AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9075, 8 June 1888, Page 6

AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL.

The City Council met yesterday evening. The Mayor (Mr. Devore) presided, and there were also present Messrs. Davis, Garratt, Trenwith, Lennox, Crowther, Kidd, Holland, Dignan, Buchanan, Swales, Cooper, Evans, Pliillipps, Hewson, and Patterson.

Burgess Roll. — Five applications lor transfer of names to the burgess roll were referred to the Finance Committee. Rates.—Mr. H. N. Garland wrote on behalf of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, applying for remission of the rates upon an old wooden building in Princesstreet, lately used as an office by the Relieving Officer. The application was declined. Messrs. Dignan and Armstrong, as agents for the owner of a freehold property at the corner of Queen and Durham streets, wrote, asking that a refund be made to Messrs. Wliitaker and Russell of the sum of £10 4s 2d, alleged to have been paid by them as rates levied in respect to those premises. They pointed out that it had transpired, upon enquiry at the Council offices, that there had apparently been for some time a double rating of a portion of the buildings, and they asked for credit for such payment off the current rates. The letter was referred to the Legal Committee. Mr. Thomas J. Harbutt wrote respecting arrears of rent due on Symond-street sites, leased by him, and offered £50 as payment in full of outstanding rent, and in consideration of the Council's cancelling the leases, as he was unable to pay in full. The application was referred to the Finance Committee.

Lamp.Mr. Castles wrote asking that a lamp be erected at Brewer's Lane. The application was declined.

A Gift to the Art Gallery.—Messrs. L. White and C. Cooper wrote stating that as some of the pupils, past and present, of Mr. K. Watkins were desirous of seeing his work represented in the Art Gallery, a number of subscribers had purchased the watercolour painting of " The Home of the Cormorant," a scene on one of the Waitakerei Lakes. On behalf of the subscribers, Messrs. White and Cooper requested that the picture be added to the Gallery collection. On the motion of the Mayor it was resolved, " That the gift be accepted, and the donors thanked."

Drainage.—Mr. Jos. S. Cox wrote, drawing attention to the want of drainage in Brunswick-street, off Napier-street. _ The engineer reported that Inspector Goldie had complained that a nuisance was caused by Mr. Cox's house drainage, and he (Cox) wished the Council to put down a pipe to enable him to drain his premises. The cost would be about £35. It was decided to refer the letter to the South Ward members. Mrs. John Mills wrote giving permission to the Investment Provident Building Society to run drainage pipes through her property in Cook-street. A letter was received from Mr. John Conlon, calling attention to an alleged nuisance arising from an open drain at the corner of Karaka and Cracroft streets. The engineer reported that the matter was not a serious one, and it was resolved to reply accordingly. A Dangerous Gully.—A letter was received from Mr. P. Oliphant complaining of the condition of the gully below the houses in Pratt-street owned by Mrs. Dickie. The drain pipes were choked, and the soil covering them had been washed away, whilst the houses had been partially deprived of their foundations, and were in danger of falling. The letter was referred to the Streets Committee.

Assessment.—Mr. R. Froude wrote claiming that his objection to the assessment of property in Newton Road be heard. The Town Clerk stated that the objection had not been lodged in proper time. It was pointed out by the Mayor that the Council were unable to do anything, the Assessment Court having long since terminated its sitting, and it was agreed to reply accordingly. The Ratepayers Association.—Mr. H. W. Farnall, secretary of the Auckland Ratepayers' Association, wrote stating that a committee of that body had considered the Mayor's request to be informed of the number of members of the Association present at the meeting when the retrenchment proposals respecting the city officials' salaries were discussed, and had instructed him to reply that, in accordance with the rules of the Association, a full quorum was present, but the committee did not see the necessity of particularising.

Patronage.The ladies of the Benevolent Society wrote requesting the Council to patronise the entertainments to be given by the Borealis Company on Monday and Tuesday next, in aid of the funds of the Society. It was resolved, " That the patronage of the Council be granted."

Water Supply.— request from Mr. S. 11. Webb, that the charges for water supply be considered, and that he be relieved of the payment of the sum of 8s 4d per quarter for the past nine months, was declined.

