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ADELAIDE CORPORATION.
MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
Monday, Judy 21;
Present—The Mayor, and all the Councillors
with the exception of Ore. Fuller and King.
THE MAYOB'S BJBPOBT.
The Mayor said that members of the Council
had visited the sites for the proposed Sewage
Farm with members of Parliament on the pre
vious Thursday^ It would now be for the
Council to consider which site they would
memorialise the Government to adopt'. The
merits of the two sites had been fairly brought
before the members of the Oounoil on Thursday,
and as far as he could judge the majority of
those present were inclined to favor the site
known as the Eeedbeds. The difference in the
cost, as had been pointed out by the Hydraulic
Engineer (Mr. OswaldBrown), was considerable.
The same gentleman had stated upon the
authority of Professor Lamb that the site at the
Tarn O'Shanter Beltjwas as good as the Eeedbeds
site for drainage purposes. Thef act was palpable
to those present when the statement was made
that water was only found at the Eeedbeeds
at a considerable depth, while at the Tarn
O'Shanter Belt the water not only appeared in
the cuttings but on the surface of the ground;
and, as had been stated in the Register, there
were appearances of salt. As a rule he did not
care to make remarks upon the leading articles
of the daily newspapers, but when they were
manifestly unfair it was right' that some notice
should be taken of them. He wished to refer
to an article which had appeared in that morn
ing's Register, The article stated that the
£15,000 loan had been raised to pay an over
draft.. The Councillors present must be aware
that that was not the case. The money
had been raised to make up sums which had
been spent in previous years, and in order that
the Council might have sufficient funds this
year to meet the current expenditure. Theloan
had been arranged chiefly to meet the expenses
of market improvements effected some years
ago, which were exactly equivalent to the
amount which had been borrowed. The over
draft referred to had been paid off within
£2,000, but the effects of the wet weather upon
the streets had led to its being increased again
to the proportions it assumed about a fortnight
ago. He bad tried to impress upon the Council
again and again the undesirableness of one
Council trenching upon the funds at the disposal
of its successor. When he took office in the Council
he found that what with theoyerdraft and works
contracted for £17,500 of the funds that should
have been spent this year had been already
spent. The article in question also said that
the Btreets and footpaths were never in a worse
condition than they were at the present time.
This was manifestly unfair and untrue. The
continuous rainy weather had rendered the
streets more muddy than usual, but the foot
paths were in a much better state of repair than
they were some years ago. Having been a rate
payer of the City for the last thirty years he
considered.that he was in a position to judge.
So far as the dismal lighting of the city was
concerned the lighting rate was a yearly rate,
and the- citizens could make it what they
thought proper. He quite agreed that it would
be infinitely better, if their funds permitted, to
have gas; but when the citizens had distinctly
refused to vote more than would pay for kero
sine, the Council were bound to adopt that mode
of lighting. The Register further said that
Adelaide would become a by-word for slovenli
ness and discomfort among Australian towns.
As he had stated at the previous masting of the
Council, the streets in Melbourne were ;_in a
better condition than the Adelaide streets; but
this was owing Jto the revenue' from licences
being made available for municipal • purposes.
The Public Works Committee would report at
that meeting that, in consequence of the Trea
surer's statement that there was less than £1,000
available besides the amounts due on works
contracted for, they could not recommend the
Council to go on with paving. He had asked
the Town Clerk to include in the Bill shortly
to be submitted to Parliament, a provision
whereby the revenue' from various licences
would come to the Council. If they had this
addition to their funds, combined with the
liberal Government grants bestowed in Mel
bourne, the streets of Adelaide would soon be
equal if not superior to the streets of the other
colony.
QUESTIONS.
In reply to Mr. Raphael, the Mayob said he
was not aware that a certain contractor was
depositing clay or limestone instead of sand on
footpaths, but he would instruct the Surveyor
to make enquiries.
