AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12698, 28 October 1904, Page 7

AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL.

THE Auckland City Council filet last night, Si* Worship the Mayor (the Hon. B. Mitchelsen) presiding. The following councillors were present:— Messrs. J. Court, W. B. Hutchison, 8. C. Brown, A. i. Entrtcaii, L. J. Bagnail, C. Grey, M. Casey, Slid Q. Knight. : . . . Mechanics' Bay Roadway The secretary to tne Harbour Board (Mr. J, M. Brigharo) forwarded a resolution of that body With respect to the roadway in Mechanics' Bay, -to the effect that as the same had been maintained by the City Council since 1873 it was not necessary for the Board t? dedicate it. The city, engineer reported that the Council had made small repairs to the road from time to time. He contended it was not a dedicated street. The matter was referred to the Streets Committee. The Mayor, in moving this, said he understood that in cases where the Council had expended money on roads they were responsible. If, however, they were not liable they should not spend any money on the road, but the Harbour Board should bo compelled to put it in order before the Council took it over. It was In a very bad state. , , Mechanics' Bay Sewer: The Parnell town clerk requested that the Council would cause the sewer in Mechanics' Bay to be trapped at Alpha Road to prevent tho gas escaping at that point, causing a gravo nuisance. , Referred to the Streets Committee. Council Rubbish Tip: The secretary of the .Harbour Board forwarded a letter from Messrs. Macklow Brothers, urawing attention to the nuisance being caused by the deposit of rubbish from the City Council carts in tho intake at Mechanics' Bay. The stench from these deposits was described as very bad and injurious to health. They were also causing a silting up of the writer's water frontage. The Parnell Borough Council also complained of the same rubbish tip. The Mayor said that the land now being used for the deposit of rubbish was owned by the Railway Department, who bud given their consent to the rubbish being deposited there. There had been some complaints as to a stench, which Messrs. Macklow Brothers alleged arose from the rubbish tip, but the city engineer and 'Dr. Frengley (district health officer) had visited the place on Wednesday last and had come to the conelusion that the stench complained of was not from the rubbish tip but from the old deposit and rubbish on the beach. The health officer, was satisfied that the soil placed on top of all rubbish deposited was sufficient. Tho engineer had said there was an old punt Iving across the channel in tho bay and also a number of logs. He (the Mayor) had therefore authorised tho engineer to have tho punt and logs blasted out or otherwise removed to allow the water free passage outwards and inwards. The matter was referred to the Streets Committee. Lamp: The Rev. Father Patterson renewed a roquest "for a lamp near St. Patrick's Cathedral in Chapel-street. The city engineer reported that, the lamp was greatly needed. Referred to the Streets Committee. Waterworks Bill: Mr. Alfred Kidd, M.H.R., in forwarding ft copy of the Waterworks Bill, pointed out that the alterations in the same did not materiallv affect It. It dealt with riparian rights by striking them out and substituting other words, bringing them into lino with existing Acts. The alteration in clause 8 in striking out two years and substituting six mouths km rather Important, but tho House' was very pronounced—it would not allow any corporation' to take away anyone's property for two rears, and the Premier wanted to insert three months. The Hon. Thomas Thompson, M.L.C., would take the Bill through the Upper House. The letter was received, Mr. Kidd and the Hon. Thomas Thompson to be thanked for their services. : , . A Complaint: Mi. T. P. Colledgo complained of a sewor discharging over the cliff at New-street on to tho boundary of his property. Referred to the Streets Committee.

Cemetery Gully: Messrs. B. H. Abbott and F. Kneebone wrote in connection with their scheme for a proposed road through a portion of the Cemetery Gully to Grafton Bead, asking if the Council would co-operate with them in continuing the road through the Council's allotments at tho foot, of Grafton Road for about 150 ft. The city engineer reported that as the scheme would involve tho cutting off of several of the Council's allotments fronting Grafton Road he did not think it would be advisable at present: for the Council to undertake the work. Referred to the Streets Committee.

Claim': Mrs. Sarah Fallon wrote claiming £20 compensation in respect of a drain constructed through her property in Somerset Place. Befered to the Streets Committee.

