CITY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6750, 6 July 1883, Page 6

CITY COUNCIL.

The regular meeting of the City Council was held last evening. Present;: His Worship the Mayor, Messrs. Stovenson, Dacre, Phillipps, Crowther, Waddel, Thompson, Aickio, Harper, Fleming, 8011, Burns, Garratt, Masefield, and Mackechnie.

Correspondence.— The Colonial Secretary wrote agreeing to the Lock Hospital fence twelve feet from the gaol wall.—Agreed to instruct the Legal Committee accordingly.— L. D. Nathan and Co. wrote complaining of loss through want of drainage in Fort and Commerce Streets.—The Engineer reported the drainage of Commerce-street and channelling of Fort-street were authorised, and would be executed in turn. Jn the meantime he would examine if some relief could not be given now.—Agreed to answer accordingly.— Air. J. Harper wrote, asking the Council to use their influence with Mr. Jamis Alackie, coachbuilder, Victoria-street East, to fix chimneys to his forges, and abate the smoke nuisance. — The Inspector of Nuisances reported that there were three furnaces with chimaeys. The smoke blew into the adjoining premises, and caused a nuisance. The chimneys would require to be heightened. It was agreed to direct the Inspector of Nuisances to request Mr. Mackie to abate the nuisance complained of.— Mr. J. C. Firth wrote that Mr. Heather and himself would contribute £20 towards draining and shannelling Mill-lane.—The Surveyor was consulted on the matter, and it was agreed to defer the matter for his report.— J. P. Lascelle3, agent for the War Diorama, asked a permit for the band to play outside the Opera House on each night of the performance for three weeks.—There was some discussion on the subject. Several member* opposed it, on the ground that it created an obstruction, and othus on account of the quality of the music.—lt was finally agreed not to grant the permit, the Council declining to interfere in the matter of those permit 3.—. — Messrs. W. F. Hammond and Son, architects, etc., enclosed conveyance of the trustees in the matter of the road into the. late Judge Beckham'a allotment, which, they would carry out at once on receipt of tha usual permit, and the removal of the earth from the Grafton-road frontage.—lt was agreed to grant the permit on condition that the road be covered with ecoria and rough kerbing made, and drainage to the satisfaction of the liugineer.—Messrs. He-keth and Richmond forwarded an account of £8 17s od, which had been sent to Mr. Beviu, late Chairman of the Karaugahape Highway Board, who directed that it btf sent to Council. It waa an account for legal expenses, City Council v. the Kaiangahape Highway Board. —It was moved that it be sent to the late Chairman of the Board, for his report.—This was agreed to.— G. P. Pierce (manager of the New Zealand Insurance Company) wrote stating that the Board had come to the conclusion that it would hardly be to the advantage of the city that a public-house should be eri-eted on the site No. 7, but the company having been compelled to pay a very large additional price in consequence of th« license being transferable to lot 7, it would only be fair for the Council to make some concession for the increased price they had to pay. —The Mayor made an explanation, and considered the company had no claim, although he was satisfied that the competition was keener on account of the option of the license.—lt was agreed not to recognise any claim for compensation.— Mr. C. Botterill wrote offering rent of £20 a year for three allotments in Berufcfcird-strcet. —It was agrted that the allotments be offered by auction.—Letter from Mr. J. M. Lennox as to the account fur rates on his office, stating he could hardly be expected to pay other people's rates. He was willing to pay rates to the expiration, but objected

