CITY COUNCIL.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3234, 24 June 1871, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

*, Fhiday, June 23. The fortnightly meeting of tho Council was held yesterday at half-past three o'clock. Present : — Tho Mayor (in the chair), Messrs Mills, Plimmer, Carpenter, Borlase, Miller, and Q.uui. Tho minutes of the last meofcing were read and confirmed. A MATTER OF PRIVILEGE. Councillor Carpenter said that bofore proceeding with tho business of the Council he wished to callthoattentionofmembersfottgross breach of privilege committed by the "Evening Post." A writer in that paper had made a gross and wilful misrepresentation ol the facts that took place in that Council at their last meeting, for tho purposo of animadverting on his action, and indulging his own petty feelings at his (Councillor Carpentor's) oxpenso. He thought that an unjustifiable methoJ of attacking members and one that was deserving of the highest reprobation. He would call tho attention to the writer's plan of giving the text without giving tho context. In explanation of this his only doubt in the matter was whether tho writer was a liar, a blackguard, or a fool. Tho Independent gave a fair unbiased report of what took place, but that of the " Post" he could only characterise us a contemptible substitute. His only remedy in sufih a ease was to bring the matter under the attontion of tho Council as it was useless to take any action against such papers ; they reminded him of tho Somersetshire proverb about suing a beggar and catching a louse. CORRESPONDENCE. A letter was read from Mr Travcrs, with reference to the leasing of the corporation reserves, the mattor having been referred to him for his opinion thereon. Mr Travers was of opinion that it would be better to prepare an act for presentation to Parliament at its next sitting. A lengthy discussion of a conversational naturo ensued, from which it appeared that the Council hnd derived its power to prant tho existing leases under a compact wi th tho Superintendent of tho province. The Council si ill had power to renew tho leases under those conditions, but Mr Travors proposed, us tho result of a conversation with his Worship the Mayor and tho Provincial Secretary (Mr Bunny), that tho Provincial Council should bo asked to pass certain resolutions which wero to bo embodied in an act and presented for tbe sanction of Parliament. By this means tho Council will have complote control of tho reservos, without reference to the provincial authorities in tho mattor of leasing. Several members, notably Mr Borlaso, wero very apprehonsive that this process would involve a great expense to the City Council for drafting the bill, &c, in addition to which it was doubtful whether tho oommitteo of the House of Representatives would consider it in the light of a private or a public measure. The Mayor oxplainod that his improssion of tho whole matter was that it would bo carried through without any co^t to the City Couucil. He had seen a notico of motion thut day which Mr Bunny had prepared for presentation to tho Provincial Council with refe-

ronce to the resolutions on which the bill would be based, so that he did not see how there would be any great cost for drafting, but even if it did cost iv little money, it would be money well spent. The motion, authorising Mr Travera to proceed in the manner he proposed, was then put to the Council and agrood to. TIIE RECLAIMED LAND. The Mayor informed the Council that in accordance with the resolution passed afc the last meeting he had waited on the Superintendent on the subject of the reclaimed land, and he read a letter to the Council containing his Honors views. In addition to this he thought one of the first steps necessary was to see whether the General Government would be williug to ratify the terms agreed on between the Provincial and City Councils. Mr Fitzherbert went with him to see Mr Sewell on the subject. Mr Sewell did not wish to be understood as speaking in an official capacity on the subject, but he stated that as far as ho could see the General Government would offer not the slightest objection to the proposed transfer of the property. The debt of 650,000 would remain at 6 per cent. Councillor QtriN suggested that the sur« veyor and another competent person should be appointed to inspect and value the bonded store and the wharf, so that the Council would not have to pay more than they were really worth. The Mayor pointed out that such a proposal was very irregular, and Councillor Quin withdrew the matter. Councillor Millee said that, with reference to the proposal to borrow such a large amount, he thought the clerk should be instructed to write to Mr Travers and get his opinion on the clause of their act having special reference to borrowing. After reading the act himself, he did not think they had power to borrow the money requisite to purchase the reclaimed land. The Mayor said he had informed the Council at the time that it would be necessary to have special legislation for that purpose. HILL STREET. A letter from the Colonial Secretary's office was read with reference to the state of the footpath and embankment in Hill-street. The Surveyor was instructed to reply. LETTERS. A lotter from Mr Travers with roference to crossings was read. A letter from the proprietors of the " Advertiser" was read, asking permission to insert the advertisement of the water-works. The Council authorised the insertion of the advertisement in the three newspapers. BETUBNS. Some returns asked for by Councillor Plimmor with reference to the maintenance of a portion of the city streets which were main roads on the map of the province were laid on the table. Councillor Plimjieb, in explanation, said that many yoars ago an arrangement was made with the Provincial Government that on condition of the City Council keeping in repair the road from Dr. Featherston's house to the Market Hall they would pay to the Council an annual sum equivalent to the city rates. Ac« cording to that arrangement, which had never been rescinded, there was due from the Provincial Government to the City Council a sum of £10,800. He thought that as the matter of the reclaimed land was to be carried out, that amount should bo credited to the City Council in the money required for its purchase. The Mayoe said he had often heard Councillor Plimmer speak of this matter, but he could never discovor by means of documentary evidence that any such arrangement as that spoken of had ever existed. If he had good proof that such a compact had ever existed he would have no objection to go before the Superintendent and press those claims. Councillor Millee said that as Councillor Plimmer had pressed the matter it was his duty, if there was any proper record, to look it up, and muke a business-like matter of the afluir. Councillor Quitf agreed that they should have something move substantial to go upon than the facts at prosent at the command of the Council. Councillor Mills moved that a committee, consisting of Messrs Borlase, Plimmer , and the mover, be appointed to procure the necessary information, to enable the Council to make out a proper claim for the arrears duo to the Council. The name of Councillor Carpenter was proposed, but, although he declined to serve on the committeo, he expressed his willingness to hunt up information on the subject. He thought there was evidence of the compact spoken of by Councillor Plimmer in the blue books, and if he could find the passage he would lot the committeo have it. The motion of Councillor Mills was carried. STONE-BREAKING MACHINE. Councillor Quin wished to bring under the notice of the Council the desirability of purchasing a stone-breaking machine, but, on the suggestion of the Mayor, the matter was allowed to drop. BANK ACCOUNT. The Clerk stated the balancs at tlio Bank to be £93 13s lOd, and the accounts paid £1-19 17s Bd. TIIE TIIOENDON BREASTWORK. Councillor Carpentee called the attention of the Council to the state of the breastwork on Thorndou quay. The Subveyor admitted the urgency of the work, but stated that he had been compelled to keep the men on the repairs of the Tinakoii road, aud consequently ho had not men at present to spare for the Thorndon breastwork. If it wore decided to go on with it he would be compelled to engage more men. Councillor Borlase said the breastwork was a work of the most pressing necessity, and if it and the work on the Tinakori road wore not attondod to at once communication with tho country would be greatly interfered with. The Surveyor was instructed to see to both works as coon as possible, A PUKSENT TO TIIE COUNCIL. Councillor Cabpentee presented to the Council the volumes containing the proceedings of the Provincial Council for twelve yenrs past. Tho Mator, on behalf of tho Council, thanked Councillor Carpenter for tho present. The Council then rose.