CITY COUNCIL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 8793, 1 May 1890, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

The foi'tnightly meeting of tho City Council was held last night, and was attended by the Mayor (Mr J. Roberts), Crs Kimbell, Fish, Haynes, Barren, Hardy, M'Gregor, Swan, Cramond, Sinclair, Solomon, Carroll, and Cohen. Tho Mayor stated that the objection raised by Cr Haynf a at last mooting in reference to the drain in North George street had been adjusted by tho insertion of the names in the minutes of those who voted on both sides.— (Hear, hear.) MINUTES OF LAST MEETING.

Cr KntiiHLL moved—" That notice of motion 1212 (referring to the proposed removal of Cr Cramoud from the Works Committee) be deleted from the minute haok aucl entered iv the notice of ciinute book." Cr Fisn rose to a point of order. He thought tho council cculd not receive Cr Kiinbell's motion, inasmuch as there could be no discussion on the minutes except as to their correctness as a record of tho proceedings of tho council. Cr Solomon thought Cr Kimbell was right in bis action. He would like to know what the previous practice of the council had been in similar casc3. The Mayor replied that he had made inquiries about the matter, and it seemed that the practice had been to enter the notice of motion in the minutes, but ho whether it was a Parliamentary proceeding. He expressed the opinion that the council should support tho practice formerly followed. Tho motion lapsed for want of a eoconderj and the minutes as read were adopted. 'CORRESPONDENCE. Mr A. Fletcher, superintendent of the Victorian court iv the late exhibition, wrote forwarding, on behalf of the Melbourne City Council, eight views of tho city of Melbourne for presentation to the City Council—The Mayor stated that in connection with.these views the question of duty arose, aud he bad taken steps in the matter, with the result that the duty was removed. —It waa agreed to convey the special thanka of tho council to the Melbourne City Council for their generous act. Jnmes Duthie and 40 others wrote calling the council's attention to tho impassable state of the road leading from Rattray street to Jetty street, and pointing out that when the heavy grain traffic began nnd tha broken weather set in it would be impossible for them, with any degree of safety to their drays or humanity to their horses, to carry on their business. In connection with this matter a letter was read from tho Under-secretary for Public Works. He stated that the Government were unprepared for the council's decision declining to contribute towards the cost of the work, presuming that it meant that tho corporation not only now declined to contribute towarJs the cost of reconstructing the street, but also declined to maintain it even if put iv satisfactory order by either the Government or the Harbour Board. Ho reminded the council that tho understanding had all aloug been that if the street was once properly formed and metalled to its full width, the corporation would takt it over as one of the ordinary streets of the city, and thereafter regularly maintain it at its own sole cost. He stated further that at the interview in Duaedin in February 1889 between tho then mayor aud the chief commissioner of railways, his worship said, recognising tho importance of this street under consideration, the corporation would agreo to contribute one-third of the cost of metalling the street aud putting it in thorough repair. The Government had for some considerable time past been prepared to fall in with this proposition, and the district engineer had more than once been requested to~ confer with the officers of the corporation with the view of giving eifect to it; but the letter received by him from the town clerk in February last left him no alternative but to refer the matter to the Government, who were, however, still willing to contribute two-thirds of the cost of making the road into a first-class street, on the distinct understanding that the corporation agreed thereafter to maintain the street without any contribution from either the Government or the railway commissioners. The street iv question, though constructed on railway property, was, the Minister understood, already a public highway by virtue of its having been used as such for many years; but in case the council should entertain any doubt upon this poiot, he "as to state that the matter could be reai3ily""seb »t~ rest by tlio issue of a proclamation under section 5 of of " The Public (Works Act 1859," which tho Government would be prepared to get done at any time on being requested to do so by the council. In conclusion, he advised the corporation that if tho offer now made was not accepted the Government would not consider itself in any way responsible for the future maintenance of the street, and would hold the council responsible for whatever results might accrue.— Or Carroll moved—" That the letter be referred to the Works Committee to report." He was of opinion that somo plan could be arranged whereby the road might be repaired at once, the council paying its fair share—viz , one-third of the cost.—Cr Fish seconded. He was entirely ppposed to the council spending one shilling on this road. They never agreed to take the maintenance of the street on their shoulders. The street was wholly used by persons who patronised the wharf and the railway sheds, and Parliament in their wisdom had ordained that the council should levy no rates on tho wharves or Government buildings, and yet they had the impudence to ask the corporation to make a road to tho buildings and to places which were for the sole benefit of the Harbour Board and the Government at the cost of the ratepayers of this city. Although tho council did offer to pay a third of the maintenance at one time, he thought they should now recede from that position, seeing the present position of their finances.—CrßAEHON thought that the Harbour Board and the Government were in duty bound to meet the council in a proper manner in this matter. The council should pay one-third and the two bodies named a third each.—Tho motion was carried.

