AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10412, 9 April 1897, Page 3

AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting; of the Auckland City Council was held last evening, there being present: Messrs. F. Digaan, Jamieson, Warren, Trenwith, Farrell, Glover, Julian, Grey, Kidd, Cairns, Beoroft, Stichbury, Courtney, White, Hesketh, Hewson, Patterson, in the absence of the Mayor, (Mr. Boardman), who is still indisposed, Mr. V. Dignanwas voted to the chair. _ Enforcement of By-laws.—The Commissioner of Police, writing under instructions from the Minister of Justice, acknowledged receipt of the Council's letter of the 12th ult., with reference to the enforcement of the City By-laws. In reply he asked in what particular cases the police of Auckland fail to enforce the provisions of the Police Offences Act, 1894, or to render that assistance in the enforcement of Acts or the City By-laws for the good order and government of the city. Unless full information in this respect was forthCoining, he said, it would be very difficult to understand what the Council required. It was agreed that the Town Clerk forward a draft copy of the letter he had prepared in reply, which was as under:—" In reply to your letter of the 24th instant, I am instructed to state that the subject matter of my letter of the 12th instant has ou more than one occasion been brought under your notice, and that of the Inspector of Police here, without any result. A glance at the list of convictions in the Police Court in the annual reports forwarded to the department will show the amount of work done in the direction of enforcing the observation of the Police Offences Act and the City by-laws. If the police have instructions not to enforce these matters it seems to the Council unnecessary to prolong the correspondence. If, however, they have no such instructions then the matter should be open to some satisfactory explanation; it is certainly not the duty of the Council to particularise. The matter, generally, is brought under the notice of the Minister of Justice in the interest of the city government. Police Station.—With reference to the proposed exchange of sites in connection with the erection of a police station at Auckland, the Commissioner of Police wrote stating that the Minister of Justice would be extremely sorry should any difficulty arise with regard to the exchange as suggested. The Hon. Thompson was, he stated, looking at the matter purely from an Auckland point of view, and felt certain that Parliament would not consent to the Bowen-street site being utilised for general building purposes, though in all probability such permission might be obtained for the erection of a police station. Taking into consideration the shape of the site in question, it is considered very doubtful,even were the consent of Parliament obtained for leasing it, whether it would bring in more revenue for building purposes than the Wellesley and O'Rorke-street sites. However, if anything was to be done in the matter it must jje done speedily, and as Mr. Thompson was most anxious to see a suitable and proper police station erected in the city he would endeavour to bring about the exchange for that purpose, and that purpose only. With regard to the question, of the removal of the buildings at present on the O'Rorke-' street site, it must be apparent to the Council that the Defence Store could not be utilised after reinovi.l, beiag a concrete building. He asked the Council to further'consider the matter, for failing the arrangement suggested the Police .Station will in all probability be erected on the O'Rorke-street site. Mr. Thompsou will be in Auckland shortly after the close of the session, and will be prepared to consult with the Mayorand councillors on the matter. Referred to the Legal Committee to consider and confer with the Minister.

Wall in West-street.—Mr. Frederick Furley, a property owner ia West-street, Newton, wrote asking the council if they intended to under-pin the wall in that street. which he considered in a dangerous state, and feared would, with the wet weather, fall out into the street. He enclosed a memo, trom the Town Clerk showing that the matter had been brought before the Council by the previous owner, aud had been referred to the Ward Members committee but no action had been taken. The engineer in reporting on the matter said that ,is far as he could rememberthe Ward Members committeedid not consider it the duty of the Council to underpin the wall, which was now as good as when the street was formed ten years ago, and not dangerous to the public. Referred to the ward members.

Waikomiti Csmktery.—The Rev. J. Farquharson Jones drew the attention of the Council to the fact that on arriving at the Waikomiti Cemetery on the 36th March with a body for interment he actually found that there had been no start made to die the grave, and the cortfe6 had to wait almost an hour while the grave was dug. He considered the painful bitch was due to the defective telephone service, and asked that an effort be made to. have the service recti-. Hud to prevent a recurrence. The Inspector of Telegraph!!, in the course of a communication re the above, said it was possible that the interruption referred to was duo tn the workmen employed in running a new wire, and that he had given instructions to have the wire examined, and, if necessary, put in order. It was decided to send a reply according to the latter report. Salvation Army Building.—Stall-Cap-tain A. Harris, of the Salvation Army, wrote asking the lowest terms on which the Council would lease the small piece of laud (lot 22, section 31), at the comer of Albert and Market streets. If they could get it on reasonable terms it was intended to erect thereon a brick hall for a children's Sundayschool in connection with the city corps. Referred to the Endowment Committee.

