CITY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 5305, 17 June 1904, Page 5

CITY COUNCIL.

The Mayor (Mr J. G. W. Aitken) pnasided at last night’s mooting of tho City Council, and there wore present:— Councillors Wiltshire, Izard, Gcdbor, Jorgensen, McLaren. Luke, Kcono, Devine, Harbor. Murdoch, Evans, Frost, Nathan and Smith. THE NEW HATES. Tho Council, at a special meeting, struck tho rates already advertised for the ensuing year. In regard to the general rate, tho Mayor mentioned that the rato for tho Melrose Ward was now reduced to I.RI in tho £l, the same as in Wellington, where tho into was tho same as last; year. The water rale had been reduced by one-half per cent. FINANCES. The tramways account? amounted to £51)4 os lid: the electric tramways account was -£G34 17s -Id (including £l2l to the New Zealand State coal mines for coals). The general accounts amounted to £3739 14s tkl. On tho recommendation of tho Finance Committee accounts amounting to LSI-3 4d were passed for payment. BY-LAWS CONFIRMED. Tile resolution passed on May 19th adopting the following by-laws was confirmed : “Electric Tramways By-law, Sunday Entertainments By-law. Footpaths Sweeping By-law, Footpath Crossing By-law, and Open Air Fires Bylaw. REPORTS. The Baths and City, Reserves Committee recommended that accounts amounting to £l5O 4s 7d bo passed for payment.—Tho report was adopted. The By-laws. Fire Brigade and Lighting Committee recommended —That tho services of persons willing to form a volunteer fire brigade at Kiibirnie bo accepted, and that a forty gallon doublecylinder hand chemical engine be obtained. The estimated cost of engine and plant is £55. That Mr P. R. Dix bo granted a “concert hall” license lor tho Theatre Royal, on tho conditions laid down by tho City Solicitor. accounts amounting to £339 3s 3d bo passed for payment. Councillor Izard submitted the conditions under which it was proposed to grant a concert hall license for the Theatre Royal, which, he said, had been endorsed by the City Solicitor and approved of by the Superintendent of tho Firo Brigade. They were the only conditions on which a licenso would be granted.—The report was adopted. Tho Libraries Committee recommended that a lantern b© purchased for the Newtown Library, at a cost of £ls; Uiat the library by-laws be revised; that accounts amounting to £65 14s bo passed for payment. The ■ committee reported that it had given further consideration to the question of the appointment of a lady assistant at the Public Library, and as it had boon unablo to come to a decision, it remitted the appointment to the Council.—The report was adopted. The Town Hall, Organ and Furnishing Committee recommended that alternative tenders bo obtained for American walnut and red pine for the furniture and fittings required in the Council Chamber of the Town Hall. On tho motion of the Mayor, tho report was adopt> cd. PUBLIC WORKS. The Public Works Committee recommended 1- That tho Electrical Engineer bo authorised to purchase two motor generators for lighting purposes, atan estimated cost of £450. 2. Tnat the City Engineer bo instructed. to croct a pavilion in the Post Office square, in connection with the farewell to his Excellency the Governor and the rccqption to Lord ITunket, 3. That Messrs A. and C. Crawford be informed that tho Council cannot accept their offer of land at Miramar under the present condition laid down by them. 4. That tho City Engineer bo authorised to expend the sum of £3OO in laying the foundation for tho Queen’s statue, o. That the Karori Borough Council bo informed that the Council has no immediate intention of laying electrical tramways to the Karori cemetery. 6. That tho City Solicitor be instructed to take the necessary action in connection with nuisances caused by brick-kilns at Rolieston and Stokes streets. 7. That Messrs A. and C. Crawford bo granted permission to remove the batter at Rocky Point Evans Bay, and to widen, the road out to its full width. 8. That the City Engineer ho instructed to report as to tho cost of laying the necessary stormwater drainage from Coromandel street and Somerset avenue. 9. That the necessary repairs to 'Walter street extension bo carried out; that a lamp be erected; and that the necessary steps be taken to take over "Walter street as a public street. 10. That the Upland Estate Company be granted permission to construct Glen road, provided that the work of formation, metalling, kerbing, channelling and tar-paving be done in exact accordance with the specifications recently submitted in connection with Ngaio and Remu roads, and that plans be forwarded showing what is proposed to be done with the stormwater drainage. 11. That the application of Mr G. Wiltshire, 0.E., for permission to construct a new street 6Cft wide through parts of town, acres 913, 916, 947 and 948. off Rintoul street to Adelaide road* be granted, provided the work is carried out to the satisfaction of the City Engineer. 12. That the passage-way between Barker and North streets be repaired by tho erection of a retaining wall, at a cost of £2O. 13, That the Wellington Gas Company be granted permission to erect four gas lamps ot Courtenay place providing it agreoo to keep the light going for such a number of hours and on all evenings So may be approved by the Council. 14. That the Council decline liability with respect to the account forwarded by Messrs Jenkins and Mack for clearing o drain in Johnston street from the Theatre Royal. 15. That Messrs IV. Smith and others be informed that the Council cannot form Garfield street and Jackson street, as requested by the deputation which recently waited on the Council, the cost of the work (£2099) being, considered prohibitive. IC. That tfci City Engineer be instructed to remove the horse-trough on the south side of tlie Basin Reserve, and to refix same on the north side, opposite the end of Cambridge terrace. * 17. That the offer of Mr H. M. Hayward, to settle the question of the land in dispute at Lyell Bey, be accepted. 18. That tho necessary notices be served on the owners of brickkilns at Stokes street to set back the encroachments.

