AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9087, 22 June 1888, Page 6

AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL.

The City Council met yesterday evening. The Mayor (Mr. Devore) occupied the chair, and there were also present: Messrs. Trenwith, Lennox, Kidd, Crowther, Holland, Dignan, Swales, Cooper, Howson, Patterson, Davies, Garratt, Phillipps and James.

Drainage.—Mr. R. Hughes wrote, requesting that a drain bo made in Brunswick Lane, Ponsonby, as the water from hjs land ran on to Mr. Tole's property. It was resolved to roply that the work would be done at an early date. Mr. E. J. White wrote, stating that he had been informed by the Sanitary Inspector that he must drain his property in Nelson-street, but when he applied for a permit to do so, it was refused. The engineer reported that the construction of a main drain had been authorised near the property, and it was resolved to reply accordingly.

Water Supply.—A letter was received from the Now Zealand Frozen Meat and Storage Company, thanking the Council for the reduction of £22 17a 6d in their account for watur supply. It had been found that for every 400 gallons run through the meter registered 6"5 gallons too much ; and they submitted that the amount ovorpaid in February was due to the defect which had been discovered. The Mayor pointed out that the meter was the property of the Company, and he moved " Tliat the application be declined." Eventually the letter was referred to the Streets Committee.

Gleksok's Hotel. —Further correspondence was submitted respecting the earthiilling in Hobsou-street, and the position of Gloeson's Hotel. Messrs. Dignan and Armstrong wrote pointing out that Mr. Gleeson's complaint that tho Council had not supplied him with clay to fill in the back premises of tho hotel had not beon dealt with. Owing to the Council not having fulfilled their promise, he had sustained a loss of £3 per week since tho time at which he considers ho should have received this clay. It was further complained that Mr. Gleeson was not allowed to copy a letter respecting this subject when he called at the Town Clerk's office. The Town Clerk reported that ho had referred Mr. Gleeson to the Council. Messrs. Dignan and Armstrong's letter was referred to the Streets Committee.

Bukgess Roll.—Applications from Mesdames M. A. Neill, J. Nankervis, and A. Scallen, and Messrs. E. Jones, J. A. Tole, John Strathearn, and A. Todd, respecting the transfer of certain names to the burgess roll, were referred to tho Legal Committee.

Valuation.—Mr. B. C. Roberts wrote respecting a mistake in his valuation. The letter was referred to the Finance Committee.

Footpath.—Mr. W. C. Daldy, jun., wrote requesting that the footpath in front of his property in' Hackett-street be repaired, and a roadway made in Swift Avenue, to enable carts to pass. Mr. Cooper pointed out that Mr. Daldy had closed Swift Avenue. The letter was referred to the Finance Committee.

Crossing.—A letter was received from Mr. J. M. Brigham, secretary of the Harbour Board, directing attention to the following resolution passed by that body : —" That the sum of £10 extra be paid by the Board on acconnt of Quay-street contract, if the crossing be placed at tho corner of Quay and Queen-streets." On the motion of Mr. Crowther, it was resolved to place the crossing in the position named.

Lamp.—Mr. Evans presented a petition asking for a lamp in Brewer's Lane. The petition was referred to tho Streets Committee.

Legal Committee. — The following is the report of tho Legal Committee : —" 1. Re transfers burgess roll: Your committee recommend that the applications of tho following persons be granted in terms of the Act:—James B. Malcolm, Patrick O'Kane, James A. Stiehbury. 2. Letter from C. D. Whitcombe, re permission to publish, as by authority, the Art Gallery catalogue: Your committee recommend that Mr. Whitcombe's request be granted, reserving to the Council the right at any time to prepare and publish, or to agree with other persons to prepare and publish, similar catalogues to that proposed by Mr. Whitcombe without paying compensation to him." Mr. Cooper thought tho Council should see the catalogue before permitting it to be used, since they might be landed in libel suits if the pictures were criticised in the catalogue. The Mayor said there was nothing to fear in this respect The report was adopted. Streets' Committtee. — The Streets' Committee reported as follows : — Letter from Peter Oliphant, on behalf of Mrs. Gilmour re drainage, Pratt-street; your committee have no recommendation to make. 2. Petition from ratepayers, Upper Union-street, re repairs, to street; your committee report that the engineer states the matter has been attended to. The report was adopted. Finance Committee.—The Finance Committee made the following recommendations :—l. Letter from T. J. Harbutt, offering £50 in full demand, to be al'owed to surrender leases : Your Committee recommend that the sum of £50 and costs be paid by Mr. Harbutt to the Council, to be held pending the consideration of his application under tne " The Public Bodies Powers Act, 1887," about to be gazetted. 2. Memo from rate collector, re collection of current rates : Your Committee cannot at present recommend any advance in the time of collecting rates, but that they be collected as usual during the current year. This report was adopted. Tenders.—Tenders were received as follows for works in the Domain :—Martin and Rowan, £236 9s 2d ; W. Hughes, £257 7s lid; Jas. McAnally, £351 8s 3d; G. Knight, £347 5s 10d ; E. Murphy, £337 7s ; D. McMahon, £359 14s 3d ; S. Smith and Co., £437 ;B. Berry, £358; Jas. Atwood, £278 9s 4d ; Jas. O'Brien and Co., £315 3s 3d ; Thos. Regan, £325. The engineer's estimate was £350, and the lowest tender, that of Messrs. Martin and Rowan, was accepted. For books for the lending library tenders were received from Messrs. Champtaloup and Cooper and Upton and Co., and were referred to Library Committee, with power to accept. It was decided to advertise -for tenders for works in Kyber Pass Road, between Gaol Road and Symonds-street, and in Seymour-street, between Jervois Road and Cameron-street.

Returning Officer. —The Mayor pointed out that Mr. Ridings, an old servant of the Corporation, had died a few days ago, and it would be necessary to invite applications for the position of Returning Officer, rendered vacant by hia death. It was resolved to advertise the post as vacant. Sinking Fund Commissioner.—Mr. Phillipps was appointed a Sinking Fund Commissioner, in the place of the late Mr. Waddel.

Thk Lighting of the City.—Mr. Davies moved, "That the engineer be instructed to report to the Streets Committee, at their next sitting, the approximate length, in chains, of all the formed or principal streets in the city, and class them Ist, '2nd, and 3rd ; and that the Committee report to this Council how much light would be required in fche different class of streets." Mr. Crowther moved an amendment, " That the Streets Committee be empowered to confer with the Auckland Gas Company, with a view to securing the reduction in the price of gas per lamp, afc per annum." The amendment was carried.