CITY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XI, Issue 6929, 1 February 1884, Page 6

CITY COUNCIL.

The regular weekly meeting of the City Council was held last night. Present: His Worship the Mayor, Messrs. Stevenson, Maokeehnie, Field, Dacre, Phillipps, Devore, Crowther, Marshall, Aickin, Harper, Masefield, Holland, Burns, La Roche, Montague, Fleming. Edwin-street. —Mr. Thomas Moylo called attention to the deep cutting in front of hia property, and asked the Council to provide steps, Mr. Anderson reported that if this request were granted there would be other similar applications. —Referred to the Streets Committee. Water Pipes.—Messrs. E. Porter and Co. wrote that the shipment of pipes now landing from the Turakina completed their contract with the corporation, bnt were prepared to supply further orders on the same conditions — £6 103 per ton. — The Mayor Baid he had asked the Consulting Engineer to prepare a return of what further pipes would bo required, and he moved that the consideration of this letter stand oyer until the return was received.—The motion was seconded by Mr. Crowther, and carried. Baths.—Mr. Ralph Keesing wrote inquiring when the baths would be ready. He had seen the plan and thought it too small, and suggested that the bath should be 100 x 300 feet.—The Mayor said the plans were laid on the table a fortnight ago, but the Council took no action on them. Pending a report from the Consulting Engineer as to the use of a ram to supply the baths with salt water, the Mayor moved that the consideration of the matter be allowed to stand over. The Mayor said that if the proposal to use fresh water was adopted it would become a question of their ability to supply the extended city and Parnell with water, and that probably was why the Legal Committee did not make a recommendation.—Mr. Aickin hoped the matter waß not Bhelved, and moved that it be referred back to the Legal Committee to bring up a report.— Mr. Crowther thought it would be better to send it to the Endowment Committee. His opinion was that institutions of this sort should be made self-supporting.—Mr. Burns asked if it was decided to erect the baths on the market site.—The Mayor replied that nothing was yet decided. — Mr. Burns thought the vacant land at the back of the Drill-shed would be more suitable.—The Mayor said that if the ram answered expectations they could have their baths wherever they thought proper at the expenditure of half an inch jet of water.—Mr. Devore said the committee had gone into the question of expense, and taking as a basis the attendance at the present baths, found that at a charge of 3d a profit of £300 would be derived.—The Mayor withdrew his resolution and the matter was referred to the Endowment Committee. Western Springs Profektt.—Mr. W. Aitkea wrote that he had been instructed by Mr. Farrell to sell his property at "Western Springs for £14,000, half cash, balance may remain for seven years at six per cent. The property contained the Tallow Company's works, the hotel, and three cottages.—Mr. Harper moved that Mr. Aitken be informed that the Council had already dealt with this subject.—Mr. Fleming seconded the motion, but Mr. Crowther said this was a different proposal altogether.—Mr. Mackechnie suggested that the whole question of water supply be referred to a committee consisting of a member from each ward.—Mr. Crowther seconded the motion. Seeing that property to the extent of £20,000 had been recently destroyed for want of water pressure, he thought it would stand inquiry as to how the supply was to be extended.— Mr. Masefield supported the relegation of the matter to a committee, but thought it would be advisable to remit it to one of the existing committees.—Mr. Montague had no objection to this matter being referred to committee, but that was no answer to the present letter, containing an offer of Edgecomb's estate for a price in excess of that already declined by the Conncil. He believed they should have still further offers of this estate until it came back to the original price asked by Mr. Edgecomb, to whom the property really belonged.—lt was agreed to reply that the amount asked was in excess of what the Council considered the value of the land, and that the question of the future water supply of the city be referred to a committee, consisting of a member from each ward. —Mr. Mackechnie gave notice to move the appointment of the committee at next meeting. ' Moore-street.—Mr. Geo. Graham wrote asking if the Counoil would co-operate with him in cutting down his property in Moorestreet.—The Engineer said he was not aware of any understanding between the Council and Mr. Graham on the subject.—The Mayor said there was such an understanding of the kind referred to when Mr. Graham proposed to erect a hotel there. —The letter was referred to the Streets Committee. Tha.nss.—Mr. R. Madden conveyed the thanks of Mrs. Watt to the Conncil for their kindness in remitting her rates. —Letter received. Wellington-street.—Mr. M. McKean called attention to the injury to his property through works in Wellington-street.