CITY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1249, 6 February 1896, Page 39

CITY COUNCIL.

The fortnightly meeting of the City Council j took place last week. Present-The Mayor, and Councillors Fraser, Willeston, Myers, Anderson, Higginbottom, Barber, Tatum, Devine. Tanner, Harris and Smith. Tho Rev R. Coffey wrote complaining that the Council's reply to his former letter re band performances in the Basin Reserve en Sundays ignored the two points of his letter, viz., that the band playing was a hindrance to his Sunday school work, and that it amounted to a violation of the Council's own resolution not to grant the use of the Basin Reserve for band performances, except for charitable purposes. He again appealed to the Council to prohibit all Sunday playing in the Basin Reserve for any purpoae other , than charity. Councillor Tatum wished to move that in future the use of tha Basin Reserve be not granted for band performances except for charitable purposes, but he was asked to give notice of motion. A letter was received from 19 ratepayers resident in Buller street, requesting that tho footpaths should be asphalted. It was agreed to obtain from the City Engineer an estimate of the cost. ~,,,, . ~ Ifc was reported that tho water in the Karori reservoir was getting very low, and it was agreed that the City Surveyor should be empowered to turn off the water supply from the Karori reservoir for a day or two should he deem such a course to be, necessary The recommendations of the Public Works Committee as already published were adopted. The Garrison Band was granted permission to play on the Basin Reserve next Sunday, taking up a collection in aid of the Old Men s Homef. The use of the Basin Reserve was alao granted to the Wellington Cycling Club for Saturday, February 22, and to the Amateur Athletic Society for March 7. The Mayor moved that the dirt boxes in -< the" main thoroughfares be cleared and tho

side channels in the main thoroughfares swept ana cleaned before 8 a.m. Councillor Harris moved that the whole subject be referred to the engineer with a view of obtaining an estimate of the cost, and this amendment was carried.

The Mayor moved, " That the fire insurance companies doing business in this city be asked to contribute unitedly to the Corporation a sum of not less than £SOO per annum towards the maintenance of the Fire Brigade." Councillor Harris seconded the motion. Councillor Myers moved as an amendment, " That the cost of maintaining the Fire Brigade be contributed in equal proportions by the Government, the fire insurance companies doing business in this city and the Corporation, and that the Government be asked to legislate in this direction." Councillor Harris thought if legislation were to be obtained it would only be in the form of a general measure, and he suggested, therefore, that the matter should again be brought before the Municipal Association. After some further discussion, Councillor Myers withdrew his amendment, and the motion was then agreed to. The Council adjourned at 11.15 p.m.