CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 142, 17 November 1874, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

Monday, November 16, The usual weekly meeting wan held in the Council Chambers. Present—His Worship the Mayor, and Crs Calvert, Hobbs, Ick, Bishop, Jones, Raphael, Farr, and Gapes. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The town clerk reported receipts for the week to be as follows From rate collector, account general city rates, 1874, £56 7s fid ; Waimakariri, do, £9 7s lid ; fines from Resident Magistrates’ Court, £lO 5s ; balance of rent from Post-office, £7 10s; received from inspector, for pans, £1 2s; license, 20s; rent of Market-place, 7s- total £BS 19s sd. Credit at Bank, £6Ol 5s 2d ; drainage account credit, £3974 9s 3d : drainage rate account credit, £llß3 6s 4d ; wages. &c, to be paid on general account, £126 Is Id ; on drainage account, £26 2s 4d. An objection was raised by Cr Raphael as to payment of the weekly laborers employed by the Council in sweeping the streets, and after using some strong language, in which the word “ ignorance ” was repeatedly used, Crs Farr and Ick left the Council chamber. His Worship, after referring to the satisfactory state of the finances, said that he and the town clerk had waited on the Government that day in consequence of a letter received from them, to ascertain whether they intended further subsidising the men employed on extra works, and they had replied not. As a result of that determination notice had been given to the men that afternoon that their services would have to bo dispensed with. Whatever work was now required to be done would have to be performed by day labor, and he was glad to say that the progress of the work was in such a state that whatever work it was felt was required could be carried out by contract. One portion of the woik on the North town belt might remain in abeyance ; but there was another portion—from the river to Judge Gresson’s—which they were bound to complete, as they had received the money for this work from the Avon Road Board. He desired it to be understood that from that evening the immigrants would no longer be employed on this work, and he was sure the Government would give the Council ciedit for having carried out their part of the contract.

The surveyor reported—- “ 1, In consequence of tlie Government refusing any further aid to the Council in the expenditure on new works, the works com mittce have given instructions for all the men employed on the north belt to be paid off to morrow morning. >• 2. The works pommittee have made a further and closer examination of the

Colombo street bridge, and on their being informed what would be the nature of the repairs that could be done for the £2OO, they came to the conclusion that it would be injudicious to spend so large a sum simply to repair a bridge which already shows the signs of requiring numberless repairs, they also find the driving way is but 18 feet._ “3.1 have examined the road written about by Mr Treadwell, and find that his suggestion to deepen the channel of the south belt 18 inches is quite out of the question, as that channel near Antigua street is already 18 inches deep, and by further deepening it would become a ditch 3 feet deep. When the brick drain is carried up as far as Antigua street it will afford Mr Treadwell ample means of drainage.” After some discussion on No 1 paragraph of the report, it was resolved, on the motion of Or Bishop—“ That the surveyor in connection with the works committee, be empowered to carry on the necessary works on the North Town belt to Barbadoes street.”

On paragraph 2 being considered, Cr Bishop moved—“ That the Council allow £3OO to be spent by the works committee, in placing the Colombo street bridge in permanent repair within concrete abutments,” Cr Calvert seconded the motion.

An amendment moved byCr Gapes—“ That this matter stand over for a week,” was carried by the casting vote of the Mayor. No 3 paragraph was approved. Cr Bishop wished to draw the attention of the Council, by desire of some ratepayers, to the bathing place in Hagley Park. The steps and platform there were out of repair, and he had been asked to mention the matter to the Council in order that something might be done to have those conveniences placed in proper repair. This part was no doubt outside the town belt; but if representations were made to the Secretary for Public Works it would doubtless be attended to.

IT is Worship said he would like that in addition to the repairs being done a shed were built there. This bathing ground had proved a great desideratum to the public, and he thought that a shed for the convenience of bathers should be erected there, as the present arrangement was by no means as comfortable as it might be; and he was convinced that it would be some time before the Council was in a position to erect public baths. With reference to Cr Bishop’s suggestion, he would support a motion that a letter bo sent to the Secretary of Public Works, to ask that the steps and platform might be repaired, and if the Government would not do it, well, for the sake of the little outlay and the convenience to the public, he would like the Council to go to that expense themselves. The Mayor also referred to the half-chain road not having been reserved from the Carlton Hotel southward along Park terrace (the portion of the reserve fronting Antigua street), known perhaps only took! identities, and as laid down on the original map of the city. He also referred to the rotten state of the shearlegs of the bell tower at the Market place Fire Brigade station, and a “ disgraceful ” piece of footpath from the Glasgow Arms, in High-street, to Lee’s shop. After a resolution had been passed instructing the town clerk to write the Government asking that the bathing steps and platform might be placed in repair, Cr Bishop, as chairman of the works’ committee, explained what action had been taken by the committee with reference to the matter referred to by the Mayor. It was subsequently resolved that the footpath in High street be put into repairs. Cr Raphael asked how it was that the side channels in Cashel street were not kept prope ly swept? Cr Bishop, in 'reply, mentioned the division of labor, so far as the Council’s laborers are concerned, and said he would like complaints of the kind to be somewhat more specific than that made by Cr Raphael. Two tenders for 2000 barrels of cement were opened, and one accepted. A letter was read from the chairman of the East Christchurch school committee, drawing attention to the want of a bridge over the Avon, in continuation of the East town belt, or near that locality, as when the large school in Gloucester street is finished a great number of the children who live north of the river will have to cross at Stanmore cr Madras street bridge. A number of persons had spoken to him on this subject, and he had promised to bring the matter before the Council, lie asked that the city surveyor might be permitted to report on this question, and had no doubt that if the bridge was built near Ward’s brewery that owners of land on the other side of the river'would be only too glad to permit the extension of the limits of the town belt, so that there would be no difficulty on the score of the land not being within the jurisdiction of the Council. In the meantime he would ask that preliminary steps might be taken, with the view of ascertaining the best site for a bridge. Cr Hobbs moved that a reply be sent that the Council are utterly unable to find funds for the erection of a bridge at the East town belt, and have no hopes of being able to do so from the rates at present, nor unless the Provincial Council vote a liberal grant to the city at their next sitting. Cr Jones seconded the motion, which was agreed to. It was resolved that the grass be mowed in Cranmer and Latimer squares. A letter was read from Mr G. M. Ross relative to the kerbing and channelling a portion of Montreal street west, the residents in that neighbourhood having agreed to this work being done on the usual terms. Resolved that the work be carried out cn the usual terms.

A letter was read Captain Charlesworth asking that the vegetable growth on the sides of the main and stormwater drains might be cleared away.

Referred to the surveyor. An application was read from Mr J. L. Wilson, on behalf of William Peaks, asking that permission might be granted for the latter to ‘Tun” a coffee-barrow in the streets of Christchurch ; also adding a testimonial of Mr Peak’s character from his personal knowledge. Permission granted on the condition that there be no obstruction of the thoroughfare, and provision taken that no danger result from fire.

A petition was read from the residents in Horatio and Harry streets, asking that the same might be formed and metalled. Referred to the works committee and surveyor to report upon. A carrier’s license was granted to John Murphy, Stanmore road. Or Gapes asked leave to postpone the motion standing in his name, which was granted. The Council then adjourned.