James Duthie and Co. wrote asking the council to erect a horse trough at the Sailors' Rest in Kattray ctrcet.—Referred to the Works Committee to report.

The secretary of the Otago District Hospital Board wrote forwarding an account for contribution amounting to £968 53 7d, and the secretary of the Charitable Aid Board forwarded an account for £1708 03 lid.—Received.

William King wrote asking permission to fence a bit of wasto land adjoining his corporation leasp.—Referred to the Reserves Committco to rpport.

W. Scoular and Co. wrote stating that their cellar was flooded with water, which Emelt so strongly that they wore led to suspect that it cioie from ono of the city drains. They requested that something should be done to stop the inflow of water.—Referred to Works Committee to report.

Mr Alerdicc made application to have a dray crossing laid down in front of hi 3 property in Cumberland streot.—Referred to the Works Committee to act.

The Farmers' Agency Company asked permission to erect a part of the exhibition on their premises, Cumberland street.—lt was agreed to reply to the effect that tho council regretted they could not see their way to grant the application.

Mr Coroner Carew wrote forwarding a rider passed by the jury at the inquest on tho death of Elizabeth Winkfield, to the effect that the attention of the council should be drawn to the desirability of a lamp being placed at the junction of tho Main South aud Kensington roads.— James Wedderfpoou and 13 others wroto asking that a lamp might bo pni at the lower part of Maitland street, at its junction with the Main South road.—Riferred to tho WorksCoruruittco to report. Alexander Gardener and J. Lsing, keepers of corporation weighbridges, wrote complaining of the unsatisfactory position they were placed in by the corporation allowing other weighbridges to exist in tho city which were unlicensed, contrary to the city bye-laws. They pointed out that the Government Railway department had two such weighbridges, the Brunner Coal Company one, and Messrs Driver and Sons one — Referred to the Works Committee to report.

Andrew Boyle asked for permission to erect a shooting gallery on a vacant section in Dowling street.—Referred to the Works Committee to act.

E. S. Clarke wrote asking the council to bear half the cost of a fonce between his property at the Kaikorai and that belonging io the corporation.—Referred to the Reserves Committee to report.

The application of the Zingari-Richmond Club for permission to play on that portion of the Town Kelt hitherto occupied by the Moutecillo Football Club was referred to the Kejervt-s Committee to act.

The town clerks of Roslyn, Caversbam, South Dunedin, and West Harbour wrote that their respective councils agreed to act in conjunction with the City Council in the matter of the inspection of dairies.—Received.

The Registrar of tho Otngo University wrote inviting the mayor and councillors to be present at the opening of tho session at the Choral Hall.—Received.

Alexander Cairns wrote offering to be examined by the council with regard to the question as to the disposal of nightsoil, or io report upon the matter if the council preferred.—Xho letter was received.

The Secretary of the Arthur street School Committee wrote requesting that that portion of the. Town Belt bounded by tbe Queen's drive, the Rpslyn tramway, and the Roßlyn road

