CITY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8555, 1 May 1891, Page 6

CITY COUNCIL.

The regular meeting of the City Council was held yesterday evening, and in the absence of His Worship the Mayor (through illness) Mr/ Crowther was called to the chair. The other ! members;present; were: Messrs. Trenwith, Farrell, Julian, : Grey, Holland, Atkin,. Swales; Wright, Cooper, Laver, Patterson, Hewaon, l)ignan, Lennox, and Garratt. Water Pressure. Bakewell wrote complaining of deficient water pressure at his premises in WaUefield-street, corner of Symonds-street. The turncock reported that the only remedy was to lay the service from Symonds-sbreec instead of Alexanderstreet, and he recommended that 66 feet of half-inch pipe be laid. The chairman recommended that an inch pipe should be laid, as other houses might be supplied from it. Mr. Lennox seconded the chairman's motion, and it was agreed to. Tramway Company. — The manager of the Tramway Company wrote, acknowledging receipt of a letter informing him of the due date of the Council's claim for the first half-year's rent of the roads on which the company's lines were laid. In reply he asked that a committee of the Council should receive their representatives, who would be prepared to urge the company's claims to exemption from the rent clause of the agreement on various grounds. On the motion of Mr. Cooper the letter was referred to the special committee appointed on the motion of Mr. Smith. Burgess Roll. — Applications from J. Carroll and others to have their names placed on the burgess roll were received, and referred to the Legal Committee. Sarsfikld-strekt.—Mr. E. T. Dufaur wrote asking the Council to divert the sewage and drainage now running through his property (recently purchased) in Sarsv field-street, Potisonby. The city reported that the Council had not put any drain pipes through this property. There was a natural gully, and the owner wishing to fill itup, first laid the drain pipes through it. There was a second letter from Mr. 1 lufaur, that the Council had no rights to drainage through the property ; and to this the engineer reported that the Council had laid no pipes, but the watercourse existed. It was agreed to reply accordingly. Reduction of Kent.—Mr. H. Nashelski wrote asking for a reduction of the rent of the property, corner of Wakeneld-street and Symonds-street, leased by him from the city. It was really an application for a remodelling of the rentals on a new basis, or a continuation of the reduction previously made. Mr. L. H. Neuroegan made a similar application re property in Cookstreet, and Mr. Henry Hewin also applied for a reduction of his rental for property in Wellesley-street East. On the motion of Mr. Grey, the applications were deferred until the Finance Committee's report came up. Permit.—Mr. Thos. Ussher asked for permission to shingle half of the roof of his house in Somerset' Place. The engineer reported on the matter, and said the Council had the power to grant the application under the modification clause of the regulations, but the matter might become interminable as what was the good side now would become the bad fide later on, and soon. It was moved by Mr. Farrell that the permit be granted, but Mr. rlewson moved as an amendment, "That it be referred to the Streets Committee to visit and report," and tins was carried.

Gift to the Aht Gallery.—Mr. Isidor Alexander wrote presenting to the' Art Gallery a picture he brought from Europe, lb is an original oil painting by Professor Stuvehkoph, and was exhibited in the Art Exhibition in Dresden in 1576, where it received the silver prize. The subject is " The Hermit," and the dimensions, five feet three inches high by four feet two inches wide. The Town Clerk reported that the Hanging Committee recommended its acceptance, as it was a valuable picture On the motion of the chairman the gift was accepted, and the donor thanked. Extension of Mais Sewer,—The secretary of the Harbour Board forwarded resolutions passed at the last meeting of the Board re dredging at the expense of the Council, and also requesting the Council to extend the sewer at Queen-street Wharf 150 feet. Tho chairman said this was a.; very complicated question, which arose "at the Harbour Board meeting. He always thought that after they diverted the sewer to the Railway Wharf they would not be further troubled with . the Queen-street Wharf. He suggested that they should adjourn tho consideration of tho matter until next meeting, and that tho engineer in the meantime report. Mr. Garrett moved as an amendment, " That it be referred to a committee to confer with a committee of the Harbour Board, and that thoir Engineer and the Harbour Board Foreman of Works be present." Mr. Farrell seconded tho amendment, and said these questions proved that there should be one governing body instead of two to manage the business of the city and harbour. Mr. Dignan favoured the idea of the question being referred to the committee, although lie thought the engineer's report would be sufficient. Several members spoke on the subject. The Chairman said tlio agreement when the drainage was taken to the Railway Wharf was that the Council should pay half the cost of dredging at that wharf, and that had been done. The amendment sending the matter to the Streets Committee and engineer was carried. Rates on Unleaskd Lands.The secretary of the Harbour Board wrote enclosing a resolution informing the Council that the Board was not liable for payment of rates on any reclaimed land unleased, or for such reclaimed land as may bo occupied by the Board for offices, workshops, etc. Tho Chairman said this was also a complicated question, and he did not think the letter should have been sent in its present shape, for the letter from the Board's solicitor was sent back. He moved that the matter be referred to the Legal Committee with power to take counsel's opinion if necessary. This was agreed to. Dog Tax.—Sergeant Bernard, of the Newton police-station, wrote informing the Town Clerk that the Government had decided that the police are to be permitted to collect the dog tax and to take proceedings against the owners of unregistered dogs. PREPARATION OF Burgess ROLL.—Mr. 0. S. Cooper,, Under-Secretary of the Colonial Secretary's Department, wrote, that a notification of the order-in-council extending times for preparation of the burgess roll of tho city of Auckland was published in the New Zealand Gazette of the 23rd instant. The letter was received.

