CITY COUNCIL.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18233, 18 November 1924, Page 13

CITY COUNCIL.

(ft ■! LAST NIGHT'S MEETING.

The Christchurch City Council met last night. Present: The Mayor (Mr J. A. Flesher) and Crs. A. McKellar, A. "Williams, J. "W. Bcanland, E, H. Andrews, C. P. Agar, O. TV. B. Anderson, J. Anderson, A. "W. Bean-en, W. E. Leadlcy, W. 11. "Winsor, J. K. Archer, C. Carr, E. McComb3, F. E. Cooke, and H. T. Armstrong, M.P. Finance. The financial statement showed: General rate levied £124,007, collected £15,669, outstanding £108,338. The District Fund Account was £133,83S in debit (overdraft £28,663, temporary loans £105,175). Hagley Park Streets. The Public Works Department advised that Mr "Wyvcrn "Wilson, S.M., Christchurch, jha.s b.een appointed a Commissioner to enquire into the question of the control and cost of maintenance of streets in the vicinity of Hagley Parle, and requesting that the Council be represented at tho enquiry to supply evidence in support of the case. Further notice would he given of the time and place at which the enquiry would be held. The Council decided to be represented at the hearing. Bridge of Bemembrance. Tho chairman of the Bridge of Remembrance Committee, on behalf of contributors, asked the City to' accept the bridge as a memento of the greatest of great wars. The Council accepted tho bridge and decided to express its gratitude to those instrumental in securing' such a fino structure for the City. Proposed New Strfiet. A letter was received from Mr "W. H. Smith, requesting the Council to receive a deputation of residents- regarding the forming of a new street giving access from Southampton street to Tennyson street. Cr. W. H. "Winsor said the deputation should see the "Works Committee first. It was agreed to notify tho deputation accordingly. Municipal Concerts.

Tho Entertainments Committee reported that the following bands had been engaged to give Municipal band concerts in the several rotundas during tho coming season:—Christchurch Municipal Band 14, Woolston Band 13, Derry's Private Band 12, Canterbury Caledonian Pipe Band 7: total 46. The total cost would amount to £230, provision for which was made on the current year>s estimates. Tho first concert was given on November 13th. Tepid Baths. The Baths Committee reported that the takings at the Tepid Baths for October amounted to £216 5s 7d, being an increase of £ll 6s 7d on the takings for .the same period last year. The total receipts as from April Ist to October 31st in each of the following years were:—l 922, £973 10s lid; 1923, £932 16s lOd; 1924, £967 Is 7d. Springfield Koad. The By-laws and Finance Committee reported that a petition had been received from Mr J, G. Collins and other residents of that portion of Springfield r<jad adjacent to Eversleigh street requesting that the width of the road at that point be reduced by 16ift, and that the strip of land by which the road was reduced be conceded to property owners having frontages thereon. Tho committee Lad inspected the locality in conjunction with several of the petitioners. As the City Solicitor had advised that the Council had no power to concede land once dedicated and to reduce tho width of a street to less than 66ft, the Committee recommended that the petitioners endeavour to arrange for a corresponding strip of land on the opposite side of the street, to be dedicated to the Council. They could then be allowed to occupy tho land referred to in the petition provided tho whole of the expense incurred in connexion with the purchase of the land, reforming tho street and rounding the comers, was borne by them. The report was adopted. City Engineer,

The Special Committee set up to consider the question of the appointment of tho City Engineer and Surveyor reported that it had decided to invite applications for tho position at a. salary of from £BOO to £I2OO per annum, according to qualifications of the person to bo appointed. The position was being advertised jn Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide as*well as in tho chief cities in the Dominion. Applications -would bo received until Wednesday, December 10th next, Railway Station Control. Representatives of tho Christchurch Carriers and Customshouse Agents' Association, and tho carriers and taxi drivers at tho Railway Station, waited on the City Council regarding the new arrangements of stands at tho Railway Station.

It was stated-that the .new arrangements for control of carriers' vans and taxis were not working satisfactorily, Tho carriers asked to have their old stand back. It was impossible, under the now jarrangemonts, to regulate the traffic efficiently at tho station. Tho people did not now know where to look for carriers or taxis. A counter-deputation of taxi men affirmed that the new arrangements were working perfectly satisfactorily. Cr. J. W. Beanland said tho By-laws Committee were awaiting a report from the Traffic Inspector regarding ths working of the new arrangements. Traffic control had certainly improved, but some hardship may have been inflicted on the horse carriers by changing their stand. The matter was referred to the Bylaws Committee for consideration aud report. . Procedure, Cr. Carr moved: "That no resolution affecting the policy of the Council, carried at any meetings of the Council, shall bo reconsidered within six calendar months of the date when fcho motion was passed, except that a new Council shall be free to determine its own policy." The Mayor ruled that the motion was out of "order in its present form, as it would involve an alteration in the Standing Orders.