CITY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6816, 21 September 1883, Page 6

CITY COUNCIL.

The ordinary weekly meeting of Council was held yesterday, His Worship the. Mayor pre? siding. Present: Messrs. MaseGeld, Burns, Laßoche, Harper, Thompson,- Waddel. Crowther, Devore, Phillipps, Dacre, Stevenson, Fields Aickiri, Garratt, Mackechnie, and Fleming. .Shipment.!—A letter was received from Shand, Mason, and Co., announcing ship-: ment of material per Piako, Competitive Shooting.—A letter was received from the Secretary of the Rifle Association announcing that the competitive shooting. Would take place in Auckland in February next, and: s asking the aid. and assistance of Worship said there could be no doubt that the members of Council would individually . give all the aid and assistance they could. 3 But it was a master more for the '' ahootists" . themae.i ves to form a committee to canvass the town, and do all they cnuld to prepare a suitable reception for the competitors. But he was Unable to see whit the Council, as a Counc.l, could do in the matter. He would individually do all he' could, to forward the view of the association.—Mr. Devore thought the best thing to do was to refer the matter to the Legal Committee. He would in the meantime see some of the parties interested, and enquire what the association proposed to do. lie moved t'ha.t the matter be referred to the Legal Committee.—Mr. Burnsseconded the motioa which was carried.

Damaging Trees. letter Was received from Superintendent Thomson as to payment of reward for damaging trees, and enclosing record of that the reward (1.0s) be paid.

Vkkanda&.—'Mr. J. G. Buchanan asked permission to build a verandah, according to plan,—K-jferred to the Streets Committee.

PakneiA Water Supply.—A. letter was received from the Town. Cierk of Parnell, enclosing resolution of Parnell Council as to laying mains in Stanley-street.—His Worship said that provision was made for this work in the contract nosv being prepared by the Engineer for extending waterworks. Sukridan-stheet. — A letter was received as to the state of this street from Mr. A. Wood.—His Worship said it had already been decided that if the writer would build a retainiug-wall, the Corporation would fill the street to. the full width.—lt was resolved that the Council adhere tit its previous decision.

Permit.—A letter was received from Mr. Carbine, asking that building might remain on allotment.—Granted.

letter from P. Lawaon, asking for a refund of 3s overpaid for rate3.—'-Appli-cation granted.

Tramway Company.—A letter was received from the Secretary as to arrival of rails.—The matter was referred to the Streets Committee, with power to act. Sign" Board.—.Messrs. Heighten and Co. aske.l permission to erect a signboard.— Resolved that the signboard must be in accordance with by-law.

Nuc.e:t-stkket.—The Chairman of the Grafton School Committee called attention to the dangerous state of this Street, which the school children had to traverßo in coming to and leaving school.—Referred to Streets Committee. Peumit.—Mr. Ansenne asked for a permit for building.—lt was resolved that Mr. Ansenne be requested to furnish plan of the proponed building and ground. Cko.-slsg..— a letter was received from Mr. Barstow, asking for a crossing to his property.—Referred to the Engineer. . * Right-op-Way.—A letter was received from Mr. Thome, in the matter of a right-of-way previously asked for.—Referred to Streets Committee. Questions of Right-of-Way.—His Worship said ihat the Council ought to be caretul iu grauting rights-of-way. It might happen that these "rights" were asked to facilitate the sale of other property at a future period. If that were so in any parti' cular case, then the Council might find itself unable to grant or refuse requests made in respect. to matters of great public importance.