Or. Raphael asked—1. "When the curveB for
the tramway lines promised some time since by
your'Worship will be laid down at the corners
of the streets? 2. What was the reason which
induced your Worship to deline the offer of the
Commissioner of Public Works to find con
veyances for this Council to visit the proposed
Sewage Farm ? 3. Your Worship having de
clared you will not vote on any matter coming
before you in your capacity as Mayor
in which your actions as Mayor might clash
with your duty as Chairman of the Adelaide
and Suburban Tramway Company on team way
matters, can your Worship reconoile this state
ment with the oath you took'on your induction
to office as Mayor and the declaration of your
acceptance of that office, where yon promise and
Bwear " that yeu will duly and faithfully fulfil
according to the best of your ability? the duties
appertaining to that office? 4. Should your
conscience acquit you in this matter of failing
. faithfully to perform- the duties of;Mayorj whart;
action do you propose taking in case the Council
should he evenly divided on tramway matters ,
when yon are j^ednponto give a casting vote?
5. Should the Council decide to allow the use of
the Town Hall and the organ free of cost to you
for Saturday night concerts, would it, in your
Worship's opinion, be fair tb call such concerts
the " Mayor's Popular Concerts,'.' seeing that the
expen se is principally borne by the Corporation ?
The Mayob, hi replying tb the first question,
said that the matter had been before the Board
of the Tramway Company, but it had" been
deemed unadvisableto disturb the streets in the
wet weather in order to lay the curved rails.;
Instructions had been given to fch'e Manager to
make the necessary alteration as soon as the
weather become settled;
CrV CtAXTON movbd'that the next three
questions oh the paper be iexpunged, on the
ground that they were offensively worded. ,
Cr. Jones seconded the motion, which was
carried.
The Mayob said; that although the'wording
of some of the remaining questions on the paper
showed an animus he could not understand,
he did not object to answer- them. No
such offer, as that implied in question
No. 2 had been made by the Commissioner
..©f Public .Works. In reference to ithe
third question, what he had, meant to-isay
was that as Chairman of the-Tramway Com
pany,and not asMayor, heshould vote on no ques
tion upon which the Tramway Company, and
the Corporation might he afc.variance. In reply
to question 4, he would state that he would
vote with the Corporation in such an .emer
gency. In reply to questions, he would inform
the Council tbathe would call the concertS in
question the Corporation Concerts.. He .should
not pay a penny towards them himself,.as he
had been informed that several gentlemen were
prepared to take the whole responsibility, if"
they were granted the use of the Hall and
organ.
DEPtJTJffXOK.
Mr. JVC. Bbay, M.P., introduced a-deputa
tion representing the sand carters, of ? the city,
woo asked that Council would reduce the charge
for and increase the. facilities for sand:carting.
The carters explained that they were tuiable to
cart sand profitably from, the points of the river
bed now open to them. The M&yob- promised
that' the request should be considered by the
Ooureil. -
TENDEES.
The following tenders were accepted -—
Dunn-street, forming.and making .(conditional),
S. Young, £87; John-street, forming: and
making (under the Health Act), J, Youug^ £7-1.
19s.; right-of-way,'Acre 619,. forming. and
making (under the Health Act), J. Wallace,'
£22 10s.
G.OEBESFONBBNCE. i
The South Anstralian Cricketing Association
applied for permission to. let the Oval till the
end of the present month-for football purposes,
local and intercolonial; on. the 6th August for
the annual military athletic sports; and to the
Adelaide Lawn Tennis Club for the season.
The City Solicitors forwarded an opinion to tho
effect that-the Corporation could not, under
Act No. 2 of 1871, authorise the use of- lauds
leased under that Act for any other than
cricketing purposes,.and that.jif the lessees of
the Oval permitted it to be used without per
mission in writing there would he a breach of
covenant under their lease entitling the Corpo
ration to re-enter. The Town Clerk reported
that the Public Works Committee had given the
Association permission to allow football as asked
for. -Itwasmoved by Or.CEAXTOHandseconded
by Cr. Hagedorh—" That thisCouncil, although,
not willing to grant permission for a whole
season for lawn tennis or other purposes, wishes
that, in accordance with the lease, application
may be made on eaoh occasion." Carried.
