REPORTS OF COMMITTEES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7005, 29 July 1884, Page 3

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES.

The Public Works Committee reported that a second letter had been forwarded to the Dunedin City and Suburban Tramway Company, urging the Company to metal forthwith the tram-line in Lower Rattray street. The city surveyor had been instructed to transfer the Corporation paviour to the Leith, to direct and assist the prisoners in banking the river, and to employ for a short time an extra hand at the same work. The following tenders had been accepted :—(1) Messrs Metcalfe Bros.', for supplying at Robin Hood Quarry two horses, drays and driver, at 10s per day, or one horse and dray at 63 6d per day; (2) Mr E. M'Kewen's, for carting metal from Robin Hood quarry at Is 9d, Is 7d, Is 4d, and Is 2d per cubic yard to respective districts; (3) Messrs Metcalfe Eros.', for carting coke from Gasworks to Corporation yard at 4s per ton, and to Robin Hood quarry at 4s 9d per ton. —The report was adopted.

The Gas Supply Committee reported recommending that Mr George Scott's application to transfer his contract for supplying lime to the Gasworks for the period ending 31st October 1884, to Mr James M'Donald be granted. With reference to the complaint of Messrs A. Davidson and others that effluvia arise from the Gasworks injurious to health, the gas engineer had been instructed to use the best means of remedying the alleged nuisance.—The report was adopted.

The Reserves Committee recommended that the liabilities of the late Botanical Domain Board, amounting to £38 163, be assumed by the City Council, and the sum paid. That the nursery, comprising five acres, be—with the exception of half an acre, to be retained for rearing plants—laid out as a pleasure-ground. Mr M. M'Gruer had been notified that, in view of other arrangements being made, his services will not be required after September. Be the transfer of the management of the Botanic Gardens, the Committee had forwarded a copy of the City Solicitor's opinion thereon to the Government, with a request that his Excellency the Governor will be pleased to revoke the Orders-in-Council of October 15, 1878, and June 25, 1883, and re-delegate the powers under " The Public Domains Act 1881" to the City Council direct. The ranger had been instructed to cause the removal of wire lines from the Town Belt in the vicinity of London and Park streets. That 21 years' leases of allotments in the Southern Market reserve be offered at auction about the end of August; at the upset rental of 20s per foot per annum frontage to Princes street. Cr Robin, in moving the adoption of the reports said there was one thing he would like to see done, if it could be managed, and that was to see a row of trees planted along the Anderson's Bay road. He would like to see some citizen with public spirit enough to give the necessary £300 or so to carry out this work. Cr Carroll warmly supported this, and suggested that the Reserves Committee take steps to obtain the .assistance of the suburban councils which have property-abutting on the road, to have it made two chains wide, and planted^ with trees on each side, thus providing a magnificent carriage drive in close proximity to the city. Cr Pagan and others considered this would be a good work, and thought some steps might well be taken in the matter.

Cr Guthbie said although he was a member of the Reserves Committee he had no recollection of the resolution as to dispensing with Mr M'Gruer's services.

The Mayor, Cr Robin, and others said the resolution had been carried in Committee. The report was then adopted. ' The Finance Committee reported,, re motion 974, having requested the various committees to supply information relative to th^ir expenditure in the past- portion of the financial year, and also as to future requirements, and impressing upon them the advisability of curtailing their expenditure as much as possible, in view of the present indebtedness to the Bank. Accounts had been passed for payment as follow: Municipal (No. 1 account), £763 9s 6d ; water (No. 2 account), £1040 17s 9d; gas (No. 3 account), £921 2s 6d ;—total, £2725 9s 9d.—The report was adopted. MOTIONS. Cr Barnes moved—"That in future all. road sweepings from the main streets be stored in a depdt for disposal." Crs Carroll and Fagan pointed out that these sweepings could be well placed on the Southern Recreation-ground, which required raising by a couple of feet. The motion was carried, and power given to the Works and Reserves Committees to act in the matter. Cr Barnes moved—"That the Reserves Committee be requested to ascertain whether any of the Corporation reserves near the railway, the leases of which are falling in, would be suitable for a public cemetery." He believed there was a reserve at the Taieri which would be suitable. He objected to the Belt being utilised for cemetery purposes. Cr Carroll opposed the motion on the ground that the carrying of it would imperil the passing of the bill to take in portion of the Town Belt as an addition to the Northern Cemetery. He looked upon the objections to the taking of the Town Belt as buncombe, and a matter of sentiment, and said the portion of the Belt proposed to be taken would not be used by the people for recreation for a hundred years. He would like to see the motion withdrawn. Cr Barron opposed the motion. He was in favour of portions of the Town Belt being leased for building sites—(Hear, hear)—sothat revenue could be raised for the purpose of beautifying the other portions. These were crude ideas of his on the subject, and he knew they would not meet with approbation in certain quarters. The motion was lost, Crs Barnes, Guthrie, and Robin only voting for it. This concluded the business, and the Council rose.