U'atkp. Rate.—Mr. Whitehead wrote to the effect that he was charged rates for a building which wais not within 100 yards ot the water main.—The Mayor said the ground had hern measured, and it had been found that the building Was within 100 yards of the. main.*— Application for exemption refused. Sentinel-street.—A letter from E. J. Le.es as to the state of this street, was referred to the Engineer for his report. Towm Hall Sit/..—A letter was received from Messrs. J. M. and J. Mowbray,. On behalf of Mr. Jagger, closing with the offer made by the Council for the proposed Town Hall site.—Received. (West).— A letter was received from the Secretary of the Harbour .Board, enclosing the resolution of the Board, ;;md copy of memorandum hy the Chief Harbourmaster, stating that, the dock had been flooded by the overflow of surface water from Customhouse street.—'Referred

to. the Streets Committee. Petitions.—Mr. Thompson presented a petition from shopkeepers and others in Victoria street, bringing under the notice of the Qouucil the necessity of early Watering this Street. —Petition received and referred to the StrcetsCommittee. —Mr. Phillipps'tnoved that the standing orders be suspended, that the committee might get power to act.—Mr. (Jrowther opposed the motioD, which could not, being opposed, be put.' « v , . ■ r.KI'OBT-:. 'i ■ '"

Stuekts Commit rt'E.—Th is report was brought up atid read. The committee recommended 1. That application for right of way (re Hesketh and Richmond's letter) be £>r«rited on the usual conditions, viz., gate to be erected and maintained with frontage therstc»; lane or right of way to be asphalted. 2. That reply be sent to Mr. Evans (re repairs of Ring Terrace) that the Foreman of Works has been instructed to make the necessary repairs. 3 That (re culvert, Dublin-street), work be done in accordance with Engineer's report; that on the west, the lower end, culvert be extended 20 feet further into applicant's ground. (W. T. Moyes), and on the upper end, where embankment is not bo steep, it should be extended 10 feet. 4, That, when the consent of proprietors is obtained, the cutting and filling to permanent level be taken into consideration. 5. That (re Lower Union-street) the committee cannot recommend the prayer of the petition. 6. That report of Mr. Errington (re casting miiiu) be referred to the Waterworks Engineer to report whether it is safe to lay the pipes (pipes cast on the flat four inch), or that they should be received under protest. 7. Thut the Engineer's report (re surplus earth, Ponsonby-road), bo adopted, and that the earth cutting, on the east end of work be deposited in gullies in Vermontstreet ('ate Grace-street) and Lincoln-street; and that a schedule of prices be included in the tender for building these culverts in the gullies, and that surplus material at the west end of work be. utilised in raising Sheehan and Dignan-streets, behind the Ponsonby Hall, and the lower side of Proapect-street.— Adopted. LeGa.*- Cojimitteb.—Ths committee recommended .- 1. Supply of sundry small articles /or Lock Hospital. 2. That Mrs. Bryce be informod that the committee dp not see their way to make any alteration in building, but are prepared to provide curtains for euijlosing beds. 3. That the Town Clerk procure necessary f.irms, about 100 each, under the O.D. Ac*. 4. That copy ot regulations Submitted by Dr. Goldsbro' be forwarded to Wellington for approval, and

to be gaze'-tcd. 5. That by-law re bicycles be submitted to solicitor for his opinion. 6. That Town Clerk inquire cost of erecting v/at-stations for fire-bell and telephone. 7. That the Princes-street bell and one at the junction of Grey - street be retained ; that the bell opposite the station in Albertstreet be erected at Ponsonby station ; that bell in Upper Symonds-atreet ba removed, and erected at the station, Kyber Pass reservoir.

Mr. Gajjratt's Comp!la..ixt.—The Legal Committee also reported that they had passed the following resolution, in regard to the complaint of Mr. Garratt;" which had been referred to it by the Council The committee find that a letter addressed to Mr. Garratt was delivered at the City Council letter-box on the 20th of June last, at the I'ost Oliioe, endorsed by the Town Clerk "not in office, try workshop," and put back again into the Post Office box; that the charge appears trivial, and the committee regret tiuit Councillor Garratt considered it necessary to brini* forward the matter by motion ; at the same time the committee think the Town Clerk might have made more inquiries before dealing with the .Utter, as he did; the delay of other letters appears to have been caused without anyfault on the part of the Town Clerk; the letter addressed by iJ. S. Connop, dated sth of September, the . committee think this letter should have been read to the Council