Hie Adelaide and Suburban Tramway Com-:
pany wrote, Btating that they were advised by
their solicitors that the cleansing of the.streets
formed no part of their dnty. Referred to the
Public Works Committee.
MEMORIALS.
Or. Holland presented a memorial from
ratepayers in Suiflen-street, praying that that
thoroughfare might be remetalled. Referred to
the Public Works Committee, with power to
act.
Cr, Hyne presented a memorial from 21 rate
payers of Young Ward, near Hurtle-square,
praying that the footpaths in that neighborhood
might be repaired. Referred to the Surveyor.
Cr. Raphael presented a memorial from the
ratepayers of Ivins-plme asking that the road
might be made on the usual terms. Cr.
Claxton presented a similar memorial from
ratepayers of Ashley-street. Ordered to lie on
the table.
FINANCE COMMITTEE.
The Committee reported:—Payments, £2, 57
10s.; receipts, £4,10116s. 5d.; Balance to Dr.,
£12,31812s. 4d.
Adopted.
HEALTH COMMITTEE. .
The Committee reported:—
Messrs. Burford & Sons' Premises.—Com
mittee have requested Messrs. Burford to direct
rainwater from the roofs of their premises into
the watertable, and to prevent it passing into
the filtering tanks as previously.
Messrs. Burford & Sons' Premises.—Com
mittee received a complaint from the Central
Board of Health respecting the removal of
noxious matter from these premises during the
day. They have instructed the Sanitary In
spector to enquire into the matter and report
thereon.
Orders to be Made.—Committee reoommend
the following orders be made, viz.:—To form
and make rights-of-way—On "the owners and
occupiers of property on Acres 77 and 78; on
Acre 225,; on Acre 34; on Acre 96; on Acre
1,004; on Acre 863; on Acres 910,911,914, and
915; on Acres 1,005 and 1,006; and on G. Kuh
cell and the tenants to cleanse and drain a yard
common to several cottages on Acre 2-5.
Adopted.
PUBLIC WOEKS COMMITTEE.
The Committee reported:—
Partial Flagging of the Footways.—Com
mittee have again considered the suggestions of
Mr.A.O. Ohambers respecting the flagging a
strip of the footway, and they see so many
strong objections to such a course that they
cannot advise it to be carried into effect:
Flagging Footpaths.—Committee have had
the City Surveyor's suggestions as to flagging
the footpaths of certain streets under their con
sideration, and they cannot, in the present state
of the city finances and the many calls for
works of a more sanitary character now before
them, recommend the works be entered upon.
Limestone Raising.—Committee instructed
City Surveyor to set on men to raise this material,
as the stock is nearly consumedon the various
streets.
Inspection of Gas and Water Meters.—Com
mittee have instructed the Town Clerk to re
port on this subject.
Rearrangement of Offices.—Committee in
conjunction with the Town Hall Committee
have approved a rearrangement of the offices—
placing the Town Clerk and his staff in the
rooms lately occupied by the Chamber of Com
merce ; the Sanitary Inspectors also to remove
into the long room; the Health Officer to occupy
the small outer office, No..2; the Engineer in
charge of the City Survey and his staff to oc
cupy the inner room now used by the Town
Clerk. This arrangement will, they think, be
approved by and prove of vast benefit to the
pnblic, whose means of access to the Town
Clerk's offices and'the Sanitary Inspectors' will
be much facilitated by this removal.
Tenders Accepted—Redgum Posts. — Com
mittee report accepting Mr. W. S. Whitington's
tender for 3,000 redgum posts at £813s. per 110.
Adopted.
TOWN HALL COMMITTEE.
The Committee reported:—Town Hall Organ?
Hydraulic Engines.—Committee have considered
the varions offers sent in for connecting these
engines with the bellows and making the
various connections required between them, and
they recommend the offer of Mr. B. i Cole be
accepted at £25, the work to be completed "in"
six weeks, and Mr. Cole to keep them in work
ing order for six months-afterwards free of
charge, barring wilful damage. Committee re
ceived an offer from Mr. Cole so keep the engine
and connections therefrom to the organ in repair
and good working order for seven years, for the
sum of £10 yearly; they forward this offer to
the Council for consideration. Committee re
ceived an offer from Mr. E. MaoKenzie to beep
the organ in tune and repair for one year for the
sum of £60, payable by monthly instalments,
which they recommend be accepted.