should bo sut apart fur ttve plantiiij:; the same to ba under the charge of ihu Arthur struct School chiUlrou. It was not intended to put any ftittce or other erection on thu ground othnf than wns necessary to protect tbo trees.—lnferred to the U'jsifvea Committee to nut. The Acting-chief Postmaster wrote askhijj the council to reconsider their ileoisiun in regard to the removal of un iron pillar at tbo corner of. the Triangle, Kntlray ami Cumberland streets. — Referred to thoWoiks Committee to act. $Ir G L. Bi3B tlirootud attention to a nuisance existing in culverts at the junction of I'itfc and Queen streets.—liufcrtcd to the Works Committee to act. WATKII SUPPLY COMlllTTKls's KKI'OKT. The Water Supply Committee reported hay* ing granted Messrs Kearns and Son's application for water supply to steam engine on tho usual terms. An expenditure of £18 8s on maintenance and extensions had been passed.— The report was adopted. WORKS COMMITTEE'S BEPOBT. Tho Works Committee recommended that certain necessary repairs be effected to tho mud carts at a cost not exceeding £9, and that the committee be authorised to obtain private tenders for repairing the street sweeping machines and to accept the lowest teuder.— Tho report was adopted. FINANCE COMMITTEB'B REPORT. The I'inaiico Committee reported having voted tho sum of £10 10s each to Messrs lbbotboii anil Creugh for preparing the burgess roll, 1800—a large portion of the work being done outside office hours. Mr S. Doodeward's application to have hawkers' licenses in forcefor one mouth from day of issue, instead of expiring on the last dny of tho calendar mouth, had been declined Accounts had been passed as follows:—Municipal, £806 8s 8d; water, £138 0s 4d; gas, £1442 12s 6.1 ;—total, £2477 Is fld. The Mavoh moved the adoption of the report, the motion being seconded pro forma by Cr Fisn. Cr Bauson moved as an amendment that the first clause be deleted. Cr Solomon seconded the amendment. Ho thought the officers uf tho corporation were fairly well paid, and that it iraa their duty to do any extra work required by the corporationwithout additional pay. It was not a proper thing to grant bonuses, Tbo Mayob stated that Messrs Ibbotson and CJreogh had sacrificed the whole of their Easter holidays in order to preparo the burgess roll. He therefore thought that they should this year be granted a bonus After same further discussion the amendment for the deletion of the clause was carried by seven vote 3to sis. . The report vras subsequently adopted as amended.

RESERVES COMMITTEE. The Reserves Committee recommended that tho head gardener bo furnished with the material to erect a turnstile at the southern end of tho Botanical Gardens, near the North Cemetery road, at a cost not exceeding £3. The J council wero recommended to vo'e a sum of, say, £150, for the purposes nf providing an inner fenco, trenching, and planting at tha Queen's Triangle. A deputation from the Dunedin and Suburban Reserves Conservation Society had promised the committee that the society would provide some suitable trees for planting, and the Exhibition Commissioners had been asked to donate the turf and soil in the exhibition gardens. It was reported that tho head gardener had been instructed to take delivery of all corporation shrubs, &c, at the exhibition, and remove the same to the Botanical Gardens. Mr H. Macneil's application to purchase portion of a reserve iv the Northern Cemetery hud been grauted—tho area and price to be as for firstclass ground. Cr Kimbell moved the adoption of ihe report. Cr Sinclair moved an amendment to the effect that the clause relating to tho Triangle be referred to the Finance Committee to report. Cr BarroN seconded the amendment. Cr Fish thought that £150 was too much to voto for the Triangle in the meantime* and expressed a desire that the matter should be referred to the Finance Committee with power to act to the extent of £75, if they had the funds. After some further discussion the amendment was carried on the casting vote of the Mayor, and the report as amended was ultimately adopted. en cramond and ca fish. Cr Fish's motion—" That the special committee appointed to inquire into Cr Cramond's charges against Cr Fish having reported, exonerating Cr Fish, and that Cr Cramoud was not justified in making such charges, aud seeing that Cr Cramond has declined to unreservedly withdraw the remarks he made on the 2nd of April, or apologise for same, he be relieved of further attendance on tho Works Committee " —was called on. The mover said he felt that he would be acting in accordance with the wishes of the council by not moving this motiop.—(Hear, hear.) He asked permission to withdraw it. Permission was unanimously granted. THE NORTHERN CEMETERY FO.OTP.tTII. Cr Cohen moved—" That it is desirable before tho winter sets in to form and asphalt the pathway leading to the Northern Cemetery, and that the matter be referred to the Works Committee to report." He said the work was one of the most urgent in the city. He might mention that during the past five years the cceipts from the cometery had been £4779 and tha.expenditure £S4BB. leaving ft substantial profit, so that they could afford to spend a sxall su"m on the path to which he referred. Cr Cbasiond seconded the motion, which was carried. THR NIGHTSOIL CONTItACT. Cr Fi6H amended his notice of motion as follows :—" (1) That in the opinion of this council the a?inual cost to thecorporation for the removal of the nightsoil of tho city is excessive, and should be reduced. (2) That tho whole question be remitted to the Finance Committee for inquiry and report." He moved accordingly. Tko motion, after a discussion, wis carried, TUB CABMEN'S HEST.) As it was after 10 o'clock when Cr Fish's notice of motion dealing with the proposed removal of the Cabmen's Rest at the Fountain came up, it wa3 agreed to allow it to stand over till next meeting. A petition from 28 cabmen aßking that the rest ba allowed to remain on its present site was ordered to lie on the table till next meeting. The council adjourned at 10.10 p.m.