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~arch 10, 1915.
<br />
<br /> On motion, the communication was referred to the Public Property Committee.
<br /> A communication was read from the Mayor, transmitting c~rrespondence from the Superinten-
<br />dent of the Fire Alarm and Chief of Police to him, in relation to the condition of the Police
<br />Telephone and Telegraph S~tem and asking o~nsideration of the~advisability of appointing an
<br />electrician to take over all electrica!~eQuipment in the City.
<br /> On motion, the matter was referred to the Police, Fire and Light Committees jointly.
<br />
<br /> The following was read from theMayor in regard to the erection of portable school houses
<br />on the jail lot, referred to him by the two branches of Council February 9-16th:
<br />
<br /> "Portsmouth, Va., March ll, i915.
<br /> "To the Council.
<br /> "Gentlemen:-- I am-~ubmitting;for youm consideration a reply to my letter
<br />to Supt. H. A. Hunt, of the Public Schools~""inquiring the necessity of erecting portable build-
<br />ings on. the jail lot-," before permission was granted by the City Council.
<br /> "~i~Om his reply, eleariy there was no intent or purpose to disregard the restrictions de-
<br />fining the fir~ district.;or act discourteously towards the Council. It seems that the School
<br />Board and Superintendent~ anticipating an a~o~utely necessary condition that was ~o occur on
<br />February 1st, knowing that a favorable report had already been made to the Council, last sight
<br />of the fact that no permission had been given ~o= the erection of said houses.
<br /> "I am willing to take the explanation given with the personal assurances from those in
<br />charge that the da~ger from fire is very slight.
<br />
<br />,Very truly,
<br /> "F. S. Hope, Mayor~"
<br />
<br /> On motion, the communication together with letter from the Superintendent of Schools to
<br />the Mayor were ordered to file.
<br />
<br /> The~Nayor returned also his approval of the following matters a~lo~tedby the two branches
<br />of City Council February 9-1~th, 1915:
<br />
<br /> To make available to the Board of Harbor Commissiene~$~O. as 1st and End payments due
<br />on assessment of $1,500. for the year ending June 30, 1915.
<br /> To make available $~40. to the Board af Quarantine Commissioners to meet its expenses for
<br />the current year.
<br /> Order of Court relisving and discharging from lien of taxes on real estate of "Jos. P.
<br />Moore" ,estate, for the years 1899, 1900~ !~.01~ 190~, 1903, and 1913.
<br /> To authorize the Treasurer to bO~OW $~0,000. to meet Current Expenses and $10,000.
<br />meet School Expen.ses, for February, i915~~ . ' ~ -
<br /> To pay bills of The Portsmouth Star against the Sixth and Sev?th2Wa~ds to amount of $1~Eo50
<br />and $1~9.00, respectively, for advertising the Delinquent Tax List, out of' first funds available
<br />to said Wards.
<br /> Resolution with re~r~ to the City Collector 'and City Treasurer depositing funds of the
<br />City equally or as near ~uatly as practicable, between the four. banks of the ~ity.
<br /> An appropriation of $E50. to Norfolk Society for the Prevention of Craelt~ to Children,~ to
<br />take care of indigent children from Portsmouth for 1915.
<br /> $1,49B. 15 allowed to F. J. EcGuire for work dons on upper High street, as agreed to by com-
<br />promise between F. J. McGuire and the City of Portsmouth.
<br /> Adopted recommendation of the Finance Committee with regard to takiag up notes held by the
<br />four local banks as o~ December 31st, 1~15,
<br /> To. grant a petitmon of Harry L. Alexander for permission to iay an sight,inch te~ra cotta
<br />sewer pipe along. Wall s~reet, from Ohestnut to Pearl, at his own expense; the work to be done
<br />under the su_nerv~sion o~ the~i%y'~E~E~ne~.
<br /> To gra~ut a petition of the Por~smou;h Coal & Ice Co. to be allowed~ ~o~put a bridge across
<br />Armstrong street, at the corner of High and Armstrong, accompanied by a diagram; provided, that
<br />the bridge be removed when the Oouncil so requires and at the expense of the Company.
<br /> To grant an application of J. P. Buxton to plant a cedar tr~e on the Court House square,
<br />east side of the gate; the tree to be. planted undez the supervismon of the Public .Property Com-
<br />mittee.
<br /> To allow one of the rooms on the first floor of the Armistead Building for an office for
<br />the Commonwealth Attorney.
<br /> Adopted resolution with regard to confirming the appointment of R. Lawrence Trant~ as Deputy
<br />Auditor, while Mr. T. ~ume, the Auditor, is sick.
<br /> Referred to Publi~ Property Committee, with power ~o act, condition of the roof of the An-
<br />nex Engine House.
<br /> To.grant a petition of 'the Portsmouth Police Relief Association for use of the playground
<br />~at the corner of Fourth and Myths streets du~ing the month of May, 19tS, to hold a carnival;
<br />and also to be relieved from the payment of a license tax on same; provided the Park Commissio n
<br />approves of same.
<br />
<br />Third. Repe:ts of Officers and other unfinished business.
<br />
<br /> The regular reports of Officers for the month of February, 19~5, were presented and were
<br />ordered'to take the Usual course.
<br />
<br /> The following opinion was read from the City Attorney as to liability of the City for dam -
<br />ages ~o persons or property on the West Park View Bridge, caused by street cars:
<br />
<br /> "Portsmouth,
<br /> "Hon. Street Committee of the Oity Council,
<br /> "Portsmouth, Va.
<br /> "Gentlemen:--
<br /> At the last meeting of the Board of Aldermen the
<br />to the Street Committee with the City Attorney:
<br /> "Matter of street car service for Park View'and West Park View,
<br />legal liability of the City for damages to persons or property on
<br />~aused by street oars.
<br />
<br />Va.~ March 16, 1915~
<br />
<br /> following was recommitted
<br />
<br /> and also to ascertai~ the
<br />the West Park View Bridge,
<br />
<br />
<br />
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