AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9628, 28 September 1894, Page 5

AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the Auckland City Council wag held last evening, when the following members were present: — His Worship the Mayor (Mr. J. J. Holland), Messrs. Warren, Trenwith, Glover, Farrell, Aikin, Stichbury, Thorne, Hewson, Paterson, Julian, Grey, Hesjketh, White, Garrett, Kind, and Baume. New Member. — Mr. W. Bagnall White took his seat for the first time, being welcomed by the Mayor. Petitions.Mr. Stitchbury presented a petition from a number of residents of the Ponsonby district, nuking that Hargravestreet might be cut down. The matter was referred to the Streets Committee. The same member also presented a petition from ten residents of O'Neil-street askiug to have that street widened. The petition was referred to the Legal Committee for their report. The Domain.— letter was received from the Auckland Sunday-school Union, asking that part of the Domain should not be closed to the Sunday-school children and their friends at their annual gathering on New Year's Day. The writer stated that the number of children and adults who would be present that day would be about 6000. The Mayor said that permission had already been given to the Caledonian Society to use the Domain Gricket Groand on that dav. The communication was referred to the Grounds Committee.

City Streets Directory. — Mr. P. S. Rhodes, as the travelling agent of the Electric City Streets Directory, asked the Council to facilitate the establishment of the Electric City Streets Directory cases. On the motion of the Mayor, permission was granted. A Gift.—Mr. F. L. Prime, acting on behalf of Mrs. J. Williamson, widow of the late John Williamson, formerly superintendent of the province of Auckland, requested the Council to accept for the art gallery four pictures. The matter was referred to the Hanging Committee. Tenders. —Three tenders were received for layiug mains between Ponsonby and Kyber reservoirs. That of W. Henry and Co., £206 14s being the lowest, it was accepted. The other tenderers were Rolan Bros., £207 ss; and Cole and Moody, £258 15s. Legal Committee.—This committee reported as follows : —Letter from manager Tramway Company re permission to run trams on Sundays: Committee recommended application be declined. Letters from S. Cochrane and Son, H. Brett, Wilsons and Horton, re back files of newspapers : Recommended £35 be offered for two files required, viz.: New Zealand Herald, 4£ years, from 30th June, 1876 to 31st December, 1880; Auckland Evening Star, seven years, from 1874 toHlsb December, 1880. The report was adopted. Finance Committee.The report of the Finance Committee was as follows Letter from Mrs. Mary A. Saunders, asking for reduction of ground rent: Committee have no recommendation to make, but suggest the Council should decide on this application. Memo, from Town Clerk (referred back) re office contributions: Committee adhere to their previous recommendations. The report was adopted. Notices op Motion. —In accordance with notice given the Mayor moved, "That Mr. Grey be appointed to the Finance I Committee, Mr. Farrell to the Legal Comj mittee, and Messrs. Hesketh, Warren, White, I and Courtney to the Streets Committee." Carried. Mr. Baume moved, " That the Gas Company be communicated with to ascertain what terms they will offer to the Council to light the city gas lamps from midnight to daylight." Mr. Baume said he had been approached by many persons on this subject. It was very inconvenient for anyone who happened to be out after twelve o'clock to have to make his way through dark streets. He had had a conversation with Inspector Hickson on the matter, and the Inspector said the lighting of the streets after the hour of midnight would be of great assistance to the police, and enable them to keep the peace better than theycouldatpresent. Mr. Baume pointed out that there were many men, such as printers, employees at the Telegraph office, ana others, whose work kept them out after midnight. He thought the matter should be referred to the Streets Committee. The extra cost of lighting would not be much. After a short discusuion the matter was referred to the committee.