Gleeson's Hotel.—Messrs. Dignan and Armstrong wrote on behalf of Mr. P. Gleeson, drawing attention to the action of the Licensing Committee in respect to Gleeson's Hotel. They pointed out that the Council had promised to supply Mr. Gleeson with clay for the purpose of filling up his back-yard, wnilst they had also assured him that they would so carry out the proposed works as to give him access to the premises in the shortest possible time. The Licensing Committee apparently intended to hold him responsible for the present position of the hotel, and make it a ground for the endangering of the license. The engineer reported that, so far as he was aware, the only promise made to Mr. Gleeson was that if any earth remained from the work, it would be given to him. In reply to Mr. Lennox, the Mayor said that Mr. Gleeson had received £*2500 as compensation. Mr. Lennox moved, That a reply be sent in accordance with the engineer's report." Mr. Buchanan questioned very much whether Mr. Gleeson had obtained sufficient compensation for the damage sustained to his property. Mr. Holland said that Mr. Gleeson merely wanted a temporary road from Custom-street to the hotel. Mr. Dignan considered that the Licensing Commissioners ought to have exercised their reasoning powers. {Hear, hear.) It was only when Mr. Gleeson saw that the license was in danger that he turned round and asked the Council what they intended to do. Mr. Atkin would not oppose the placing of fascines opposite the door of the house and to Custom-street. Mr. Crowther moved an amendment, " That the engineer be instructed to put wooden steps with a handrail on both sides, to give access from the higher to the lower levels." Mr. Buchanan seconded the amendment. The Mayor said lie had spoken to Mr. King, chairman of the Auckland North Licensing Committee, after the decision of the Commissioners in respect to Gleeson's Hotel, and explained to him that the contract would not be finished until the end of the month, and until then Mr. Gleeson was helpless in the matter. From the little that Mr. King had said, however, His Worship had gathered that the Commissioners would not insist upon the want of access to the hotel as the main objection on Monday next. The amendment was carried.

Hopkto UN-street.—Mi. M. Browne wrote drawing attention to the neglected and almost impassable condition of the footpath in Hopetoun-street. One of the Council's contractors, Wilson, used the footpath as a dray track, and thus cut it up. The Engineer reported that the footpath was in a better condition than many footpaths over which carting was done, and the contractor had stated that he would keep it in good order. It was resolved to forward to Mr. Browne a copy of the engineer's report.

Footpath.—The residents of Upper Unionstreet petitioned that the_ Council would effect repairs to the footpath in that thoroughfare. The petition was referred to the Streets Committee.

Streets Committee.—The Streets Committee's report was as follows : — Letter from R. Jenkinson re patent drain-pipes : Your committee report that that the city engineer states Mr. Jenkinson's pipes cannot successfully compete, for drainage purposes, with clay-pipes. 2. Memo, from the engineer re fence, Ponsonby Reservoir: Your committee recommend that a wood fence, at a cost of about £10, be erected. The report was adopted. s

Legal Committee.—The Legal Committee made the following recommendations :—l. Re transfers Burgess Roll : Your committee recommend that the applications of the following ratepayers be granted, in terms of the James 6. Mathews, Charles Phillips, M. Leser, E. B. Dufaur. and J. Yolkner. 2. Letter from M. J. Clark re endorsement of right-of-way on lease, Newton Road : Your committee recommend that the application be granted subject to the usual conditions. 3. Report by the Health Officer (Dr. Stockwell) re cesspit, Wellington-street: Your committee recommend that cesspits be not allowed within the city. 4. Report by Hanging Committee re balance of Sir G. Grey a pictures to be placed in Art Gallery: Your committee recommend that the necessary repairs to pictures, as recommended in the Hanging Committee's report, be effected at a cost of £19. 5. Letter from Dr. Laiahley, forwarding list of 2000 volumes for the Lending Library: Your committee recommend that tenders be called for the supply of 2000 volumes; and that the thanks of the Council be tendered to Dr. Laishley and other gentlemen selecting the works. 6. Letter from Bowling Green Trust: Your committee recommend that the necessary work, in terms of the engineer's report, be done, and the whole cost charged to the Grafton Ward allocation. 7. Memo, from the Engineer re 1000 yards metal for Domain (referred to the Mayor with power to act): The lowest tender, that of William Bennett, at Is 3Jd per yard (£65 12s 6d), was accepted. Mr. JPhillipps moved as an amendment to clause

