CITY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1263, 14 May 1896, Page 32

CITY COUNCIL.

At tho fortnightly meeting of tho City Council last week Mr W. Crichton, architect, and Mr Wardell attended in reference to the rofusal to permit Mr Wardell to construct a tramway opposite his premises in Willis street. It was decided that Messrs Wardell Brothers lie allowed to submit an amended plan to tho satisfaction of tho City Surveyor. It was decided that John Brown, city porter, should be cautioned instead of suspended, as recommended by tho Buddie Works Committee.

A letter from the secretary of tho Acclimatisation Society, asking for permission to turn out red deer on the Wainui Waterworks Reserve, was referred to tho Public Works Committee, as also was a recom-

mendation from the Resident Engineer for Drainage, recommending the appointment

of a mechanical engineer. An estimate from tho librarian concerning tho cost of lighting the Library with gas (using incandescent burners) instead of tho electric light showed a saving per annum of not much less than £IOO, while the light thin obtained would bo 1140 c.p., as against 050 c.p. at present. Tho report was referred to tho Public Works Committee.

The report of the Public Works Committee was adopted with the exception of the amendment mentioned above.

Accounts amounting to £IO,L'SB 18s lid were passed for payment. Councillor Harris moved that the lowest tender of those first called for the cartage contract bo accepted. Councillor Myers moved as an amendment tlmt tenders be

called for carts and horses, the Council to employ its own drivers. Tho debate on tho motion was adjourned until Monday, it being decided to adjourn the meeting until then in order to deal with some other business on the Order Taper which could not bo reached.

When the recommendation of the Public Works Committee—that a committee consisting of tho Mayor, Councillors Devine, Harris, Myers and Smith bo appointed to confer with Messrs Johnston and Co. with respect to their application in reference to the city tramways, and report to the Council —camo up for discussion at tho meeting of the City Council last week, Councillor Higginbottom moved that tho clause be struck out. Tho present lessoes had two years to run, and then tho original let-see, he believed, had got five retire *o_fflQ TV<o Ponneil c-VimilH ant h«in 8,

/ hurrv. He hoped that before the time arrived the Council would be able to take over the trams in its own interest. Councillor Anderson said that unless somei body did take up the tramways they would i never get any better thin at, present, that, i was from Pipilea to Newtown, The Mayor moved, "Thai, tho name of Councillor'Willeston be substituted for that of Councillor Harris." He asked Hi in to believe thai, he did not mean anything of a personal nature. Councillor Willeston declined to act. As the amendment was not seconded, it lapsed. The Mayor then moved that the name of tho M tyor be omitted from the committee. Councillor Harris asked if it was possible for the Mayor to move two amendments. The Mayor asked someone to move the motion for him. Councillor Frascr moved, " That the Mayor's name be omitted from the committee." This was not seconded. Councillor Harris did not think the Mayor had any right to have his name removed. Ho was paid to do the work", and the Councillors were not. Ihe Mayor should not shirk the work. 'l'he Mayor: It is a very different question to that. After further discussion, Councillor Higginboltmn's motion was put, and lost by 0 to 1. A letter from Mr E. 11. Bean, complaining that the tram service as it at present existed was almost useless to a large number ol' working people at Thorndon, was referred to the Tramwavs Committee.

At Monday's meeting of tho City Council Councillor Myers moved, "That the Traffic Committee enquire into and report, at next meeting of this Council as to whether the terms of lease between the Council and the tramway proprietors an: being carried out." He said that in the memorandum from the City Solicitor to the Council in reference to the tram v. ay ho found "that the proprietors arc to raise and maintain the permanent way,"

" failing the proprietors keeping the roadway in repair, the Council is to have power to do so at their expense," " sufficient plant" - were these clauses being carried out! J If

they were not being carried out it was quite time tho Council saw that they were. Councillor Tanner said he would havo seconded the motion if anyone would toll him who tho Traffic Committee was. Councillor Myers said there was a committee to which tho question of stopping places for trams and traffic on the wharf was referred to. That was the committee he meant. Councillor Harris did not see what good could be gained by passing the resolution. The motion was lost by 7 to I. A special meeting of the City Council was held on Monday for the purpose of lealing with business which has been accumulating for some time.

Discussion was resumed on Councillor Harris'motion, "That the lowest tender of those first called for the cartage contract be accepted." An amendment moved by Councillor Myers was not seconded, and tho Mayor moved as an amendment, "That, the City Surveyor engage, day by day, the carts required, and that, Pis be paid for horse, cart and driver." Councillor Harris said lint the Mayor's motion was entirely out of order, according to tho Standing Orders. I'he Mayor was pronounced in stating that ho would see chat the Standing Ordors were obeyed, an 1 he

(Councillor llarnsl wanted mo piimi:; to see that'the Mayor was the first one to override the Orders. The amimdmeiit was lost

by 7 I. i 5, ami the original motion was then carried.

If was resolved that the approach from the junction of Tinakori road and Thorndon quay to the Thorn-lon K.splanado, known as Moss struct, '»■ put i-i repair before winter. following woi!:., b i provided for in th . c limafoa tor the next financial year : - (i) i he continuation o! asphalt ol footpath on eastern side of Tory street to Victoria street : CJ) laying of a cm sing at Courteuay place at Tory street exP-nsiou ; (•>) the extension and improvement of the artificial lake in Newtown Park." At tha suggestion of the Mayor, this motion and others relating to works require,!, given eot.il e of by Councillors Big-jin-b.ittom, Mveis ami Anderson, were referred to tin- Public Works Committee. A proposal by Councillor requiring a return of all persons whose names appear on the rate roll who have not, paid all rates on or before the 31st March, IH'M, the said return to state the full amounts owing and how long standing, was lost by 7 votes to Another motion by Councillor Higginbottom, to the effeoUhat committees of the i - mn.-il hi- s.bdi.hod, and tha Council moot weekly, and. when ne■•es-.ary, go into committee to discuss in public matters of a committee nature, following the procedure of the House of Representative?, wa-3 lost. Councillor Myor's motion "That the amount remaining to credit of city improvement loan, ' some £7500.' bo now expended in formation of the streets for which it has been allocated," was also defeated. It was decided that a sub-committee consisting of the Councillors of the ward bo appointed to re-consider tho extension of Elizabeth street. A motion bv Councillor Higginbottom. that

the resolution re taking over Shannon and Moel'er streets be rescinded, was lost. Councillor Anderson's motion with reference to the disposal of garbage and sewage matter accumulating at the wharves could rot be discussed as there was not a quorum P'osent, and after the remaining Councillors waited live minutes the meeting lapsed.