On the motion of the Mayor, the report, with the exception of clausa S, was adopted, the Mayor stating that that .matter would come up later era. He explained, with reference to claus* 17, that it was high time the city had a quarry of its own, and that this want would now be satisfied. The subject of Messrs Crawfords’ proposal in connection with Miramar was subsequently considered by the Council in committee, and a sub-committee was set up to go into the matter and report to a future meeting. QUESTIONS. Councillor Godber asked if the Conacil officers had taken any stops to secnia the £-300 placed on the Estimates by t b»

Government for Wilton’s bush at Wadestcvrn- Tiiero would bo no difficulty in jotting the grant replaced on the Estimates. Tho Mayor expressed his intention or moving in the mutter. Councillor Dovino .asked when would tho slip on tho Terrace bo repaired. It was eleven months in its present condition. Tho Mayor made answer that there were legal difficulties in tho way. '■Replying to a question, tho Mayor stated that the police had promised that the traffic would bo properly conducted when tho electric cars began to run. Next week would probably see them running on tho Newtown section. SHOULD COMMITTEE WORK BE X > UBLICP Councillor Dovine moved, “That the meetings of the I’ublie Works Committee henceforth be open to the public.” He pointed out that information regarding what was done in committee got into tho press. The Mayor observed that he had obtained information from Dunedin, Christchurch and Auckland as to the procedure adopted in those centres, and tho replies showed that in none of those cities was tho Public Works Committee open to tho public. He did nob think it lyas going to help the work of the Council to have the Public Works Committee thrown open to tho public, and to his mint! tho fact of one item of Public V\ orks Committee business having got into tlio paper was not sufficient to warrant tho Council in making the proposed change. Councillor Nathan seconded the motion pro forma Tho motion was supported by Councillors Barber and McLaren. Councillor Evans considered, if the Public Works Committee business was to be transacted in open Council, there were a great many important matters regarding which their tongues would ho tied. He was quite prepared to support a resolution to abolish tho Public Works Committee altogether. Ho opposed the motion.

Councillors Smith and Luke also opposed the motion, tho latter pointing out that the time was near when it would be necessary to hold weekly mootings of the Council. Councillor Devine explained that he brought tho motion forward with a view to testing the feeling of the Council on tho matter. Ho withdrew his motion.

The Mayor mentioned that he had gone into the question of holding weekly mootings of the Council before, and he had found it would bo a great inconvenience to tho officers of the Council. However, he was prepared to go into the matter again. The Council expressed satisfaction with this assurance. BRICK MANUFACTURE.

Councillor Barber moved, "That Messrs Hutson and Co. be informed that the Council will withhold consent to tinestablishment of tho trade of brickmaking m the neighbourhood of the Newtown Park.” Tho mover said that his object was to show the Council’s determination not to allow the manufacture of bricks at Newtown. The Mayor stated that Messrs Hutson and Co. know the position—they bad been informed by letter. He pointed out that the firm might have such an improved method of making bricks that no nuisamje would ensue. He gave an assurance that if a nuisance was created the Council would taken action.

