CITY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 6439, 2 December 1881, Page 5

CITY COUNCIL.

The regular fortnightly meeting of the City Council was held last evening. Present—His Worship the Mayor (Mr W. Hutchison), Councillors A. W. Brown, Greenfield, McKenzie, S. Brown, Logan, Maginnity, Allen, Danks, Diver, and Thompson. The usual outward correspondence having been read, three tenders were received and opened for the supply of dog collars. That of Mr D. Pringle, saddler, Lower Hutt, being the- lowest, was, after a short discussion, accepted. Councillor Swan, of the Napier Borough Council, was here introduced to the Council by the Mayor, and accommodated with a seat. A report re the leasing of the town belt reserves was referred to the Public Works Committee to be dealt with.

The Committee appointed to consider the legal charges of the City Solicitor reported that they were unable to send in a final report until they had examined Mr Allen, respecting whom a letter was received la which that gentleman declined to be examined. The following report was received from the Te Aro Reclamation Committee :—“(1) The Committee beg to report that a plan, showing in detail the various sections owned by the respective foreshore proprietors, has been prepared by the City Surveyor, and recommend that no time be lost i» coming to some mutual arrangement in respect of the foreshore claims. (2) That the Committee of the Harbor Board specially appointed have approved of the proposal that the retaining wall be of totara sheathed with muntz metal. (3) The Committee beg further to recommend that the main street to be laid off along the reclamation fronting the sea be only 90ft wide instead of 100 ft, as originally proposed, the former being deemed ample. (4) That the main street be continued to the Queen’s Wharf, necessitating the taking of a portion of the Harbor Board Reserve, in consideration of which that there be given to the Harbor Board a similar portion of the Corporation Reserve, with a frontage to the said street and to the continuation of Hunter-street.”

The report created a short discussion, the general opinion of the Council being that the work should not be gone on with until a proper understanding had been come jto with the foreshore owners. Councillors Magionity and Hacks expressed a strong opinion that until such was done they would strenuously oppose one shovelful of earth being deposited within the proposed boundaries of the harbor reclamation. Councillor A. W. Brown considered the discussion quite premature, as the Committee had no intention of rushiug the work until a settlement had been made in the direction indicated. He thought that if Councillor Djtnks paid more attention to the business of the Council he would better understand the question. Councillor Greenfield said he could quite understand the opposition coming from Councillor Maginnity, as that gentleman had always opposed the movement. Councillor Biver expressed himself in hearty support of the work being proceeded with as early as possible, but strongly favored a previous settlement with the foreshore owners. Councillor Allen was quite satisfied that the Committee had not the • slightest desire that the work should commence until snoh had been done. Councillors S. Brown, Logan and Thompson, having spoken in a similar strain, the latter moved that the report be referred back to the Committee. Councillor Maginnity, in explanation, said he did not oppose the reclamation, but considered it was his duty in the interests of the ratepayers, to oppose the commencement of the work until such time, as a proper settlement was effected with the foreshore owners. They had already heard of claims tor £II,OOO and £15,000, and rumors of similar monstrous amounts being made on the Corporation as compensation, and in the face of such demands he would oppose every movement to commence operations until the matter was definitely arranged. .The Mayor deprecated any factious opposition in the manner threatened, and expressed the opinion that he saw no difficulty in coming to a proper understanding with the foreshore owners, and that if the work was delayed pending snoh settlement it might never commence. The resolution referring the report back to the Committee was then agreed to. The following report from the Public Works Committee was then read and adopted : “ The Committe beg to report :—(1) That the privilege of using the Newtown Park for their annual fete on Boxing Bay has been granted to the A.O. Foresters, and recommend that the patronage of the City Council be given on the occasion. (2) That instructions have been given for a caveat to be lodged against Mr Alexander Wilson’s notice under the Land Transfer Act in rt the boundaries of his property in Constable-street. The Committee beg further to recommend (3) That the Harbor Master be paid the usual honorarium to 30th Septembei’ at the rate of £SO per annum, (i) That the matter of the cab stand in Willis street be re-considered, with a view to allowing one cab only to stand in that street at the' corner of Bouloptt-street. (5) That a new cab stand for three cabs he appointed in Custom Honse-quay, adjoining the Bank of New Zealand. (6) That the cab stand iu Featherston-street, adjoining the Martin Fountain, be extended, so as to permit of four cabs there. (7) That a drain be laid down iu Windsor-place. (8) That the Superintendent of Police be requested to appoint the custodian of the Newtown Park as a special constable. (9) That a special Committee, consisting of Councillors S. Brown, Banks, and Greenfield and the City Surveyor be appointed to consider the question of laying concrete blocks in the Te Aro drain, with power to act. (10) That William Harris be appointtd a water Inspector in terms of the Wellington Waterworks Act, 1871. til) That the kerbing and channelling of Cottieville-terrace, previously sanctioned by the Council, be proceeded with at once. (12) That tables of cab fares be printed and posted up in conspicuous places in the city. (13) That accounts amounting to £367 12-) Id be passed for payment.” General accounts amounting to £1076 9s Id having been passed for payment, the Council adjourned.