to pay 10 mouths' ratesi for property not in hia occupation.—Referred to the Legal Committee.—J. Rendell tendered for allotment situated in Hepburn-street, and enclosed cheque for £s.—The same course was adopted in this instance as in Mr. Botterill's application.—Messrs. Neill aud Clifford asked permission to erect an angular signboard over their shop door, Wellesley-street. — The Engineer reported it would be contrary to the by-laws.—Application refused. — Mr. A. Pooley asked permission fur a band to perform on Saturday evenings on the verandah of the Theatre Koyal.—Agreed to 3end the same reply as to the previous similar application.—Mr. Bell drew attention to the nuisauce from bell-ringing at the auction marts.—The Town Clerk said it was contrary to the by-law, but it was evaded by the ringers standing inside the doorways. —George Isles Panter wrote accepting the Council's terms as to Waverley Hotel. —It was agreed to call on Mr. Panter to pay before the license was transferred.— A. letter was received from Mr. Boardman as follows : " Finding that attendance at the protracted night meetings of the City Council inconvenient on the score of health, I hereby resign my position as one of the representativesof thePonsonby Ward in the Council."— The Mayor moved, as a matter of course, "That the resignation be accepted, but that a letter be sent to Mr. Boardman expressing the regret of the Council that he had to resign for the reason stated." All would admit that he wae a hard-working and promising councillor.—The motion was carried.—Mr. F. Cherry forwarded a resolution of a public meeting, held in the Karangahape Ward, protesting against the change of the namo of Upper Queen-street to Staffordstreet.—Referred to the Streets Naming Committee,—Mr. T. B. Hannaford wrote as to the Town Hall site, asking the Council to re-consider his proposition to place before the Council plans for a most beautiful edifice. —Offer declined with thanks—A letter was received from Mr. Thomas SLiter, lessee of the Market re the Market-house fire, asking whab compensation the Council would allow.—Referred to the Legal Committee. — The Secretary of the Harbour Board forwarded the deed joint plans and specifications re cutting down Emily Place, and asking the seal of the Council to be attached, in order that no time might be lost in conferring with the owners of property.—The Mayor moved that it be referred to the Legal Committee, with power to act, and affix the seal of the Council to the deed. Petitions.—Mr. Garratt presented a petition from thirty ratepayers of Karangahapo Ward, against changing the name of Upper Queen-street to Stafford-street.—Referred to the Streets Naming Committee.—Mr. Dacre presented a petition against stables being erected by George Sage without a permit, within 25 feet of Collingwood-street, and it would depreciate the value of property in the neighbourhood.—Referred to tho Streets Committee. Legal Committees' Report.—Re Mr. A. Fleming's claim, the committee recommend £100 compensation. That the question of tree-planting in Anglesea-etreet be postponed till next year. Re Constable Ryan's application for reward, "That, it not being within the radius of the reward offered (that is, within the city), the committee recommended a reward of £5, as an incentive to vigilance for farther convictions." Re H. K. Gijmore's application for permit to erect a boiler in Coburg-street, that the application be declined, as the Building Surveyor does not recommend it.—Mr. llackechnie moved, " That the compensation to Mr. Fleming be £150, instead of £100, as recommended."— The Mayor seconded the amendment pro forma, staling at the same time that he should vote against it.—The amendment was put and lost, and the report was adopted. Streets Committee Report.—That Mr. C. Joynt's claim be referred to the Legal Committee.—ln reply to Mr. Coome's (Resident Engineer's) application for water-pipes : That the Council requirements are such that they cannot spare the pipes of the size required at present.—Re Mr. Wickham's letter re water charges : That the Council take into consideration the desirability of supplying motor power by quantity for annual payment fixed. That two additional water-taps be fixed on Queen-street Wharf. Ordinary Business.—A memo, was received from the City Engineer as to shortness of supply of metal and scoria ash. Memos. were also received. Specifications as to the landing and delivery of the imported water pipes were received.—The whole matter was referred to the Legal Committee.—The Engineer reported on the covered way through Mr. Kempt's propeity. The lining was an infringement. If this was removed, and the iron fixed to sturts, the erection would be right, and this Mr. Kempt was willing to do.—lt was agreed to reply to Mr. Kempt that this would be permitted. The Market Ftre. —Mr. Masefield moved "That a reward of £50 be offered for the conviction of the scoundrel who cut the hose at the Market." It was agreed to wait until after the report of the Fire Bri§ade Superintendent was received. The uperintendent was to receive instructions that he was to report immediately to the Town Clerk,

Amendments.—Telegrams were received from Mr. Peacock, M.H.8., re amendments to the Municipal Corporations Act. They were referred to the Legal Committee.

Library Site.—The Mayor, in accoranco with notice, moved, "That the question of the Free Public Library be reconsidered, ■with the view of straightening Coburg-street and shifting the library site to adjoin the Albert Park." He submitted a plan showing what was intended.—lt was agreed to adopt the alteration suggested, and after these have been adopted to call for competitive designs for the building.—The rough minutes were then read, and the meeting rose.