On the suggestion of Councillor McLaren, the motion was extended by the addition of the words: “On the ground that the carrying cm of such a trade is likely to create a nuisance.” The motion was thrown out by eight votes to four.

SITE FOR THE QUEEN’S STATUE. The following motion stood on the paper in Councillor Nathan's name:— “1. That the resolution of the Council passed on the 19th February, 1903, authorising the erection of the late Queen's statue opposite the Post Office bo rescinded. 2. That the statue be effected on the site of the band stand at Jervois quay. 3. Or, in the alternative, that it be erected at Newtown Park, or some other site.”

The Mayor desired to remind Councillors of the fact that the Queen’s Statue Committee which collected subscriptions for the erection of this monument interviewed the Council, and after deliberation and consultation the Council acceded to the request of that committee to erect the statue in the Post Office square. He suggested that if there was any alteration to be made the Statue Committee should he consulted. On the feeling of the-' meeting, being tested, a majority of the Councillors voted in favour of the Post Office square site.

Councilor Nathan proceeded with his motion. He pointed out that if 4 statue was put in the Post Office square it would have to be removed owing to the increased demands on the space available there. There were many much more suitable sites. Councillor Devine seconded the motion, which was supported by Councillor Barber,

Councillor Izard considered that the erection of the statue in the Post Office square would be of great assistance to predestrians crossing the square, as at present they had no place when crossing where they could halt to avoid the traffic.

Councillor Wiltshire also opposed the motion.

On a division the motion was lost by eight votes to six. VICTORIA STREET. Councillor ■ Luke moved, “That the Council open negotiations with owners of property in Manners street, St. Hill street and Victoria street, with the object of continuing Victoria street. to Planners street.” He considered it desirable that Victoria street should bo continued. The property on the west side of St. Hill street would, ho understood, bo placed on the market soon. If the motion was carried he would move that it be referred to the Street Widening Committee. The motion .was carried. ESTIMATES FOR THE YEAR. WORKS TO BBGARRTED GET. The City Engineer's estimates for the year ending March 31st, 1905, were laid on the table as follow: Formation works—Victoria street footpath, £l6; Oriental Bay road, £3O; Adelaide road, Luxford street to old city boundary (in progress), .£125; Stoke street, Rlntoul street to Kenwyn terrace, ,£3B; Stoke street, Kenwyn terrace to Adelaide road. £43; Aro street, 4 chains in length at west end. £3O- Total, £276.

Concrete kerbing and channelling Jervois quay. Victoria street to Fire Brigade Station, £43; Mercer street, Victoria street to Jervois quay north side. £66; McDonald crescent, both sides. £101; Victoria street, Jervois quay to Smith's store north side, £39; Tinnkori road, south from Cottleville terrace, west side, £l6; Grant road, £33; Aro street, 5 chains at west end. .£3l; Brittomart street, 8 chains, £-Q: ATTelaido road. Cheypore street to boundary. £67; Adelaide road. Stoke street to Luxford street, £77; Hall street. Adelaide road to Hanson street, £l4; Hanson street, south of Hall -street, east side, £33; Leraud street.

north side Adelaide road to South road, £ls; Loraud street, north side South road to Ru-soll terraco,£B; Loraud street, south side, .£ls; Mansfield street, t'> complete. .£22; Mein street, south side < oromandel street to Town Felt, £18; Mem street, Coromandel street to Owen street, .£18; Stoke street, both sides Rintoul street to K'onwya terrace. £3B; South road, both sides Herald street to Lcraiid street, -£170; Webb street, south stae, J>10; Lawrence street, south side east end Owen street to Daniell street, £oo. Total, £tf>7. , . Concrete kerbing only—lngcstre street, Taranaki street to Cuba streets both sides, JCTO; Larnbtou quay, St. Georges Hall to Ballanco street, -£l*7; \ivian street, both f-ides, £l-14. Total. .£2ll. Concrete channels only—Adelaide road, Luxford street to Cheypore street west eido, .£25; Adelaide road. Lux ford street to boundary, oast side. ,£54; Adelaide road, Stoke street to top of hill, west side, £l2; Adelaide road, east side. £7;_Coro‘mandel street. Constable street to "Thin street, oast side, £3O; Coromandel street. Constable street, west side, £6; Aro street, south side, west end, £36; Aro street, north Bitle. .£23; Hanson street, nail street to John street, west side, £3O; JTerald street, Russell terrace to South road, north side, .£1(1; Luxford street, both sid n s, £'4l; Owen street, west side, 3 chains £f>; Rintrml street and South road, Riddiford street to Luxford street, west side, .££B; Rintoul street and South road, cast side. £35; South road, Waripori street to Milton street, £l2. Total, £433. Concrete pavements—Riddiford street, east side Constable street to Mein street School (partly completed), £128; Riddiford. street. Constable street to Rhodes street, £247; Riddiford street, west side Rintoul street (to complete). £210; Fcatherston street and Waring Taylor street. Levin's .block, completion, £170; Jervois quay, Victoria street to Fir© Rrigadc Station, £'M2; Lambton quay, west side, to replace old asphalt©, £500; Manners street, where old asphalt© is at present, £sl; Victoria street, Jervois quay to Smith and Smith's, £128; Willis street, where old asphalt© is at present, £7. Total, £1053.

