CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 115, 13 October 1874, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

Monday, October 12. The Council held its usual weekly meeting last evening. • The town clerk reported receiving the sum of £149 17s 9d during the week. The drainage account was stated to be in credit £4401 lls 10d, and the drainage rate account, £834 5s 9d. Bills to the amount of £266 180 were passed for payment.

Some discussion ensued on the account for the horse feed for the current quarter, Crslck and Jones pointing out that £9 less had been charged this quarter than the preceding.

Cr Jones moved —“ That the finance committee to this Council show the reasons for the supply of provender for the Council horses during the past quarter of the year being less in amount than the previous quarter of the year, and also to make a general report on the system adopted relating thereto.”

Cr Ick seconded the motion. Some discussion took place, ultimately

Cr Farr moved as an amendment—“ That all papers and information relating to the accounts for horse feed for the past two quarters be laid before a special meeting of the whole Council, to be convened by the town clerk so soon as such papers can be procured, and that the works committee in the meantime do make every inquiry connected therewith.” Cr Gapes seconded the motion.

Or Jones withdrew his motion in favor of the amendment proposed by Cr Farr. On the motion of Cr Ick, it was resolved that the special meeting be held on Monday evening next, at six p.m. The Mayor said that now the Council had funds at its command he hoped they would take up the matter of drainage, and arrange to have a main drain connecting with the outfall drain, and running up Tuam street, so that the whole of the streets could be drained into it by means of side channels, a work which he hoped to see carried out as early as possible. The city surveyor had promised to lay before the Council a plan, with levels and estimates, so that they would then be in a position to discuss the question. He might say that they had only just received funds, and they had been accused very unjustly by the newspapers when really they had not the means to do anything with. Now, however, they had about £IO,OCO, it was time for the Council to consider the matter of drainage at once, and he hoped that the Council would co-operate with the works committee. [Hear, hear.] City surveyor’s report was read as follows :

“ There are at present seventy men employed on the north belt, but the work is progressing very slowly, as the wet weather retards our progress. One of the culverts is being built, and it will be finished this week. “The 500 yards of shingle contracted to be delivered to the city will be all used this week, and as many of the streets are still in need of repair, the works’ committee advise that another 500 yards should be contracted for.

“|I shall be prepared to lay before you next Monday a plan for the drainage of the south-east quarter of the city. “ The labor gang have been employed the past week in cleaning channels and repairing roads and footpaths, &c. “I have to mention that a small portion of the land drain which is covered in with timber alongside the main sewer has subsided, and shall be glad of instructions what to do in the matter.”

With regard to. the shingle, the works committee were instructed to take steps to procure 500 yards additional, for metalling the streets.

The remainder of the report was approved.

CORRESPONDENCE.

The following correspondence was read : From the Secretary for Public Works, intimating to the Council that the Superintendent had been advised that his approval could not be given to the levying of a special rate for watering, unless the Council first proceeded as directed by Section 144 of tha Act, and submitted the special order under which the rate was authorized to be levied for his Honor’s approval. The Council were also required to produce sufficient evidence that the necessary proceedings had been regularly taken. Cr Raphael moved “ That a special meeting of the Council be called by the town clerk for Friday next, at ten o’clock, to take into consideration the question of striking a special rate for watering purposes.” Cr Gapes seconded the motion, which was agreed to. From Messrs Garrick and Cowlishaw, as solicitors for the Heathcote Road Board, stating that they were instructed to commence proceedings against the City Council for the removal of obstructions placed on a road in the Heathcote district—viz, a brick sewer, which obstructed the drainage of the district.

The letter was ordered to stand over until Monday next, the Mayor to consult the city solicitor on the subject. From the Rev B. A. Lingard, calling attention to the fact that the natural water course of Free’s creek had been diverted at the North town belt, depriving the premises of St Luke’s of the use of the water.

Cr Bishop said it was quite true that the water had been diverted, and the inhabitants had every reason to congratulate themselves upon it. Formerly the creek received a quantity of poisonous water, which he conceived was of very great hurt to the inhabitants of the district. Now the creek simply contained the spring water and the overflow and was clear, which had not been the case for months.