—The Engineer reported that he would like the Streets Committee to see this place.—Referred to the Streets Committee. Baptist Tabernacle.—Mr. S. H. Matthews wrote that the Baptist congregation was about to build a place of worship at the corner of Upper Queen-street and Karanga-hape-road, and asked that the Engineer might furnish Mr, Bell, the architect, with the permanent levels of the street.—lt was agreed to inform the applicant that all the information in the possession of the Council conld be obtained at the Engineers' office. Pctblic Library.—One of the competitors for the Art Gallery and Public Library wrote, that as he made a strong point of putting in an effective design to suit local materials, so that a thoroughly good artistic, substantial, - and suitable building could be put up, for the limited sum of £21,600, he ventured to say that in common fairness, as their assessors found that the designs first selected cannot be executed for that sum, a fresh selection should be made and submitted to the same ordeal, and that the Council's final verdict should be given to the design that came nearest to the conditions of cost.—As there was no signature to the letter, it wa3 not considered. East-street. — Mr. Arthur Tilly drew attention to a nuisance in East-street in the form of a filthy drain.—Mr. Goldie reported that the nuisance was caused by ths defective condition of the street channel in Eaststreet, which required to be cemented or concreted.—The matter was referred to the Streets Committee, in order that they might visit the side streets of Karanganhape Ward with a view to the adoption of some such course as that suggested. Ireland-street.—Mr. P. Matzen urged the necessity for forming Ireland-street, as at present neither cart nor wheelbarrow could be brought along it, and the residents had to carry coal and firewood on their backs from adjoining streets. —A petition on this subject had been previously before the Council.—Referred to the Streets Committee. Permit.—Mr. S. Maguire asked for a permit to erect a buildini; in Wellesley-street, for_ which plans were submitted. — The Building Surveyor reported that the plans were in accordance with the building regulations, and estimated to cost £11,000. —The consent and. approval of the Council were granted.

Lincoln-street.—Mr. W. B. Young drew attention to the state of Lincoln-street. The Engineer reported that works were in progress, and culvertß would soon be pat in, and there was no cause for complaint.—Mr. Devore said that the Engineer said there was no cause of complaint, but he knew there was no road.—Keferred to the Streets Committee.—Mr. J. Mclndoe wrote complaining of the manner in which Mr. Knight .was fulfilling his contract in Lincoln-street. To this the Engineer reported that Mr. Knight had commenced the construction of culvertß, and no further clay would be placed there till they were constructed.—Referred to the Streets Committee.—A. Verrall wrote on the same subject. He wanted to know when the culverts would be put in, as ho wanted to build four cottages.—lt was agreed to inform the applicant that the culverts were being bnilt. Gbey-steeet.—Mr. J. W. Duff wrote asking the Council to complete the drainage of this place—one of the gullies in Grey-street. —Mr. Phillipps moved, " That it be referred to the Engineer to report to the Council." It appeared that previously a report had been sent to Mr. Buff that the Council had authorised the work.—Mr. Anderson, City Engineer, was called in. One gully was now being done, but he had received no instructions as to this one.—Mr. Phillipps'motion was carried. Bates.—Mr. T. Rice asked for the use of the City Baths between three and four;

o'clock on Saturday for a swimming matob, and he proposed to charge Is for admission.—The request was refused. ' Streets Committer's Report.—The i report of this committee was read and adopted. It recommended that no cutting be done in Summer-street till the permanent levels were fixed ; that the sloping of earth in Wellesley-street be done at a cost ot £10; that Messrs. Pooley and Lynas be informed that the levels of Norfolk-street are not fixed, but would be aa soon as possible, i Be hump on Ficton and Angleaea Streets : That, as the work has been carried out to the fixed levels, this committee cannot recommend that the prayer of the petition be granted. Re complaint of nuisance in Wellesley-street, complained of by Mr. Bacon: The committee reported that no such nuisance existed. That if Mr. Porter gave sufficient land to carry Oliphant-Btrect at its present width—viz., forty feet—to its junction with John-street, that the Council accept his terms. Re steam roller: That order be forwarded as recommended by the City Engineer : That a sum of £13 5s be paid to Mr. Levy for his drain in Greystreet. Re petition from residents Cookstreet West, re access : That on the south side the culvert be expended to allow embankments to be increased to full width of street on that side; Cannot recommend low levels asked for at present: Legal Committee, Emily-place. — The