Asphalt Footpaths. Elizabeth street. Brougham street to Austin street, north side. .£6O; Are street, south side, west end, to complete, .£27: Aro street, north side west end, to complete, £3; Adelaide road, west e>!<lo, Luxford street to Waripori street, .£37; Daniell street, Nonnanby street to Princess street, .£3O; Daniel street, Wilson street to Mein street, both sides, £6O; Daniell street. Harper street to Rhodes street, east side, .£3O; Angus avenue, both sides. .£3O; Broadway terrace, east side, £25; Brougham street, Ellice street to College gates. £27; Coromandel street, Mein street to Zigzag, £160; Epuni street, both sides, £106; Herald street. Russell terrace to Adelaide road, £6O; Herald street, south road to Adelaide road, south side. .£3O; Hanson street, 5 chains southward of Hall street, £l6; Hanson street, 10 chains northward of Hall street, west side, £10; Loraud street, Russell terrace to Adelaide road, £6O; Lawrence street, Daniell street to Owen street, north side, £25; Lawrence street. 4 chains, west, south side, £l2; Luxford street, south side, £3B; Mein street. Daniell street to Owen street, £25; Mein street, Owen street to Town Bolt, both sides, £3O; Rintoul street. Millward street to Waripori street, £3O; Stoke street, north aide. Rintoul street to Konwyn terrace, £11; Waripori street, 5 chains, west of Russell terrace, £l7; South road, Luxford street to Leraud street, both sides, £120; South road, Waripori street to Milton street, £l6; Owen street, 4 chains, south of Lawrence street, £ls; Wilson street, south side, £3O; Featheuston street, oast side. Whitmore street to railway station, £59; Hill street, north side, to complete, £25; Queen street. Brougham street to Austin street, south side, £SO; Elizabeth street Extension, both sides, £147; Mount street, both sides, £44; Woolcombo street, south, from Mount street in front of houses, £SB. Total, £1558. First-class Metal Aitken street, 116 yds, £57; Brandon street, 282yds, £137; Customhouse quay, Brandon street to Waring Taylor street, 440yds, £214; Customhouse quay, Brandon street to Grey street, 611yds, £298; Clyde quay, to back up tram line, 274yds, £134; Courtenay p?aoe, Taranaki street to woodpaving. 187yds, £9l; Cambridge terrace, 1486yds, £725; Jervois quay. Grey street to Band Rotunda, 1368yds, £667; Mercer srireet, Willis street to Victoria street, 90yds, £l4; Mulgrav© street, 480yds, £234; Molesworth street, Sydney street to Hill street, 156yds, £76; Molesworth street, west end, 460yds, £195; Oriental Bay, south side, 660yds, £322; Taranaki street, Ghuzneo street to Taranaki place, 440yds, £214; Taranaki street Extension, 238yds, £116; Tinakori road, 2610yds, £1287; Thorndon quay, Davis street to boundary, 578yds, £184; Willis street, Manners street to Ingestre street, 365yds, £177; Willeston street, 161yds, £7B; Aro street, Wordsworth street to boundary, 753yds, £376; Adelaide road, Luxford street to boundary, 573yds, £278; Adelaide road. Stoke street to Luxford street, 993yds, £184; Cuba street. Vivian street to Webb street, 302yds, £147; Dock street, Adelaide road to Banks terrace, £So2yds, £147; Hopper street, Webb street to Hankey street, 501yds. £244; Luxford street, to complete along tram line, 79vds £39; Wordsworth street, 359yds. £175; Webb street. Willis street to Cuba street, 368 yds, £179; Webb street. Cuba street to Hopper street, 112yds, £55; Webb street. Hopper street to Taranaki street, 119yds, £s9;Wallace street, Hankey street to Howard street, 443yds, £216; Willis street, Ingestre street to Wordsworth street, 185yds, £9O. Total, £7739. Second-class Metal.—Esplanade, 806 yds. £202; Ghuzneo street, Woolcombo street to Cuba street, 806yds, £202; John street and Wingfield street, 156yds, £39; Sydney street, Molesworth street to Mulgrave street, £ls; Park street. Grant road to Tinakori road, £2O; Waterloo quay, south from Davis street, 244yds, £6l; Oriental Bay road, 1581yds, £395; Broadway terrace, 213yds, £53; Coromandel street. Constable street to Mein street, 550yds, £138: Donald McLean street, 239yds, £6O; Daniell street, Wilson street to Mein street, 177yds, £44; Herald street, Russell terrace "to South road, 290yds, £7B; Hanson street, John street to Hall street, 638yds, £159; Hanson street. Hall street southwards, 318yds, £79; Hall street. Revans street to Town Bolt, 572yds, £143; Ellice street, Sussex Square to Quarry, 843yds, £211; Mansfield street, Rhodes street to top of car sheds, 505yds, £126; Mein street, Riddiford street to Town Belt. 684yds. £l7l* Newtown Avenne, 212yds, £53; Normanby street, 244yds, £6l; Owen street. Constable street to Mein street, 550yds, £137; Russell terrace, Rlddiford street to Herald street. 528yds, £132; Stoke street, Rintoul street to Kenwyn terrace, 126yds £32; Thompson street, 500yds, £100; Wright street, Hargreaves street to John street, 164yds, £4l; Tasman street, Tainm terrace to Crawford street, 200vds £so—Total, £2797. - J *

