AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8471, 23 January 1891, Page 3

AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL.

The regular meeting of the City Council was held last evening. Present: Tfaa Mayor (Mr, J. H. Upton), Messrs. Paterson, Heweon, Lavers, Swales, Smith, Crowbher, Lennox, Goldie, Farrell, Trenwith, Grey, Atkin, Holland Wright, Garratfc. Vkrmont-strket.—Mγ. A. Brown wrote, calling attention to a nuisance in Vermontstreet, Ponsonby, owing to the condition of the drain. The engineer reported that the alleged nuisance was the drainage of two houses belonging to the applicant, and the remedy was simple, namely, to stop draining offensive matterinto the water-channels; bub bbe Inspector of Nuisances did not carry out the law in this respect. He (the engineer) had done what was authorised in the lower end of the street, but if the whole channel was to be dealt with he would require instructions to that effect. The matter was referred to the ward members to report upon. Offer of Models. —Mr. D. B. Ball wrote offering certain models of machines for the Art Gallery. The Mayor said they had no museum at the Art Gallery, but they might recommend Mr. Ball that perhaps his offer would be more acceptable to fche Museum authorities. It was agreed to reply accordingly. Breach of Slaughterhouse Act.—Constable Hasletfc, through Inspector Broham, applied for the reward offered by the Council for convictions under this Act in respect of the case v. R. Sandall, who was* convicted and fined £10 on the 24th of December, for slaugtering on the premises. It was agreed to follow the usual coarse and give the constable half the fine. Art Gallery.—The hon. secretary of the Hanging Committee of the Art Gallery forwarded the following resolutions : —" 1. Loan collection : As space in the Art Gallery is not now available it is desirable that the owners of pictures which have bsen lent should be so informed. 2. Ventilation of Gallery : That a representation be made to the Council that injury is likely to arise, in fact has to a small extent: already arisen, to the pictures owing to defective ventilation ; the committee suggest that additional ventilation be provided in the form of a water blast." It was agreed to refer the two resolutions to the Library Committee to report on. Drainage.—H. Ash ton and Son wrote pointing out the necessity for a proper means of drainage from properties on the north-west side of Fernleigh-street, off Wood-street, Ponsonby. The engineer reported that there was drainage provided by a private drain into Englandstreet, but it was defective. It was entirely a private matter, the drain being through private property. On the motion of the Mayor the matter was referred to the Streets Committee.

Inspection of Meat.—Mr. Bust, secretary of Trades and Labour Council, complains of unwholesome meat being slaughtered by local butchers which was condemned us unlit for human food, and said that while all stock slaughtered in the city abattoirs was inspected, fully 90 per 1 cent, escaped inspection, being slaughtered in private abattoirs. He forw.urded a resolution of the Trades and Laboar Council in favour of the establishment cf Government abattoirs, and that it should be compulsory that all stock for human food should be slaughtered there. Ths letter was received, and the Mayor suggested that a reply be senb that the Council was desirous of securing provisions that only healthy meat should be killed for human consumption, and had taken those precautions in the city abattoirs, but they could not compel people to have their cattle slaughtered in the city abattoirs. Mr. Goldie said they had now all the powers of inspection which could be desired. Their inspector could visit every butcher's shop and inspect the meat. He understood that a movement was being made by the Newton Borough Council to close the city abattoirs, and they were seeking legislation upon the subject). Mr. Lennox thought it necessary that there should be an inspection all round, and that it should nob be confined to the city abattoirs. Mr. Atkin suggested that the matter should be referred to a committee to report on the whole question. He was in favour of having supervision at the time of slaughter, when all faults and defects could be seen. Mr. Farrell said there must be some misapprehension, for Newton and the county councils had their own inspectors, to see that the cattle were in good condition before being .slaughtered, and if the officers did their duty the inspection would be sufficient. Mr. Crowther considered the Trades and Labour Council were on ?he right track. They could not inspect meat after it was carted in, even if they had an inspector for every shop, for the meat was carted in and carted out within two hours, and ererc if Borough Councils were to unite and see that the work was done, even then it; may not be well done. They would require an expert to substantiate a case if he brought it into court. However, an effort should be made for united action, and if the General Government could be induced to take it up, even if the local bodies had to pay a proportion of the cost, it would be better. The Mayor altered the resolution, and moved tliat it be referred to the ljegal Committee to report on. The motion a<? amended was carried.

Anglkska-strkkt.—Mr. A. Young drew attention to a gully m t , ' street, which in dry weather was, he alleged, a fever-bed, and in web weather he got all the storm water from the street. The engineer reported that there was a two-feet pipe drain laid through Mrs. Gilmour's property from Fratt-street to the side of applicant's proparty, and this required to be continued through Mr. Young's property. Tho cost would be about £30. The matter was referred to the Streets Committee to report on.

