -William Hanks, 1 £343 ; W. Kirby, The Engineer 'was called, and recommended the postponement of the work till the; summer; andiithat temr porary work, to the oosfc of £15 or £18, be carried out. It appeared that-his'estimate for the work was £300:; 'JETe thought that in' summer the work" could- be : done '£20' or £30 less. Several "pointed out that with the cost for temporary work,.and; advertising, &c.,'r the scost■' would; be: about: equal, and urged that theyprocoed:with,the: work.—lt was finally: agreed to accept tho lowest tender. ,

Dcke-sibeet.—For-.works in .this'street: there were three tenders—Thomas Asher, £149; John Brown, £lC3;'.Kirby;v£iso.—• The schedule price of Mr.? Kirby waa>loweat; = and his tender was accepted;

Ricumosd-road.—There were two tenders—John Mullally, £340; aud William Kirby, £378.—The lormer was accepted. r

Adjodrnmekt,—At .this;stage:Mr.- Waddel, in consequence of .the lateness of; the hour, 11.15 p.m., and'the ' large amount of business which had still; to«be "transacted, moved the adjournment of the. meoting until next day at some.hour to be named. The motion for adjournment.was moved without the proviso, and the meeting therefore stands anjourned until next-Thursday;