Obtkogbaphv.—A communication from the Auckland Post Office, ou behalf of the Postmaster-General, stated that a geueral revision of the orthography of Maori names of post-nlßces was at present in progress throughout the colony, and that it had been found, amongst other errors, that the spelling of the name of the office at Waikomiti was incorrect, aud should read Waikumete. The writer asked if the Council had auy objection to the proposed change being given effect to. Referred to the Streets Committee. Drainagk.— The secretary to the Melanesian Trust (Mr. W. 8. Cochrane) wrote stating that the trustees had instructed him to direct the attention of the Council to the greaf want of drainage facilities for the properties situated betweeu Wellington, Napier, and Union streets. They considered the system incomplete, and asked that the Council take steps to enable all properties in the locality to connect with a proper drain. The matter being dealt with in the Finance Committee's'report was held over. Ground Rents.—Mr. M. Browne, Greystreet, and four other lessees of Market SKirore, requested the sanction of the Council to the usual abatement on what they considered their very excessive ground rents The request wa3 granted.

Her Majesty's Record Reigx.—Letters were read from Mr. J. Stichbury (Chairman of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board) and Dr. Baldwin, with reference to celebrating the Queen's record reign, by erecting a children's hospital, a tull text of which appeared in the Herald of yesterday. In this connection, Mr, Stichbury moved to the effect that a committee be appointed to consider the most suitable method of celebrating the record reign, and that the letters in question be referred to the committee. Mr. Kidd suggested that the acting Mayor convene a special meeting of the Council and any citizens who may wish to attend with a view to considering the whole matter. This suggestion was concurred in by Mr. Becroft and Mr. White, the latter stating that the garrison had met and discussed the proposal, and would no doubt be prepared to enter into the movement. Mr. Stiohbury said that in referring the matter to a special committee, he would have the members of Council understand that their suggestions would be brought before the Council as a whole, and a public meeting conld then be called. This was agreed to. The committee will consist of His Worship the Mayor, and Messrs. Trenwith, Kidd, Dignau, Farrell, Patterson, Cairns, and, the mover.

City Conveniences.—Messrs. Porter and Hampson, of Queen-street, called the attention of the Council to the state of the public urinal at the end of the blind lane next the Government Insurance Buildup. They suggested that as it was offensive and objec-tionable--to tenants in close proximity it should be remoTed. The city engineer reported that the urinal required renewing and rearrauginx'. Referred 'to the Streets CommitteV. ( ~ . ' ' , Admiralty HonsE.—l'he secretary of the Harbour Board wrote atntihg that'the Finance Committee of the Board would be glad to confer vith the Couiioil' on the question of the site' for the new Admiralty House. Referred to the Finance and ;Legal .Committee. . . V

Pktitions.—Mr. Cairns read a petition from several business men in Mill* Lane asking that the lane be widened to meet the requirements with regard to vehicular traffic. Referred to the Streets ComrtMtUe. Mr. Julian presented, & petition "from'7ss frequenters of the Saltwater Baths, asking that it be enlarged and deepened to meet requirements. Referred so the Baths Committee.

