CITY COUNCIL.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13379, 30 March 1912, Page 6

CITY COUNCIL.

FORTNIGHTLY MEETING

Tho fortnightly meeting of the City Council was held last night, there, being present tho Mayor (Mr T. A. 11. Field) and Councillors Harloy, Kcrshaw, T.nskor, Hanipsoiv, Bisley, Fell, Snodgrass, Moroor, and Adams. The statement of balances was i>ro-sonte-d as follows :—

Of this amount £2303 17s lOd is accounted for by transfers between various accounts of interest due on loans, sinking funds, etc., and £362 10s 3d is a- .payment by the abattoir and genoral accounts to the- gas account for street lighting and residuals.

Correspondence- was read and dealt with as follows :—

From Mr F. W. Fairey, ro cloaning ditch in his paddock at the abattoirs. — Referred to in the Works Committee's report.

From Mo&srs Adams and Barley, agents for tho Commercial Union Assurance. Company, stating that on March 18th the promises of Messrs Adams anil Harlyy, i:i Hardy street, were damaged by lire caused by tho Council's tar tank used by tho Council's workmen being allowed to take lire. The company was called upon to make good the damage done, and when tho repairs were completed tho Council would ho furnished with a memo of tho amount expended. Tho company claimed repayment from the Council of tho amount so expended. They invited tho Council to inspect the premises beforo the repairs woro commenced.—The City Engineer was instructed to inspect tho premises and report. Cr Mercer asked how tho fire was allowod to occur.

Tho City Engineer said tho tar boiler was left while tho won wore at lunch. Ho understood it was a common thing for tar boilers to take fire.

Tho Mayor said tho mattor should not bo passod over. There should be some inquiry. The results might have been very serious.

Cr Harloy said ho did not blame tho men, who did not expect anything of the sort to occur, but tho machine constituted a public danger if such mishaps wore likely to occur again. Tho City Engineer said ho had taken stepa to prevent a recurrence.

From the Rugby Union, applying for the uso of Trafalgar Park on Easter Saturday.—-Dealt with in connection with tho reports.

From the same body, asking to be allowed tho use of the Park overy Saturday during tho coming football season. Having to forego tho us^s.of the Park on one Saturday in thorinonth had proved a-serious drawback to tho Union, financially and otherwise —This was also deferred until later.

From Mr J. Portor Harris, agent for tho Newport estate, stating that tho terms and conditions proposed by tho Council for the purchase of land offered by tho trustees on tho Dun Mountain liuo met with their approval, tho cost of survey if necessary to bo borne by the Council, and tho sale to be subject to all existing rights of road.

From the Right Hon. tho Minister of Defence, stating that a report on storm water drainage of the artillery barracks site was being obtained from tho Public Works Department. If drainage was necessary the Department would be glad to avail itself of the Council's offer to lay pipes beforo the ditch was filled in.

From Mr W. Houlker, forwarding account for £10 10s for preparing plans of swimming baths in forro-concreto. It was decided to offer Mr Houlker five guineas for his services. _ From Mr E. E. Spencer, complaining of a nuisance arising on land near his property in Waimca stroet, and taking exception to tho City Engineer's reply to a previous letter.

The City Engineer's letter was attaohed. That official had informed Mr Spencer that if the- matter 'had boon brought under the notice of tho Sanitary Inspector and no action had been taken, it was presumably because no nuisance existed which' the Inspector had power to alter. He had inspected tho locality and found it proporly drained* Tho City Engineer explained that the caußO of complaint was one over which tho Council-had no control. Tho l<stter was received. From the Board of Governors of Nelson College, thanking the Council for extending tho water main to tho Girls' College, and undertaking to lay a three inch main round the building. The Finance Oommitteo reported as follows:- on letter from tne Town Clerk, Christchurcb, (a) that the Committee is of opinion that tho present term, of two ycrs for tho'Council to hold office is sufficient; (b) that it bo a remit to tho Municipal Association that tho •!> li'->ifin."l Oir^wHoi"! .Act bo amended so as to give the Mayor power to retain oiiico for tho same- period as tho Council. On letter from Mr H. Atavbrc, M.IV, (a) that Mr Atmorc be ■thanked for his services in the matter, i and that ho bo also asked to convey tho I thanks of tho Council to tho Govern-' nront for their-offer of a subsidy; (b) that tho Council olfor to nmcliaso t!io : hinds fvo'Ti Mrs Richardson at the values placed thereon by tho Council's valuers, and that in the event of her refusing to sell proceedings b» taken under tho Public Works Act to take tho land in separate lots as iwommond-ed; by tho City Engineer, provided tho Council's solicitors adyise that should | tho Council be dissatisfied with tho j amount of compensation fixed by the | Compensation Court tho Council' may j withdraw either for tho whole or any I l>art of the lan'l proposed to betaken , (c) that, tho Chinamen's and Adair's gardons bo included in tho \i\nfl. to bo taken, and that a valuation be mado by tho same valuers who valued tho other <

