CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 154, 1 December 1874, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

Monday, November 30. The usual weekly meeting was held in the Council Chamber. Present—His Worship the Mayor, and Crs Hobbs, Ick, Bishop, Jones, Gaprs, Farr, Calvert, and Raphael. 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, on account general city rates, 187-1, £142 Is; VVaimakariri do, £23 13s 6;1 ; fines from Resident Magistrate's Court, £6 ; rent from Market Place, 7s ; tolal, £172 Is M. Credit at Bank on general account, £703 8s 4d ; on drainage account, £3922 Is lid ; on drainage rate account, £l3lO Is 9d ; wages, &c, to be paid on general account. £lB7 17fi 9d ; on drainage account, £2lO 0s 6d. The Mayor said that this was a world of change. There had been some rather strange changes lately, and more changes were likely to take place during the next twelvemonths,

He had been raHier pleased to observe lately a change in the tone of the papers with regard to the Council, and one of them had actually found out that it was wrong to drain into the river; that the Avon was a sluggish river, and the sewage likely to accumulate in its bed. This was the very argument that he and others who had worked with him in sanitary matters had used for some time past. Their opponents (ami among thorn the only civil and marine engineer in Christchurch, according to himself) had contended that the whole of the sewage should be taken into the river. However, in the interests of the ratepayers, and without regard to the strong opposition that had been raised, the Council had not polluted the river, but had taken the sewage to ihe estuary by means which would drain all Christchurch; and with a knowledge of this fact, he was surprised that the paper alluded to had not given the Council (who had achieved this result against all opposition) the credit that, according to its own showing, was due to them. He had also been glad to see that article for another reason, as it showed which way the wind blew. The necessity for a commission on drainage had been advanced. The town clerk had already a pile of papers on the subject, which had cost some money, aud there was not the slightest necessity to put the ratepayers to an expense for the purpose, as their present drain would answer all the requirements for a century to come. It was the unanimous testimony of all the engineers who had visited Christchurch that the outfall drain would be sufficient for all the purposes required for the drainage of the city for a long time, provided that the other works of drainage were carried out in unison with that drain. Cr Jones wished to point out that at present a much greater portion of the city was drained into the Avon than into the estuary. He should like the correction to go forth with his Worship's remarks. The Mayor explained that such was at present the case, but what he meant to convey was that this would not be the case when the system of drainage was completed in the same manner as, and in conjunction with, the outfall drain. The surveyor reported:— " 1. The concrete channelling is commenced in Cashel street west and Montreal street north. '•2. By direction of the works committee [ advertised again for planks for the channelling, naming a shorter length than before, in order if possible to obtain the required quantity more quickly, the tenders for which will be laid before you to-night. "3. The works committee recommend the tender of Parr and Brightmore for the brick sewer to be accepted. " 4. The committee also recommend the remainder of Chester street, at the side of the Supreme Court, to be formed, and the whole o f the newly-formed part to be shiDgled at once." Nos 1 and 2 paragraphs of the report were approved, and Nos 3 aud 4 adopted. Three tenders for timber were opened, and one accepted. A letter was read from the Commissioner of Police stating that instructions had been issued to the inspector to take steps to abate the nuisance of the fish hawker in High street complained of. A second letter was also read from the Commissioner of Police suggesting the desirability of the Council prominently placing before the public the fact that all the footpaths within the town belts are under their control, and all persons trespassing thereupon with horses or vehicles are liable to be prosecuted. It was decided to erect notice boards to this effect on Park terrace and the North town belt, and to inform the Commissioner of the boundaries that were under the control of the Council. A letter was read from the Chief Postmaster requesting the Council to erect additional private boxes and windows for the delivery of letters, and in consideration of the pressing necessity for these additions the post office department would not object to bear a portion of the cost. The town clerk was instructed to reply that th* Council considered the additions asked for to be merely fittings, and cannot comply with the request. A letter was read from the secretary to the New Zealand lnsnrauce Company acknowledging receipt of debentures, with coupons, stating that they had been forwarded to London, and asking that arrangements might be made for the payment of the interest there. Referred to the finance committee to make the necessary arrangements. A letter was read from Mr W. B. Bray, calling attention to the want of some appointed spot where fish may be sold in the city, and suggesting the space at the tank opposite Matheson's Agency for that purpose. The town clerk was instructed to write that the Council regrets it cannot fix any place at present for the sale of fish. A letter was read from Mr J. Pearson, stating that he had been informed by the city surveyor that an iron shed, lately built by him at the back of his premises in Colombo street, was contrary to the bye-law of the Building Act; that he had erected the shed in ignorance of that fact, and to have to reerect it in brick would put him to a very great deal of expensa and inconvenience. Mr John Caygill wrote, asking permission to make an addition to his workshop in High street, the walls and roof to be of iron. An application was read from Messrs A. and D. Luske, to erect a small addition to the back of premises in Colombo street of wood and covered with galvanised iron. This and the two previous letters were, on a division, referred to the surveyor to carry out the bye-law. Crs Raphael, Jones, and Farr, voting against the motion. A document was read signed by 164 ratepayers, protesting against the action taken by the City Council, in filling up the approach to the horse watering place at Victoria bridge, and requesting that two watering places might be made, one near Victoria bridge and another near Cashel street. Cr Gapes moved —" That the works committee aud surveyor select two sites as watering places, aud to report next Monday night." Cr Jones seconded the motion, which was agreed to. A petition was read signed by thirty-three residents at Avonside, complaining of the nnisance caused to that district by the cartage to and deposit of night-soil at the sandhills from the city ; drawing attention to the reserve on which the soil is deposited being composed of sand, the soil thus deodorising slowly, if at all, the stench and impurities arising therefrom being carried over the district by every

