AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9027, 13 April 1888, Page 3

AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL.

The regular meeting of the City Council was held last evening. Present : His Worship the Mayor (Mr. A. E. Devore), Messrs. Patterson, - Hewson, Phillipps, Cooper, Swales, Dignan, Buchanan, Atkin, Holland, Crowther, Kidd, ; Goldie, Lennox, James, Trenwith, Garratt, Daveis, Evans. The Electric Light. — A letter was received from the contractors for the lighting by electricity of the Melbourne Exhibition, stating that they were prepared to light the city. The matter was referred to the Streets Committee. Charitable Aid.—Mr. H. N. Garland, secretary of the Auckland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, forwarded a schedule showing the allocation for charitable aid, to be contributed by the local bodies within the Auckland district. The sum debited to the city of Auckland was £2562 17s 3d, and the payment of this amount was re-' quested on or before the 30th instant. The Mayor said that last year's contribution was £3200. The letter was referred to the Legal Committee. Drainage Account.— W. Forrest wrote, intimating that he had been unable to collect an account for private drainage done by him in Severn-street, under the supervision of the Inspector, and he requested that the Council's solicitor be authorised to take proceedings for the recovery of the money. The City Engineer reported that the owner of the property was Mr. J. B. Russell, who, however, contended that the occupier was liable. His Worship said that several similar unpaid accounts from contractors had been considered by the Finance Committee, and a test case was to be brought into Court. The matter was referred to the Finance Committee.

Water Rate. — Mr. J. Morton wrote stating that for the past year he had paid the water rate on a house in Lincoln-street at a rateable value of £30, whilst the value oh which he had paid the other rates was £24, and he asked that the 3s in excess be refunded. The letter was received. Mr. G. W. Owen wrote complaining of excessive charge for water supply. - The waterworks turncock, Mr. Carlaw, reported that the reading of the meter was correct, and if the meter was out of order, it could be repaired at his office. Fencing.— Mr. J. McPherson wrote intimating that he was about to fence bis property in Basque Road. He had waited for years, expecting that the road would be formed, and could not now delay any' longer. The temporary footpath made in Basque Road would be enclosed upon his property, and would not now be available for the public. The letter was received. Car License. James French forwarded a further application for the regranting of his license as a cab-driver, withdrawn because of his being accused of drinking habits. Accompanying the application was a letter from the Very Reverend Father Hackett, President of the St. Patrick's Total Abstinence Society, who stated that French had become a member of that organisation, and had since faithfully kept the pledge against all intoxicating liquors. It was resolved to grant the license. Tubular Bells.— Messrs. Garlick and Cranwell wrote thanking the Council for the permission granted them to erect the tubular bells in the Free Library tower, and they requested that the restriction as to the hours of ringing be removed. Mr. Phillips, Town Clerk, said that the librarian had reported that the ringing of the bells did not cause annoyance to the readers and others in the Library. The request was granted, the time being extended to ten p.m. Cook-street. —Mr. James Scott wrote complaining of the dangerous condition of Cook-street. It was resolved to inform Mr. Scott that the matter was under consideration by the Engineer. Accident to verandah.—Mr. John Badley, Wakefield-street, applied that the ■Council bear the cost or part of the cost of re-erecting a verandah pulled down opposite his premises by a horse tethered to one of the posts, and who took fright upon water being run in tho channel opposite the shop by a number of the City Counoil employes who were repairing a fire-plug. The letter was received.

Compensation.-Mr. W. F. Buokland wrote on behalf of Mr. W. Andrews, Pakuranga, claiming £5 in satisfaction for damage sustained by a horse and dray belonging to the latter, through an accident which occurred on the 26th ultimo in Wellesley-strect West, the horse and cart being thrown down by slipping on the tramway rails. It was resolved to refer the matter to the Legal Committee. Nelson-street Works.—Mr. Alexander C.. Steele wrote intimating that as the works now being carried on in Nelsonstreet had considerably affected his property, he would expect the Council to make good any expense he might incur, or any depreciation in value that might have been caused to his property. The engineer reported :— The property has not been encroached upon. A wall has been built to retain street width." The matter was referred to the Streets Committee.

A Nuisance.—Mr. Jno. Bollard, Chairman of the Avondale Road Board, wrote in reference to the report of Mr. M. Casey, respecting the nightsoil contract. He contended that Mr. Casey's report was very unsatisfactory, and that if .the distance was too far, that was not a sufficient reason for the committal of a nuisance ; and he requested that the Council take steps to prevent tho carts passing through the Avondale township between seven and eight o'clock in the morning, or the Board would have to institute a prosecution against Mr. Casey. It was agreed to reply that the Council had no jurisdiction in the matter. Cemetery.— on behalf of Mr. C. Toutonberg, Mr. G. H. Leaning applied for permission to enclose three lots of ground at Waikomiti Cemetery, Catholic division, in one enclosure. The application was referred to the Cemetery Committee.