BY-LAWS AND SA1ABIES COMMITTEE.
The Committee reported:?—By-law No. 49.—
Committee considered these proposed By-laws,
and advise they be adopted in lieu of-By-law
No. 49 :—Any person acting as the proprietor,
mm any person caving tfie chief control or
management of any. brothel within the said
city shall forfeit and pay the sum of ten pounds,
and a further sum not exceeding five pounds
for every day during which such person shall,
after notice from any Inspector of Nuisances
appointed by the City Council to desist, con
tinue to act, control, or manage any brothel as
aforesaid. Any person letting any house know
ing that such house is about to be used' by the
tenant thereof as a brothel, and any person who
shall knowingly and wilfully continue as a
- tenant of any house any person who shall keep
such a house as a brothel .shall forfeit and pay
the sum of ten pounds, .and a further sum of
five pounds for every, day during which such
geirson is continued as a tenant after notice to
eject from any. Inspector , of . Nuisances ap
The Committee also reported that it had con
sidered the proposed Tramway By-laws, and
had. amended them, and now advised their
adoption. . .
Adopted.
UTA-py-mra QfinrMTrTtrPi.
The Committee reported:—Hide and Skin
Market.—Committee recommend Messrs. Lux
inoore & Co. he allowed to sell green hides and
skins in. the south-western division of this
market.
Cattle Markets.—Committee have instructed
the Town Clerk to invite tenders for the erec
tion of these yards, with jarrah posts, ironhark
tails, and deal gates, or redgom posts, ironbark
rails, and deal gates, and to~insert this notice
three times in each of the morning papers.
Adopted.
PHBIOD OF CONTRACTS.
Cr. Holland moved—•' That a call of the
Council be made on Monday, the 4th: August
next, in order to reconsider the recommendation
of the Eubli? "Works Committee, minute No.
216, dated 19th May, andiidopted by.th&CJouncil
on 27th May, 1879—' That, the custom.followed
for some time past of allowing contractors for
making streets to namo^the time-within which
they will complete the* work .be no longer ia '
force, but that the City Surveyor fix the time at
as short a period as possible, having, in view;the_
special circumstances of each work'—with a
view-to its recission.": Carried.
TOWN CLEES-S ASSISTANT:
The applications laid on the table at the last
meeting of the Council for the position of
Town Clerk's assistant, were considered, and
Mr. W. G-. Fisher was- appointed;
V .' , \ THE SEWAGE- FABM,
Or. Jones"moVed—" That in the opinion of
this Council the best site for the Sewage Farm .
is at the Reedbeds, ator hear the spot-indicated
by Mr. Clark, and that it by no .means fallows
that the sewage from the city cannot be de-"
livered on the surfaee of the . section we first
visited if the townships of Hindmarsh, Bowden,
and Brompton are -not. considered,.and no land,
need be purchased, for the main: trunk sewer*
from the time it leaves the Park Lands until it
arrives at the sewage farmj at Reedbeds; and.
.considering the large amount paid- by the iciti
zens of Adelaide, to import that eminent
engineer, Mr. Clark, and get the benefit
of his great experience, which no-other Corpo
ration or even the Government contributed to,
the City of Adelaide has no right to be put to
any expense to alter his levels, so as to adapt
them for the drainage of other'localities ;than
the City of Adelaide; and as the disposal of the
surplus water after being filtered through the
soils must be a. great, consideration, the
Reedbeds offers the greatest advantages for that'
purpose." Cr. BEOOKS. seconded the motion,
the consideration of which was after some dis
cussion adjourned for a fortnight.
KCJAI), METAL.
