AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9496, 27 April 1894, Page 3

AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL.

A meeting of the Auckland City Council was held yesterday evening, when there were present: The Mayor (Mr. J. J. Holland), Messrs. Garratt, Warren, Trenwith, Farrell, Julian, Baume, Swales,' Hesketh, Dignan, Hewson, Paterson, Stiohbury, Glover, Grey, Thorne. Rent.—Messrs. Ewington aud Baker, on behalf of Mr. Nashelski, again asked for a reduction in the ground rent of the site upon which his house stands in Symondsstreet. The letter, after some discussion, was sent to the Finance Committee. Rioht-of Way. — Messrs. Whitaker and Russell, for Mr. T. Buddie, enclosed to the Council a grant of a right-of-way leading from Newton Road at the back of allotments fronting Symonds-street. Some time back the Council approved of a deed giving a four feet right-of-way ; this had been found so narrow and inconvenient that arrangements had been made for a, 12-feet right as shown in the deed. The Council were asked to consent. The application was referred to the ward members. Dangerous Chemicals.—The Executive Committee ef the Insurance Companies' Association intimated their desire to interview the Mayor and City Council regarding the question of stowage of large quantities of dangerous chemicals and oils in warehouses within the City boundary. A time convenient for the interview was asked to be named. This matter was sent to the Legal Committee. The Reid Collection.—Mr. James Reid, of Kohimarama, wrote stating that the time for his pictures to remain in the Art Gallery expired in April. If the members of the Council asked to purchase them the proposal the writer would make would be as follows —There were 30 oil paintings; the price for them would be £10,000. (Oh!). If the Council was not at present in a position to pay for them an arrangement could be made to pay the interest on the sum mentioned, such agreement to terminate at the end or seven years, and the purchase money to be paid in full. Mr. Garratt moved that Mr. Reid's offer be declined. Mr. Warren seconded. Mr. Farrell moved that the letter be sent to the Legal Committee; he thought the proposition too abrupt. The Mayor thought a little more courtesy might be shown. He moved that Mr. Reid be informed the Council had no money with which to make the purchase, but that the pictures could be left where they were. Mr. Farrell seconded. Mr. Garratt objected to any thanks being given to Mr. Reid, for it had been stated the reason he wished the pictures in the Gallery was because he could not find a place of safety for them. The Mayor's amendment was agreed to. Harbour Silt.—The secretary of the Harbour Board asked when it would be convenient for the Legal Committee of the Council to meet a committee of the Board to confer re disposal of silt and offensive matter now being deposited in Auckland Harbour. This was referred to the Legal Committee. The Furze Nuisance.— Newmarket Borough Council sent a request to cut down and remove the gorse scrub on the Domain side of the Carlton Road aud Park Road West, aud to make a footpath from the Hospital gate to the firebell, junction of Park Road and Carlton Road. The engineer reported that be did not think the City Council liable under the Public Works Act to deal with the gorse, and it was the duty of the Newmarket Council to make the footpath. It was decided to reply in the terms of the engineer's statement. Permit.— Mr. Samuel Reid asked permission to erect a building with brick front and corrugated iron sides and roof, in Pittstreet. The application was declined. Photographs of Mayors. — Mr. W. Greenshields wrote suggesting that the photographs of former Mayors should be removed from the Council Chamber and placed in the corridor outside the Art Gallery. The letter was received. Streets Committee.—This committee reported and recommended as follows : —Re appointment of Inspector of Vehicles : Your, committee, after due consideration, have chosen the following six, to interview the Council, namely: E. WoolSeld, George Leudrum, George Keith, J. T. Maxwell, T. C. Turner, and Joseph VVarren. Letter from M. Casey, re deposit of fish offal: Engineer's report read, deferred, owing to the absence of Mr. Casey. Letter from E. Diviani, re drainage, Upper Union-street: That reply be forwarded to effect of engineer's report, that if Mrs. Diviani will allow the men to go on her ground, complaint will be remedied. Letter from W. Adams, re permit to build, Grey-street: Recommended that application be declined. Petition from residents in Suffolk-street, re drainage, etc.; \our committee recommend that no action be taken until the whole of those interested on the city side requested the Council to have the work done, and also that they will allow the earth (where filling in) to slope into their properties, without charging any compensation. Petition from residents of Sentinel Road re drainage : Deferred tor further report from the city engineer. In regard to the petition from residents of Suffolk-street, it was referred to the ward member. The Council then proceeded to vote on the appointment of inspeotor of vehicles. The following was the result of the votinj: :—First vote: Turner, 14; Warren, 9; Maxwell, 9; Woolfield, 8; Lendrum, 7; Keith, 1. Second vote; Turner, 10; Warren, 3; Maxwell, 3. Mr. Turner was then elected. The remaining minutes of the committee were adopted. Legal Committee.—This committee reported and recommended as follows :—Letter from F. R. Claude, re use of rooms at night (Elam School): Recommended that request be granted conditionally that insurance company raise no objection. Letter from J. L. Holland, re acceptiug pictures: Recommended that reply be sent that committee will take care that in future gifts of pictures are referred to the Hanging Committee before being accepted. Letter from J. L. Holland, re placing Mr. L. J. Steele on the Hanging Committee : Recommended that the name of Mr. L. J. Steele be added to the Hanging Committee. Letter from W. T. Stevens, presenting 39 volumes to the Library: Recommended that the gift be accepted with thanks. Agreed to. •'''','