CITY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4221, 30 September 1874, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

. The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the City Council was held in the Provincial Buildings yesterday, instead of on the usual Thursday. Present: —The Mayor, Councillors Burrett, Dransfield, Raiaie, Greenfield, George, and McKirdie. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. correspondence. The outward correspondence was read and approved. The following inward correspondence was then brought forward: — From the Agent of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, stating that the indent sent Home re further working appliances for the wharf, is receiving attention. Received. . Prom the City Solicitor, referring to the Express Stand in Grey Street, and the.Licens-, ing of Cabs and other vehicles, giving his opinion that 6tands cannot be altered except by regulation; and that licenses can only be dealt with by By-laws. Councillor Moss moved, —"That steps be taken to carry out the alteration as instructed as necessary by the City Solicitor." Seconded by Councillor Rainie, and carried. Prom B. E. Bannister, complaining of the state of Turnbull Street. Councillor George moved, and Councillor Burrett seconded, —" That tenders called for repairs be referred to the members of the Ward." Carried. Prom J. D. R. Hewitt, R.N., drawing attention to the great want of protection to drunken seamen from accident on the wharf, by falling over at night. Referred to the Wharf Committee. From Jackson find Graham, calling attention to the want of repairs in the wharf hose. Referred'to the Wharf Committee. From the Harbor-Master, calling attention to the 50th clause of the Harbor Regulation relative to the deposit of night-soil below high water mark on Te Aro beach. Further referring to the difficulty in reference to the deposit of night-soil, and suggesting, with reference thereto, that a steamer should be procured to carry the refuse outside the Heads —the vessel to be constructed with a compartment amidships, fitted with a trap-door at the bottom, so that it could be thus emptied. A wharf would have to be erected, so that' carts could back in over the steamer, an easy way of unloading. The writer also suggested that the ashes accumulating at houses should always be put in the closets.' The Town Clerk was instructed to acknowledge receipt of the letter. Prom Dr. Johnson, relative to the deposit of night-soil, offering to lease to the Corporation a block of land of eighteen acres, situated in the Adelaide, Road, at a rental. of £SO per annum, on condition that the land be fenced, and the night-soil be buried in trenches six feet deep by ten feet wide, and covered with a layer of brushwood ; that to be again covered with surplus earth from the next trench, and' so on. Referred to the Sanitary Committee. Prom M. Mosley, forwarding a petition relative to the establishment of a Free Public Library. It was; resolved that the necessary steps be taken to ascertain the general opinion of the ratepayers, according to the advice of the City Solicitor, first to be had on thematter. ■■■ ■ Prom Scoular and Archibald, applying for lease of a portion o? the Market Reserve. To stand over until next meeting, by which time a plan of the block should be laid on the table. From the City Solicitor, forwardiug his opinion on arrear rates, which was to the effect that rates due of even twenty years' standing could be recovered. Received. Prom Brandon and Quick, relative to claim for compensation on behalf of Mr. Schultz, for damage to his null at Kaiwarra by the erection of the waterworks, and asking what steps the Corporation have taken in the matter. Referred to the City Solicitor. reports. The City Surveyor's report was read. It was as followa: " I have the honor to report on the cost of forming a new Street between Tory Street aud Cambridge Terrace as follows : —Length of Street, 10 chains, formation and gravelling, £120; box drains, £160; kerbing,' £l2O ; total cost, £4OO. t "In reference to water supply to May I Street, Tinakori Road, I am enabled to inform the Council that I telegraphed to Dunedin I inquiries respecting amounts of suitable tubing !in stock there ; and also made inquiries amongst local stock-holders, the results are : I shall be in a few days in ft position to carry out tho wishes of the Council in this matter, viz., to lay on water to the houses in May Street, and others similarly situated. "With respect to the cost of water carts referred to me to report on, I am of opinion that suitable carts constructed tocombiue all recent improvements, can be built in this town at a cost not exceeding £6O each. This estimate is framed on prices »übmitted to me by I local builders. i "I have also to report to the Council that | the heavy rains of yesterday, the 28th instant, have caused damage to several culverts, and slips in cuttings, principally, however, in tho Te Aro Ward. The staff of workmen in the employ of the Council will, I am of opinion, suffice to execute all necessary work of repairs within the current week." value of our. The report of the Special Committee on the above matter was as follows :—" That in view of all the difficulties the Council have had to contend with, the Committee request Mi - . Marchant to give the Committee bis opinion, in writing, what is best to be done under the circumstances, so as to enable them to carry out the wishes of the Council." SANITARY. The report of the Sanitary Committee was i read and receivcij.

NOTICES 01" MOTION'. Councillor Moss gave notice of his intention to move at the next sitting of the Council, — " That the City Solicitor be asked to give his opinion whether the Provincial Government can legally sell the land to bo reclaimed on the Thorndon foreshore in one block as adververtised." Councillor Geoiige gave notice that he would move at the next meeting of the Council, the following resolutions :—•" That the City Surveyor do report in writing to each ordinary meeting of the Council. 1. The number of persons employed at the expense of the Council under his directions, and the rate of wages or salary being paid. 1. The number of carts or drays, and rate per day. 3. How such persons or carts are employed; whether on street repairs, waterworks services, watering streets, or otherwise. 4. The work performed, wieh as streets repaired, water services laid, &c. 5. The number of new buildings in course of erection on which building fees have to be paid. The report to specify works in progress at sole cost of Council, and works assisted by subscription, and such works as in.his opinion require immediate attention ; also, when instructions have been given by the Council for work which may not have been performed, to state the cause which has preventedsuch workbeingcarriedout, and any work which is being performed without the express authority of the City Council. The reports to be filed in the Town Clerk's office." " That the Inspector of Nuisances do report in writing to each ordinary meeting of the Council, the number of carts and persons employed at the cost of the Council, under his direction, and the amount expended weekly for wages, horse feed, &c. ; the amount of money to be received for work performed ; the number of summonses issued, and amount received for fines ; the number of horses, cattle, etc., impounded, and amount received for poundage fees ; the place being used as nightsoil depot, and amount (if any) received for sale of night-soil; the amount of fees, fines, and to be received for work performed by carts, &c, to be stated in detail. Reports to be filed in the Town Clerk's office." "That the Inspector of Nuisances do furnish a return to the next meeting of the Council, showing the number-of horses, with description of brands, number of drays and sets of harness, and particulars of other implements and material purchased on behalf of the City Council, and now hi his charge ; and by what authority such purchases were effected. The return to be kept in the Town Clerk's office, and entered in a stock-book. Any addition or deduction for repairs, loss or otherwise, to be reported to the Town Clerk, and duly entered in such stock-book." The Council then adjourned.