and nob disposed of by simply being, submitted to Sis Worship the Mayor."—Mr. Garratt Baid the , report Ecarcelydidhim justice in regard to his; letter. The: report had been altered. It first Stood that the Town Clerk might . have shown more courtesy." The word " courtesy" had been left out.—Mr. Waddel : "Consideration. was the word.—Mr. Garratt: Consideration of courtesy. The Town CI rk got out of the matter of the letter of Mr. Connop. by making the Mayor accessory to the . fact. Mr. Thompson wished to know something as to how, this letter came to be dealt with, without coming before the Council—lhe Town Clerk said that the resolution for leasing certain property had come before the Council .and been disposed of by the Council. But.there was an error in the lease (re Corporation v. Connop), and Mr. Connop wrote to the effect that he would surrender his lease if be got £40. Under the direction of the Mayor, the matter Was referred to thes solicitor.—His Worship said be would bow to the opinion of the Council in a matter of the kind. At the .same time be was of Opiuion that the course adopted was, in the ordinary course of business, j regular.—The report of the Legal Committee i was adopted.

Finance Committee;.—The report of this '■ cOmmittea was brought up and read as. follows : -T- Tiie committee recommend—(t) That a fixed arrangement be made (re charges referred to in letter of Mr. Errington) with Mr. Errington to p;iy him 2| per cent, in addition to his salary for all new works,, including cost of material; (2) That the application of Mrs. Hamilton (re lease Howestreet) cannqt be entertained ; (3) That three Coffimissionersbe appointed, viz., the. Mayor (for the time being) and two Councillors nominated by the Council (re Consolidated Loan Act); (4) Letter of Messrs. Wilson 3 and Horton, deferred, and that Messrs. Wilsons and Horton be requested to attend the next meeting of the Finance Committee; (o) Buildings on all allotments in Grey and | Albert Streets be Sd!A on the sth November, (■ tenants to be allowed to occupy the same unril the Ist of November.—Report adopted.

Chttlsg Dowtn Emily Place.—On the motion of the Mayor, the Council resolved itself into consider the plans, gradients, aud ! levels submitted by the City Engineer, i Council in oommi[tke,—The Mayor | said besides the proposal which had been first submitted by the Engineer, and a.p- I proved by the Council, instructions were given to prepare plans for a more extended scheme* which would give a still better grade. This had been- done, and the plans were on the table, to which he invited the. attention of the committee. The first proposal gave a grade of one in ten, but the second gave a very much better grade, in some places one in thirty-three. The first proposal could be carried out independently of the second, or extended plan. The extended plan embraced the widening of Jermyu-street to 66 feet. But this could be done only if the property owners would not require compensation. He believed that some of them would not require compensation, in viev? o:f the increased value that v.-euld be given to their several properties. The Freezing Company and Harbour Board > would take away the earth at their own cost. He would move two resolutions. The , first would be, "That the Council be recommended to agree to the cutting, down of Emily Place and Princes-street to Waterloo Quadrant, Shortland-street to Shortstreet, pro vided—First: That the Harbour I Board and Freezing Company defray [ the expense of taking away the earth at their cost, and that the owners of property agree to the alteration of the levels, without compensation from the Council. Second resolution : That the Council considers it desirable that Jetttlyn-strect be widened, as shown on the plans, and that the necessary steps he taken to ascertain on what condition the ground can be obtained."—Mr. Aic-kin wished, before seconding the proposal embodied in the first resolution to know what was the cost of the work as firdt proposed, and that of the proposal Com prehended in the extended plan.—The Mayor : That, is to say the difference between the work as first decided upon and that which is now proposed ? or in other words, What is the additional cost of adopting the extended proposal over the one in t-;n grade ? —The Engineer: J could answer at on:e only by a rough guess. I think it would be between £2000 and £2500; that includes kerbing and channelling; the drainage jn some places would have to be lowered.— Mr. Crowtber wished to put the matter to the Engineer in a somewhat different form. He (Mr. Crowther) had ascertained from Mr. Anderson that the one in ten grade 'would cost £1400 (and odd). Now it Was proposed ; to go further up Princes-street, and further down Shortland-street. What would, be the additional cost for this new proposal ?—The Engineer : Does that include the widening of Jermyn-sfcreet?—The Mayor: No. That; is involved in the second resolution.—The Engineer : About £2000, but that includes lowering tie drainage, kerbing, channelling, &rc.—The first resolution was put and carried without further Field seconded the second resolution, whjeh was carried without further dissuasion.

