AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8161, 24 January 1890, Page 6

AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL.

Tile Auckland City Council met yesterday evening. Preseut: The Mayor (Mr. J. H. Upton), Messrs. Patterson, Lavers, Hewson, Evans, Cooper, Swales, Dignan, Grey, Crowther, Lennox, Farrell, Holland, Warren, and D*viea. Land at Nihotavu.— S. Vaile and Sous wrote, offering to sell 317 acres of laud at the Nihotapu River, suitable for a water reserve. There were 3,000,000 feet of kauri timber on the property, and unless the Council made an early move it would be offered to a timber syndicate. The price asked would be £1700. It was resolved to decline the offer. Manninci-strket. — The Eden Terrace Road Board wrote, approving of the plans for the works in Manning-street, and asked that the works be undertaken at once. The letter was referred to the ward members. Alleged Damaoe to Property.—Mr. Henry Barton wrote stating that the cutting down of Turner-street, off Upper Queenstreet, had seriously affected his property. The notice sent to him when the work was proposed Btated that the cutting would be 3 feet 3 inches, and he accordingly, raised no objection ; but the cutting had now reached the depth of 6 feet 0 inches, and he had to make an approach to his premises, whilst a mound of earth had been left in front of the property. The engineer reported that the cutting was 3 feet 3 inches deep in the centre of the road, but 5 feet 3 inches on the side next Mr. Barton's. The plans of the work had been explained to Mr. Barton, and the cutting was being carried on according to the drawings. The letter was referred to the ward members. Mr. Bernard McAlary complained that through the filling in of Marmiou-street his premises were unapproachable, and it f would cost £40 to do the necessary work. The en gineer reported that no earth had been placed on or against the applicant's property against his wish. The applicant had himself assisted to level the earth. The letter was referred to the ward members. Mrs. R. Basteu drew attention to damage to the extent of £6 caused to her property in West-street, Newton, by the bursting of a drain. The engineer reported that the drain which had burst was through private property, and did not carry any street drainage. The Council, therefore, were not responsible for the damage. It was resolved to reply in the terms of this report. City Dog Kennels.—Mr. J. Burtt, on behalf of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, called the attention of the Council to alterations necessary to the city dog kennels. Greater room, and better facility for inspection, were required, and a separate kennel should be provided for mangy dogs, to avoid the risk of infection. _ The letter was referred to the Legal Committee. Water Supply.—Mr. W. Baiklon, Great North Road, Archhill, wrote asking for the reduction of the water rate charged him, on the ground that the supply was not constant, and that for two or three days lie was even without water, whilst the rents for houses had fallen. Mr. C. Waddingham also applied for a reduction for these reasons. The Town Clerk reported that applicants outside the city were aware that the Council could not give any greater pressure. Mr. Hewson considered that if the supply of water was not sufficient the matter should be inquired into. The letters were referred to the Streets Committee. The Mount Eden Road Board asked permission to supply water to applicants at Mount Albert and Epsom. The application was granted. Watekmain for Sale.—The Kauri Timber Company offered for sale to the Council, for £100. a main laid in Mechanic's BayRoad, 13.J; chains. Mr. Carlaw recommonded the purchase, as a main would shortly be required there. The Mayor thought that £.10 would be a fair price. The letter was referred to the Streets Committee.

Symonus-stkkkt.Messrs. Robertson Brothers asked an allowance for kerbing done by them opposite their premises in Symoinlsgtreet. and also requested that asphalt be placed on the footpath at that part of the street. The letter was referred to the ward members.

Miscellaneous. —An application that the name of T. H. Higgius be subsitnted for that of J. Carlaw as the lessee of lot 15, section 52, Beresford-street, was referred to the Legal Committee. An application from Mr. G. Hulme to erect a signboard on the roof of shop was granted. In regard to an intimation from Mr. Anderson, city engineer, that a portion of the parapet on top of the City Club Hotel was not in accordance with the by-law, because it had not been carried up to the height of the mansard, Messrs. Bur-, rows and Mitchell stated that in their opinion a strict adherence to the by-law in this case would involve additions which might lead to serious consequences, and which would he without any benefit to the community. The letter was referred to the Streets Committee with i>ower to act. The patronage of the Council was granted to the performance to be given by the Rarotongan troupe during Jubilee week, and also to a benefit to Mr. P. Dorau.

