MEETINGS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 705, 4 September 1885, Page 21

MEETINGS.

WELLINGTON CITY COUNCIL- ♦ The usual fortnightly meeting of the City Council was held last night week PreaentPetherick (in the chair), McKeDzie, g Brown, Quick, Miller, Fitz Gerald, Dauks, and Richardson. The Mayor arrived at a later stage and remained for a short time. 1 A COMPLAINT. A letter was read from Mr W. J. Williams, stating that some injury had been done to the roof of his house by blasting, which had been carried on in the neighborhood, and that his wife had narrowly escaped injury. Referred to the contractor. FOOTBALL MATCHES. A letter was read from Mr E. Davy, Secretary of the Rugby Football Union, asking for the use of the Basin Reserve, as a charge could not he made at Newtown. They had to entertain the visiting teams, and give them a portion of the gate money. They were willing to devote one-fifth of the takmgs to repair any damage that might be done. Councillor Fitz Gerald did not think the use of the Basin Reserve should be granted, as it was so near the cricketing season. He moved that the secretary be informed to that effect. Councillor Miller seconded the motion. _ He thoupht the Union should be placed in a, position to make a charge. It was too much to expect the members of the Union to provide amusement for the public by putting their hands in their pockets. The Chairman remarked that there was a distinct resolution on the minutes, to the effect that no charge could be|maae. _ The motion was then put and carried. WELLINGTON TERRACE. The levels shown on a plan laid on the table by the City Surveyor were adopted. US AYE OF ABSENCE. Leave of absence was unanimously granted to Councillor A. W. Brown, for one month, on account of illness. Leave of absence was also granted to Councillor Wileon, who was absent from the meeting. CONTAGIOUS DISEASES ACT. The Mayor, in moving the motion of which he had given notice—“ That steps be taken to have the city proclaimed as being subject to the operation of the Contagious Diseases Act, 1869 ” said there had been some apprehensions as to the cost of the working of the Act. An effort would be made, to make the whole of the Hospital District pay for the working of the Act. He and other memhers interested in boroughs and town districts would endeavor to have a clause to that effect inserted in the Legislative Council in the Hospital and Charitable Aid Bill. _ He did not expect that the Council wished him to go into any details. (Hear, hear.) Councillor Miller said that Councillors ought to have a copy of the Bdl. None of them, except the Mayor and Councillor Fitz Gerald, knew anything about it. The late Dr Diver was very much opposed to the Act (The Mayor : The doctors are always opposed to it) aB it threw a great deal of power into the hands of unprincipled policemen. Councillor Richardson would like some more information, and suggested that the matter should be postponed till next meeting. He thought the Mayor, in moving the resolution, would have given fuller particulars as to the cost of the working of the Act. The Chairman said he had been talking to the late Mayor (Mr Hutchison) on the subject, and he stated that when the matter was brought before the Council on a previous occasion he had endeavored to make some calculation as to the cost, but could not do so. Councillor Fitz Gerald said in other cities the cost was between L3OO and £4OO per annum. If they found it was too costly, they could easily abandon it. He was not at all afraid of policemen acting improperly. . In large cities that might be done, but not in a small place like Wellington. The Contagious Diseases Act had been on the Statute Book since 1869. , ~ Councillor Quick said he had taken the trouble to read the Act, and any other member could do the same in ten minutes. The Act enabled a policeman to place persons soliciting prostitution under medical supervision. Medical men in Her Majesty s service had informed him that the Act bad a beneficial effect, physically and morally. It prevented many women from joining the unfortunate classes, for whom they were endeavoring to legislate. That was a sufficient answer to those who foolishly talked about the Council licensing sin. It was a matter which affected the heafth of future as well as present generations. For the sake of the innocent, and and looking at the act from a philosophical and Christian point of view, it should be brought into force. The Mayor said that Councillors FitzGerald and Quick had summed up the question so well that it would be unnecessary for him to add anything to what had been said. The motion was then put and carried unanimously. REPORT OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE. The following report was adopted :—“That Mr J. F. E. Wright be permitted to make use of the"quarry on one of the sections of the Town Belt leased to him, on condition that the Corporation he allowed to take all inetal required from the Bame at any time during the currency of the lease. That the application for hire of the building known as the Public Morgue be not entertained. That consent be granted Mr J. W. A. Marcbant to establish a right-of-way off Tinakori-road, on his undertaking to have the same properly formed and metalled in one month. That the Town Clerk take steps to obtain from the property owners along the line of the Karori Creek their consent to the diversion of the said creek into the Tinakori-road culvert. That the Hackney Carriage Inspector report to. the Council the names of those licensed cabdrivers who drive prostitutes in their cabs, and that the cab proprietors be informed of the intention of the Council to cancel the licenses of such drivers. That the application of Mr J\ M. Cleland, for asphalting footpath and formation of a crossing near his property at Lambton-quay, be not acceded to. That tbe following crossings be laid : —Cuba-street (blocks), opposite Te Aro House, and at junction, off Ingestre-street ; also, opposite Newtown School (aspbalte). That a retur be prepared by the City Surveyor, showing which Btreats in the city are public and which are private, and that the latter be marked in different colors on the map of the city. That accounts amounting to £72 9s 9d be passed

for payment. The recommendation of the Committee —that the repairs asked for at Cambridge Avenue be not granted, the Avenue being a private right-of-way—was referred back for further consideration.” NEW STREET. The report of the Committee appointed to report upon the laying off of a street from Elizabeth-street to Kent-terrace recommended that the work should be done. The Inspector of Nuisances reported that the land through which the street would have to be carried was at present a receptacle ior the sewage and filth of the surrounding neighborhood. . ' Councillor Miller (who remarked that it would be his last night at the Council table) protested againßt the expenditure of public money to benefit private individuals. The persons who owned the land should make the street a 3 the Hon John Martin and others had done. It was decided to refer the matter to the Public Works Committee. engineer’s REPORT. The Engineer’s report, detailing the works in progress throughout the city, was adopted. In reply to Councillor Brown, Mr Loughrey stated that the plans for the Adelaide-road drain were adopted. All the drains now being laid down were part of the general scheme of {drainage drawn np by Mr Clirnie and Mr Clark. ACCOUNTS. Accounts, amounting to £IO6O 18s 9d, were passed for payment.