pieces of land. On letter from Mr Il'. W. Fairey, (a) that Mr Fairoy bo informed that under tho agreement entered into between tho Council and his predecessors in title tho Council is under no obligation to clean out the drain, and iri under no liability to adjoining owners, for damage in consequence .of not doing so; (b) that the Ciiy Engineer report to tlio Committee on tho best method of dealing with tho drainago of tho abattoir property. As to estimate of receipts and expenditure, that the estimate of expenditure submitted herewith bo adopted, but that tho matter of fixing tho general rate to bo struck bo held over until tho books have been balanced. As to tenders for supplies.—Coal (Anchor Shipping and Coundry Co., Ltd.). that consideration be deferred and that tenders bo called for carting tho coal from tho wharf; hardware and ironmongery, (E. Buxton and Co., Ltd.) consideration' deferred for thrco. months; timber (L. Baigent, Robertson Bros., Ltd., and A. Miller), that, tho tender of Mr L. Baigent be accepted; drain pipes (A. Miller), that the tender bo accepted; blacksmith's work (Anchor Shipping and Foundry Co., Ltd.), that tho tender bo not accepted, but that the City Engineer make his own arrangements for any black-

smith's work required to bo dono during the noxt tfiroo months ; engineering aiui castings (Anchor Shipping and Foundry Co., Ltd.), that this tender bo accepted. As to handbook, consideration deferred. The following letter has been received and considered by tho Committee sinco tlio date of tho Jast Council .mooting, and they beg to report thereon as follows : From tho secretary Rugby League requesting tho use of Trafalgar Park on Easter Monday for tho purpose of a football match, that tho application be granted at tho rout equal to 10 Der cent of tlio gate money.

Cr Hampson, referring to tho first clause, strongly favoured revortinir to tho former system of a third of the Council retiring annually, which nor-' mitted continuity of policy. Ho moved to amend tho report by expressing the opinion of tho Council that councillors should bo elected for three, years, ono third retiring each year.

Cr Fell seconded tho amendment, which was supported by Cr Snodgrass. Tho Mayor said there was'a lot to be said in favour of the system advocated by Cr Hampson, but on tho wholo he favoured tho retention of the present method.

Tlio amendment was carried, and the clause was struck out.

Regarding Mr Fairoy's letter, on Cr flarlcy's -motion the City Engineer was instructed to report to tho Abattoir Committee, and tho Conimitteo was given power to act.

The matter of the hardwaro tender was referred back to tho Committco with ixnvcr to act.

The report was adopted as amended.

