AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11955, 2 May 1902, Page 3

AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the Auckland City Council was held last night, His Worship the Mayor (Mi. Alfred Kidd) presiding. The following members were also present: — Messrs. J". Stichbury, .1. Court, J. Mc-Leod, J. T. Julian, A. Rosser, A. K. Glover, .T. Patterson, J. W. Hewson, J. H. Hannan, T. T. Masefield, F. E. Baume, and H. Garratt. Unitarian Church Pence: The committee of the Unitarian Church wrote, asking the Council to bear half the cost of the erection of a boundary fence proposed to be erected on the south side of the church allotment, the adjoining lot being the property of the Council. Referred to the Endowment Committee. Gloucester-street Bevelling: Mrs. E. Blakey sent a request that the Council would bear half the expense of erecting a retaining wail and re-erecting a fence, rendered necessary by road-levelling operations having encroached on her property. The engineer reported that the road levelling in question was being done on terms agreed to by propertyowners. A similar request from Mr. H. Aitkenhead was also received, the engineer reporting as in the former case. Referred to the Streets Committee. Gift of Pictures: Miss Xuttall wrote, offering to present to the Art Gallery two old pictures. Referred to the Board of Advice. Road Crossings: A letter was received from Mr. T. Prosser, urging the formation of road crossings for foot passengers in Karangahape Road. The engineer reported that the block* for the work came to hand that day, and that it. would be proceeded with as soon as possible. Decided to reply accordingly. Tramways: Mr. P. M. Hansen applied for the lease ol the land adjacent to the city morgue for a period of 30 years, at. present leased by the Council from the Harbour Board. Referred to the Legal Committee. Open Drain: A communication was read from Messrs. Buddie. Button, "and Co., pointing out the urgent, necessity of carrying out drainage work in Argyle and Clifton Sheets. The writers stated that the open drain in question by being neglected was ali leged to have' been the cause of illness (from diphtheria) of two children in the neighbourhood. The engineer reported that this workwas the next on the list of urgent works, and would be proceeded with as soon as funds were available. Decided to reply in terms of the engineer's report. Fire Brigade Station: Mr. George Baildon, contractor for the new fire brigade station, applied for extension of time for the erection of the same. Ho stated that he had pushed on the work as speedily as the conditions of the labour market had allowed, but there were still six or eight weeks" work ahead of him. He intended to give Mr. Woollpy, the superintendent, possession of the engine. room in about three weeks. The .Mayor moved that the application be granted. He bad visited the station several times, and knew that, the contractor had made every effort to complete the work. The architect recommended the granting of the application. After a slight discussion it was decided to grant extension of time as requested. Tenders: Tenders were opened as follows for roofing reservoir at Titirangi:— Cochrane £597 ss; Matheson and Houlder, £725 10s; McCnlhma, £648: Newson and Coulson. ,£945: Mays and Gordon, £620. The firstnamed was. accepted. For kerbing and channelling Beach Road the following tenders were, received :— Irwin, £345 18s Id • G. Knight, £387 3s 9d ; W. Henry, £396 15s ;' Eillmgton, £385 18s 6d; Newson and Coulsou, £425 4s 4d: Trays. £473. The firstnamed was accepted. The tender of Messrs. Bennett and Johnson (£52) for painting the Saltwater Baths was accepted. Corse: The town clerk recommended dealing with the gorse nuisance under the provisions of the Noxious Weeds Act, 1900, and on the Mayor's motion the recommendation was adopted. Custom-street East: On the recommendation of the engineer, it was decided to close Custom-street East from traffic temporarily. Sanitary Inspection: The sanitary inspector reported that all the yards in tire city had been inspected, and the four assistant sanitary inspectors had ceased their work. On the whole, the yards were in a satisfactory state. The Mayor mentioned that the newly-appointed sanitary inspector was expected to arrive on Tuesday. He also stated that, the City Council was at present paying about £5 a week for rats. A formal resolution was passed cancelling the appoint, ment of the four assistant sanitary inspectors appointed a few months ago. Streets Committee: The Streets Committee reported:— Council's instruction to consider the question of further reducing the charges for water supplied to suburban boroughs: Deferred pending the return of the, waterworks engineer. .From Waitemata County Council re repairs to roads in Titirangi district: Engineer to report in conjunction with Mr. Wilson, O.K. From Auckland Gas Company, ottering to put up new street lamps in Queen-street at railway station if Council will provide lamps: Deferred for three months, pending erection of electric lamps. The renort was adopted. Legal Committee: The Legal Committee reported: Auckland Scenery Conservation Society, suggesting the planting of Albert Park between Bowen Avenue and Victoria Quadrant: Deferred. From S. J. Clarke, re by-law as to the construction and condition of properties abutting on the street line: Reply that while it, is doubtful whether the Council has power to compel by by-Jaw the adoption of a. uniform architecture in the erection of buildings, it. is inexpedient to do so under existing circumstances, and that the law already provides for the keeping of fences and buildings in a. safe condition. From secretary of General Trust Board, re interments in Anglican portion of Waikumete Cemetery: City solicitor to advise as to rights of denominational bodies. The report was adopted. Sick Pay: The Mayor moved, That the resolution of the Council of November 29. 1900, ' that salaried officers be allowed during illness full pay for a, fortnight and half-pay for six weeks thereafter in any one year,' be and the same is hereby, rescinded, and that the town clerk be instructed to submit to the Council for consideration on its merits the case of every officer absent for more than two weeks." Mr. Baume seconded, and the motion was adopted unanimously. '