CITY COUNCIL.

Colonist, Volume XXXV, Issue 7268, 12 March 1892, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

An ordinary mooting of this Council was held last evening ; present, his Worship the Mayor (Mr F. Trask), Crs Akersten, Everett, Bethwaite, Piper, Scott, Webster, Q> J.Halery, and llout. The minutes of the previous meeting and speoial mooting woro read and confirmed. £ s. d. Gasworks Account .. 18113 3 Waterworks „ .. 14 16 i General „ . .. 106 13 2 Cemeteries . . ..080 £303 10 9 The usual report showing the state of the Bank Balances was read as follows:— Dr. Cr. £ s. d; £ s. d. General .. 2400 12 fl Water .... 683 1 5 Interest .. 192 1 7 Gas .. „ 575 11 0 Cemeteries . . 175 2 8 Special Fund .. -149 8 10 Contractors' Daposits . . 15 10 0 Queen's Gardens 27 14 3 £2100 12 9 £2118 12 9 Correspondence w?.s theu read and oon- ; aidered, amongst tho letters received being the following : — From Mr F. Hamilton, ro erection of gas i lamp in front of the Presby orian Church, , accepting tho conditions laid down by the Council,

c ' It was resolved that the lamp be ereoied at k. once. ■ ' • '■ • : ' ' . ; ' ■.. •• ' ' ', : . 3 From Mt W. J. Gorrie, : complaining that . there was no' stop-cook to the water service 3 on his property. ; , : ; , ; r Referred to Surveyor. - .. „; From Mr H. C ouaton, urging that it was i unfair that he should be .oharged water rate , 00 the whole of his land as well as on hie 3 house; stating that he only wanted the water 1 for. household purposes, and contending that , he should n6t ba. oharged a higher rate ber cans 3 he held more land. - ..... ■ -...-, ': 1 The Town Clerk said the valuation having • been passed, he did not see how tho rule • could be altered. „.-, ■■■,-..' Cr 0. Harley thought there was a good deal ) in Mr Olonaton's argument that he should ■ only be oharged on his house and the land on 1 which it stood, say an aore. . .In reply, to Cr Everett, the Town Clerk said, that the water- not having been extended ; to many suburban -properties, this was the [ fir at time the question had cropped up. : > CrPiper said it was eyident that nothing i could be done to alter the valuation this year, • and on his motion, it was resolved that Mr ) Olouston be informed of this. i . FrqmMeßsrs Cock & Co., as to alleged r overcharge .for freight by the; Shaw, Savillj I and Albion' Company, and offering on their ' bshalf to'aH6w£s to settle tho difference. It , was agreed to accept the £5, and to thank [ Messrs Cook & Co, for the trouble taken by 1 them in the matter. , From Mr R. T. Melhuisb, requesting the ' Counoil to have the ditch in Hampdon street i east cleaned out and tarred, and the bridge -. opposite his house renewed.— The matter of 1 cleaning out the ditch- was referred to the : City Surveyor, who was instructed to inform Mr Melhuish that the bridge was a private i one. From the Nelson Volunteer, Fire Brigade, ; stating that it was found impossible to carry i on the Brigade for £200 a year, the amount ; granted last year, and asking that for the 1 future the grant be raised to £240. Cr Everett moved, and Cr Bethwaite seconded, that the letter be referred to the Finance Committee to report on at next meeting, and this wa9 carried. The reports were then read as follows :••— Public Wobks Committee. A meeting of the Works Committee was held on the 7th March, present the Mayor and Cr3 Everett, Aker3ten, and 0. Harley. ' The Committee reported as follows : — 1. On letter from Mr S. Leach, of Van Dieman street ; That Mr Lsach have permission to make the usual crossing under the supervision of the City Surveyor. 2. As to whether contractors have disposed of street scraping 3: That the Committee understand that street scrapings have been sold since the notice given by the Council not to 1 do so, but as the contract is about to expire, they^ do not recommend that any further action be -taken in the matter unless fresh cause of complaint should arise. ' -' 3. As to new specification for street maintenance ; That tenders be invited for street maintenance and supplies, as per f pacifications prepared by the City Surveyor. 4. As to complaint against J. Ast'e, cabman, refusing to carry fares: That Astlc be informed that any further complaint will render his license liable to be cancelled. 5. That the licenses specified have been granted. 1 The report was adopted. Hoad Bound the Rocks Committee". A meeting of the Road ;Rmnd the Rocks Committee was held on the Bth March. Present: Messrs Trask (ohairman), Lankow, Best, Bird, Talbofr, 0. J. Harley, Akeisten, Everett, and Scott. 