CITY COUNCIL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 3248, 4 July 1872, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Council was held last evening, the following Councillors being present:—His Worship the Mayor, MeHsrs Harauti, Livingston, Mercer, Nealo, Itamsay, Rossbolhanij, Thoncinan, and Winter. EXTENSION OF OKOUNI) TO TIIK VOUJNTEEKH IN THE OCTAGON MAItKRT KKSKKVB. The Reserves Committee brought up tho following report upon this subject :— Your Committee has tho honour to report having decided to grant the Duni.'din Volunteers an extension of ground 40 feet in th« rear of their drill shed, Oetag.m Market Reserve, for seven years, at a rental of £5 per annum, subject to a condition thai if at at any time dnring the tenancy the Council shall require the ground for any Municipal purpose, it must Ixs given up to the (Corporation without valuation for improvements thereon ; nor in such ease can the rental paid during tho interval be repaid to the Volunteers. In a discussion which took place on the subject before this report was brought up, Mr Ramsay said he understood from several Volunteer officers, that the great drawback was the fact that the Corporation might take possession of the ground at short notice. The Mayor said that the Corporation would have to pay the Volunteers for the building already erected if tho ground were taken, and he thought that fact was a sufficient guarantee to the Volunteers that the Coqioration would not exercise their right unless there was some urgent necessity. Ultimately, tho above report was referred back to the Committee, so that the subject might receive further consideration. 11ETA.IA.ISU KOR PIUNCKS STHKKT SOUTH ASn (iRKAT KIN<; HTKKKT. The Finance Committee reported that the Government had been applied to for metal for completing so much of Princes street south and Great King (street as have not so far been metalled. T»K BTATK OF TIIK FOOTPATHS AND CttOSHINOS. Mr Bakntbs moved that the crossing bo gravelled at the junction of Union and Forth streets ; that two chains of footpath be gravelled at the junction of Albany and Forth street* ; that a crossing be gravelled or metalled at tho junction of Queen street and Forth Place, at tho foot of Maori Hill; that the footpath in Leith street, between Dundas and Howe streets, be gravelled four feet wide ; and also the footpath on the north side of Union street, between King street and George street. That a lamp be placed at the junction of Park and Queen streets ; and an extra lamp placed in Bell and South Wards.

On the Buggestion of Mr Livingston", the part of the resolution referring to the footpaths, and that referring to the additional lamps, were taken separately. Mr Barnes, in speaking to the resolution, Raid that after visiting the places mentioned, he could not understand how the people had kept quiet about the matter so long, £uj they were not fit for man, woman, or child to pas* over, at the present time. The cost of the proposed repairs would only amount to £1.4 ; and he hoped the Council would pass the motion. Mr Rossbotham seconded the motion. The elections were coining on ; Mr Barnes waa a desirable member; and if the motion would help that gentleman to stand well with his constituents lie would be glad to see ifc carried. Mr Ramsay supposed that no one would object to Mr Barnes flecking to have the requirements he named fulfilled, but he should remember that there were other Wards besides Leith Ward. Ec moved an amendment to the effect that three extra daymen Bhould be employed in each ward for 21 working days, to perform necessary works under the direction of the respective Councillors ; the cost of this extra Labour, exclusive of the requisite cartage, to be only £88 4s. Mr LiviKOSTOJf seconded the amendment, and Messrs Mercer and Winter supported it. The Mayor pointed out that a short time ago the Council passed a resolution that the extra daymen should be dispensed with. Fow> just when that resolution had beeti carried out, another was proposed to the effect that, extra daymen should be put on. TLey all knew the state of the finances, and ho would warn the Council that they nhould stop somewhere.

Mr Ramsay said that when the extra daymen were diachaxged the weather was Sue, but now the weather was very bad,

and they had complaints front end to dwT of th© town. The amount required was very small, and, with tho cartage, would not amount to above £150; while it would benefit tlio wholo of the Wards.

Some Councillors having expressed am opinion that tho amount to bo expended should be fixed, tho amendment was altered to the following effect, and carried :—" That £50 be now voted for each. Ward, such sum to be expended in gravelling footpaths and crossings in such, places as tho Councillors for tho various Wards may deem necessary." The proposal for tho erection of newlamps was referred to tho Lighting Committee.

After adopting a report brought up by the Public Works Committee, and transacting other formal business, the Council adjourned.