CITY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 7342, 5 December 1884, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

A» ordimry meeting of the City Council was held last evening. There were present— Thn Mayor, and Councillors Pethoiick, A. W. Brown, Williams, Millpr, Pviclfardaon, FitzGerald, Dr, Newmun, Quick, McKenzie, Danks, Wilson, and S. Brown, The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed, NfdHTgOlt. Complaints haying been made that nightsoil had been spilt along the streets by the contractors for its removal, Messrs Quill aud Croniu wrote denying that there had been each negligence, INDCSTBUB EXHIBITION. The Mayor osid that he had been requested by the Public Works Committee To mention to the council a matter in connection with the proposed Industrial Exhibition, and to leave it open to members of the council to nominate gentlemen to the committee for the exhibition. Two councillors were already nominated to that body, but the council plight, if it thought fit, nomiuate other gentlemen, No action was taken, and the matter dropped. PDBLIO WOEKH COMMITTEE. The report of the Public Works Committee (already published) was read and agreed to, OITT SDBVETOB’a BEPOBT. The report of the City Surveyor was read, and agreed to. TENDEEB. Tho tender of James Trevor was accepted for construction of culvert ia Broughamstreet, ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to £498 15s Id were passed for payment. MOTIONS BT NOTICE. Councillor S. Brown moved, pursuant to notice, “ That the two resolutions passed at a meeting of the council, held on the 30th June, 1884, a copy of which follows, be revoked. Copy of resolution N». 1 : “That the council itself proceed with the Te Aro reclamation, in the following manner 5 That tenders be called for filling the waggons at pec cubic yard, also for making the sea wall when required, and that the city surveyor be iustruoted to prepare the necessary specifications, and also to pnfc the trestle work in repair, so that the work can be immediately proceeded with." Copy of resolution No. 2 : “ That tenders be called for the supp’y of the necessary plant.” Spe iking to tho motion, Councillor Browu explained that the present proposal was merely a formal one. Councillor Richardson seconded the motion, Councillor McKenzie suggested that information in respect to the proposals lor the Te Aro reclamation should be produced before these resolutions were oarried. He wanted to have all the whys and wherefores before anything was done. Councillor Fitz Gerald pointed out that there was nothing in tho motion before the council fn refetence to contract or works. Councillor Wilson did not support the tasolution. He adhered to the idea that they should carry out this work themselves, Councillor Danks agreed with the motion. Councillor Brown, in reply, said that it was hoped that necessary plans would be laid before the council shortly. The motion was agreed to. Councillor S. Brown wished to move, without notice, “That Councillor Fitz Gerald’s nams be added to the Foreshore Claims Committee." ... This motion was opposed by Councillor Potherick, and consequently could not be moved. Councillor Williams moved, u That It be au instruction to the City Solicitor to prepare a Bill empowering tho connoH to contract with holders of leases of reclaimed land and other land belonging to the corporation, for the addition to the terms of their leases of a provision that, at the end of the terra, payment, representing the value of the building on tho premises, be made to such holders by the incoming tenant, and to insert a similar provision in fresh leases to be granted of such reclaimed land, and also lu leases of the land to bo reclaimed in To Aro, and that such Bill be laid before Parliament during the next session.” Councillor Petherick objected that he had only received notice of this motion on the pievious evening. The Mayor replied that the motion must have been duly given notice of, or it would not appear on the order paper. Councillor Wiliams proceeded to speak to his motion, explaining that the effect of the resolution was to give outgoing tenants compensation for their improvements by introducing an Act of Parliament. H(g,pointed put that persons who had leased land on the Thorndon reclamation would be very unjustly dealt with if some inch provision were not made. The motion would tend to inerta-e the corporation revenues, and would also materially benefit the city by encouraging the erection of better buildings. Councillor Wilson seconded the motion, remarking that it seemed a very hard thlcg that stringent building laws bad been enforced after lessees had taken possession of their laud. Councillor Newman moved that the words “and other leased,” be inserted after ‘ire. claimed ” at tho commencement of the resolution [This addition had been suggested by Councillor Williams, but being objected to by

Council "i- IMh.-rlck, m»*.M o * he rrt-iv-o by that gentleman.] , , , Council’or S. Brown scamidel the am-nd-ment. Councillor Pelherick said the last speaker was interested in this matter. WL.a he allowed to vote ? Councillor S. Brown sai.l he did not wish to vote upon it. Tho Mayor .aid the councillor alluded to was not debarred from either speaking or voting ou the matter. He explained that this matter had been fully considered by the council s me time ago, but nothing had been done because the legislative machinery bad been clogged nt that ime. He should make every attempt to assist in getting a Bill dealing with the question passed next session. He supported the motion. Councillor Danks drew the attention of the council to the circumstance that Mr Simpson, of the Mew Zealand Insurance Society, had offered to build a building worth £OOOO on leased land if compensation were given. The Mayor remarked that Mr Simpson was a gentleman who usually made calculations which worked out to bia own benefit. Ia answer to Councillor A. Brown, Mayer said he should rule that any councillor might vote upon the question ; and it was open for any person to sue a defaulting councillor. . Councillor Petbenck supported the motion, raising his voice against tho votes of several councillors being allowed, The amendment was carried, as was the motion as amended. Councillor Newman said that nominations to the Industrial Exhibition Committee had yet to be considered, Tho Mayor: That has already been dealt with. The Council then adjourned.