CITY COUNCIL.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16253, 2 July 1918, Page 6

CITY COUNCIL.

LAST NIGHT'S MEETING. The Christchurch City Council met last night. Present —Tho Mayor (Mr H. Holland) and Crs. A. Williams, J. A. Flesher, A. McKellar, P. R. Climie, J. W» Beanland, F. Burgoyne, A. Wells, H. F. Herbert, D. G. Sullivan, E. Pwk, H. G. Ell, J. R. Hayward, A. S. Taylor, and W. Nicholls. ABATTOIR COMMITTEE. The Abattoir and ltesorvos Committee reported that it had dccided to put down two paddocks at the Abattoirs in oats, the crop to be used for tho Council's horsos. The committee recommended that the Council purchase the now site for tho St. Albans Public Library, as desired by the Library Committee. It was pointed out in the report that there had been no governing committee elected for the now library at Aldington, although it was now ready for occupation. Tile report was adopted, and it was decided, with reference to tho lost clause, to call a meeting at- Addington, with a view to the election of a committee. BY-LAWS COMMITTEE. The By-laws and Finance Committee reported in. regard to a letter received from the Spreydon Borough Council, in which the Council stated that it could not see its way to hand over to the City Council control of boundary roads, except in regard to vehicle traffic, and .withdrew all existing agreements with tho City Council. The committee had replied that as Jerrold street, Strickland street, South Crescent road, end that part of Colombo street which formed the boundary between the Borough of Spreydon and the City of Christchurch, lay entirely within the borough, and as the Borough Council mado no alternative proposal, it was understood that the Borough _ Council undertook to maintain the said roads and streets, and would assume all financial responsibility in connexion therewith. The City had enquired whether the Borough Council desired the City Council to cease sweeping the channels on the city side of the roads. The report went on to deal with the regulations for the use of cabstand telephones, and with tho identification marks on motors. The committee had been advised that where advantage was taken of the provisions of section 20 of the Finance Act, 1918, for the extension of local bodies' loans falling duo during the war, a higher rate of ihterest than that upon which the loan was raised might not be paid. In the caso of the St. Albans £23,000 loan, the rate of interest was 4 per cent., and a considerable amount of dissatisfaction was felt by debenture holders at having tho loan extended at that rate of interest. The committee was, therefore, making enquiries as to the probability of floating a new loan locally, and would report further. The report was adopted. ELECTRICITY COMMITTEE. The Electricity Committee reported that the question of heating water in hot-water cylinders in houses at nighttime had already arisen as a consequence of the heating apparatus designed by the City Electrical Engineer. A special rate was required for current for this -purpose between 10 o'clock p.m. and 7 o'clock a.m. (in private dwellings), and the committee suggested that a rate of l-3rd of a penny pef unit be charged during these hours. The supply for this purpose would be controlled by two meters, one working at the rate of IJd per unit during the day, and the other at l-3rd of a penny per unjt'during the night. The committee recommended the Council to authorise the adpDtion of the l-3rd of a penny rate in tho aforesaid period. The committee had granted the engineer (Mr Stark) leave to visit Auckland, and address the Industrial Association on the subject of hydro-elentrical power. Tho report was adopted. WATER SUPPLY COMMITTEE. The Water Supply Committee reported having purchased tho pipes for the extension of the present pumping system, as outlined in the engineer's schemo No. 2, and recommended that the scheme relating to tho St. Albans sub-station be carried out immedjatply, in" order to ensure an increased supply for the coming summer. The estimated cost was £3260. Cr. Peek spoko at some length against the clause, upholding the claims of a gravity scheme. The report was adopted. "VyORKS COMMITTEE. The Works and Samtaiy Committee recommended the alteration of tlio approach to the Swann'a road bridge. The proposed alteration would greayiy improve^the bridge ut a cost of £50. Mr A. -(5. G. Rhodes had offered a further piece of land for the purpose of widening Rhodes street. The committee recommended the Council to accept tho offer, and accord a heaj-ty vqte of thanks to Mr Rhodes for his generosity. The North Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board had written, stating that $hc plans pf the morgue to be erected in the Hospital grounds had been (to include a waiting room for relatives, and a room in which bodies might be viewed), and approved by the Minister of Public Health. The estimated cost of the building was £2500, the Council paying one-third of that amount.

Cr. Herbert protested very strongly against the expenditure of such a large amount on the proposed morgue. It meant an expenditure for the Council of over £800, far too much for the benefits received. It had first been arranged that the morgue should cost £1400, but now tho price had been greatly advanced. Cr. Ell remarked that it must not be forgotten that by subscribing to the morgue which was to be erected in the Hospital Grounds, tho city would save a very valuable piece of ground, where the old morgue stood, for other purposes. The report was adopted.