CITY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 6935, 8 February 1884, Page 6

CITY COUNCIL.

The ordinary weekly meeting of the City Council was held yesterday evening, His Worship the Mayor presiding. Present: Messrs, Crowther, Masefield, Holland, Burns, La Roche,Garratt, Fleming, Harper, Stevenson, Mackechnie, Field, Devore, Marshall, Aickin, Montague. Symosds-stbeet.—Letter from Mr. Justice Gillies acknowledging receipt of letter from Council, and stating that as an objectionable plan was to be carried out inSymonds-street, he stood on his legal rights. Received.

Stone.—Letter from G. W. Glover re paving stone. —Referred to Engineer. Emily Place. — From Joseph Banks, rjm nager of the Freezing Company, to the Meet that the Freezing Company were prepared to carry out the agreement re cutting Emily Place, provided that the landowners interested shall sign the deed, as advised by the company's solicitor. —Referred to the Legal Committee.—Mr. Aickin suggested that steps should be taken to have the whole business complete at the next meeting of the Council. —The Mayor aaid that until the deed was drawn up, and the owners of property should have signed the deed, they would not pay over the money.—The Harbour Board appeared to have overlooked the signing the joint deed, and the signing by the property owners. —Mr. Mackechnie said that the draft deed, which was now before the Council, should be sent to the Council' 6 solicitor. —The Mayor said it was not intimated that there would be any difficulty.

Tramways.—The Secretary of the Tramway Company asked permission to lay a branch, at their expense, from corner of Ponsonby road to Jervoia-road. The object of making the application was that the company proposed to erect large stables and other buildings.—Referred to the Streets Committee.—Several members stated that Jervois-road was a very narrow strip. That being so, it was desirable to know whether the company proposed to use the line for traffic. —The Town Clerk was instructed to make inquiries. Metal Account.—Mr. G. Wilson sent in an account for £114 13s 6d, complaining that the account of the city was incorrect.— Referred to the Engineer. Late Ponsonby Board.—From J. H. Field, late Chairman, to the effeot that the late Board could not recommend the Council to pay Mr. Hughes's account, but that Mr. Hughes should refund moneys paid to him to the City Council. -Referred to the Legal Committee.

Karangahape-road. — From _A. H. Nathan, asking that the Council should authorise the cutting of the earth from the Jewish Cemetery wall.—Deferred until the next meeting of the Council.

St. Paul's Church.—A letter containing the resolution of th« Harbour Board, agreeing to pay, conjointly with the Council and the Freezing Company, £4750 to the Dioan Trust Board, to remove St. Paul's, etc.

Library Designs.—A letter was received from "Rough Ashlar," a competitor for the prize for designs for Library and Art Gallery, complaining of an injustice done to the writer by the sub-committee of experts, statiogthat a flood of light could be obtained by glass panels instead of wood. The writer went into details of his plan. In respect to the roof the writer said the report of the subcommittee was a " gross misstatement." The report of the sub-committee was '' misleading and damaging."—Deferred-until the report of the committee for considering the whole of the designs shonld be submitted. Fbanklyn-road.—From S. Davenport, announcing his intention to build a wall unless he heard from the Council meanwhile. —The Town Clerk was instructed to inform the writer that the Engineer had not yet reported. Printing,—From Mr. Brett," asking certain information in respect to items of printing tenders.—The request was granted. Gas.—A letter was received from the Secretary of the Gas Company announcing the reduction of the price of gas from Ss per 1000 feet to 7s 6d.—Received.

Chevalieb Road Board.—The Secretary asked the reason why the Council had not paid the rates due to the Board, £48 2s lid and £3 17s 9d.—The Mayor said the Board was levying rates under the new rating Act. While the pipes, &c., were not rateable, the property of the Council in the district was not exempt.—Referred to the Legal Committee.

Petitions.—Mr, Field presented a petition from the residents of Greenwood-street and llargreave-Btreot, to the effect that the allotments in front of this street were fully built on, and the want of water was beginning to be felt. The water would pay well, the buildiogs being continuous, —The petition was received and referred to the Streets Committee.

Vermont-street (Ponsonby).—Mr. Devore presented a petition from the residents praying that the Council would form the above street to its permanent level.—Petition received, and referred to the Streets Committee.—Mr. Harper asked whether the allocation was not nearly through for Ponsonby Ward? (Laughter.)— Mr. Devore : It is scarcely touched yet. (Laughter.)

Streets Committee. —The following is tjie report of this committee :—l. Letter from G. Graham re Moore-street cutting : That a reply be sent to the effect that the committee are not aware of any promise to the effect contained in Mr. Graham's letter. 2. Letter from Mr. McKenna re filling in Wellington-street : The City Engineer to see owner and report to committee with the object of arranging with him. 3. .Letter from A. Tilly re nuisance East-Btreet; The necessary work has been done, but the committee recommend that the work be completed as suggested by the Engineer at a cost of about £6, viz., that both sides of the street be concreted. 4. Letter from P. Martzen re Ireland-street : Engineer to submit estimate of cost and plans. 5; Letter from W. B. Young re filling in Lincoln-street: That reply be sent that the work is being' proceeded with bb rapidly as possible. 6. Letter from J. Mclndoe re contract Lincoln-street: ■ Reply to be sent that the work is being attended to. Letter from R. H. Yeoman re Mills-lane : Committee recommend a wood kerb to be laid at a cost of £5. —Adopted.

