CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 2, 2 June 1874, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

Monday, June 1

The usual weekly meeting was held in the Council Chambers. Present—His Worship the Mayor, and Crs Bishop, Calvert, Ick, Jones, Gapes, Lane, and Hobbs.

Before the business of the Council commenced, Cr Bishop said he was sure he was only expressing the feeling of the Council when he stated the pleasure he felt at seeing the Mayor in the chair again, and they all regretted the cause which had compelled his Worship’s absence. [Hear, hear.] The Mayor thanked Cr Bishop and the other members of the Council for their kind expression.

The Mayor, referring to the rates outstanding, said it was useless for the Council to pass minute after minute on their books instructing the rate collector to summon those parties who had not paid their rates, if these instructions were not carried out. lie believed that it would be a benefit to the Council to pay a percentage for the collection of the rates. Unless an alteration were made in the manner the rates were being collected, some decided action would have to be taken. Or Lane thought the collector ought to be called in, and told that if the people who still owed their rates were not immediately summoned, some person would have to be found who would carry out the instructions given by the Council. He would move “ That the collector be informed that unless all parties who have not paid their rates for 1873 are not summoned before next' Monday steps will be taken to appoint another collector.”

Cr Ick seconded the motion, which was carried.

The Town Clerk reported receipts for the week to be as follows :—Fromrate collector’s account —General city rate, 1873, £25 16s ; Waimakariri, £1 6s; fines from Resident Magistrate’s Court, £3 15s ; from Dr Coward for labor at drain, £2 12s Gd ; kerosene license, £1 ; rent of Market place, 7s ; total receipts, £4O 10s 6d. Wages and sundry accounts, £207 16s ; debentures, £4OO ; drainage account, Cr, £2O 5s 5d ; drainage rate account, Cr, £l9O 4s 4d ; wages, &c, to be paid account drainage, £307. The City Surveyor reported;—“l. Re complaint of Mr Bowie, Antigua street — With reference to complaint from Mr Bowie, in a letter to the Council last week, I have inspected the locality, and find that a natural spring rises on Mr J. Hen wood’s property, which Hows at the north end of Mr Bowie’s section, causing damage, and as lam informed to his and adjoining properties. The overflow of water seems to be the ground of complaint, and this could easily be remedied by deviating the present watercourse, and carrying it to the side drain of the South town belt. Mr Henwood would, I believe, upon certain conditions, be willing to allow the side drain along his private road to be continued to the Antigua street drain. I have informed the parties complaining as to the above.

2. Mr Strouta’ application for culvert from new club to river.—“ The works committee recommend that a culvert from the S.W corner of Durham and Worcester streets be placed by the Council upon the club paying half the cost.”

With reference to No 1 paragraph, an opinion was expressed that this was not a matter in which the Council could interfere.

On No 2 paragraph being considered, it was resolved that the work be carried out on the club paying half the expense. The report of the surveyor on Mr A. Laiug’s letter to the Council the previous week, whose house had sustained damage by being caught in the woodwork of a drain inTuara street, stated that having inspected the place, he believed that such an accident might have occurred. A sum of £3 was awarded to Mr Laing for the damage sustained, without prejudice. Several councillors drew the attention of the works committee to repairs required in various portions of the city.

A letter was read from the Provincial Secretary’s office, with reference to the building occupied by the inspector of weights and measures, and stating that the Commissioner of Police had been instructed to remove the inspector of weights and measures from Dial) building, so as to allow the City Council to lake possession.

Desired to be acknowledged with thanks,

A letter was read from ttie Meathcotc Hoad Board calling the attention of the Council to a complaint made by Mr W. Jamieson of the slate of the drainage of his property fronting the East town belt opposite Lichfield street, which nuisance had arisen since the formation of the new city drain, as the natural outlet for the water had by that means been completely closed. Deferred to the works committee.

A letter was read from Mr W. J. Fisher asking leave to sink a grating in front of his shop in High street for the purpose of ventilation and light to His cellars. Deferred to the works committee. The following letter was read from the Chief Postmaster :

“ I am directed by the Postmaster General to acquaint you for the information of the City Council, that the advisability of carrying out the proposal of permitting newspapers to be posted at certain receiving houses, has been entrusted to the Inspector of Post Offices, who will visit Christchurch in the course of a few weeks.” Considered very satisfactory.

A letter was read from the president of the A.0.F., soliciting the patronage of the City Council at the performance to be given at the Theatre Doyal on Thursday, June 18th, in aid of the widows’ and orphaus’sfund. It was resolved that the patronage of the Council be accorded as solicited, Councillor Ick adding that, as this performance was for a charitable object, he hoped to sec more than the Mayor and one or two of the Councillors present, as had been so often the case when the patronage of the Council was promised. A letter was read from the Nelson City Council, asking for a copy of the Hackney Carriage Bye-law. Desolvcd that the town clerk forward a copy as requested. A letter was read from Mr S. Paget, complaining of the nightsoil not having been removed from his yard for the last three weeks.

Attached to the letter was a report from the inspector of nuisances, stating that Mr Paget was a weekly tenant, aud that the contractor had informed him that lie could not got payment for emptying the pans during the time Mr Paget had occupied the house, either from him or the landlord. He (the inspector) had instructed the contractor to attend to the matter in the meantime.

It was resolved that the inspector be empowered to take out a summons against this person to enforce payment. The rate lists for 1874 were signed and the seal of the City Council attached thereto. The report of the inspector of nuisances was read.

It was resolved that the inspector bo instructed to immediately summon Messrs Dalgcty, Nichols, and Co, for having failed to remove the gorsc fence in front of their premises. Cr Lane desired to mention in connection with the inspector’s report that he had observed several pools of water in front of the Music ball, and children could hardly fail to get their feet wet when going into that building. If it was the business of the proprietor of that hall to have these holes filled, the inspector should give him the required notice.

The chairman of the works committee undertook to see to this matter.

The report was then approved. A kerosene license was granted to Thomas Precce, Whatcly road. Carriers licenses were granted to James Badden, W. H. Howard and S. Uowdale, and a hawker’s license to W. J. Brookcr.

The Hackney Carriage Bye-Law was brought up and received, after which the Council resolved itself into committee.

On the Council resuming, the town clerk read the bye-law as agreed upon in committee, when Or Jones moved —“ That Dr Foster be requested to draft a Bill asking the General Assembly to legalize the Hackney Carriage Bye-law as passed by the Municipal Council of the City of Christchurch on the 29th December, 1873.” Cr Hobbs seconded the motion, which was carried by four to two, Crs Jones, Hobbs, Calvert, and Gapes voting for, and Crs Lane and Bishop against it. The Council then adjourned.