CITY COUNCIL.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3168, 8 April 1871, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

The usual fortnightly meeting of members of the City Council was held at the Council Chambers on Thursday afternoon at 4 o'clock. Present— His Worship the Mayor, Councillors Carpenter, Miller, Q'uin, and Ruinie. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. WILLIS STREET. Mr Petherick waited upon the Council and complained of the roadway and psthway in front of his property being sadly out of repair. He thought something commensurate with the amount of rates ho paid should be done towards repairs. The Engineer explained that it had been some time under consideration whether that portion of the street complained of (between Mr Port's and Dixon street) would not have to be cut down, as a portion further south held water considerably. The Board promised to take the matter into consideration. ABEL SMITH STREET. Mr Robert Reed and other ratepayers complained thnt if the work commenced between Abel Smith street and the Barrack gate were carried out it would seriously deteriorate the value of their properties and damage the Btreet. The Engineer, on being consulted said, in laying out roads with a view to something beyond the present requirements of the town, he could not accommodate his work to suit every ratepayer. To act on such a system would I prevent him carrying out the work properly, and would militate against the interest of the town at large. Councillor Carpenter said it would be making the city roada like waves in the Bea to act upon the complaints of every ratepayer. The Council promised to modify the work ao as to meet the wishes of the ratepayers as much as possible. BOULTON STREET. A deputation on behalf of the ratepayers of the above street waited upon the Council, with the view of getting somothing done for it bofore winter set* in, and suggested that the hard-labor gang should be employed to put nt least the footpath in order. Some discussioa ensued, as to whether the hard-labor gang couid be remoeed at preHeut, when

Councillor Miller suggested the matter be left in the hands of the Engineer to report upon. Mr Prendergast put the claims of the ratepayers in that street before the Council. They did not ask any great expenditure of money, as they well knew the great amount of work expected from the Council, with the limited means at their disposal ; but they must remember the street was largely used as a thoroughfare, and was occupied on both sides throughout its whole length. Without in any way wishing to reflect upon the Board, ho might cay that the way to the public ccmotery should be kept in a bftter state — it was positively disgraceful at present. Horses could not take the hearse to the gate, and the coffin bearers had great difficulty to keep from slipping. The matter was referred to the Engineer, and the promise made to communicate with the deputation.

CORRESPONDENCE. A batch of correspondence on Council business was then read.

GRAMMAR SCHOOL,

An application by letter was made by Mr Hamilton for leave to erect a master's dwelling house on the Grammar School Reserve, and that tho Engineer of the Council should submit some plun defining the site, with a viow to convenience bb well as to aid architectural effect, Councillor Carpenter thought the Council would not be justified in doing so. The most they could do was to lease the pasturage ; to put it to any other purpose would be depriving the children of the early settlers of their birth right. His Worship thought there could be no harm in giving what power they possessed j by so doing they did not compromise themselves. He regretted to hear Councillor Carpenter talk such nensense about the birthrights of their children. It was a regular dog-in-themnnger policy to prevent the reserve being made to subserve the useful purpose of education. . The application was then submitted and agreed to, Councillor Carpenter only opposing it. \VATEB TirES. Consideration of a letter from Mr Buchanan of Leith, with respect to water pipes was deferred. ACCOUNTS. The monthly wages, and other accounts wore passed. FINANCE. Balance in bank, £178 7s 8d ; paid since last meeting, £167 19a 4d.

TOUY STREET AND TEBRACK.

The Engineer reported on fcho state of the aboto thoroughfares, and suggested the execution of certain works, according to a resolution of the Council at the last ordinary meeting. Although the calculations indicated that an expenditure of £500 was necessary to carry out the suggestions, it was possible it might be kept down to £400. Councillor QuiN thought the suggestions of the Engineer with regard to Tory street should be carried out.

Councillor Plimmeu thought he need not say a word respecting the terraces after the Surveyor saying it was simply impassable. If something was not done to keep at least the approaches in repair communication with the bench would be cut off altogother this winter. Tho attention of the Council had been so often directed to the urgent need for repairs on the terrace, it was alrnoab useless to cay anything more on the matter.

The Council concurred in the report ; but as they were not in a position to do the whole of the work immediately, thought it best to leave the matter in the hands of the Engineer, to carry it out as well as he could according to circumstances, and with a due regavd for tho state of the funds.

lAMBTON QUAY AND SVDNBY BTBEET.

Councillor JRainib moved that before the Ist of May,, the lower portion of Thorndon Quay rond be repaired to such an extent as to make it passable for conveyances, which it was not now, and also to repair the daumgo done to Sydney Street during the late gale. As to the objection made that Thorndon hud the greatest share of expenditure, that had been answered by Councilor Curpenter. From their position they had to bo the highway for all parts of the town. Sovernl Councillors spoke on (lie necessity existed for tbo work being dono ; but all agreed they had no moral right to do the work, which proporly devolved upon tho Provincial Government, acoording to the agreement between the Government and the Council.

Councillor Carpkntkr banteringly suggested they should put up another toll gate if the Provincial Government would not give them any share of the tolls. Still, as the 'work was imperative, and as the Provincial Government could not doit or contribute to it, they must perforce do ifc themselves in ovdor that the country trullio might not bo stopped. Councillor Plimmeu moved as an amendment that application bo made to the Super-

intendent to keep the main road through the city in repair or pay something towards it.

The amendment was then put and lost, nnd the original motion carried. The Council then adjourned.