The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1904-03-18
a previous session, came up for final
disposition. 1t prevailed without a
dissenting vote


disposition. 1t prevailed without a
dissenting vote
Under the new provisions no tele-
phone or telegraph poles may be plant
ed in any of the streets of the city.
Hereafter all such poles must be erect
ed in the alleys. Exception is made
In favor Of electric light poles. They
may be placed in the streets, wherever
necessary, but under the directions
of the street commissioners and city
council.
Fair Grounds Leased.
After having been held in allegiance
for some time, the matter of entering
into a lease with the Billings Fair
association for the fair grounds, which
recently came into the possession and
ownership of the city, was taken up
once more. Alderman Bennighoff
moved that the city lease the grounds
to the association for period of
five years at an annual rental of 81.
The motion prevailed and the city
clerk and attorney were instructed to
prepare the necessary papers con-
firmatory of the councils action.
Damage Claim Rejected.
City Attorney Matheson submitted
his opinion to the council in the mat
ter Of the claim of Peter Larson for
personal injuries alleged to have been
sustained in consequence of the city's
negligence in the matter of keeping
the streets free of distractions.
Some time ago Mr.. Larson present
ed bill in which he demanded the
sum of $575.35 to compensate him for
injury to his person and mind and
to reimburse him for money paid for
medical aid and medicines. He claim
ed that while riding on the running
gear OF his wagon his foot had be-
come entangled in wire that was
frozen In the ground. He maintained
that it was the city's duty to see that
such things did not occur and because
OF failure of the city's servants to pro-
perly perform their functions he be-
aieved the city should honor his claim.
In the opinion of Mr.. Matheson the
city Is not liable. He holds that it
has not been shown that the obstruc-
tion complained of was in the road
bed Of the street and also cited de-
cisions OF the supreme court adverse
to the Larson claim, inasmuch as the
claimant had not proceeded in a regu-
lar manner to lay a foundation for
any claim that he might have.
The report was adopted.
Miscellaneous.
A retail liquor license was ordered
issued to Gray & Dalton, the bond
they submitted having been approved.
Isaac Sinclair and others asked for
the construction of certain crosswalks
on the south side. The petition was
referred to the street and alley COM
mittee. The committee made a fav-
orable report and the petition was
granted.
Favorable action was had on the
proposal of P. B. Moss, rendered at
a previous session, to convey to the
city lots % and "a, block 81, for use
as a park, conditional upon the city's
assumption of small Indebtedness
contracted by the original holder.
This was balance OF $102 for con-
structing sidewalk in front of the
lots. Mr. Moss showed that he had
paid considerably in excess of this
amount for cement walks in front of
the lots. The ground is so situated
that it will answer in admirable man
,ner the purpose for which it is intend
ed now to be put.
Complaint having been made that
certain closets in the L. & L. building
in Minnesota avenue had become
nuisance and menace to public health,
Alderman Bennighoff moved that the
nuisance so created be abated at once.
Carried.
The different city officers submit
ted their reports for February. They
were referred to the respective COM
mittees.
Five hundred dollars was transfer
red from the general to the street
fund, and the usual number of bills
were allowed.
MILLINERY OPENING.