Drainage Works.—Mr. Charles Woolger wrote, stating that a nuisance was caused by drainage matter, whioh ran from Newton Gully, and crossed the Great North Road by a culvert at the Auckland side of the pumping station, collecting in a paddock there. The cattle in the paddock adjoining drank the filthy matter. This letter was referred to Mr. P. Moylan, abattoir inspector, A letter was received from Mr, R. Bright, who complained of a nuisance caused by a defective drain in Sussexstreet, off Newton Road. ' The letter was received. A letter from J. Patterson, with reference to a defective drain in Upper Queen-street, was referred to the ward members. ,r Mr. E. W. Morrison wrote, calling attention to the condition of a drain leading from Karangabape Road through his property, the pipes being broken. . The letter was referred to the Streets Committee. Mrs.. Mfergaret ; ■ Watson ; and ' Mr, Charles Cornian wrote 'enclosing notices served upon'them' by Mr. Goldie, Sanitary Inspector, ordering • them' to abate a nuisance alleged to be caused by them in allowing house drainage to run from' their properties in.Cook-street. They contended that this nuisance was not caused by them. This letter was.; referred to the ward members. A letter from Mr. T, Catron, in reference v ?!B4ih e drainage fof Mrs.' Rasmussen's property Buneigh-stroet, was referred to the Finahwtt Committee, Mr. Evans presented a petition from' the residents in •Pompallier 'Terrace, Sheehan-street, and Clarence-street, complaining of the defective drainage. They believed that the district was affected by the impure gases generated in the gullies in the vicinity of those streets. The .letter was referred to the Streets Committee. A petition, requesting that Arney-street, Newton, be drained, was presented by Mr. Davies, and referred to the Streets Committee.

Streets Committkk.—The Streets Committee reported :ml. Letter from George Mcßride, 1 re street-watering Custom-street: Your committee -recommend reply bo forwarded that Council will endeavour to remedy nuisance complained of. 2. Petition from residents of Morningside, re night-soil depot : Your committee recomr mend, in reply, that petitioners be informed there is no intention to make a depot at Mprnjngside station. 3. Letter from John Nicholson, re drainage of allotment Prospect-street : Your committee have instructed that owner of allotment be communicated with, and failing action by him in the matter, proceedings to be taken. 4. Report by waterworks engineer re clerk of works, Ponsonby No. 2b, plans of mains, etc,; (a) Your committee have instructed that the city engineer, during the term : of maintenance of Ponsonby Reservoir No. 2, utilise Mr. Trayes' services; (b) your committee, considering the plans forwarded not to be those, asked for, recommend the Council to instruct that the whole of the contract plans of all works done during Mr.

Erriogton's term of engagement be deposited in this office. 57 Letter from William Bolton re tender for works, Unionstreet (accepted on the 29th ult) : The next lowest tender having been called upon and failed to accept, your committee refer , the matter to the Council. Deferred i Petition from ratepayers of Cook-street (Mr. Goldie) re drainage ; letter from the secretary of the Gas Company re electric light* ! ing. —-Frank Fhillxpfs, chairman. Nearly half-an-hour was spent in discussing paragraph 6 of clause 4, with reference to the return of the plana by the engineer, but eventually the clause was passed. With respect to Mr. Bolton's tender, which had been accepted, for works in Union-street, it seemed that he bad made an error, in his quantities, and could not take up the contract unless an additional £14 was granted, him. Messrs. Bay lis and Lee, the next lowest tenderers, made a similar condition when applied to, and the matter had been accordingly referred to the Council. A dreary argument ensued upon this point; and at length, on the motion of Mr. Goldie, it was resolved, " That the work be given to W. Bolton, the advance of £14 being conceded."

Legal Committee. — The Legal Committee recommended as follows :— l. Letter from Mrs. Elizabeth Cohen re transfer, burgees roll Ponsonby.—Your committee recommend that application be granted in terms of act. 2. Letter from Mrs. Ellen Donovan re accident to her son at Swanson and Hobson streets.— viewing the place where the accident occurred, your committee recommend the Council to deline to recognise any liability. 3. Letter from sexton, Waikomiti, requesting allowance for his son's services • at the Waikomiti cemetery. — Your committee cannot recommend the allowance asked for. 4. Letter from Ambury • and English, ire Karangabape Road lease: In the absence of any definite proposals, . your committee have no recommendation to make. 5. Memo from town clerk and letter from librarian, re painting Park. Lodge, &c.: Your committee recommend that tenders be called for the following works, namely— Park Lodge (two coats) ; cleaning, repairing, and cement washing concrete wall of Albert Park; cleaning, painting (two coats), bronzing, varnishing (two ooate), regraining base, and varnishing (two coats) Park Fountain ; cleaning, painting, and puttying all wood and ironwork previously painted (two coats) ; cleaning, puttyingj and painting seats (two coats, and two coats and grain varnish). 6. Assignment of lease :Macfarlane and others to Macfarlane, lot 15, subdivision 1, section 35 (submitted by city solicitor), your committee recommend same for approval. Letter from Mrs. Annie Dawson re permission to copy pictures in Gallery : Your committee recommend that, subject to the rules, the application be granted. — A. Devore, Chairman. A long and desultory discussion ensued upon an amendment by Mr. Davies, " That clause 4 be referred back to the committee, as he thought that Messrs. Ambury and English were entitled to a concession similar to that granted to Messrs. Mason Brothers. The amendment was, however, lost. Clause 5 was sent back to the committee, and the remainder of the report was adopted. Tenders. following tenders were received for works in Union-street Acton and Co., £325 3s 4d ; Smith and Co., £319 17s 3d; James Larkin, £341 10s; Bayliss and Lee, £332 19s 4d ; W. Forrest, £327 13s 6d; B. Berry and Co., £333 13s 2d; Lovett and Co., £363; M. Murphy, £346 4s 2d ; G. Knight, £292 14a 6d; Thos. Regan, £269 6s 4d. The engineer's estimate was £330, and the tender of ■ Mr. T. Regan was accepted. Basque Road Golly.—lt was resolved to fall for tenders for the first section of the drainage of the Basque Road Gully. General Rate.— Mayor gave formal notice that he would move at next meeting, "That a general rate of Is in the £ be struck."

Drainage.—Mr. Evans moved, "That the engineer be instructed to prepare plans and specifications for the drainage of Clarence-street, and Pompaliier Terrace, and the adjacent gullies." The motion was carried.