AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8483, 6 February 1891, Page 6

AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL.

Tub regular meeting of the City Council was held last evening. - Present: The Mayor (Mr. J. H. Upton), Messrs. Garratt, Warren, Trenwith, Farrell, Holland, Dignan, Swales, Wright, Lavers, Hewson, Crowther, Paterson, Lennox, Grey. Leave of absence was, on the motion of the Mayor, granted to Mr. Atkin for this night. Water Supply Charges.— Mrs. Sarah Jacobs asked the Council's consideration to what she considered the manifestly unfair and disproportionate rate levied on her for the water supply to the City Club Hotel. She was only charged £4 4s whilst in the Thistle Hotel, and now she was charged £14 14s for the City Hotel and an extra charge of £1 for cleaning a small right-of-way between the South British Insurance Company and the hotel, and used by Messrs. Canning and others. The collector pointed out that some time ago it was decided not to grant meters to new hotels ; and, in reply to the Mayor, the Town Clerk said that it was so, and that motors should only bo granted for blocks. Mr. Garratt moved, " That the matter be referred to the Streets Committee, with power to go into the whole question and report. Mr. Lennox seconded the motion, and it was carried, >. , - , Want of Water Pressure.Mr. John Roberton, Symonds-street, complained of the inadequate pressure on the mains at his house. The turncock, reporting on the subject, said Mr. Roborton's and other houses were now supplied from the Ponsonby (not from the Kyber) reservoir, as formerly. There was a pipe from Kyber laid as far as the top of Wakcfield-street, which might be connected with the main at Mount-street at a cost of £12. The matter was referred to the Waterworks Committee

to report. Storage of Flax.—The chairman of the Insurance Company's Association acknowledged receipt of a copy of Superintendent Hughes' report upon the storage of flax. He stated that the matter is one of considerable importance, and Captain Field was now engaged inspecting the various premises in which the material was placed. The letter was received.

Burgess Roll.—Mr. John H. Scott requested to have his name placed on the burgess roll for Ponsonby Ward in place of the late J. W. Fedarb, as he was one of the executors, and resided on and paid rates for the premises. Referred to the Legal Committee.

Trees in Howe-street. — Mr. C. Williamson, at the request of a tenant occupying a shop in Howo-street, asked that the trees hiding his shop from view should either bo severely lopped or cut down. The Domain ranger, Mr. oldie, to whom this had been referred, reported that all the trees in Howe-street required to be pruned. The roots would also require to bo severely pruned, but the winter was the proper time to do this work. On the suggestion of the Mayor the matter was referred to the Streets Committee, in order that they might visit the place. Ax Ovfkr to Lease. — Mr. S. Meekan wrote confirming his offer of 31st December last of £50 per annum for a lease for 5 years of the paddocks and house lately held by him under lease. The property referred to is what is known as Edgecombe's paddock and house. There was also a tender

from Mr. Martin of £52 a year for three years received on tho 4th instant. The Town Clerk said the rent formerly paid by Mr. Meekan was £75 a year, and his lease expired in December. They appliod for tenders but none had been received at the time. Mr. Lennox suggested that the matter bo referred to the Finance Committee, but Mr. Crowther thought it would be bettor to offer the lease for five years by auction, and Mr. Garratt moved that it be offered by auction, leaving it to the tenant bo say whether the term should be five or seven years. Finally Mr. Lennox's motion to refer the matter to the Finance Committee to report was carried. Contract.—Maurice Casey asked .to be allowed to withdraw his tender for the supply of sand, lime, and cement. His reason was that Messrs. E. Porter and Co. advised him that a cask of cement measured five bushels, whereas it only measured 3 4 bushels, thereby entailing a loss of Is lOd per bushel. Under these circumstances, he asked to be relieved of his contract. The Mayor said the question was, would they give Mr. Casey up his deposit or not ? Mr. Parrel I said that it was evident Mr. Casey had made a mistake, and the best gourse would be that the contract be cancelled and refund tho deposit on condition that Mr. Casey pay the expense of advertising for fresh tenders. He moved to that effect. The Mayor said ho believed the auditor could make them pay the difference between the old and new tenders. Mr. Crowther strongly objected to this playing fast and loose. Mr. Casey was supposed to know what he was doing when he tendered. Mr. Holland and Mr. Lavers spoke to the same effect, and held that Mr. Casey should be held to his contract. They were I all liable to mistakes, but they were held to I them. It was finally agreed to inform Mr. Casey thab his application could not be entertained.

Erection* of a Fence.—Mr. J. M. Alex ander, solicitor for Mrs. Mary Crossley, applied for permission to complete a dividing fence of corrugated iron wluch she had commenced between her properly and that of Mr. VVcndel, in yymonds-street. There was a complaint from Mr. Wendel against the fence, and asking the Council to take proceedings under the by-laws, and to have them enforced. The building inspector and the city engineer reported that the fence was a breach of the building regulations, as it was erected without a permit, and contrary to the law, but the latter officer stated that the trouble was a neighbours' quarrel. The question was raised as to whether this was a matter which should be dealt with under the modification clauso. Mr. Dignan said he had visited the place, and was of opinion that it should not be allowed, for its obvious intention was to shut out the light from Mr. Wendel's premises. He moved, "That the matter be referred to the Streets Committee." Mr. Garratt seconded the motion. Mr. Holland spoke in favour of allowing the fence to remain, and said that Mr. Wendel, not Mrs. Crossley, was the aggressor, and Mr. Ilewaon corroborated his views, and said Mrs, Crossley was a very old lady and may be a bit crotchety, but the fence could not shut out. the light from Mr. Wendel. Mr. Lennox thought it should be dealt with by the Council without referring it to the committee, and he moved that the permission be granted. Mr. Dignan said what he asked was that the Council should not interfere with private quarrels, but that it should be referred to the committee to see for themselves whether the concession should bo granted or not. Their duty was to see that the by-laws were carried out, and leave the parties to their civil remedies if they had any. The amendment was put and lost by 8 to 7, and the motion to refer it to the committee was carried.