Streets Cohbiittes. — This committee reported as under:—Petition from ratepayers Jqhn-atreet (Mr. BecroftjreUmp: Your committee recommends reply that should mains be laid at next allocation of lampi.a lamp will be placed. Letterfrom ratepayer Bath-itreet, re formation, memo from. Engineer reporting cost'£ll4: Your committee recommends that Council accept dedication of street and authorise formation work* recommended by the Engineer, on payment of one-balf cost by reeidenw. Letter

from G. Kronfeld, re permit for building in Little Queen-street: Your committee recommends that permit for temporary gateway end be granted for a period not exceeding five years. Memo, from Town Clerk re verandah-gaslights and leak j rerandahs: \ our committee recommends that the city surveyor be instructed to take action for enforcement of by-laws. Letter from Samuel Vaile and Suns re earth filling in Beresfordstreet (Nathan's property): Your committee recommend 3 that same be referred, re ways and means, to the Finance Committee's favourable consideration. Letter from secretary New Zealand and River Plate Land Mortgage Company, re new street off Jervois Road (Salisbury-street): Your committee recommends that Council accept dedication of street on aame being first formed, metalled, kerbed, channelled, and drained to the satisfaction ot the city engineer. Memo, from Engineer, re boring operations, etc.. Western Springs: Your committee having visited, will report at next meeting. The report was adopted as read. Legal Committee.—The report of, thii committee was as follows:—Letter from City of Auckland Sinking Fund Commissioners re appointment (city solicitor's opinion rend), your committee having met the Commissioners recommends as follows: (a) That Messrs. J. H. Upton, William Crowther, William Thome be the commissioners for the 1879 loan, (a) That Mestrs. J. H. Upton, J. J. Holland, and Peter Dignan be the commissioners for the ISS3 loan. These appointments to obtain until September or such further period necessary to enable incorporation of the loans. Letter from R. R. Hunt, declining terms of proposed electric tram concession. Your committee recommeuds that preceding resolution be adhered to. Letter from George Robinson, requesting allowance of £'20 on routal of Domain paddocks. Your committee has no recommendation to make. With reference to Robinson's letter re allowance, it was agreed, ou the motion of Mr. Warren, to make a concession of £10 on the rental, and the report was then adopted as amended. Domain Cricket Ground.—^Thecommittee appointed to deal with matters pertaining to the Cricket Ground reported ss under :- Motion of Mr. Hewaon re Uround management: Your committee recommends the adoption of motion, that is to say—l. That all applications for use of Cricket Ground be at once handed over to a member of the Ground Committee appointed for that purpose. 2. That no department be allowed to effect any repairs or alterations or do auy works which will have to be paid for out of the Cricket Ground Account until such works or repairs shall have been sanctioned by the Cricket Ground Committee. 3. That a notification be inserted in the press to the effect that all applications tor use of the ground far the purpose of making a charge for admission must be made if possible one month before the day required. The report was adopted. Finance Committee.—This committee reported as under:-Letter from returning officer licensing election (J. King) forwarding vouchers for £109 123 6d, expenses of election : Your committee has authorised advance of £50, ind refers balance of account (£59 12s 6d) to the Council with the recommendation that the matter be brought under notice of the Government, the committee being of opinion that these elections could be ■much more economically carried out by the Council's returning officer. Tender and letter from Church of Christ re leasing lots 15 and 16, section 53, Howe-screet : Your committee recommends that tender be declined. Petition from ratepayers Beresford-street (Mr. Glorer) re drainage (re ways and means): Your committee recommends that work be done at engineer's estimate of £50. It was resolved that the question of the licensing election account be referred back to the Finance Committee to point out what charges they considered excessive, and the report was adopted as amended. Rates.-H was resolved to strike and levy a special rate of la in the £ on all assessable property in the city, the same to be payable on the Ist day of June. Painting.—The tender of Mr. Bennett for painting the reservoirs being the lowest of the two read waa accepted. Offer of Paintino.—Mr. Jas. Reade, of Kohimarama, wrote stating that he .would agree to accept the offer recommended by the committee, for the purchase of his oil paintings for the art gallery at,£2ooo, the money to remain at five per cent., and to be paid within 10 years. Messrs. Stichbury, White, Patterson, and others, opposed the purchase of .the pictures, and held that local pictures would be preferable if pictures were required. It was agreed-not to purchase the pictures at present. ■ Alten Road Reserve.—ln accordance with notice of motion, Mr. C. Grey moved : "1. That the Parks Inspector prepare and submit for next meeting design and estimate of cost for Uying out the Alten Road Reserve, and the eugineer design and estimate for fencing same. 2. That the engineer submit for next meeting, estimate of cost of continuing footpath with wood kerbirig around the Kmity Place Reserve." The motion was adopted.