Sanitary Service: Tho sanitary contractor (Mr. F. Jagger) wrote stating that he had 'offered Mr. 8. Parker, the maker of the pans, a bonun to turn out the new pans faster, the latter promising to make an effort to do so. It would be impossible to get all the pans required by November 1, and tho writer asked permission to order puns elsewhere. Granted, subject to approval of pans by the city engineer.

Fompallior Terrace : Mr. M. Casey presented a petition from ratepayers and residents of Pmipallier Terrace, Ponsonby, asking for the continuation of that road from Clarence-street to John-street. Referred .to the Streets Committee.

Domain Pastures: The tender of Mr. J. J. Craig was accepted for the Outer Domain pastures, the rental offered* being £132 10s.

Streets Committee: The following clauses. In the Streets Committee's report were adopted:— Holder, asking for kcrbing and channelling foot- ; path : Engineer to report cost of kerbing and chan-j netting in Jervois Road, north and south side, iroW John-street to the corner opposite the tramway barn. New Zealand Lacrosse Association, applying for two pitches on Cricket Ground for the coming season: Granted on the usual terms, vl*., IBs per pitch for each afternoon, £3 for the use of the dressing-room for the, season, and £2 for the pavilion. F. Etheridgc, complaining of nuisance from drainage, Jervois Road: City engineer to report without fail at the next meeting. W, C. Young and others, asking for continuation of foot- . path, Jervois Road, to the beach: Formation of the footpath to be completed to last house. Re formation of new read through Jervois Road: Previous recommendation adhered to, via., " That the city engineer's specification for the formation of the new road through Jervois Estate be adhered to." Salt water for street watering: The waterworks engineer, reporting cost of putting salt water mains in order will be £720; city and waterworks engineers to further report. Australian Football Association, applying for pitch on Cricket Ground for next season: Reply that the ground is fully occupied. Auckland Secondary Schools' Cricket Association, suggesting that the charge for oricket pitches on Saturday mornings be fixed at £5 5s per season: Caretaker to report. Waterworks engineer, recommending employment of temporary second engineer at Western Springs: Approved. E. Turner, reporting value of J. R. Wickham's land at Waitakerei: Mayor authorised to make on offer for purchase. E. Turner, reporting value of Saunders' land at Waitakerei: Mayor authorised to make offer for purchase. City engineer, recommending that the tarref metal in Shortlacd-strefit bo replaced b> Ncuchatel asphalto at a cost of £940: Deferred.

Art Gallery Committee: The Art Gallery Committee reported having declined the Auckland Bowing Club's request for permission to place the Dewar challenge shield in the Art Gallery. Messrs. Dayton and Bartley had been instructed to set in taking down portion of the Mair collection In admit of pictures belonging to the gallery to be hung. Tho report was. adopted.

Finance and Legal Committee: The Finance and Legal Committeo reported as follows Town clerk, Farnell, asking for a. return of tramway license fees collected by the City Council: To be furnished. As to the removal of cart stand from Custom-street East, your committee renews its previous recommendation, " That the van stands on the north fide of Custom-street East and on the south side of Quay-street East be abolished, and that a stand for vans he appointed along the centre of Quaystreet from Queen-street eastward, a clear space to be ' left opposite the entrance to each of the wharves," with the addition that the Council erect a telephone-box and provide a telephone on one of the abutments to Quay-street, application to be made to the Harbour Board for permission to erect such box. City engineer, submitting plans in duplicate of abattoir site to be taken under the Public Works Act: Independent valuations to be obtained from Messrs. F. G. Ewington and T. B. Clay. Superintendent Wooliey, recommending purchase of one Kent's flow and pressure gauge: Iteferred to Streets Committee; water engineer to report. Lease of City Market and stables. Messrs. R. Arthur, Perkins, Turner, and Tooman waited on the committee to urge that the term of lease be longer than throe years: Tour committee recommend the lease be for seven years, with the proviso that if the site be required for town hall purposes It may be terminated on 12 months* notice. Repairs to tho stable to be effected to make it suitable for Bheltsr-shed. The report was adopted.