Renewal of Lease.—Mr. W. Brakenrig asked for an extension of the lease of the promises occupied by him in Grafton Road. He had been residing on the property for eleven years, and had expended a considerable sum of money on it. On the motion of the Mayor, the request was referred to the Legal Committee.

Changing lloksks in the Street.— Messrs. Paberson and Co., 'bus proprietors, asked permission to change horses in the 'buses in Lome-street, opposite their stables, or in Coburg-street. They had been in the habit of doing so, but had been warned by the police to • discontinue the practice, which they considered;arbitrary,' as there was little traffic in these streets! On the motion of Mr. Garratt, seconded by Mr. Dignan, the matter was referred to the Streets Committee.

Swanson-streht.—Messrs. H. Phillips, ! William Garrick, and other residents and property-owners called attention to the defective state of tho 1 water-tables at the lower end of Swanson-street. Tho engineer reported that this was a very old channel and much broken up and disarranged. He recommended a new stone channel of squared pitchers two fcob wide, as bhe street was too steep for concrete channelling. The cost would bo about £40, and the ward had plenty of funds. Mr. Dignan moved that the work be done and charged to the ward account, and this was agreed to. Legal Committee.—This committee reported as follows : —Letter from secretary Trades and Labour Council re inspection of abattoirs, meat, etc. : Your committee recommends a reply be forwarded—(a) That the committee are of an opinion the present system of slaughterhouses is preferable bo

one Government slaughterhouse, but to prevent the community from danger strictest inspection should be provided, and constant supervision ; , (6) that every precaution should be taken against killing heated ; cattle ; (c) that where an efficient inspector is appointed precaution would necessarily be taken to prevent the killing of cattle within the city unless under proper supervision ; (d) that within the city the hours for driving cattle seem to meet requirements ; (e) the Council will at all times give its support to any movement for the prevention of the sale of meat , unfit for human food, and to secure adequate supervision in all slaughterhouses. Letterfrom J. L. Holland, hon. secretary Hanging Committee, re ventilation of Gallery, etc. ; Your committee recommends that water-blast be erected to ventilate the Gallery. Re transfers Burgess Roll—Pi F. Purcell, M. J. Regan, and Richd. Hobbs : Your committee recommends that transfers be made in terVns of Act. Letter from secretary Harbour Board .re mortuary : ■ Your committee reports having interviewed a committee of the Board, and that a letter with a definite offer from the Board will follow. The report was taken seriatim, and Mr. Crowther moved that the clause re the mortuary be sent back, as at the last meeting of the Harbour Board it transpired that some of the members considered the site in Hobson-street too valuable. The Mayor pointod out that the clause only stated the result of the interview, and if the Board did not make an offer nothing would come of it. Mr. Crowther withdrew his motion, and the report as a whole was adopted. pRAFTON Ward Members.The Grafton Ward members reported as follows on matters referred to them for consideration : —" Motion by Mr. Paterson, 20th February, 1890, ' That the drainpipe in Carlton Gore Road bo continued from Arawa-street to Grafton Road, and thence along Grafton Road to Kyber Pass Road We have the honour to report that after mature deliberation we are of opinion that this work should be carried out. Petition from ratepayer?, Boston Road, reformation : We recommend that the engineer be instructed to communicate with the gaol authorities, asking them to contribute towards the formation the necessary metal and refuse for filling, as wo are of opinion that the heaviest traffic on the road is from the gaol by metal carts." The report was adopted, and the work referred to in clause 1 was charged to the ward allocation.

Balances and Accounts.—A statement of balances was submitted, and accounts as approved by the Finance Committee wore passed for payment. Departmental. —Formal returns were received from the various departments. Supplies for Waterworks.—The tenders for these supplies, which had been received at last meeting, had been referred to the engineer, who now reported that Morrin and Co. tender was the lowest, and it was accepted. An estimate of pipes required was referred to the Waterworks Committee. Street Levels.—Plans showing the fixed levels of Bayfield Road and Bulwerstreet, Ponsonby, were submitted, and there being no objection lodged the levels were fixed.

Valve House.—A memo was received from Mr. Carl a. as to repairs required in the valve house, and the engineer reported that the repairs would cost about £15. Referred to the Waterworks' Committee to report on. Urinals.—Mr. Garratt, in accordance with notice, moved, " That the ona-ineer be instructed to report this night fortnight as to the suitability of sites for three public urinals, viz., corner of Pitt and Beresford - streets, Symonds - street, opposite Karangahape Road (portion of Cemetery ground if practicable), and portion of waterworks' reserve at corner of Ponsonby and Karangahape Roads, engineer to include in his report estimated cost of same, using the material now on hand." He spoke briefly to the motion, and Mr. Wright seconding it, tho resolution was carried without discussion.