CITY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXIV, Issue 4882, 6 February 1903, Page 7

CITY COUNCIL.

The City Council met but night. Present — I ho -Mayor ami Councillors .Smith, Luke, Gotloer, Evans, McLaren, .Nathan. Barber, Winder, Devine and Tolhurst. The statement of finances showed the receipt, for January to he 011,003 IBs Od and expenditure £12.524 10; lid; eisil.it balances, city improvements loan T;HO9 ills id, street loan account T-ib23 17s 2d, street-widening loan account T 7301 12s; debit balances, district fund account £3781 12s 44, Town Hall loan account Tll,O-12 lbs, ekclric tramways loan account T 5722 12s b;l. A deputation from the Queen’s .Statue I'uud Committee, consisting or Messrs A. li. Miles, A. D. Riley and A. R. Atkinson, attended on the question of a site for the proposed statue to the late Queen Victoria. Mr Miles, in introducing the mat lor, said tho question of a suitable site was now the in os I important one. He mentioned that the pedestal wn,s estimated to weigh leu urns, and the bronze figure, by which it was to ho surmounted, three tons. Two months should ho allowed lo elapse before the foundations would bo properly solidified, and the statue could not be erected for seme months after tho pedestal. It was the desire, of the committee that the statue should bo in such a position that none of them would be ashamed cf it, and after giving the matter every consideration, they had decided that tho most .suitable site would bo that id front cl the Pest Office, where the water trough .stands at present. Tho matter was subsequently adjourned until next meeting of tho Council. Mr Riley having .supported this view, tho Mayor assured the deputation that tho matter would receive every consideration, and the result would be communicated when a decision was arrived at. On the motion of Councillor Luke, seconded by Councillor Gcdbcr, a bylaw was adapted to amend chui.se. 10 of the consolidated by-law, 1893, amendment by-law 1901, dealing with pas-sage-ways to bo reserved in connection with detached buildings. On tho motion of Councillor Winder, .seconded by Councillor Godber, it was resolved:—“ That tho Council of the city of Wellington is of opinion that it is expedient that tho proposed widening of Rkidiford street and Adelaide road shculd ho executed, and that the land required for the purpose, being portion of sections 993 and 741, should be taken under the Public Works Act, 1894; that no private injury will bo done thereby for which duo compensation is not provided by tiic Act, and that the Council authorises two memto sign a memorial to. his Excellency' tho Governor in terras of section 18 of that Act.” Tho report of tho Baths and City Reserves Cmnmittco recommended :• — “(1) That tho Junior Cricket Association bo informed that, owing to the wet season experienced, tbo Newtown Park will not bo available for cricket this season. (2) That the Sydney street cemetery bo placed under tho control of tho head gardener. (3) That Mother Mary Joseph Auberb be informed that the Council has no power to make a free grant cf tho laud at the Karori cemetery required for the purpose of interment of Sisters of Compassion. (-1) That Mr A. W. G. Fitchett bo informed that tho Council lias no power to grant leases of Town Belt without calling for tenders. (5) That the report of the head gardener referred back to this committee, with reference to the reorganisation of the staff of tho reserves, bo approved, and that the Council make some provision for IV. Brewer apart from the reserves account. (G) That tbo price for keeping graves in order for the minimum area (4ft by 9ft) bo the same as at present charged for 3ft by Oft. (7) That tho Newtown Brass Band bo granted tho uso of the Newtown Park for Sunday, loth instant, on the usual conditions. (8) That tho application of tho Hibernian Society for the use of tbo Newtown Park for picnic purposes on St. Patrick’s Day' bo not granted. (9) That immediate action bo.taken against all persons who have not complied with notices to remove gorse from their Town Bolt sections.” Tho adoption of tho report was moved by Councillor Barber, and seconded by Councillor Evans. Councillor Luke moved as an amendment that clause sbo deleted. Ho considered the proposed removal of Mr Brewer would be inflicting a great injustice on an old and efficient servant, and that ho was quite competent to discharge tho duty of walking about and suporintendng.

Councillor Godbor seconded the amendment; Councillor Nathan, as one of the committee, admitted it was bard that Mr Brewer should he removed, and expressed the willingness of the committee to consider the question of providing him with other work; but ho thought there was little use in employing an export head gardener if they were to ignore his recommendations. Ho was quite prepared to have a committee set up to deal with the question of superannuation for old servants, such as the police had. Ho supported the adoption of the report. After some further discussion, rn which Councillors Devine, Evans, ToL hurst and Smith took part, the amendment was carried by six votes to five. Councillor Deviiio considered that clause 3 should bo referred to their legal adviser, and that they should not accept the opinion of a committee on the matter. Ho thought where persons had a site in one cemetery that was closed, tho local body had power to give a site in another. After a short discussion it was agreed that the matter slftmlu bo allowed to stand over until next meeting. Councillor Devine objected to clause 8. Ho did not see why the use of the Newtown Bark should not be given to the Hibernian Society 'on St. Patrick’s Day. Ho thought the public ought to bo allowed to mso such places of recreation as much as possible. Ho moved that the word “not” ho deleted from the clause and that the uso of tho park should be granted under such conditions as tho I’cscrvcs Committee should imP °Councillor Luke seconded tho amendment. In the course of discussion it was mentioned that the head gardener objected to the uso of the park being given owing to tho injury that might result to the turf in its present state. On a division, tho amendment was los t by seven votes to four. ' After further debate, it was resolved that clanises 3 and 3 be referred bade to the committee, and that clause o he eliminated. The balance of the report was adopted. . Tho report of the THy-laws. Fire Tingado and Lighting Committee recommended the navment of accounts amounting to £2O. The report was adootod. Tho Fironoo Tommittoo rooortod that f.ho fonder of *T. Dnthie nrid CV>. had heeu accepted for the supply of

water pipes and fittings. They recommended payment of accounts amounting to £4900 10s. Tho report was adooted. The Council then went into comI’.nictec. Messrs Jackson and Co. were approved of as sub-contractors for the painting of the new Town Hall. 'ilm oiler of Jenkins and Mack, for a -section of jam! in Reliance street, was accepted, subject to certain building conditions. Tho West, Australian Government, through the Premier, signified its readiness to inspect from the root the timber being procured for wood-paving in connection with tin; electric tramways. A circular was received from Mrs Scddon with reference to the graves of New Zealand soldiers who fell in South Africa. Tho Mayor was authorised to call a public meeting to deal with tbo question. The Council adjourned at a few minutes before midnight.