CITY COUNCIL.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3157, 25 March 1871, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

The usual meeting of the City Council was held at the Council Chamber yesterday ufternoon. Present — His Worship the Mayor, Councillors Moss, Plimmer Borlase, Q.uin, Miller, Ramie, Carpenter and Mills. The minutes of the last meeting wore read and confirmed. COBRKBPONDENCK. A large batch of letters sent out by the Council was read. WEIGHING MACHINE. The Engineer read a letter from & firm in Melbourne in reference to the prices of weighing machines, and the following scale was mentioned : — Seven tons, £90 ; five tons, £70. After some discussion it was agreed to order ' a seven ton machine. I TJSBBACE. A petition was read from the inhabitants of the Terrace, praying that the Terrace road should be put in better order. The matter waß referred to the Enginoer to report upon. WOOLCOMBE BTBEET. A letter was read from Mr Seed, asking that an earth slip should be removed in Woolcombe street. The Engineer was instructed to remove the slip.

TOBY STREET. A deputation, consisting of Messrs Tompkins, Richards, and Jackson, waited upon the Counoil, on behalf of the ratdpayere in Tory street, requesting that something should he done towards reparing the street, which is im- N passable in winter. The engineer waß instructed to report upon the work. GAS. A letter was read from Mr George, on behalf of the Q-as Company, offering to light the city with twenty-four lamps for the year for £200. His Worship informed the Council that the subCommittee appointed to manage the matter had accepted Mr G-eorge's offer, bo that the matter was settled. THORNDON QUAY. Councillor Ramie drew the attention of the Council to the state of Tborndon Quay. As the matter had not been previously notified, no discussion oould be taken on it at that sitting. Notice was then tabled, and the subject will come before the Council at its next sitting. WATER. Some discussion arose on the question of the proposed water scheme, in tho course of which, His Worship suggested to the Council the advisability of holding a special meeting, as it would be impossible to deal satisfactorily with so important a subject at an ordinary sitting, where so many other matters called for attention. Councillor Mosa moved, and Councillor Boelase seconded — That a special meeting be held on next Tuesday evening at halt-past seven. This was agreed to. BYE-LAWS. The bye-laws, as revised and amended at the special meeting held for their consideration, were read and passed without any further alteration. ACCOUNTS. A number of accounts were passed. C.V.3?. BRIGADE. A letter was read from tho above brigade, in reference to a fire alarm bell, and requesting a contribution from the Council in aid. Councillor Moss supported the request made by tho brigade, and pointed out very strongly the necessity which existed for an alarm bell in the town, and the immense advantage that would result from such a signal in case of need. Councillor Miller objected, on tho grouDd of the irnpecuniosity of the Council. Councillor Carpenter, however, who followed, could not admit such a plea to outweigh the imperative necessity for such a useful thing in the town as an alarm bell. He thought the least the Council could do under tho circumstances would bo to contribute £50 towards the expense. His Worship entirely concurred in the remarks of Councillor Carpenter. They surely ought to at once recognize such a request coming from a fire brigade — a body of men who gave so much and received so little. It wat not as if they were asking a benefit exclusively for themselves. It was really on i behalf of everyone in the town, and to enable the brigado to be still more useful. Councillor Mills quite agreed with the remarks both of his Worship and Councillor Curpenter. The motion was then put and carried. FINANCE. The accounts paid since last meeting were stated at £584 4s lid ; balance in Bank, ,675 2s 7d. MINISTERS HOUSES. Councillor QuiNN rose to speak to a motion tabled by him at last meeting, that houses oc- : cupied by Ministers should not be assessed aocording to the act. Councillor Carpenter, however, remarked tl>at Councillor Quinn had misapprebendod the meaning of tho act, which only referred to property belonging to a church. After some slight discussion, the matter was allowed to stand over. NOTICE Of MOTION. Councillor Moss gave notice that a solicitor be appointed for the Board. This concluded the business, and tho Council rose.