CITY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5561, 24 January 1879, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

The usual fortnightly meeting was held at 7.30 p.m. yesterday. Present—His Worship the Mayor, Councillors Hunter, Pisher, Thompson, Young, Dixon, Moss, Allan, Miller, Logan, Greenfield, Maginnity, and Diver, DENOTATION. A deputation from the Chamber of Commerce waited on the Council with regard to the subject of extended wharf accommodation. Mr. Krull, who acted as spokesman, stated that at the last meeting of the Chamber the question of the wharf was again brought up, and it was again considered that the wharf accommodation was totally inadequate, and in justice to the city" it was necessary that energetic steps should be taken in the matter Without delay. The Chamber would like to know what steps the City Council intended to take. His Worship said he was afraid the City Council were doing as much as they had power to effect. As the deputation were no doubt aware, a deputation from the City Council had waited on the Government and represented how the interests of the city were suffering through the want of sufficient wharf accommodation. The Queen’s wharf was the only one which belonged to the City Council. They had no power over an inch of ground beyond this wharf. If the City Council had been given the necessary powers to reclaim the Te Aro foreshore, it was the intention of the City Council to erect three more wharyes, because it was evident that something must be done quite outside the Queen’s wharf. If the Queen's wharf were extended to double its present length it would not supply the growing requirements of the port. He did not know how the City Council could assist the Chamber of Commerce in the matter, under the circumstances that they had no power over an inch of ground outside the Queen’s wharf. However, the Council would be glad to listen to any suggestions which the deputation might have to make on the subject. Mr. Levin said he had been desired by Mr. Krull to say a few words on this subject. He had had a groat deal to do with the wharf, and no one knew more than he did how insufficient the present wharf accommodation was. It was perfectly true, as had been stated by the Mayor, that their absolute authority extended only to the Queen’s wharf, but when the deputation waited on the Minister for Public Works the other day, the Minister seemed rather to pooh-pooh the idea that the City Council could not proceed with the erection of new wharves. Although it would not be within the strict letter of the law, still he thought that the City Council might take the liberty of running out a wharf from Te Aro. He had no doubt that if this were done the necessary powers would hereafter be conferred. The same license was taken with reference to the Patent Slip some time ago, and the full powers were afterwards conferred by the Legislature. The present wharf accommodation was altogether inadequate, and ho feared that unless steps were taken to extend it with the least possible delay, the Union Steamship Company would be forced to discontinue n great deal of the business now carried on by that company in transhipping at this port. The Mayor said the question of extending the Queen’s wharf and of adding new T’s to it had been considered, and it was thought the wharf would bear no further strain upon it. Mr. Levin had raised the question of the Council proceeding to run out a wharf from Te Aro, but he would remind Mr. Levin that even if the City Council were ever so much disposed to run a wharf out on license, in the hope of having the full powers conferred hereafter, they had no powers to raise the funds necessary to do the work. In connection with the whole subject, the question had been raised as to whether a Harbor Board should not be appointed to attend to all matters of this kind. There was a divided opinion amongst the community on the subject, and so long as this divided opinion existed he believed very little progress would be made. If the question again came up in Parliament he believed this diversity of opinion would be the cause of still further delay. With regard to the City Council as against a Harbor Board, he thought the duties appertaining to harbor matters could be quite as well, or even better, performed by the former body. Mr. Levin said that so far as he could judge from the speeches made in Parliament there was little hope of the requisite powers being conferred unless Harbor Boards were appointed for all the ports. The Mayor said that in his opinion if the same powers were conferred upon the City Council as it was proposed to confer upon a Harbor Board, the duties would be fully as .well or perhaps better performed by the City Council.

Councillor Allen reminded the deputation that when the deputation from the City Council waited on the Minister for Public Works, Mr. Macandrew assured them that tenders w.ould be invited for the railway wharf within ten days or a fortnight, and that it would afford about 1400 ft. of berthing accommodation.

Mr. Levin pointed out that what was most urgently needed was a wharf for coal and timber, so as to relieve the Queen’s wharf.