easterly wind, and complaining of the nuisance caused ;by the caits alone pas°ing to and from the reserve. The petition was received, and in conjunction therewith, the following report from the sanitary committee was read : "In compliance with the request of the Council, the sanitary committee inspected on Friday last, the night soil reserve at the sandhills, and report that they found the same to be in a highly satisfactory condition; " The contractor is carrying out his contract in accordance with the specification, bnl we think an improvement might be made of great importance to the residents on the route between the city and the reserve—viz, by causing, during the spring aud summer months, all vehicles used by the contractor in conveying the night soil from the city to the reserve to be debarred from the use of public roads after 5 a.m., say from the Ist September to Ist May, the other months as at present—6 a.m. " The committee are surprised to find that the farmers and market gardeners neglect to use the large valuable deposits, perfectly deodorised for their use, and urge the Council to call the attention of the public to this fact. " The committee do not see any necessity to plant trees around the present enclosure. " Wm. Calvert, Chairman." Crs Calvert and Ick said they had visited the place, and had found nothing to complain of. In this they had been agreeably surprised. They would like their recommendation adopted with reference to tbe roads not being used by the carts after five o'clock. Cr Farr said this was the real objection, as he knew that the carts met at Ward's brewery as late as six o'clock in the morning, and at times stayed there for some time to the annoyance of those residing in that neighborhood, and the members of clubs visitiug the boat sheds. He was an early riser and always opened his doors and windows when he got up, and though living in the eastern portion of the city he had never suffered any annoyance from the east wind blowing over the sand hills. Crs Gapes and Ick would have liked that the sanitary committee had been accompanied in their visit by an expert, and have optained his opinion. Cr Ick stated that it was well known that diphtheria existed in Christchurch to a greater extent than in any other city in New Zealand, and an opinion prevailed that this was due to imperceptible particles carried in the air. If the soil was is easily pulverised as stated by Cr Calvert, possibly the east winds might be impregnated with them, and this disease thus aggravated, He should have liked that a medical man, or some competent person had accompanied the sanitary committee, and his opinion obtained. Cr Gapes moved—" That the report and petition stand over for a week." Cr Ick seconded the motion pro forma. The Mayor said that either the thirty-two gentlemen who had signed the petition or the sanitary committee were wrong. He would again suggest that the question of whether the sand in the reserve acted as a deodoriser or not, should be at once settled by some gentleman in whom the public had confidence. Good men as the sanitary committee were, he would not care to take their opinion on this matter. Some of the sand might be taken to Professor Bickerton, and he was sure that that gentleman would give an opinion on it. Cr Gapes's motion was carried. Cr Ick moved —" That Professor Bickerton be requested to report, first as to the efficiency of the sand at the reserve as a deodoriser, and secondly as to whether any nuisance at present exists at the reserve likely to be detrimental to the health of the residents in the Avon district or the city of Christchurch " Cr Gapes seconded the motion, which was agreed to. A letter was read from the Borough Surveyor of Birmingham, forwarding description of Warner's patent road sweeping machine, and stating that in his opinion that machine was not so perfect in its action as Whitworth's patent road sweeping machine. Referred to the works committee to report upon. The town clerk submitted the accounts for the past year duly audited. The town clerk was instructed to give the necessary notice by advertisement of the annual meeting for the election of Mayor, as required by clauses 135 and 169 of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1867. The fire brigade committee brought up the following interim report: " Your committee held a meeting on the 19th instant, at which several agents of insurance companies were present, when tbe question of the advisability of extending the radius for fire prevention was discussed. Since that meeting your chairman of fire brigade committee has, accompanied by the superintendent of the fire brigade, commenced to inspect every block cf land within the town belts, and the committee now ask for a further extension of time (say one month) to enable them to complete this inspection, as they consider such a course necessary before determining on the steps they will advise the Council to take in such an important matter. "T. D. Jones, Chairman." The report was adopted, and an extension j of one month granted to the committee to bring up their report. Cr flobbs asked the chairman if anything had been done with reference to the letter received from the Government on the drainage of the South town belt. Cr Bishop replied that the works committee had waited on Mr Jollie, who had signed the letter received by the Council. That gentleman knew nothing of the matter, and referred them to Mr Maude. As it was a subject requiring some engineering, Mr Maude referred them to Mr Warner, chief engineer. That gentleman referred them to Mr Donkin, in his department, who was to confer with the city surveyor. After this gentleman and their surveyor held their conference, the result would be communicated to the works committee. They would then communicate it to Mr Maude, who would forward it to Mr Jollie, and no doubt the Council would then learn the determination of the Government. Ihe weekly report of the inspector of nuisances was read and approved. A carrier's license was granted to Joseph Wade, Ferry road. On the motion of Cr Gapes, seconded by Cr Ick, leave of absence was granted to Cr Calvert for two months. In reply to Cr Jones, Cr Hobbs intimated his intention of accepting the honor which his brother councillors seemed desirous of conferring on him as senior councillor.

NOTICE OP MOTION. Cr Raphael gave notice of the following motion for Monday next:—'-That the surveyor do report to this Council, as early as possible, the number of streets and alleys taken over by this Council (if any), and their respective widths." The Council then adjourned.