1. It was proposed by Cr Akersten, seconded by Mr Lankow, and carried, that this Committee be a oommittee of management for the construction of the road round the Rocks ; that a bank account be opened with the Colonial Bmkof New Zea'and, t) be called the Road Round theßooks Account ; that such account ba operated on by the Mayors of Nelson and Riohmond, and the County Chairman ; and that bs money is required, requisitions be sent up to the contributing local authorities for Bums proportionate to the total amoonts. of. their contributions, 2. It was proposed by Cr Everett, seconded by Mr Best, and carried, That Mr S. Jickell be appointed, subject to the approval of the City Council, Engineer for the carrying out of the work of the road round the Rocks 3. It was proposed by Cr Akersten, seconded by Mr Best, and carried, That the Government be asked to admit the necessary cement for the work duty free. 4. It was proposed by Cr C. J. Harley, seconded by Cr Scotfc, and carried, That this Cornnrttea recommend that the Nelson City Council take the necessary steps to raise the special loan of £1,003 forthwith. 5. It was proposed by Cr Scott, seconded by Mr Lankow, and earned, That Messrs Duthie's tender for cement be accepted, subject to satisfactory terras being made for delivery. 6. It was proposed by Mr Talbot, seconded by Mr Best, and carried, That the Hon Mr Seddon be applied to by tho Chairman for the £1.000, and asked whether he will pay Messrs Duthie for the cement. 7. It was proposed by Cr Scott, seconded by Mr Talbot, and carried, That application be made for the prison labor as soon as arrangements can be made for sending them over. 8. It was proposed by CrAkc-isten, seconded by Cr Scott, and carried, That the Ci'y Council be asked for permission to use ths old Corporation ttables as a store for cement. Cr Piper Baid he should like to see the olauae as to borrowing £4000 referred to the Finance Committee, for he w^s ona who thought a finking fund should be provided, ami ha also ensidered it would bo advantageous if the debentures were, made of the lowest possible 6uta, £20;- so that parsons of limited means oould lend to the Corporation. It was then BUggeated that each clause shncild be considered separately. Cr Rout moved, and Or Everett seconded, that the Road Round the Rooks Committee be granted the use of Mr Jickell's services free of cost. Cr Akersten said Mr Jickoll could not carry out tho work without trenching on his own time, and he would be prepared on ths sitisfaotory completion of the work to grant him come recompense. As it wes necessary to push on wilh tha work, he nrged that they should consider and pass all the necessary propositions that evening. Cr Bethwaiie said he had perfect confidence in the gentlemen who formed the Road Round the Rock s Committee, and was prtpaiedto endorse their recomirendatioss. After a few remarks from the Mayor, Cr Rout's motion wes carried. Cr Piper moved that the clause as to raising the loan be referred to the Finanoa Commuted. • < • Cr Bout thought it bettor to settle the matter at' once, and bo moved thai the Town Clerkbe instructed to take immediate steps to raise the loan of £4000 in £103 debentures, for 20 years at 5 per oent interest. Cr Everett seconded the motion, which was carried without diaseut. Cr Piper then said he considered the issuing of £100 debentures was playing into the hands of tho rich. Tho Finance Committee, wi?h the Town Clerk, were authorised to arrange for the printing of the debentures. The Mayor said tho Council could at any time arrange for a sinkiDg fund. It wa9 then resolved that permission be given to use the old Corporation stables for storing tho cement. Cr C._ Harley said the Council must give the Committee .complete powers to do all they thought proper, as it would be impossibe for the Committee to refer questions to the respective contributory bodies. Cr Rout moved that the Council should give full powers to the Committee (Crs Everett, Scott, CT Harley, Akersten, and the Mayor). .■■■-.■ Cr" Bethwaita seconded the motion. He said he had full confidence in the Committee. Cr Scott said some of the Councilors might go out before the work was completed. What would be done then ? The Mayor said the Council would then have to appoint a successor or successors. The motion was then put and carried unanimously. The City Surveyor then reported having made a preliminary survey of a road round Britannia Heights, from Russell street, to near the town boundary, and thence down St. Vincent street. He estimated the cost of the . road, which would be 3-85 mi'es— nearly four— at £318 2s 6d, but some litile private land would have to bo acquired. Tho steepest grade would be 1 in 11, and the road would give access to the most beautiful panoramic views of tho sea, Wakapuaka, and the Waimea plains. In reply to questions' he said that his estimate did not include the purchase oj land, but he thought they might

