CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 97, 22 September 1874, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

Monday, September 21. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The town clerk reported the receipts for the week to be as follow :—From rate collector, account general city rates, 1874, £2OO 6s ; Waimakariri do, £33 7s 8d ; fines from Resident Magistrates’ court, £6 ; rent from market place, 7s. Total, £240 Os Bd. Drainage account, dr, £972 9s Bd. Drainage rate account, cr, £lO9l 19s 4d. Overdraft on general account, £291 12s 6d. Wages, &c, to be paid on general account, £164 Os sd. Wages, &c, to be paid on drainage account, £209 10s. The surveyor reported ; “ 1. A plan and specification of the culverts on the North town belt will be laid before you, for which tenders will have to be called for. “2. If traffic on the North town belt could be stopped during the progress of the work, it would tend to facilitate operations, and conduce to the safety of the public. “ 3. Owing to the rainy weather I have not been able to complete Park terrace, as I reported last week I should do, but with two or three fine days it will be completed. “4. It was my intention to have commenced the repairs of Colombo street bridge last Thursday, but on examining the bridge I found that the piles were completely rotten, and as there was no timber ordered for this purpose, I have not touched the bridge. The driving of new piles will necessitate the entire taking down and reconstruction of the bridge. Under these circumstances, perhaps, the Council will see fit to have a bridge of a more permanent natnre to replace the timber one. “ 5, A number of complaints have been sent in with regard to the scaffolding, and the bad state of the footpath in front of Mr Strange’s new buildings in High street. The license that was granted to Mr Goss stipulated, that the public should not be inconvenienced ; and as this stipulation has not been properly attended to, the works committee desired me to report the matter to the Council.” In connection with paragraph No. 1 of the report, three tenders were received for the construction of the culverts, and one was accepted. On paragraph 2 being considered, Cr Jones moved—“ That the road be stopped for traffic from Colombo street to the East town belt.” Cr Calvert seconded the resolution, which was agreed to. No. 3 paragraph was approved. On the motion of Cr Bishop, consideration of paragraph No. 4 was postponed until next week, to allow of the surveyor reporting as to the cost of the proposed new bridge.

With reference to No. 5, Cr Farr moved—- “ That the contractor be ordered to make the pathway 18 inches wider, and to floor the same.” Cr Calvert seconded the motion. Cr Farr, with leave, withdrew his resolution, as he had moved it under a misapprehension. Cr Jones moved—“ That Mr Goss be written to informing him that if he does not comply with the conditions of the Council proceedings will be taken against him.” Cr Calvert seconded the motion, which was agreed to. A letter was read from the Heafchcote Road Board asking the exact locality on th e East town belt where the nuisance exists complained of in the Council’s letter of 16th instant. Referred to the sanitary committee. A letter was read from the Very ‘Rev the Dean of Christchurch, calling attention to the state of the drainage in Chester street west from the deanery to Park terrace, and asking on what terms the Council would lay down stone or concrete channelling to carry off the drainage in the part referred to. Referred to the works committee to report upon. A letter was read from Mr J. E. Anthony again calling attention to the growing nuisance of the Government drain from New street to Salisbury street, and that he purposed sending a statement of the facts to tha Central Board of Health. The town clerk mentioned that he had made enquiries, and learnt that the drain had lately been cleaned out by the corporation men. It was resolved that consideration of the letter stand over until the statement mentioned has been received. A letter was read from Mr D. Cameron, Montreal street, calling attention to the state of the .footpath in front of hia premises. Referred to the works committee to take such action as they may think advisable. A petition was read signed by a number of ratepayers residing in High, Cashel, Colombo, and Hereford streets and Oxford terrace and Whately road, asking that a separate rate might be levied for the purpose of watering the streets during the summer months. Cr Jones moved—“ That the prayer of the petitioners respecting the watering of the streets be granted, and that the council take the necessary steps for levying the separate rate for this purpose, under the provisions of clause 204 of the Municipal Corporations Act 1867.” Cr Gapes seconded the resolution, which was agreed to. A letter was read from Mr E. Long, calling attention to the filthy state of the footpath in Colombo street north, from , Kilmore to Peterborough streets. Referred to the works’ committee. Several councillors drew the attention of the works’ committee to repairs required throughout the city. A letter was read, signed by eighteen carriers, calling the attention of the Council to the state of Manchester street. Referred to the works’ committee to attend to as soon as practicable. The following report was read from the lighting committee : “ The lighting committee beg to report— That, finding Mr Anderson had some of the copper lamps in stock, same as the Council had from him last year, they ordered him to supply the number required. “ The committee recommend the present management for lighting the kerosene lamps to be continued until it is known what addition can be made by the Gas Company to their present number of the existing kerosene lamps.” The report was received and approved. Cr Raphael said he observed that, by clause 142 of the Municipal Corporations Act, he would have to ask permission to postpone the motion standing in his name with reference to the Mayor’s official expences, as that clause compelled the town clerk to give at least seven clear days notice before holding the meeting at which such notice was to be moved. He would also ask for all the papers relating to the discharge of ex-foreman Burgess. His Worship—You will have to give notice of this motion. Cr Bishop moved —“ That the Fire Brigade committee be requested to report as to the expediency of having for fire extinguishing purposes flood gates in some of the open ditches which have a constant flow of water ; and if so to recommend their positions.” Cr Gapes seconded the motion and agreed to. Cr Bishop moved—“ That the RegistrarGeneral’s report of the vital statistics for August last be handed to the sanitary committee to report, if necessary, as to the healthy condition of Christchurch.” Cr Ick seconded the motion which was agreed to after some discussion. It was moved by Cr Jones—“ That the byelaw committee be requested to report on the Cab, Hackney-Carriage, and Borough Stage Coach Bye-Laws, and to suggest such alterations (if any) they may think desirable ; to consult at their deliberations the city solicitor (Dr Foster), and to report this night week. * The motion was seconded by Cr Gapes, and carried. The usual weekly report of the inspector of nuisances was read and approved. The Council then resolved itself into committee. NOTICES OF MOTION. Cr Raphael to move, September 28th—- “ That all papers relating to the discharge of ex-foreman Burgess be laid on the table.” Cr Raphael to move, October 6th—- “ That the resolution, No 28, on the minutes of the Council, 17th September, 1873, with reference to the sum of £3OO being allowed for the Mayor’s official expenses, be rescinded from the expiration of the present Mayoral year."