report of this committee was submitted. The principal item of the report was as follows :— " Your committee report that they met the General Trust Board, who, wita the concurrence of the Minister and Church Wardens of St. Paul's, abide by the term of their former resolution relative to the cutting down of. St. Paul's site, but are willing to accept the personal covenants of the directors of the Frozen Meat Compan3' in lieu of the City Council. And now report that in lieu of all the provisions in the resolutions for the carrying out by the Frozen Meat Company of the works mentioned, they agree to accept the sum of £4750 cash within one month from this date, which your committee recommend the Council to accept, their liability being onethird of the sum, conditional on the other bodies agreeing." The other clause which gave rise to discussion was, " That the Superintendent be authorised to obtain six men for the Ponsonby station on the same terms as the city Pire Brigade men were engaged.— The Mayor said there was a very important subject in the report in reference to the cutting down of Emily Place, tho facts of which they were no doubt made acquainted with by the Press. The committee agreed to make the recommendation in order to bring to a close a very long and disagreeable business. He moved the adoption of the report.—Mr. Montague moved that the clauses be taken seriatim.—The first clause was then moved, the Mayor explaining that the Council would only have to pay a third, and they were relieved of all responsibility in regard to the building.—Mr. Fleming was very glad to hear the explanation, and would be inclined to vote for the increased sum.—Mr. Crowther said so should he, provided it was not taken out of the East Ward's allocation of the loan. He believed the best had not been done, that £4000 would be ample and believed £-1750 was too much. Their valuer, Mr. Wade, a professional man, had informed them that the church could be re-erected for £3000, and the only thing he might have omitted was the cost of removing the organ.—Mr. Field said the £750 was to compensate them in lieu of providing them I with interim accommodation. He should be perfectly willing to vote for the resolution provided the other two bodies, the Harbour Board and Freezing Comany, were agreeable.—Mr. La Roche explained that not only had the Church to provide interim accommodation, but for loss of seat rents and storage for the Church property, and the advance was in reality only £1000.—Mr. Masefield was sorry that the committee had not secured the site for the Council, but as a solution of the difficulty, he should vote for the adoption of the report.—The clause was unanimously adopted, and the remainder was adopted.—There was also a discuision relative to the appointment of six men for the Ponsonby Brigade station, Mr. Crowther pointing out that it wonld greatly increase the cost of the Fire Brigade.—Mr. Aickin also said that now that the insurance offices , had combined to raise the rates of insurance, and that they refused to contribute to the support of the brigade, it was time some understanding should be arrived at.—A motion was proposed "That the number of men to be appointed to the station be four men instead of six."—Mr. Stevenson said that the recent fire at Mount Eden-road must have cost the city £25 or £30, and it was outside the city altogether The Mayor asked if Mr. Stevenson was prepared to move that the services of the brigade be not given outside the city, and Mr. Stevenson said he wonld.—Mr. Masefield spoke at some length on the duty of the insurance companies to contribute to the support of the Fire Brigade. They had inoreaßed their rates directly they were relieved from the contribution, and were simply playing with the citizens.—The Mayor said the Superintendent of the Brigade had already received instructions that he was not required to go to fires outside the city, and it was optional with the Finance Committee whether it should pass the accounts.—Mr. Phillipps disagreed with Mr. Masefield as to the duty of the insurance companies to maintain the fire brigades.—The amendment was put and lost.—Mr. Aickin moved a3 a further amendment that the matter be postponed until a reply was received to the Council's letter to the United Insurance Companies. — Mr. Fleming seconded the amendment. — The matter was discusßed at some length, Mr. Masefield going even so far as to suggest that if the reply of the insurance companies was unfavourable, the Fire Brigade should be disbanded or reduoed to a mininum.—Mr. Montague supported this idea.—The amendment was carried.— The report as amended was then adopted. Finance Committed.—This committee's report was also submitted and its clauses discussed. In reference to Wilson's claim for cartage there was a discussion.—Mr. Masefield said tho Finance Committee had not anything before them, they had no account from Mr. Wilson.—Mr. Montague moved that the matter be deferred till the next meeting, but after explanation ho withdrew his motion, and the report was adopted as amended.

