CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 14, 16 June 1874, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

Monday, June 15. The usual weekly meeting was held in the Council Chambers. Present : His Worship the Mayor, and Crs Bishop, Hobbs, Ick, Calvert, Gapes, Jones, and Farr. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.

The town clerk reported receipts for the week to be as follow From rate collectoraccount general city rates, £36 14s ; Waimakariri, £6 2s 4d. From Canterbury Club for culvert, £6 15s ; fines from R.M. Court, £1 10s ; for broken metal from Mr Smart, £1 4s; licenses, 3s ; rent of market place, 7s. Total amount received, £55 12s 4d. Drainage account, Dr,, £544 Is lOd. Drainage rate account, Cr., £2OB 12s. Wages and sundry accounts, £7l 15s 8d ; wages, &c., account of drainage, £45 18s. The city surveyor reported : « 1. That, as the timber ordered for repairing Colombo street bridge will probably not be forthcoming for some time to come, the works committee recommend (as a temporary measure for safety) that the bridge be replanked where necessary. “2. The proposed cost of fencing and planting near Manchester street bridge will be about £3O. “ 3. The works committee will be glad to know the decision of the Council as to the new plan suggested by the chairman —of kerbing and channelling.” With reference to Ho 1 paragraph of the report, it was resolved that the work be carried out in accordance with the recommendation therein contained. It was resolved that the consideration of No 2 paragraph be deferred. On No 3 paragraph being considered, Cr Bishop, as chairman of the works committee, stated that the channelling proposed would be called cement channelling, as distinguished from concrete channelling—to be composed of broken metal and cement. It would be very desirable, cheap, easily repaired, quickly executed, and cannot easily be destroyed, and could be proceeded with during the winter months ; and where kerbing of any other material was required such might be added. If the Council approved of the work, the committee would desire that it first be laid down as an experiment in Durham street north, on the western side, commencing near Mr Harris’, which place required channelling very much, Cr Farr moved —“ That the channels on the western side of Durham street north to Kilmore street, and Montreal street north to Whately road, be channelled with cement as tried in the works yard, and that where kerbing is necessary, it should be of tarred timber.” Cr Calvert had great pleasure in seconding the resolution. After some discussion, his Worship said he did not wish to throw cold water on this work, but he thought that if the resolution were carried, a very bad precedent would be established, as letters would be pouring in asking that the channelling might be done in front of those persons premises. To lay this channelling down as an experiment in Durham street was, he considered, the worst place in Christchurch in which such an experiment should be made, though this remark would not apply to Montreal street.

Cr Jones moved, as an amendment, “ that the question of channelling Durham street north be deferred until after that street is reformed.” Cr Hobbs seconded the amendment.

Cr Bishop trusted that the Council would agree to have this work carried out ; and with regard to applications coming in, he would be glad to see them, as they would show the Council where this work was really required. He should like to see every street in Christchurch channelled. [Hear, hear.J The amendment was put and lost, and the resolution carried. Several Councillors drew the attention of the works committee to repairs required in different portions of the city. A letter was read from the Provincial Secretary’s Office, in reply to a letter from the Council, bringing under tbe notice of the Government the necessity of providing more closet accommodation at the old police depot, now occupied by immigrants, and also as to the defective drainage there, and stating immediate attention would be given to this matter. In connection with this letter, the sanitary committee reported that they had visited the premises in the occupation of Government immigrants in Armagh street, and recommended the improvements above town clerk desired to mention that an officer had communicated to the city surveyor that day that these improvements would be carried out at once. _ . A letter was read from the Provincial Engineer, applying for permission to lay an psphalte crossing 6£t in width across Armagh

street, between the Public Works Office and (he Government Pmildings. The request was granted, the town clerk to mention in reply that this street was not permanently formed. A letter' was read from the Commissioner of Police acknowledging receipt of a list of license carriers in the city, and stating l that it had been planed in ihe hands of the insnoctor of police with instructions to prosecute all persons offending. A second letter was read from the Commissioner of Police acknowledging receipt of copy of resolution passed by the Council respecting the practice of throwing flour, soot, and lime at elections, and stating that ho had given instructions to the inspector of police to pay particular attention to this matter, with the view of bringing all persons so offending to justice. This letter was deemed to be highly satisfactory. A letter was read from the agent of the New Zealand Insurance Company stating that the directors of that company had authorised him to take up £SOOO worth of the Council’s debentures.

A letter was road from Mr W. H. Hargreaves, bringing under the notice of the Council the very bad state of Cathedral square in front of his offices ; also, drawing attention to the state of the footpath there. Referred to the works committee.

Letters were read from Mr Thomas Pyett, Armagh street, asking permission to erect a lamp over his verandah, in accordance with the requirements of the Licensing Act ; also, asking that the asphalte in front of his premises may bo floated, as it is beginning to break up. Permission to erect a lamp was granted, under the supervision of the surveyor ; the asphalting to be attended to as soon as con venient.

A letter was read from Mr Appleby drawing attention to the state of the footpath on the south side of St Asaph street, between Montreal and Antigua streets, and to the necessity of deepening the culvert under Antigua street. Referred to the works committee to take action if found recessary.

An application was read from Mr H. B. Huddleston, C.E., offering his services as city surveyor to the Council for £3OO per annum.

It was resolved that the application stand over for consideration.

A letter was read from Mr James Grey, Chester street, respectfully calling attention to the necessity of the footpath on the north side of that street, and the corner of a right of way, the name which he didn’t know, being levelled and shingled. Referred to the works committee. Mr H, Crooks, president of the W.0.F., A.0.F., wrote, asking how many seats the Council would desire to be reserved on Thursday evening next at the performance to be given in aid of the Widows’ and Orphans’ Fund, Resolved that the town clerk forward reply when number has been ascertained.

Cr Calvert reported, as chairman of the sanitary committee, that they had visited Mr Oram’s place in consequence of the letter from him received by the Council, and they could not advise that the expense of cleaning the urinals be defrayed by the Council, as it would establish a bad precedent; but they recommend that a public urinal be erected in front of Messrs Twentyman and Co’s place, if the ground there is obtainable. His Worship said the question of public urinals would soon have to be determined, and such places might be made ornamental, as was the case in Paris. Cr Hobbs desired, with permission, to remark with reference to the subject of forming and channelling footpaths, which had come under notice that evening, that those members of the Provincial Council who have not yet decided how to vote on the question of granting the license fees collected in the city to the City Council, should pay a visit to Kilraore-street, near St. Luke’s, the north Town Belt, to Park Terrace, and to all the outskirts of the city, and they would then have ocular demonstration of the urgent necessity for the City Council, having more funds at their disposal to form, metal, and keep the streets in repair. The report of the Inspector of Nuisances was read and approved. Mr J. Griffiths, Market place, applied for a kerosene license. The inspector reported favourably, and the license was granted. A driver’s license was granted to John Hay, Christchurch. NOTICE OF MOTION. Cr Hobbs gave notice of the following motion for Monday next: — “ That the town clerk be instructed to advertise for tenders for the banking account of the City Council.” The Council then resolved itself into committee.