Tho Works Committee reported as follows:—On letter from residents Washington Valley, that tho work recommended by tho City Engineer' bo carried out in its turn. On letter from secretary Rugby League, consideration deferred pending an arrangement being coino to between the Rugby League and the Rugby Union. On letter from president Beautifying Society (Grampian road), consideration deferred. On letter from Captain Graham, that permission bo granted to trim, the trees under tho supervision of tho City Engineer. On letter from Mr G. L. Paye, that they have no recommendation to make. As to clause 3 of report of Gth March 1012 (Mr Watson), that negotiations be ontered into with Crowdson's estate for the fences to both properties to romain as at present on payment of a nominal ront. As to kerb Bridgo street, that the matter bo attended to under ordinary repairs. As to cleaning out of stormwater sewer, Waimea road, that the City Engineer rejwrt hereon to tho Council. As to City Engineer's report re drainage, (a) that Bishop Mules be approached as to whether no would consent to the sower being extended through his property in Sholbourno street, and that if permission is granted tho work be carried out at a cost of £15; (b) application from Mr J. K. Johnston for an extension of sower at the hack of Collingwood street, consideration deferred till next mooting.: .-(c) application from Mr C. Batchelor for an extension of tho sower in Brook street, consideration deferred for the present. Tho following letters have been received and considered by tho Committee since the date of the last Council meeting, and they bog to report theroon as follows: —From tho secretary Fire Brigado as to fire plugs, that the matter is being attended to. From Messrs Maginnity and Son (Mr Baker) agreeing, to indemnify tho Council against damage, in connection with surface drainago in Kawai street, that the Council's solicitors bo instructed the prepare tho necessary deed. From Mr J. S. Winstanloy requesting tho erection of a plank bridgo over the Brook stream, Alton street, that a plank bridge be erected at a cost of about £7. From Mr A. C. Maginnity, requesting repairs to Kawai street, (1) that the Inspector of Noxious Weeds be requested to give notices to property owners to. clean noxious weeds from their frontages ; (2) that Mr Rodley be given notico to renew tho culvert in front of his property. Two kerosene (retail) licenses wore granted. 'Hie applications of tho Rugby Union and tho Rugby League were referred to the Works Committee to obtain full particulars from each body as to the use it proposed to make of tho Park. Tho report was adopted. The Gas Committee recommended that several applications for extensions bo granted. Tho Gas Engineer had been authorised to rnako tho best possible arrangements for tho supply of coal if necessary pending tho arrival of tho shipmont ordered. The Gas Engineer would proceed to Dunedin to investigate automatic lighting, the agent for the apparatus contributing £6 towards tho expenses. Tho report was adopted. The City Engineer (.Mr J. G. Littlejohn) reoorted on various workß _ in progress? A length of sewer in Tasman street (about two chains) had been relaid. The jointing of the pipes was found to bo very defective. The main loakage had not yet been found. Tho drainago at the Botanical Reserve was completed. Milton's Acre should be top dressed at a cost of say £25. Trees overhanging in Milton street had been trimmed back, but tho Council was further asked to cut down a silver birch and the main stem of a pkmo tree. Various wattle "trees in the city wero dead and should be removed. The paths at the cemetery should bo put in order. The lovclt of Trafalgar "Park had been altered, and it would cost £300 to bring up the low levels with good soil.

, The Sanitary.lnspects- reported that tho city was still free, from .infectious disease.

Tho abattoir manager's report showed that tho following animals had been slaughtered during tho fortnight: Cattle 65, calves 7, sheep -183, lambs 308, pig 3 33; total, 89C. The ongineer in charge of tin; power linuso (Mr Kershaw) apnlied for an increaso of salary to iU per weok. Tho City Engineer noted tho application that tho salary should not bo less than 10s per day, Sundays included. The application was referred to tho Finance Committee.

Cr Taskor brought up the question of commit'tocs and said it woii'ld give councillors a moro thorough knowledge of the. business if instead of hiivin-: two main committees the Council me I (l;;ri:ii; alternate weeks in committee of ihe whole.

Cr Hnrloy said it would mean a weekly mooting of tho Council, which w:s« practically th<i case hoiv.

Tho Mayor said there were objections .to tho present system. Noxt week would bo a good time to try Cr Tasker's suggestion, as on account of tho Easter holidays ono of tlio committees would not meet.

Cr Fell said "tho present method was profcrablo to the proposal. Cr Snodgrass suggested that tlio committees might bo reorganised after tho Mayoral election. Ultimately Cr Taskor moved that all matters referred to tho Finance and Works Committees be considered at a special mooting of tho Council to be hold on April 10th. Tlio motion was seconded by Cr Ilarloy and carried.

The Council rose at 11.15 ii.ro

Da. Crt £ s. d. j: s. d. General A/c ... 17 003 6 f. Water „ ... 2,931 5 9 Gas , ... 111S 16 8 Interest „ ... 1765 & 10 Abattoir J81 10 8 Hospital and Cum liable Ai I A/e ... lf>7 6 (5 Balance Dr. 20,056 10 S - 3 7 21,1157 3 7

Payments were authorised as follows :— r ..«' <\ d Cemeteries , 311 10 5 Contractors' deposits 19 0 tl Trafalgar Park 10 10 7 DR. £. s. d. Gonoral Account 1239 0 1 Gas Acount • 1329 12 2 Water Account 715 15 10 Abattoir 210 16 2 Cemeteries 19 IS 7 Total . £3515 2 10