■ Lkvels ax u Plans.—The levels for Graf ton-road, plans for Ponson by-road (No. 2 contract), drainage of Mill' 3 Lane and Blade-street were laid on the tab'e.

Stsam Roller,—Mr. Masefield said the Engineer's reportr2commeDded a steam rollt r. The only questions were as to the weight and power. He moved that a 15-ti.n roller be ordered.—Several members of Qouucil doubted whether a 15-ton roller could be got up the steep gradients ; whether it would ii'.t. aink in the " weak points" of streets ; whether it would not be entirely unworkable.—Mr. Masefield said that a 13-ton roller bad been obtained for Uunediu, but they had not engine-power there sufficient to . work it.. It was a mere question of power. As to finding out the "w ak points " of streets, large boilers of as great Wright were carried over the streets without finding them out. But if the roller found them out, so much the better for the streets, as they would soon be made good.—Mr. Thompson moved an amendment, "That manufacturers should be invited to consider upon description of the streets as to grades being submitted to them, whether the employment of a roller of 15 tons were practicable, and if they thought not, that they should send out a machine Suitable to the gradients of the streets, *0. (guaranteed)."' —After Some discussion ofawhofly technical character, the amendment was carried.

Lib&ahy. l —The Library Committee were authorised to have the catalogue of books printed.

Street Metal.—Mr. Thompson moved, "That the Engineer be instructed to. report, at as early a date as possible, as to the probable quantity of broken metal likely to be required for city purposes dnriog the next year, and the best mode of providing it; also, as to depots for storage of same in the several wards of the city," He said that unless some precaution were taken for the supply the streets would be in a very bad way. The necessity for a supply of metal in prpporticn to the increasing traffic of the streets was becoming more apparent every day. — His Worship suggested whether as the gaol authorities were putting up three stone-breaking machines, something might not be doue to get a sUpplv from tbat quarter.—'Mr. Thompson thought the requirements of the new gaol building would exhaust all the supply that could be got from these three machines at the gao!.—Motion put and carried.

The Firr Brigade. — Mr. Stevenson moved, "That a return be made to this Council showing the cost of the Auckland Fire Brigade during the preceding twelve months, to include the toss of new material now ordered or work authorised to pfrsent date." He thought the entire cost of the maintenance of tiie Fire Brigade a very heavy item, while the .insurance companies who derived the greatest benefit from the maintenance of the brigade paid nothing. He believed that it was only equitable and fail that they should pay something towards the maintenance of a force which saved them in the course of a year such a large sum of mo.iciy.—Mr. Waddel said the cost to the Cotiiicil for the current year up to date was £1000. Towards that the msurauca companies contributed nothing.—'Mr. Crowther said that there was such a thing ki.«o-vn as companies coffibiding to keep up the rates of insurance. He was once insured for 17a 6d iii the £100. He was at present insured for Gs 6d in the £100. He could not think of anything more reasonable. If the Council provided the effective facilities for extinguishing fire, the companies could afford to insure property at cheaper rates. Thej went on the principle of increasing, their rate according to risk.—After some discussion. the motion Avas carried. Books to Library.—Mr. S. Brooking presented two volume? of Liddiard Nicholas' " Visit to New Zealand in 1814.lleferred to the Library Committee. [This appears a Tery rare and interesting book.]

Public Health.— Mr. AiefeiTT under the notice of the Council summer would soon be at band hn ■ ! th e K ea 'est objects • for a municiral W tbe "he health of the citizens.-. Last v ' Wse attention-:of the corporation Was lit} , the this subject, with the beat result!, thooght the proper officers should L quested to report on the subject this te ' . ihe Mayor said that, instructions S: m aCCOr Q ° e With lhe j *