AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12447, 22 January 1904, Page 7

AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL.

The City Council met last night, His Worship the Mayor (the Hon. E. M.tcholson) prosiding. The following councillors were also present: —Di. vV. E. Sharman, Messrs. J. Court, C. J. Parr, S. 0. Brown, J. McLeod, J. 1. Julian, and G-. Knight.

St. Louis Exhibition: Mr. T. E. Donne, superintendent of the Tourist Department, forwarded e copy of a letter received from Mi. A. Kelsej, superintendent of the Municipal Improvement Section of the St. Liouis Exposition, in reference to municipal exhibits. Mr. Kelscv in his letter, said lie wished fci know whether he could obtain from one oi the New Zealand cities, some unique and characteristic design of street fixture, which would at once add to the dignity of the principal plaza of the Model Civic Centre, and be symbolic of the attention given to such matters in this colony. The letter was received. , , Carpenters' and Joiners Union: Mr. S. Tyson, secretary of the local branch of the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters ant. Joiners wrote enclosing a statement of a proposed new agreement in lieu of the late award. Received. Drainage: Mr. A. Devore wrote calling attention to the fact that the sewer from Vermont-street to Summer-street, in Pongonbv, had been authorised two years ago, and asked that tenders be called for the work. It was decided to reply that the work was amongst the list of urgent drainage works. The Public Works Act: Messrs. Buddie, Button, and Co. wrote pointing out the hardship entailed bv section 3 of the Public Works Act Amendment Act of 1903. which made the provision as to the minimum width of 66ft tor streets, apply to existing streets, including Ryle, Wood, and Fernleigh Streets, Ponsonby. in which a cli"tit of the writers was interested. The Council was asked to declare that the said section should not apply to these streets. Referred to teh Legal and Finance Committee. Admiralty House: Tho Harbour Board wrote asking the Council to state the terms on which it was prepared to transfer to the Board its one-third portion of the land on which Admiralty House stands. Referred to the Finance and Legal Committee. Proposed Alteration to a Crossing: A number of property owners and tenants of premises at the junction of Queen and Rutland streets, wrote protesting against any alteration or divergence of the crossing at the foot of Wakefield-strcet, Referred to the Streets Committee. Petition: Mr. Court presented a petition from residents of Ponsonby Road, asking for a. main sewer at Russell-street. Referred to tie Streets Committee. Sanitary By-laws: Dr. Makgill, district health officer, wrote suggesting that in carrying out the new sanitary by-laws the staff of the sanitary department would require to be increased. The gradual substitution of wfcter closets for the present pan system was likely to prove a powerful factor in reducing the zymotic rate. Received. Drainage Loan: Only one tenderthat of the New Zealand Accident Insurance Company for 25 £100 debentures at par--was received for the fifth instalment of £10.000 of the loan for drainage purposes. The tender was accepted, and it was resolved that the remaining debentures be open for acceptance at par. City Abattoirs: Mr. J. Robertson, inspector at the city abattoirs, drew attention to the situation oi a piggery which was in close proximity to one of the pumping stations. Referred to the Abattoi- Committee. Streets Committee: The following recommendations of the Streets Committee were adopted:— R. Dully and C. R. Williamson, applying foi drainage facilities, Upper Nehori-streec; To be one of the first works to be undertaken under the drainage so.ieme. J. Sticbbury, asking cutting down of footpath and kerbing ana channeling in Curran-street, sub- ! committee reporting thereon. Reply : Cannot recommend the work to be done until the street is formed to permanent level. Buddie,'Button and Co., applying for alteration in levels at foot of Wyndham-street. Reply: That the grade at the bottom of this street has been eased and that approach to the asphalt in Queen-street cannot, in the engineer' opinion, bo further improved. Auckland Scenery Conservation Society, asking that seats in Albert Park be painted: This will be done shortly. Auckland Electric Tramways Company, Limited, offering to furnish additional electric lighting in Queen-street: Company to bo asked for terms for continuing the present lamps alight until daylight and for extra lamps at per lump. KosidenDs, Aidmore-streot, applying for water supply: Pipes to be obtained and laid. Petition from Newton Road, objecting to refuse tip: Tip to be closed against the public. Gumdigging on kauri forest reserve, Uaipareira: Nihotupu Park ranger to visit the kauri forest reserve monthly and take action against all persons found digging or taking guru. Library Committee: The following ieport of the Library Committee was adopted: — "The Leys' institute" and purchase of site in St. Mary's Road by the Council: The city solicitor to prepare the necessary agreement between the Leys trustees and the Council respecting the erection of the institute in terms of the will of the late Mr. W. Leys by the trustees upon the site purchased by the Council. A sub-committee, consisting of Messrs. Parr, Entrican and McLeod and the Rev. T. F. Robertson, to center with the trustees on matters relating to the erection of the building. The Sanitary Service: The Mayor made & statement in regard to the sanitary service, concerning which he said there appeared to be soma misapprehension in the public mind. The Council resolved by a largo majority some time ago to discontinue the contract system in connection with the service and to do the work itself at the expiration of the existing contract. On going into the question, however, it was found that the Act gave the Council power to levy a rate of not more than 6d in the £, and that this rate could only be struck en those properties on which buildings were erected. The engineer's estimate of the cost of the plant was £5800, and of the yearly cost of •working and maintenance £6350, and it was shown that a 6d rate was not sufficient to provide for the efficient carrying out of the work. It was suggested that the Council should make a fixed charge for the service, but the city solicitor advised that no charge beyond an equivalent to the 6d rate could be_ made. The new contract which was being prepared would be ready at the next meeting, and if a contract could not be let at a satisfactory Harare the Council itself would have to undertake the work. If, however, the Council undertook the work the general rate would have to boar the deficiency, viz.. about £3000, which would mean? that the streets would have to suffer, whilst those persons who had connected with the water service would also have to pay their share of the portion borne by the general fund.