His Worship pointed out that the Rev Mr Lingard had no locus standi, and that he doubted whether the letter could be received. If the letter had been sent from the vestry, the churchwardens, or anyone representing the property or who was a ratepayer, the Council could take notice of it.

Cr Farr was surprised to see a letter like this from Mr Lingard, as he had sent a requisition to the Council asking them to fill up the creek. On the motion of Cr Jones, the further consideration of the letter was deferred until Monday next. From Mr Lancelot Walker, requesting the Council to undertake the forming, kerbing, and channelling of the piece of footpath extending about forty-five feet between the Bank of New Zealand and Deßourbel’s buildings, so as to allow of the water which now lodged in front of his house running off into the Colombo street drain.

The consideration of this letter was, on the motion of Cr Gapes, postponed until next Monday, From Messrs G. Findly and Wheeler, of the North town belt, pointing out that a culvert, about 16 feet long, laid from a spring, would save a chain and a half of culverting.

Referred to the works committee and surveyor to report next week. From Messrs Suckling Brothers, calling the attention of the Council to the obnoxious state of the side drains in St Asaph street, from the Prince of Wales Hotel upwards.

This letter was referred to the works committee.

An application from Mrs Brook was received for remission of rates, and referred to the collector to report upon. From several residents in Avon street, Oxford terrace, asking that the street might be made, charging the cost of same in proportion to extent of frontage held by occupiers. The matter was referred to the surveyor to report upon.

A memorial from the inhabitants of George street was read, calling attention to the bad state of the side channels in the street, which had been the cause of much illness in the neighborhood. The works committee were instructed to see the work done.

The report of the finance committee was brought up and , read. They reported that having considered the matter referred to them by the Council at its last meeting, and having found thet the Council had purchased a certain amount of Government debentures in the beginning of this year, did not consider it necessary to advise any further sum > to be appropriated for that purpose for the present. The Council now being in funds on the drainage account, the committee urge immediate attention to the side-channelling of the streets.

Gr Jones moved that the report be received, and adopted. The motion was agreed to. The rate collector reported that, in consequence of having been otherwise engaged, the amount collected during the week was somewhat below the average. The report was received and approved. Cr Raphael asked whether any letter had been received from the market promoters relative to their intention. The Mayor replied in the negative.

The report of the inspector of nuisances was read and approved. Cr Raphael asked whether the chief officer of the city had received an invitation to be present at the dinner given by the Philosophical Institute to the observers of the Transit of Venus. He had seen a great number of toasts in the paper, but did not gee anything referring to the City Council. These gentlemen were present at his Worship’s dinner, and seemed thoroughly to enjoy themselves, but he considered the citizens had not been treated properly, by his Worship’s not being invited. His Worship said he had received no invitation.

Cr Bishop proposed “That the Lyttelton Timex be requested to procure six blocks for headings to the advertisements of the City Council The design to be similar to the city seal on a reduced scale, say half an inch in diameter ” . 4

Cr Farr seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Cr Bishop moved—“ That the works committee be empowered to initiate a system whereby the work of sweeping of all the

channels will be performed with regularity.” Cr Farr seconded the motion, which was agreed to.

Cr lek moved —“ That the time has arrived for extending the building block, and that the fire brigade committee be requested to report to this Council how far the same shall be extended ; the report to be brought up in a fortnight.” Cr Calvert seconded the resolution, which was agreed to.

Cr Ick moved—“ That in view of the necessity of providing suitable earth closets

for the city of Christchurch by July, 1875, as provided by the Public Health Act, the sanitary committee be requested to take the necessary steps for obtaining information as to providing the same, and to report to the Council on the subject at the earliest possible period.” Cr Farr seconded the motion, which was agreed moved _«That Salisbury and Peterborough streets be formed at the same time as the North town belt.” Cr Jones seconded the motion, which was agreed to. The Council then adjourned.