Legal Committee. —This committee reported —1. He drainage into main sewer (report from Sanitary Inspector) : That the City Engineer be instructed to order the issue of notices by the Clerk of Works to connect with the main drain where possible. 2, Letter from Secretary of Tramway Co, re extension .of time,: That concession be granted without penalties for a period of three months, from 31st of March next, the company to pay all solicitors' expenses for the new bond. 3. Re mortgage : That solicitor's opinion be adopted, viz., that the consent to mortgage should be subject to the Council's approval of the form of such mortgage, and the Council's consent being required to any assignee to whom the tramways may be sold, in exercise of any power of sale, contained in such mortgage. 4. Memo, of Park gardener ro Western Park : Committee recommend proper gates and fencing be placed at Beresford-street entrance of Western Park. The following were deferred :—City Engineer's report re bridge across cemetery; report from C. E. Tennent re Lock Hospital; report from Superintendent Fire Brigade re fire in Upper Symohds-street; memo, from W. Wells re Park staff; re library order. — Report adopted. Tramways.—Mr. Harper said the committee might very well have granted six months' extension. It would be wanted.— Mr. Garratt: They will, perhaps, come again for that.

. Quality of Water Supply.—The following report from the chemical analyst, Mr. Pond, was read :—r" In accordance with my instructions, I procured, on the 19th ult., samples of water from the Western Springs, and from the standpipe at the corner of Hobson - street. I have examined these waters, and herewith send you the results. Water from Western Springs : Temperature, 60 Fahr. Appearance in 2 feet tube, clear, greenish, smell (treated to 100*) none; ohlorine in clorides, 1*8; phosphoric acid in phosphates, very slight trsce ; nitrogen in nitrates, - 09; free amonia, *0017; albuminoid ammonia, '0085 ; oxygen absorbed in 15mins., SO'ol4—4 hours, 0'43. Hardness before boiling (Clark's scale), 4*9; after, 4*6. Total solid matter dried at 212- 9'B. Microscopic examination of deposits, none, Hobson-street water: Temperature, 63'; appearance in 2-foot tube, clear, greenish; smell when treated to 100', none ; chlorine in chlorides, 1.8; phosphoric acid in phosphates, slight trace ; nitrogen in nitrates, '13 ; free ammonia, '0008'; albuminoid ammonia, '0064; oxygen absorbed in 15min. at 80', '0049 ; in 4 hours, *0339 ; hardness before boiling (Clarke's scale), 4'6; after boiling, 4°5; | total solid c tter dipd at 212', 11; miorosI oopi examination ( deposit, none. These

results are expressed in grains per gallon. The above shows the city water supply to be in excellent condition for drinking."

Assistant Sanitary Inspectors.—lt was proposed by Mr. Crowther that the pay of these officers should be reduced from S3 to 7s per day.—Mr. Harper thought the duties of these men were very nnpleasant. He proposed that the pay remain as at present.— Mr. Field thought there was a great deal of responsibility on these men.—The proposition was carried.

Look Hospital.—The medical officer reported that three patients were discharged daring the week aud three admitted ; ten remaining in the Hospital. Vulcan Lane.—A report was received from the Engineer in respect to the safety of the buildings being pulled down in Vulcan Lane. He stated that the ground was made ground ; that it would have been better to have built up the concrete from the solid rock than piling. But the architect did not apprehend any danger. The operations would be narrowly watched by the Building Surveyor. Library Rate.—lt was agreed to strike a Library rate of $d in the pound. Libhaby Designs.—lt was agreed that the Library and Art Gallery designs be considered at a special of Council to be held on Tuesday evening next at six p.m. Upper QcEBN-srBEET. —Mr. Garratt said he was not prepared to prooeed with his motion, " That the levels of Upper Queenstreet. Pitt-street, and East-street be proceeded with," as the Engineer had not reported.—Mr. Crowther asked whether in regard to the 24 feet cutting it would be necessary to seek further legislation.—The Mayor said if the residents gave their consent the Council would have power.—Motion lapsed. The City and the Diocesan Trust.— Mr. Devore said that since the last meeting new negotiations had been afoot. He wished to keep his motion alive to give opportunity for a settlement. He therefore asked that the consideration of his motion be adjourned for a fortnight.

Water Supply.—Mr. Field's motion, "That until mains are within 100 yards of any property in the new wards no special water rate be charged, etc.," was deferred ; also, the motion, " That no special water rate be charged against any property in the old wards until the mains are within 100 yards, etc."—Mr. Field's motion, "That the layingof the water mains in Rokeby street be at onoe provided for," was withdrawn.—Mr. Mackechnie moved, "That the committee to be appointed to inquire into, and report as to, the best means of preserving pure, and augmenting the present water supply of the city, consist of Messrs. Crowther, Devore, Laßoche, Masefield, Montague, Stevenson, the Mayor, and the mover." He said he would alter tho composition of the committee in any manner that would be conducive to the object he had in viow.—Carrie'!. Committees. — Mr. Masefield's motion, "That motion No. 725 be rescinded, and that His Worship the Mayor be requested to arrange the committees, electing (as far as practicable) one member from each ward upon each committee," lapsed, the notice being insufficient. Altkn-road. — Mr. Crowther moved, " That the Engineer be instructed to repair and asphalt the footpath on tho south side of Alten-road."—Carried.