Stormwater Drains. Upper Willis street, 18in, £160; Woolcombe street, 12in, £224; Tinakori road, 9in, £180; Tinakori road, 18in, £46; Tinakori road, 9in, £27; alteration to drains, Lambton. quay, £360; sumps where required. £250 —Total, £1247.

Stormwater culverts.—Mercer street, £880; Clyde quay yard, £750; at the destructor £4so—Total, £2030. Summary.—Wages, cartage and materials for general repairs and maintenance, £6000; road metalling (material only), first class, £7739; road metalling (material only), second class, £2797; blinding, £B-46; formation works, £276; kerbing and channelling, £997; kerbing, £241; concrete channels, £433; asphalte footpaths. £1553; concrete pavements, £1653; repairs to,asphalt© channels and tarring and sanding. £425; stormwater culverts, drains and sumps. £3327; labour (scarifying, carting and rolling, etc.), £1337; contingencies. £soo—Grand total, £23,129. On the recommendation of Councillors, the following additional works wore added to tho estimates:—Repairs and retaining wall. Salamanca road, £1000; towards formation of Kelburne Park, £1000; tho Council’s contribution for putting Evans Bay road in order. £250. Other works added, but not estimated for, were—Streets in Thorndcm, which appeared in last year’s estimate, and on which tho money was not expended; footpath on north side of Ellico street to bo repaired; small piece of footpath

in Adelaide road, on the oast side; Rintoul street footpath to be widened at tho placo where the double line of tramway is, as the street is very yarrow. Tho question of having the track to Kilbirnie across the Town licit repaired was brought up by Councillor Jorgenson, and referred to the City Engineer. It was stated that the amount m hand was a trifle over £20,000. . Tho estimates, with the additions given above, were adopted. SUNDRY MATTERS. The action of tho Public Health Department in condemning several buddings was alarmed, and tho usual notices ordered to be served. Authority was given to take action, as empowered by the Act. against six persons, including some brick-kiln owners, for smoke nuisance. Tho Council passed special rates, as advertised, for street improvement loan and tramway loan in the Melrose v\ ard. Licenses were granted for tho Skating Rink and Harrison’s gymnasium.