Leasing the Domain Cbicket Ground.— Mr. Phillipps asked whether the Mayor intended to take any action in regard to the action of the Domain Board and prevent the alienation of a portion of the Domain.—The Mayor said that after reading the paragraph in the Herald he had formed the following resolution:—"That the Mayor telegraph to the Colonial Secretary requesting that the consent of the Governor-in-Council be withheld from the granting of a lease to the Auckland cricketers of a portion of Auckland Domain until such such time as the City Council had considered the question of asking for the management and control of the Domain." To follow this up he would move that the question be considered at the next meeting. His only reason was in the interests of the citizens, but he believed the Domain should be under the Council ; for although there might not be better minds, there would be better means.—Mr. Phillipps heartily supported the motion. The Domain was granted to the public, and it would be wrong to give any-portion of the public the exclusive right to a portion of the Domain. The thanks of the public were due to the three gentlemen who protested against this alienation. He believed that it would be better to have the control of the Domain in the hands of an elective body instead of nominees.—Mr. Masefield said the gentlemen on the Domain Board were determined that the public should be protected by seeing that the lease was so worded that the public should be protected. It was not right that the cricket ground should be injured. The cricketers had certain rights as a portion of the public—Mr. Aickin said the Domain Board would heartily coincide with handing over th« management of the Domain to the city. Their present revenue was totally inadequate, being only £300 a year, and £1000 would be required. As regards the resolution of the Domain Board, it was not fully stated in the Press. The cricketers had expended large sums on this ground, and they did not think it fair that they should be asked to continue without some tenure, say six or twelve months. The intention was that the public should have full access to the Domain except for three or four days in the year.—Mr. Mackechnie did not think the Board was inclined to protect the rights of the public in granting a lease. It was a breach of trust on their part, and the trustees should not be allowed to make a breach of the trust imposed on them. Councillor Thompson. — The Mayor moved, "That the Council, express its regret at the painful accident which prevented Mr. Thompson from being present at his duties to-night."—The motion were seconded by Mr, Aickin, and carried una ' ously.

Wellington-street.—Mr.PhllU.- Ps asked how the contract for the W-eJlington-street works was being carri on:—The Engineer replied that there were as many men on the works as could be employed. East-street Culvert. —Tenders for the construction of a culvert in East-street, Newton, were received. A. Archibald, £233 17« 6d ; Edward Byrne, £199 lCs ; John Rowe and Co., £223 7s 6d. The Engineer's estimate was £185.—Mr, Byrne's tender was accepted. Fire Brigade Plant.—A memo, was received from the Town Clerk, asking whether the Fire Brigade plant, valued at over £1000, be insured.—lt was deemed unnecessary. Engineer's Report.—A report was received. It submitted the levels of Marine Parade, which were adopted. Re the road in Symonds-street: Mr. Justice Gillies had called re the line of road, and it was agreed that the Council adhere to its former decision. The Engineer explained that it would cost £1000 to build a retaining wall to make tbe footpath. Re bridge across the Cemetery Gully : He wished the position of the bridge fixed. This was referred to Legal Committee to consult the Cemetery trustees. Specialßusiness.—This was to adopt resolution to lay out and dedicate two new streets in section 53 of the city, viz , one from Karangahape-road to Hopetoun-street, 60 feet in width, one from Howe-street to the above street, 60 feet in width, and that the said streets be named respectively Hereford and Jersey Streets.—On the motion of the Mayor, the resolution was adopted. By-LAWS.—By-law No. 26, as advertised, was adopted, and the necessary steps were. authorised to bring it into force Telephonic Connection.—Mr. Carlaw applied for extension of telephone communication and instruments.—Granted. Sanitary inspector.—The Inspector sent in his report, tie intended to commence impounding unregistered dogs, and asked for an auctioneer's license to enable him to sell them. He reported that animal manure had been imported by the Clansman for Messrs. Warnock, and complaints were made regarding it. Fire Brigade. — The Superintendent reported the two fires at Mount Eden-road, He recommended that the cost be ascertained, and the Mount Eden Board and the insurance companies pay the expense. Jervois-road.- The matter of fixing the levels of Jervois-road was the next business. Two objsctors, Mr. Robinson and Mr. Allen, were in attendance to support the objections lodged by them.—The levels as advertised were granted. The only other business taken was the discussion re Public Library plans, referred to elsewhere.