Meetings.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1057, 2 June 1892, Page 36

Meetings.

CITST COUNCIL,

SPECIAL MEETING. A special meeting of the City Counoil was held on Friday for the consideration of tho balance-sheet. Councillor Smith presided, and there were also present—Councillors Willeston, Barber, White, Anderson, Petherick, Harris, Parsons and Harcourt. The meeting was adjourned to tho next ordinary meeting of tho Council, as the accounts have not yet been returned from the Audit Department. ORDINARY MEETING. Tho ordinary meeting of the Council was then held, the same members being present. Councillor Vogel was absent, and tendered an apology, which was accepted. IMPROVEMENTS. Mr A. Boardman, of Tlnakoriroad, wrote to the Council stating that he was cutting up his property in that road, that he was making a considerable stretch of roadway, and thought he might fairly ask the Council to expend about L 75 on forming the boundary road. The matter was referred to the City Surveyor to report. A QUESTION OP DRAINAGE. A letter was read from Father Devoy, stating that he had lately purchased two acre sections in Daniel street, on which sohools were to be built. Nothing, how. ever, he said, could be done until the question of drainage was settled, and he accordingly asked the Council whether they would lay down the pipes or bear any—and if so what—portion of the expense.—The letter was referred to the Public Works Committee for consideration and report. BURGESS ROLLS. There being no objections to the burge3B rolls they were confirmed and signed according to the usual custom. DRAINAGE OF TF, ABO. The Inspector of Nuisances submitted a report on the subject of house drainage at Te Aro, in which he Baid that there were in that ward 2111 houae drains, 190 of which were defective. There were 47 houses without drains, which included many not within the prescribed distance of ICOffc from the large sewer. With regard to the new system of removal of nightsoil, and the many complaints which the Corporation had received on the subject, the Inspector pointed out that previous to the Corporation taking over the work there were more than 1000 houses in the city which were never attended to by tbe contractor, and afterwards many persons, who were not in the habit of troubling the contractor on account of the cost, suddenly became very scrupulous when it cost nothing, the result being that in many oases people who had hitherto been attended to regularly because they paid up, had been put to some inconvenience through having to wait their tarn. He would insist on a uniform receptacle for the soil, and when the arrears of work were overtaken be thought the city would be second to none in the Colony in point of cleanliness. Soma alteration was required in the closet system in use at public schools, and also as to the flushing of school urinals. He had Bpoken on the latter subject to teachers and members of school committees, but they said their funds would not allow them to expend any further amount on water. The report also referred to the closet accommodation at the Basin Reserve and Newtown Park, which he said was very inadequate. On the motion of Councillor Harris, seconded by Councillor Barber, the report was referred to the Public Works Committee. LOWERING CONSTABLE STREET. The committee appointed to consider the request of certain Kilbirnie residents for the lowering of the eastern end of Constable street reported that In the present state of the Council’s funds they oould not recommend that any action be taken in the matter.—Councillor Harris moved the adoption of the report, which was seconded by Councillor Petherick and carried. auctioneer’s license. Mr F. W. Haybittle applied for an auctioneer’s license, whioh was granted. A REPORT required. Councillor Petherick called attention to the fact that an old building on the Te Aro reclamation, used by Mr Maguire as an engine shed, was being nsed by Messrs Cronin and M’Grath for stables, and that they paid £1 a week to Maguire for it. He asserted the building'was not fitted for the use it was being put to, and even if it was the Council ought to receive the reut. He moved that the officers of the Council be instructed to make the necessary enquiries and report on the subject, which was seconded by Councillor Barber, and agreed to. PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE. The report of this oommittee, which has already been published, was then considered. Clause 4, recommending the construction of a sump at Reserve K, was held over for further consideration. With regard to clause 6, recommending the appointment of Messrs T. ,K. Macdonald and Co. as auctioneers of the reclaimed land leases, Councillor Harcourt moved that it be referred back to the committee, but his resolution found no seconder, and the clause was agreed to. The remainder of the report was also adopted. ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to £7336 15s 2d were psssed for payment, including the sum of £6300 due cs the half yearly interest on loanß. MUNICIPAL INSURANCE. Councillor Parsons moved, according to notice, “ That the Government be requested to supply to the Council a return showing the total value of the buildings in the City of Wellington, inclnding improvements.” In doing so he remarked that suoh a return, together with what information they already had would be of great value, and also throw considerable light on the question of muni, cipal or mutual insurance. He had gained further information on the subject of damage done by fires, which showed that during the portion of the year already passed four fires had ooourred. The value of the buildings was £3420; value of contents, £5000; dam*

aee done to buildings £202 10s ; damage to contents. £lls, so that the total damage to the buildings and contonts by fire was less than £320. The proportion of premiums on buildings and stock for the same peiiod was £II,OOO. Being a Liberal Government, he thought they would be glad to give any information in their power relating to this question of municipal insurance, and he thought the subject opened up great possibilities to the City of Wellington and the whole Colony.— Councillor Harcourtseconded the mot on, remarking that the more information they got on the subject the more they would be satisfied of the unadvisableness of taking up municipal insurance The Mayor, who had but a few minutes previously entered the Council Gnaraber, said ho thought the information would not be very satisfactory, seeing that the valuation of improvements in the city hod been ridiculous. In fact the method adopted by the valuers —he said nothing as to their competency —had absolutely prevented there being any reasonable assessment of the value of buildings and property. In his own case he had improved a piece of land by fencing, &o ami it was returned as being wholly unimproved, so that they oould not by any information the Government could give them arrive at either the amount or the value. Councillor Harris th nght they would get better information from Mr Ames, the City Valuer, than from the Government. After some further discussion the motion was carried nem con. The Council rose at 9 p.m.