CITY COUNCIL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9139, 11 June 1891, Page 4

CITY COUNCIL.

An ordinary meeting of the City Council was held last night, and attended by the Mayor (Mr J. Carroll), Crs Fish, Hayneß, Barron, Hardy, M'Gregor, Swan, Cohen, Cramond, Chapman, Solomon, and Toomey. COEBESPONDENCE. Mr E. Smith wrote calling the council's attention to the open drain in the right-of-way between the late Mr A. Rennie'a premises and the Roman Catholic buildings. The channel in question was Dearly filled up with rubbish, and the water stagnated there to such an extent as to become a nuisance.—The matter was referred to* the Works Committee to act. The Hon. W. D. Stewart wrote consenting to take charge of the bill proposed to be introduced to authorise the extension of the cemetery, and stating that he wonld render what assistance he could to get it pissed through the Council. He also suggested that as the bill would probably be opposed, steps should be taken to introduce it early in the session, so that full time for its discussion might be allowed.—The letter was received, and ths clerk-was instructed to convey the thanks of the council to the Hon. W. D. Stewart. ; Mr Daniel Smith wrote stating that he desired to ran a 6in drain-pipe on the north side of his section in Clyde street, and he wanted the council to assist him to the extent of laying a pipe to connect his property with the sewer.— The matter was referred to the Works Committee, with power to act, the cost not to exceed £2. Mr John Brown wrote stating that he had sub-leased the premises in Moray place lately occupied as a skating rink, and he desired permission to display bis goods on the outside of the building.—The letter was received, Dr Ferguson wrote drawing the council's attention to the necessity of laying a 9in or 12in drain pipe down the north side of High street, from about Melville street to Hope street, to the existing sewer. With a view to help in the matter, he would undertake to famish £20 towards the cost of the work.—The letter was referred to the Works Committee to report. THBOCTAaON. The Secretary of the Dunedin and Suburban Reserves Conservation Society wrote as follows :— i Sir,—The suggestion to close tbe path acrots the Octagon, in the line of Stuart street, has been made through the medium of the press, and several members of tbe committee of this society are of opinion that the suggestion is a good one Tbe idea has not been considered by tbe committee as a whole, but in order to cave time, I w>ite -with a view to aeoertain the opinion of the City Council thereon. This alteration, if adopted, would involve Beveral other modifications of the scheme as originally proposed, but the result, I think, would be an improvemeDt. Our collectors have met with such a response from the public, that I have no doubt the requltite .ameunt to carry out the work will be raised, and as the season is advancing, I would suggest that the council should take immediate steps for the excavation of the trenches required for the planting. It Is alio desirable that the street sweepings be collected, to long as the weather is dry, and deposited In tbe Octagon, so as to be available for mixing with other soil in the trenches and top-dressing the whole enclosure. I would alio take tbe liberty of suggesting that the council should refer the whole matter to the Beiervet Committee with power to act, as was done In the caie of the Triangle, as such a course would facilitate the carrying out of the work. Cr M'Obesob : I may state that I intended to put a motion on the order paper for next meeting, having reference to this matter. Cr Fish: I beg to move—"That the request,in so far as the closing of the footpath, be agreed to, and the whole matter be referred to_ tho Ke>serves Committee to act." If the work is carried out it will be an immense improvement.—(Hear, hear.) Cr Cohen seconded the motion. In canvassing the city during the last 12 days in support of the work, there was a general consensus of opinion amongst the subscribers and the public, so far as public opinion could be gauged, in favour of closing the footpath passing through the centre of the reserve.—(Hear, hear.) The Mayob stated that anyone with an eye to beauty would nee what an improvement would ba effected if the footpath we're closed.— (Hear, hear.) The motion was then carried unanimously. THB NOBTHEBN CEMETERI. Mr James Allen wrote—" Could you supply me with a statement of the present position of the Northern Cemetery account ? I desire to know the quantity of land that has been disposed of and the sum realised; also the amount now standing to the credit of the account. By the act, I believe, a burgess is entitled to this information. Could you therefore supply me with it, and. oblige ?" *' Cr Hatnes : The town clerk will furnish the necessary information. Cr Fish: It would ba better to refer the matter to the Finance Committee. He wants the information to use against us. Cr Solomon : That is what I think. I move that the matter be referred to the Finance Committee. I don't think we need be in a hurry in a matter of this sort. Cr Cohen thought that if Mr Allen was entitled to the information he should get it. Cr Babeon thought that the proper course for Mr Allen to follow was to come to the Town Hall, and inspect the accounts for himself. The motion was then carried. BEfOKTS. The several departmental reports, which have nlresdy beon published, were adopted without discussion. APPLICATIONS FOB THAMWAYS. Several applications, which had been previously before the council, for tramways by firms in the city were granted. OPEN VOTING. Cr Fish moved—" That in future in all elections of officers to the council, the law with regard to open voting be strictly carried out." In moving the motion, the speaker referred to the advantages accruing from open voting. He stated that a short time back an election of a cadet in the gas department took place, and there were two applicants for the position. The result of the voting was that one of the applicants was appointed to the position by a majority of three votes. The father of the unsuccessful applicant, Mr Frederic, wrote to him (Cr Fish) stating that there must have been some mistake in the declaration of the voting, as Crs Fisb, Toomey, Swan, Cramond, Solomon, Haynes, and Hardy, had promised to vote in favour of bis (the writer's) son. —(Laughter.) He must confess that sometimes councillors did not adhere to the strict truth, but he was so struck with the reiterations of Mr Frederic that he waited on tbo Mayor and asked him if he could have made a mistake. The Mayor was certain that no mistake had been made, and the speaker then went back to Mr Frederic and told him that he could not have got an assurance of support from all the councillors he named. Mr Frederio, however, was positive in the matter bb he went round to oouDoillors twice —(Laughter.) However, he (Or Fisb) happily disoovered that the ballot papers were not destroyed, and after going over them bo found that the Mayor was nbsolstely correct, Cr Solomon i Who counted thanj ? Or FISJS; I counted them, Bad aljp tbo tOWu clerk*

Cr Solomon : Very improper proceedings. Cr Fish: There was no violation of the ballot.

Cr Solomon : It was highly improper, Cr Fish then proceeded to aay that the Mayor's declaration was absolutely correct, and after speaking far some length, further formally moved the resolution.

A short discussion ensued, and eventually the, motion was withdrawn.