acquire nearly all' the necessary land by ex . present inaccessible street^ 'Ha anticipatedno trouble from-stdrin water. His estimate did not provide for gravelling. The road worilS be 33 feet wide, and wag only proposed as a pleasure drive. He believed it would greatly improve the value of certain properties, sacU as that owned by the Bank of New South Wales.' CrPiper thought the Bank might at least give them the land that would be needed. The Mayor said the Committee of the Council had waited oil the manager Of the Bank of New South Wales, who stated that he would accompany the Councilors and their officers over the proposed road,- and communicate with the Directors of the Bank. Cr Akersten said he thought a good service had been done by the Committee, and that if a good road could be made for the sum named, and the cost of maintenance would not be great, he should support the expenditure. After some further remarks, Crs speaking of the great attraction this drive would be, Cr Webster said he thought it would pay the Bank to give a liberal contribution towards the work. He suggested that the matter be referred to the Finance Committee to make enquiries of the Bank. This course was adopted by the Council. Cr Piper stated. that some persons had broken open the Trafalgar Park, and in the presence, of the ,man in their employ some young men had broken over the gate. He had instructed the man to obtain their names, for ho considered the Council should prosecute. , • • . ■ Cr Rout eaid .these larrikins were well known. He stated at last meeting that a fresh batch of larrikins had taken op their reaidenoe in the neigborhood of tho Park; and they had out hops, pulled up prias, damaged the gates, and so on. The Surveyor aaid they had spent 83 6d in locks that had been broken. Cr Rout said the lamp near the Park was regularly extinguished directly afcer it was lit. CrO. Harley said tba lamp in Nile street bad again been brokeD, and he saw that same lada had threatened to chop down the Jubilee tre?. Cr Webster said tho Mayor had kindly undertaken on several ocoasions to see the Sergeant in charge o£ the police, but tha complaints became more and more numerous. The question was, did the police do fcheic duty, and what was thoir duty ? Was it simply (0 walk up and- down TrafJgar, Hardy, and Bridge streets ? It was evident that their complaint 3 bronght about no improvement. The Mayor said be would again see the police on the matter. Cr Piper moved that they should 801 l gas lime at tho rate of a shilling a load. Tho Surveyor, in reply to a question, siid he thought the suggestion a good one, and thereupon it was agreed that the price be reduced to a Bhilliog a load. Cr Rout wished the Works Committee to consider the desirability of lopping a fow feet off a gum tree on the Church Hiil, whioU shut out the view of the clook.— Referred to Committee. Or Piper called attention to the Btate of Waimea street near Mrs Phillip's cottage 3.— Referred to Works Committee. Cr Akerßtea referred to tho allowances offered on bßhalf of tho Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company, and Baid he thought the least they could *aye done after admitting the correctness of his (Or Akersten's) measurement was to have allowed the whole claim. : The Mayor said he did not tbiak the writers of the letter had admitted the correctness of the measurement. He then read the letter. Cr Akersten said they ovidontly admittod his measurement, and at all events he had tho satisfaction of knowing he had saved tha Council £5. He did think that his cer vices miyht have been recognised, not that ho was asking for a vote of thanka."' 1 ' The Mayor said he had intended to have recognised Cr Akersten's action, buS other Ors rose to apeak, and it then escaped his notice. Cr Rout moved that tho necessary atatutory steps be taken for the acquisition of the land necessary for the road round the Books, and > this was carried. The Counoil then adjourned.