Stkkets Committee.—This committee reported as follows :—Letter from residents Jervois Road re condition of footpath between King and Blake-streets. — Your, committee recommends that footpath bo prepared for next season by ward workmen. Petition from ratepayers Turner-Street (Mr. Holland) re asphalting footpath.— Your committee recommends that work be done and charged to the East Ward allocation. Petition from Ponsonby Ward (Mr. Wright) re sewer, Fernleigh to Ryle-street, —Your committee recommends that works be done in terms of Engineer's report at a cost of £13. Memo from Domain ranger re 50 Oriental plane trees ready for planting in streets.—Your committee recommends that same be planted in Grafton Road and Stanley-street. The report was adopted without discussion.

LiiOAL Committee.— This committee reported as follows : — Memo from Engineer re Saltwater Albert-street Baths.—Your committee recommends that salt water snpply be discontinued on Ist May. The report was adopted. Finance Committee.This committee's report was as follows :— Letter from Thos. Broham and others, petition from lessees of section 31, Grey-street, letter from W. H. Skinner, re reduction of rentals, etc. ; letter from F. G. Ewington re Garrett Brothers' leases : That as the Council have by resolution suspended any further operation of the Public Bodies Powers Act, your committee have no recommendation to make. Mr. Trenwith moved the adoption of the report, and Mr. Grey seconded the motion. It was carried without discussion, and it was agreed that the applications of Messrs. Nashelski, Meumegan, and Hewin be dealt with in a similar manner, and a reply sent accordingly. Balances and Reports. — The usual statement of balances and reports from the various departments were submitted. The accounts as passed for payment by the Finance Committee, amounting to £1061 14s lid, were passed for payment. Mod Carts.-— for the construction of two mud carts were received as follows :—W. J. Cousins, £83 10s, and J. Patterson, £73 10s. Tho latter was accepted. : !

! Absent Councillor.— An apology, sent by telegraph from Dargaville by Mr. W. H. Smith for his nou-attendunce at the meeting, was received. Firebell Towkk.—The engineer placed on the table plans and specifications for the new firebell tower on Kyber reserve, Upper Symonds street, in terms of the resolution of the Council. No action was taken, as there was no estimate of cost. Engineer for Pumping Station.—There were 22 applicants for the office of waterworks engineer, rendered vacant by the death of Mr. Carlaw. Mr. Holland moved, " That they be referred to the Streets Committee, to select six out of the number, and that the appointment be made at next meeting." Mr. Lennox., as an amendment, moved, " That the matter be dealt with at once." The amendment was lost on a division. Kybkr Pass Footpath.—Mr. Laver moved, in accordance with notice, " That as the petitioners decline to pay half cost of asphalting Kyber Pass footpath, it be at once tarred and sanded." Mr. Swales moved as an amendment, " That it be deferred till next spring, as the season was now too late." Mr. Fan-ell seconded the amendment. Mr. Wright supported the motion, and so did Mr. Hewson and Mr. Dignan. Mr. Atkin suggested that the time for the work be left to the engineer, and this being accepted by Mr. Laver, the motion was carried.