Burgess Roll. —Matilda Jane Regan applied to have her name placed on the burgess roll in respect of certain property which she had purchased from (lie Auckland Building Society. There were two other similar applications, and the three were referred to the Legal Committee. FiKKbfcLL. —Mr. VV. J. Boylan wrote, offering for sale to the Council the large bell lately the property of Garrett Brothers for £50. A report from the Superintendent of the Fire Brigade was received on the subject, stating that if the Council purchased the bell, and erected a watch tower at Urafton station, he would remove tho bell from the main tower to Grafton, and replace it with the new bell. Mr. Goldie moved that the letter be received, and tho writer referred to the Insurance Companies, who contributed nothing towards the extinguishment of tires. Mr. Crowther, as an amendment moved that it be referred to the Fire Brigade Committee, and in doing no he said their bell-towers might not be ornamental bub they were useful, and no fire brigade in the colony did better work than the Auckland Brigade. Formerly the insurance companies contributed to the cost of the Brigade, but they had ceased to do so. They might now be asked to meet the committee in conference as the purchase of this bell, and the erection of the Grafton tower as recommended by Mr. Hughes, the superintendent of the Fire Brigade. Mr. Lennox supported the amendment proposed by Mr. Crowther. Mr. Patterson also spoke in favour of it, and it was carried.

Strkkts Committee.—This Committee reported as follows : —" Letter from J. Brabazon, offering land for a road, Mortonstreet, for £500 : Your committee recommends that the offer be declined." The report was adopted. Lkoal Committee. —This committee's report was as follows:— <- Re transfers, Burgess Roll : Your committee recommends that the following applications be granted in tonus of the Act : —William Burnaby, Thomas Buddie (Thos. McMaster), Hannah Firth, Louisa Edmonds, Henry Edmonds, Arthur E. Grey, Louis Lewis, William Read, F. E. Baume (C. 11. Jones)." The report was adopted. Ponsonby Ward Members.—The report of the members was as follows :—" Petition from ratepayers, Hamilton Raid, re drainage : We recommend that the work be done at an estimated cost of £36, subject to the petitioners diverting Mr. Windsor's existing drain from the street into the gully without coat to the Council." The report was referred back to the Streets Committee.

Balances.— The usual statement of balances wad received, and accounts authorised by the Finance Committee were passed by payment to the amount of £1296 7e3d. Tenders.—Schedule tenders for waterworks' supply were received from G, McCaul, E. Porter and Co., and T. and S. Morrin and Co. They were referred to the engineer to report) on. Fowler and Co. tendered for asphalting afe la 3d per yard.

This -was the only tender. The engineer's estimate was la, bat he recommended the acceptance of the tender, and ifc was agreed to. Tenders for channelling in Queen and Wyndbam streets were received as follows : James Shanaghan, £72 14s 6d; Thomas Mulvihill, £68 2s. The latter was ac-

cepted. Library Rate.—The Mayor moved thab the library rate of one half penny in the £ be levied and made payable in terms previously advertised. The motion was adopted. Water Supply Stock. —The water supply engineer reported on the sizes, eto., of pipes required for stock. It was referred back in order thab an estimate might be prepared. Dog Tax.—Mr. Garratb, in accordance with notice, moved: "1. That the resolution fixing the dog tar at 10s per annum be rescinded. 2. That the dog tax for the twelve mouths ending 31st December, 1891, be 55." He pointed out that in the small boroughs there was a larger number of dogs registered than in the city, so thab the revenue would not be likely to suffer, and thac in fact there would be an increase instead of a decrease. He spoke at some length in favour of the motion, and asked if only as an experiment for 12 months thab the motion should be carried. Mr. Wright seconded the motion. Mr. Atkin opposed the motion, on the grounds that if they lowered the fees, people would be induced to keep dogs and give them the food which should go to their children, and then come to the Charitable Aid Board for rations. They did not want to encourage mongrels, and any person who could keep a dog could afford to pay 10s for the privilege. Mr. Lennox chaffed Mr. Atkin on the views he expressed and his care for the little chaps who saved up their pennies to pay the registration fee. Mr. Crowther opposed the motion and Mr. Patterson also spoke against the motion. The Mayor and Mr. Trenwith concurred. Mr. Garretb replied, and the motion was lost.

Cricket Ground.—The Council having resolved itself into a Domain Board, a letter was received from the Athletic Club, enclosing £20 to secure the use of the Cricket Ground for their summer sports. The Mayor explained that action on the letter had already been taken, and arrangements made. The action taken was approved.