THE CITY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16317, 25 August 1916, Page 7

THE CITY COUNCIL.

MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. HTJIA CREEK BRIDGE. COUNTY SEEKS ASSISTANCE. The City Council met last night at the Council Chambers, Town Hall, the Mayor, Mr. J. H. Gunson, presiding. There were also present: Messrs. A. J. Entrican, M. Casey, G. Knight, H. D. Heather, G. W. Murray, J. Burton, W. J. Holdsworth, F. W. Brinsden, J. Dempsey, G. Baildon, P. J. Nerheny, J. Trevithick, E. Davis, J. A. arnock, E. J. Caxr, P. McElwain, H. N. Bagnall, P. M. Mackay, R. T. Michaels and Miss E. Melville.

The Waitemata County Council applied for a contribution from the city towards the re-erection of the bridge at Brooklyn over the Nihotupu River on the New Lynn-Huia Road. The applicants stated that the bridge was washed away during the recent flood through the debris from the City Council's works on the new Nihotupu dam being allowed to wash down the stream and pile up against the old bridge. The- Waitemata Council had no funds to rebuild the bridge, but would receive some help from the Government, and if a contribution of, say, £100 could be obtained from the city "the structure could be reinstated.

, The city engineer reported that the inspector of the Nihotupu dam works stated that the latter had nothing to do with the washing away of the bridge, which was in -a bad state before the contractors commenced work. As far as the works were concerned the bridge had very little effect, but was essential for all settlers on the west side of Big Muddy Creek, and the council was interested in property on that side.

The matter was referred to the Works Committee.

SUBSIDENCE IK DURHAM STREET. ALL RESPONSIBILITY DECLINED. Correspondence regarding the recent subsidence in Durham and High Streets was embodied in a report from the Works Committee. Messrs. Hesketh and Richmond drew attention, on behalf of Mr. C. Dawson, to the danger said to be threatening his land and building through the excavations for Messrs. Whitcombe and Tombs's building. The city solicitor, Mr. J. Stanton, advised that Messrs. Whitcombe and Tombs, as the owners of the property, were primarily responsible for the safety of the street; that the only other person who could be liable would be the contractor, but that he was quite clear that unless the council actively intervened and did some work on the street which might be suggested as causing or contributing to any damage that might subsequently happen to adjoining lands, it could not be held responsible. The city engineer submitted a letter from Mr. A. B. Herrold. acting on behalf of Messrs. Anderson and Colbeck and Myers, calling attention to the unsatisfactory state of affairs existing on the land that was being excavated. Messrs. Jackson, Russell, Tunks, and Ostler stated that Messrs. Whitcombe and Tombs could not recognise any liability, as the work was being done by an pendent contractor, who was solely responsible, but they were willing, while denying liability, to assist the contractor to repair the damage, and to obviate any further slipping. The committee recommended that the council repudiate all liability to any or all of the parties concerned, and "hold Messrs. Whitcombe and Tombs, Ltd., and their contractors liable for all damage to the street, sewers, and water-pipes. The Mayor stated that the council was taking every step necessary to safeguard the interests of the council. The report of the committee was Adopted.

SLIP AT FREEMAN'S BAT. RESPONSIBILITY DISCLAIMED. The Works Committee submitted a report regarding the slip that occurred recently at the end of Dock Street, Freeman's Bay, on property that has been excavated by the Parker-Lamb Timber Company. The latter company had written disclaiming responsibility for the slip, which they thought had been caused by leakage from a sewer near the edge of the cliff, combined with surface water from the allotments above. The committee recommended that the council decline any liability. The report was adopted.

* MSCELLAHEOTJS. TEMPORARY LOANS. The Finance and Legal Committee recommended that application he made for authority to take temporary loans at not more than 5 per cent, interest to the extent of the limit of the council's authority to borrow by way of overdraft. The recommendation was adopted. The general secretary of the Y.M.C.A. applied for a refund of rentals paid by the association for the use of the Town Hall for patriotic purposes, amounting in all to £20 10s. The ball was used in connection with the Mayor's Servian Fund and the London Hostel for the relief of New Zealand soldiers. The application ■was granted. The hon. secretary of the Auckland Ladies' Benevolent Society, Mr. F. G. Ewington, asked the council to grant a donation to the society's funds. The request was declined. The secretary to the Department of Internal Affairs submitted a cony of the Appropriation Act validating the following expenditure by the council:—ln respect of the entertainment of returned soldiers, on Anzac Day, to an amount not exceeding £150; in connection with the visit of the Japanese training squadron to an amount not exceeding £140. Several tenders were received for a brick shed for the electricity department the engineer's estimate for the work beinir £675. The tender of Messrs. J. T. Julian and Sons, £587, was accepted. It was agreed that a special committee of the whole council should consider the consolidation of the new by-laws.