Councillor Young said he did not think the Council were justified in taking it for granted that the railway wharf would be proceeded with at once, because, as had been hinted by the Minister for Public Works, the tenders might not be quite satisfactory. Then there would be further delay. Councillor Fisher, referring to a paragraph about a committee meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, in the New Zealand Times some days ago, said he would like to have it clearly understood whether the Chamber of Commerce was in-favor of the Te Aro wharf or the railway wharf. After some further discussion, in the course of which it was pointed out that something must be done in the matter of increased wharf accommodation.

Councillor Hunter expressed his concurrence with the remark made by the Mayor, that there was little hope of anything practical being done so long as diversity of opinion existed on the question as to what body should have to deal with harbor matters. The Corporation could do nothing unless the necessary powers were conferred upon it, and power given them to raise whatever funds might be required to meet the growing necessities of the harbor. He hoped, therefore, that before Parliament again met, opinion on the subject would bo unanimous, because without unanimity what happened last session would oecur again in the next, Mr, Kbull and Captain Eose, speaking on behalf of themselves and the deputation, ex-

pressed a hope that the motion on that night a Order Paper, for lettiug the Queen’s Wharf by public auction for a period of three years, would not be agreed to. The deputation then withdrew. TE Alto FORESHORE. Councillor Fisher inquired whether tho City Solicitor had been instructed to prepare a Bill, to be introduced in next session of Parliament, for the reclamation of the Te Aro Foreshore '! The Mayor said he had already written to the City Solicitor in order that all necessary steps might bo taken in the matter in sufficient time before the next meeting of Parliament. Councillor Hunter said that in bis opinion the attention of tho City Solicitor would have to be given to carrying through this Bill as a private and not a public one. Councillor Fisheb expressed satisfaction that the Mayor had already communicated on the subject with the City Solicitor.

CITY VALUATION. The following report was read :—“ Valuation, 1879-80—General, £241,836 ; water, £206,248. Valuation, 1878-79 General, £207,605 ; water, £183,469. Increase — General, £34,231 ; water, £22,779.