6, " That one-third of the cost of the work bo charged to the Domain Board, and twothirds to the Grafton Ward." After a long debate the amendment was lost. Mr. Hewson moved, " That the clause be referred to the ward members," and afterwards altered his amendment, substituting "That the clause be struck out." This amendment was carried, and the remainder of the report was adopted. ' Finance Committee. —The Finance Committee reported 1. Letter from W. Thome, on behalf of G. Garrett, offering £100 in full demand, Motion's Mill lease : Your committee recommend that the sum of £100 and costs of the action, offered by Mr. Garrett, be paid by him to the Council t to be held pending the consideration of his application under the Public Bodies Powers Act, 1887, about to be gazetted. 2. Letter from Mrs. Lilly, hon. sec. Auckland Kindergarten and Creche, re Old Library Building: Your committee recommend that the Kindergarten Committee be permitted to occupy their present site for the further term of three years, on the same conditions as at present. 3. Re retrenchment : Your committee hope soon to report to the Council on the question of retrenchment in the various Departments, and in the use of day labour, and in keening the streets in repair by contract. The report will be delayed until your committee has received further information from Dunedin as to the working of the contract there for maintaining and keeping streets in repair; and for the City Engineer's report on the same, and consideration of specifications. This report was agreed to. Poksoney Ward Members' Report.— The Ponsonby Ward members recommended as follows : —l. Petition from ratepayers, Wharf Road, re formation : That the engineer be instructed to have the centre of the road at once made good for traffic by metalling the same with scoria ash, by tender. 2. Letter from H. W. Power, re Swift Avenue : That the Council cannot interfere, as the road has never been dedicated. 3. Letter from Thos. Jenkins, re deviation Marine Parade : That Mr. Jenkins be informed that if the land be purchased and the proposed deviation dedicated to the Council, the Council will accept same, and will convey to the parties affected that portion of the present road which would then be closed. Consideration deferred : Re drainage Hackett-street and St. Mary's Road. —The report was adopted. Carriage Stands.—The following tenders were received for the formation of carriagestands in Queen-street: —. T. Knight, £49 15s 6d; James Mclnerny and Co., £42 0s 2d; Thomas Regan, £53; S. White and Sons, £47 lis. The tender of Mclnerny and Co. was accepted. Painting.—Tenders were received as follows for painting Albert Park lodge, fountain, city reserve fences, &c.: James Stitt, £41 17s; J. G. Blaikie, £47 8s 8d; Thomas Longville, £41 10s; M. J. Bennett, £38 7s 6d; W. Fricker, £40; J. C. Robinson, £42; J. Buchanan, £49; Jos. Maxwell, £52 10s; R. R. Williams, £39 7s 6d; E. Muller, £36 ss. The estimate was £64. It was resolved to accept Mr. Bennett's tender. Absence. —Three months' leave of absence was granted to Mr. Goldie. Carriage-drive.—Plans and specifications for No. 2 carriage-drive, Domain, from Stan-ley-street. Letters respecting retaining walls and embankments required were also referred to the members.

Collecting of Rates.— W. E. Payne, rate collector, wrote, recommending that the system pursued in Dunedin in the collecting of rates be adopted in Auckland. The course in Dunedin was as follows : —Fourteen days after the rate notices are delivered, final notices are posted or delivered to all ratepayers, informing them that unless the rates are paid within a certain period, proceedings would be taken for their recovery, which is immediately done, and in this way the great bulk of the rate is got in during the first six months. The matter was referred to the Finance Committee.

Street Formation. —Mr. Crowther moved, "That alternative tenders be called for kerbing and channelling in wood and stone in Custom-street East, from Fort-street to the foot of Constitution Hill." The motion was carried.