It was.zesolved, on the motion of Cr. Hage
hobn, that a return be famished by the Oicy
Surveyor to this Council at the next meeting
showing, first, the quantity of road metal broken
by the steam-crusher, the total cost of such
breaking, and the cost per cubic yard; secor dly,.
the quantity of road metal broken by hand
labor, the. total cost of such breaking per cubi&.
yard; thirdly^the time-occupied in breaking by
each process ^fourthly, showing the waste under
each form of breaking in 5,000 cubic yards; and
fifthly, showing the quantity of metal broken
and spread in the streets of the city from-the
1st January to the 1st of July this year, andithe
corresponding quantity broken and spread for
the sam&period for the past tan years.
STATE OF THE CITY FINANCES.
The City Treasurer presented the following
reportIn accordance with instructions from
the Finance Committee (June 19, 1879) I have
the honor to forward herewith an estimate of
receipts and expenditure from July l.to Decern
ber 31 of this year. The receipts I have
estimated at £38,408; and, in addition to this
sum, there will he due to the OounciLat the end
of the year £650 on city survey account; but as
it is unlikely the amount will be received until
January, 1880, I have not included it in the
estimate. The expenditure I have estimated at
£37,526, providing for contracts in progress,the
Bank overdraft, and other fixed liabilities,
salaries, general repairs, and the necessary labor
for stone-breaking, scavenging, and maintenance
of streets, roads, plantations, &o. I have also
provided for the new market yards £2,803, and
for posts £300, the contracts for which have not
yet been finally accepted. It will be seen that
the balance available for farther expenditure
this year is less than £1,000, and, considering -
that in both receipts and expenditure I have
calculated as closely as possible, extreme care
will be needed in the orderingof new works this
year.
Receipts.—Rates—City, lighting, and sani
tary, £9,600; rates, street-watering, £350;
drainage rents, £250; private streets and
flagging, £1,150; depasturing fees, £1,400;
sand fees, £300; Slaughterhouse, £250; Sheep
and Cattle Markets, £950; Hide and Skin
Market, £38; City Market, £300; Town Hall
and rents Corporation Acre, £900; licences,
£900; Baths, £50; Horse Bazaar fees, £100;.
weights and measures, £50; Olive Plantation,
£75; Police Court fines, £100; City survey, re
payment, £645; Government grant-in-aid of
ratee, £5,600; loan, £15,000; miscellaneous,
£400. Total, £38,408.
Expenditure—National Bank balance, July 1,
£13,198; interest on overdraft (estimated),
£200; bonds and interest, £1,970; health fund,
salaries and labor removing house refuse,
£1,650; drainage, emptying tanks (labor in
cluded in Surveyor's estimate), £100; street
lighting (kerosine contract only), £1,120; street
watering, sundries, £50 (labor included in
Surveyor's estimate), £50; City Market, includ
ing contract for new shops, £1,000; Sheep and
Cattle Markets, labor and repairs, £230; new
yards (not yet accepted), £2,800; Slaughter
house, labor and repairs, £170; Town Hall,
porter, insurance, lighting, organ repairs, &ct, .
£330; Park Lands, plantations and squares,
labor and salaries, £1,023; sand fees, £70;
licences, repayments, and salaries, £160; con
tract deposits, £350; private streets and flagging,
£1,000 ; city survey, £1,300; general administra
tion, £2,060; contracts in hand, £1,506 ; labor,
per Surveyor's estimate, £5,199; breaking metal
(balance), £1,070; fencing, &c., £350; repairs,
£70.; sundries, £250; posts (contract not yet
accepted), £300. Total, £37,526.
The report, was referred to the combined
Committees of Finance and Public Works.
CITY FOOTPATHS.
Cr. Hyne moved, and Or. Raphael seconded
—"Thatthe Surveyor be instructed to notify
Mr. Prince that he must comply with the
specification of his contract, by sanding the foot
paths." Both Councillors asserted that the
contractor was spreading clay instead of sand
on the footpaths, to the great discomfort of the
citizens, and urged that the Surveyor should
better attend to his duty. The motion was
agreed to.
The Council at 7.10 p.m. adjourned for a
fortnight.
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