WHARF COMMITTEE. The following report was read and received The committee beg to report that they have had under consideration a report Irom the City Surveyor as to various additions to tho wharf and shed accommodation, with estimated cost of same, and have authorised in the meanwhile extra sheds to be erected on tho outer T. A deputation also waited on the Hon. the Minister of Public Works, to represent the urgent necessity for pushing on with tho railway wharf, and were assured by Mr. Macandrew that tho plans and specifications were in course of preparation, that tenders would be immediately called for, and that It was hoped that the wharf might be available by next wool season. WATERWORKS COMMITTEE. The following report was read: — The committee beg to report that they have had under consideration a report from the City Surveyor as to tho two schemes for increasing the water supply of the city, from the Wainuomata and South Karoti streams, and that the City Surveyor has had further Instructions to report as to tho steps necessary to be taken for giving effect to the latter scheme. The approximate cost of tills is estimated at £18,500. On the miggestion of the Mayor the report was referred back to the committee, as a difference of opinion was expressed as to which scheme should be undertaken. PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE. The report of this committee, as published by us on Wednesday, was read. On the motion of Councillor Thompson, the clause in reference to Kent-terrace drain was postponed until after discussion on notice of motion No. 315. The preceding clauses were agreed to. Clause 9 (Holland-street drain) was passed. Some discussion took place on clause 10 (covering in of Te Aro stream), which was postponed. In clause 11 (leasing of section to gas-works), the Mayor, in moving its adoption, moved that the words “ or lease ” be inserted between the words “sell” and “the,” and the words “or leased ” inserted between the words “ sold ” and “ so.” Councillor Greenfield opposed the granting of this to the Gas Company at the present time. It might hereafter be found that it the Gas Company got hold of a lease with a right to purchase, the uniformity of the streets might be interfered with after the Te Aro reclamation bad been carried out. He did not care anything about price ; what he wished to guard against was that the uniformity of the Te Aro reclamation should not be destroyed. The Mayor said the Gas Company asked no favor except that they might be allowed to use as much ground as the Corporation were to take away from them, to extend Torystreet. They were in a rather difficult position, as they had already ordered their plant. The land which the Gas Company desired to have the right to use was of no use to the Corporation, and he thought the Council would be noting like the dog in the manger if they declined to allow the company a license to occupy it until such time as the Council was in a position to lease or sell it to them. Councillor Greenfield was proceeding to speak a second time, when the Mayor called attention to the unpleasant position he would be placed in if he allowed one member of the Council to speak twice, and prevented another from doing likewise. Therefore he should like the Council at once to decide whether the clause should be discussed in committee. The Council resolved itself into committee by 7 to 6. Councillor Greenfield said that he would have no objection to this land being given to the Gas Company if the plan produced was the plan which had been determined on for the Te Aro reclamation. Councillor Hunter said it would be a breach of faith on the part of the Council if this land were not given to the Gas Company. Instructions had been given to the City Solicitor to prepare the deeds ; these were prepared and signed, but were not delivered, in consequence of a little misunderstanding which arose at the time. The company had expended something like £IB,OOO in anticipation of getting this land. An extension of their works had already resulted in a reduction of the price of gas, and he believed that a still further reduction would be made when the company was in a position to use the additional plant which was on its way out. Councillor Fisher said he was opposed to this proposal, as it involved the whole question of foreshore rights, and if this concession were made to the Gas Company everybody else would have to bo treated in the same way. Councillor Maginnity opposed the proposal, and said that if the Gas Company wanted further ground, they were rich enough to buy their neighbor out. Councillor Thompson considered it would only be an act of justice to make this concession to the Gas Company now, as the whole thing had previously been signed and sealed, but not delivered. After a long discussion, the clause of the report (as amended by the Mayor) was carried by 9 to 4. The remaining clauses were passed, PETITIONS. Councillor Maginnity presented two petitions—one from ratepayers, and the other from Professor Augustus, with regard to the closing of his baths. It was resolved to refer the petitions to the Public Works Committee, and that Professor Augustus be requested to attend the meeting of that committee on Monday. drainage committee. The following report was read:— The committee beg to report that at their last meeting, held on tho 14th inst., the report by the City Surveyor on the proposed drainage outfall to Ohiro Bay was taken Into consideration; but before coming to any decision the discussion was postponed for a week. Since then another proposal has cropped up, viz., to have tho outfall at tho promontory on the east side of Lyell Bay, and It has been thought advisable to further postpone the meeting of the committee until the City Surveyor has had an opportunity of making a survey of tho locality and reporting on tills scheme also. The report was adopted. TENDERS. The following tenders were accepted; Forming and metalling Hawker-street, J. Killcher and Co., £738 ; forming and metalling Palmer-street, T. Hayes and Co., £B4 ; forming and metalling Abel Smith-street, T, Hayes and Co., £174 ; forming and metalling Arlington-street, T. Hayes and Co., £59 10s. queen’s wharf. Councillor Maginnity said he wished to withdraw notice of motion No. 312, as follows:—“That the time has arrived for lettiug the Queen’s wharf by public auction for a period of three years.” He had heard dissatisfaction expressed at the manner in which business was conducted on the wharf, and this was the reason which induced him to table the motion standing in his name. He had ascertained that evening from the Chamber of Commerce deputation that the manner in which the Council officials on the wharf discharged their duties was satisfactory, and therefore he begged to withdraw his motion. Tho motion was withdrawn accordingly. WHARF SUB-COMMITTEE. Councillor Thompson moved, — That the opinion of Mr. Buckley and Mr. Ollivier, relative to the legality of the payment of members of the Wharf Sub-Committee, be laid on the table. Councillor Thompson read the opinions of the Hon. Mr. Buckley Tand Mr. Ollivier. Councillor Thompson said that he felt he had done his duty by getting these opinions, and he did not intend to go further in the matter. He believed the matter had never been fairly put before the City Solicitor. The Mayor said it would be an inconvenient practice if the action taken by Councillor Thompson in this matter should be taken as a precedent. There would be no lawsuits if lawyers did not differ in opinion; but as long as the Council had a solicitor of their own they must be guided by his opinions, unless it was resolved to take other advice. A member of the Council might get tho opinion of his lawyer for his own guidance, but it was not a proper course to go round and get half a dozen opinions and lay them on the table as against the opinion of the City Solicitor. After some discussion, the motion was negatived by 8 to 6. The Council adjourned at 12,25 a.m.