Lkoal Committer.—The Legal Committee reported :—l. Tenders for tiie supply of periodicals, etc. (two received, and referred with power to accept): Your committee has accepted the lowest tender, that of R. E. Finch. 2. Re transfers, burgess roll : Your committee recommends that applications from the following be granted, in terms of Act, viz. : James Rennick, F. E. Baume (Ramson to Johanseu), P. E. Baume (Ramson to Ramson), also the applications named in clause 3 of preceding report, viz. : P. J. Letjuesne, James Boslcill. J. M. Harrington, E. Barring ton, R. B. Hill. The question raised with regard to Mr. Justice Conolly's decision has been referred to the City Solicitor for his opinion. 3. Applications for renewal of drivers' licenses (thirteen): Your committee recommeuds that one application be refused, and that twelve applications be granted, subject to a uniform notice, that unless a better report be received at the end of the current year from the police, the Council will not renew such license. 4. letter from the secretary of the Auckland Jubilee Celebration Committee re the use of Albert Park for the Horticultural Show (referred, with power to act) : Your committee has granted the application on the conditions stated. 5. Letter from George Wilson Re refuse contract: Your committee has instructed that Mr. Casey be informed that if he continue to obstruct the contractor, the Corporation Solicitor will be instructed to at once take legal proceedings. G. Petition from ratepayers of Auckland re filling the Albert-street baths with salt water: Your committee recommends that the baths be filled with sea water, and that the charge be '2d, the arrangement as to the admission of school children to remain as at present. 7. Letter from the librarian re salary, requesting increase : Your committee recommends that application be declined; and also recommends the Council to consider whether it be not now desirable to secure the services of a gentleman possessing good literary knowledge. 8. Letter from AY. L. Covert (assistant librarian) re salary: Your committee recommends that the salary be at the rate of £100 per annum, conditionally that all clerical work required be done by him. 9. Re sextons' salaries: Your committee recommends that the services of the assistant sexton be dispensed with by one mouth's notice. 10. Letter from Joseph G. Pannell re permission for swimming classes, etc. : Your committee having resolved that the granting of permission is undesirable, has declined the application. 11. Letter from the Domain Ranger, re additional propagating accommodation. Recommended. Mr. Parrel} thought the Council should do something in regard to cabmen against whom complaints were made, further than merely warning them time after time. Mr. Lennox thought the cabmen a deserving body of men. The Mayor said the warning which they had given was not an empty one. In regard to clause 7, Mr. Evans said it had come upon him like a thunderclap, and he wished to know something more about it. The Mayor suggested that the discussion of the clause should he deferred until all the members of the Library committee were present. The question was a very important one. They had in their hands a library of very great value, and it was of the highest importance that the custodian should be a man possessed of good literary knowledge; if that was not so the Library was not in safe hands. This was what the Library Committee meant. He maintained, however, that it was not possible for them to have what they wanted for £130. There was no office in the town that was of greater importance than that of custodian of the Library. Mr. Lennox did not see that there m"v» a necessity for a change. At his suggestion all the words of the clause after the word " declined" were omitted. > In respect to the clause referring to the Cemetery, the Mayor stated that the step recommended by the committee was necessary, because there was no work for the assistant sexton. The report, with the amendment to clause 7, was adopted. Finance Committer.— Finance Committee, submitted the following report:—

1. Letter from J. Foss re paddock No. 6, Western Springs : Your committee has no recommendation to make. 2. Letter from Alexander Thome re rent of building off Chancery-street: Your committee recommends that rent be reduced to £4 per annum. 3. Letter from W. Errington re account of commission on works: Your committee adherea to its previous recommendation. The report was adopted. Works in Karangahape Ward. — The Karangahape ward members reported : — 1. Re West-street drainage : The Karangahape ward members have the honour to report that having visited the properties and property-owners in West-street re drainage, they recommend as follows : —(a) Letter from Mrs. B. Sandford : That the Council bear the expense—the estimated cost being about 30s —Mrs. Sandford being in a state of poverty ; (b) letter from Thomas Higgins : That he be allowed 30s towards the cost of his drain, he having expended £10 on the same about two years ago; (c) letter from J. Currie, for Thos. Courtney : This drain having been laid down many years ago, the ward members have no recommendation to make. 2. They also recommend that the gully between North and West-streets be drained, and that Pitt-street be widened on the west side, between Northstreet and the Pitt and Edwin-streets Primitive Methodist Church, with a dry rubble wall, and that the engineer be instructed to prepare plans and call for tenders for the work. It was pointed out that the matters contained in clause 2 had not been referred to the ward members. Mr. Davies admitted that this was the case, but said that they had deemed it advisable to report, as they had passed through the district, and having inspected the localities mentioned, had concluded that the works were necessary. The report was adopted. Tarring and Sanding Footpaths.— Hewson said that the Council had saved a considerable sum by tarring and sanding the footpaths on their own account; but this work played sad havoc with the clothes of the men employed, and he proposed, "That these men be paid Is a dayextra during the time they are engaged in this work." In one day £76, or £67 —he was not sure whichhad been saved. Mr. Crowther objected to the suspension of the standing orders, and the motion could not therefore be moved without notice. Supplies.—Tenders received for supplies were referred to the engineer, who was instructed to report to the Mayor, the latter being authorised to accept the lowest tender in each case. Contribution to Fire Brigade.—Mr. Philips, Town Clerk, pointed out that the Wellington Harbour Board contributed £25 a-year to the lire brigade of that city, and he suggested that the Auckland Harbour Board "should be asked to give a similar contribution to the local brigade. The suggsstion was considered a very good one, and was unanimously adopted. Drainage.—Mr. Anderson submitted plans and specifications for the drainage of Sussex and Devon streets, in one contract, in the Karangahape Road. On the motion of Mr. Swales, it was resolved " That the engineer be instructed to prepare plans rnd specifications for the gully drainage works of Sheehanstreet, Ponsonby Ward." Library Rate.—On the motion of the Mayor, a Library rate of a Jd in the £ on all assessable property in the city was levied, payable on the Ist of February next.