CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 197, 26 January 1875, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

Monday, January 25. The usual weekly meetibg was held in the Council Chamber. Present—His Worship the Mayor, and Crs Ick, Raphael, Calvert, Bishop, Jones, Gapes, 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 collector, account city rates, 1874, £164 17s; Waimakariri do, £27 9s 6d; fines from Resident Magistrate’s Court, £1 15s; carriers’ licenses, £22; kerosene do, £3; rent from market place, £7; contribution, account of market place footpath, £56 14s—total receipts, £276 2s 6d, Overdraft at bank on general account, £368 9s 4d; drainage account, Cr, £8334 6s 2d; drainage rate account, Cr, £1371 3s 3d; wages, &c, to be paid on general account, £193 Is Id; on drainage account, £193 4s 3d. The Mayor stated that during the week the town clerk bad advertised that the necessary forms for hackney carriage licenses were ready on application, and only two omnibus licenses had been applied for. His attention had been called to the necessity of the men sweeping out the side channels commencing their work earlier in the mornings, and he thought it would be advisable that this should be done. The Council must have seen from the remarks of the Resident Magistrate, in the reports in the papers, that he thought that some steps should be taken by the City Council toerect public abbatoirs. He had had a conversation with that on the subject that morning, and he (the Mayor) believed that it would be as well to appoint a committee to consider this matter, and if nothing else was done a suitable site might be fixed upon, and representations could then be made to the Government. In other countiies abbatoirs were under the control of the municipalities, who appointed an officer to s( e that every beast slaughtered was fit for human food. Cr Bishop thought that as no slaughtering was carried out within the precincts of the city, and these places were carefully inspected by the police, he did not think it would be advisable for the Council to interfere. Cr Jones felt that the remark of the Resident Magistrate was induced by the difficulty experienced in granting slaughtering licenses to so many, and the opposition that these licenses so often met with. He however felt that it would be judicious to appoint a committee to report on this matter, and would move—“ That Crs Kishop, Ick, and Calvert form a committee to consider and report to the Council.” Cr Ick considered that as this was a provincial question, the City Council should not take any cognisance of it. If such premises were erected in the city it would then be a different thing. To carry this out apiece of land would have to be purchased and large yards and buildings erected, and he could not see where the money was to come from for these works. He could not see what the Council would gain by erecting abbatoirs, and until it was shown that they would derive a benefit, he did not think they should move in the matter. It had also occasioned him some surprise that Cr Jones had not included his own name on the committee, but preferred to put the work on the shoulders of others. The Mayor said that what induced the remarks made by the Magistrate was a late application for a license at Papanui, The residents in that neighbourhood opposed the license, and the Magistrate had said that, where there was any opposition, he would not grant these licenses. The applicants would then naturally say, “Well, if you won’t allow me to slaughter, and there is no public slaughter-house, what am I to do ? ” and in some cases, possibly an inconvenience and hardship might result.

Cr Bishop asked that his name might be omitted from the proposed committee, as he should start upon it prejudiced. Cr Jones moved an amended motion as follows :—“ That a committee, consisting of Crs Bishop, Ick, Calvert, and Jones, report to this Council on the question of abbatoirs." Cr Gapes seconded the motion, which was carried.

It was also resolved—“ That Cr Jones be chairman, and that three form a quorum.” The city surveyor reported as follows: — “ 1. Specification and plan for forming the remainder of the North and East belts by the cemetery reserve will be laid before you. “2. As the South Belt sewer is now very nearly opposite the gasworks, it will be necessary to determine what is to be done with the water flowing from that place across the belt to the south drain. “3. The road-scraper and road-sweeper have both arrived, and are in working condition. After the last rain 1 had an opportunity of testing the sweeping machine, and I consider that it does the work in a very effective manner. “4.1 hope to have Colombo street bridge finished next week.” On the motion of Cr Bishop, seconded by Cr Calvert, it was resolved to adopt the plan and specification, and call for tenders for the work mentioned in clause No. 1 of the report. With refercn e to No. 2 clause it was resolved, on the motion of Cr Farr, “ That the works committee confer with the Qasvorks company on the question of draining their water.” After a short discussion on clause 3, the remaining paragraph was approved. Cr Bishop desired to explain that the works committee had inspected the deed referred to at their last sitting in connection with the work at the East town belt, and they found that no provision was stated therein which compelled the Council to take the water from Phillips’ land into the East town belt. The provision made only inferred to the storm-water drain. He would therefore move “That the plans and specification for the works on the East town belt, submitted to the Couucil on the previous Monday, be approved, and that tenders be called for the work.” Or Ick seconded the motion, which was agreed to. In reply to Cr Raphael, Cr Bishop explained that the contract for which Mr Rosser was engaged had been completed, and the committee had no other contract on hand on which to employ him. Cr Calvert and Cr Raphael again referred to the necessity of having the side channel in the vicinity of St. John’s school formed and made, the latter saying that from his intimate knowledge of the nuisance arising there, he would be happy to pay his portion of the expense. It was ultimately resolved that the town clerk write to all the parties interested in that neighborhood to see if they will bear their proportionate share of the cost of the work. A letter was read from the Secretary for Public Works in reply, stating that the Government would give the subject of erecting a retaining wall and an iron railing along the footpath in Chester street their consideration. A letter was read from the Provincial Secretary in reply, stating that the Government would consider the desire of the Council to have the Canal reserve fronting the College and Public Domain thrown open as a public footpath, until such reserve is required for its original purpose. A letter was read from the Commissioner of Police, asking to be supplied with thirty copies of the Hackney and Borough Stage Carriage By-law, for the use of constables doing duty in the district. The town clerk stated that he had complied with the request, A letter was read from the Avon Road Board urging the necessity of keeping Free’s Greek open as an outlet for storm waters. Referred to the works committee to report upon. A letter was read from the secretary to the New Zealand Insurance Company, reminding the Council that the last lot of debentures with coupons, had been f orwarded to London, and it would be necessary to make arrangements for payment of the interest on them at the Bank of New Zealand there. Referred to the finance committee to carry out. A letter was read from William Brightmore, stating that in the execution of his contract for laying down pipes and building sumps and concrete protection at the river Avon, ho had proceeded to open the ground in Lichfield street, near Colombo street, and the water in the river had flooded bis work to such an extent that any pumping within his means was insufficient to keep it down to enable him to go on wijb the work. Under these circumstances he would be compelled to abandon his contract if the City Council did not relieve him from the performance of it. Referred to the works committee to report. A letter was read from Mr R. Rainey, asking permission to remove sand from one of the Council’s reserves to fill in the Ferry road drain, if successful in obtaining the contract. Cr Bishop moved—“ That permission be granted to remove the sand as asked, from any place where the surveyor may direct.” Cr Raphael seconded the motion, which was agreed to. The following letter from Dr Symes on the deodorisation of sewage and house refuse, was read. “ To His Worship the “ Mayor of Christchurch, “ Sir, —As the method of disposing of the sewage is under consideration, I beg to draw your attention to the exhibition of sanitary apparatus in the International Exhibition, by the Carbon Fertiliser Company (Limited). “ This company has been established for the purpose of treating house refuse and sewage on the system invented by Mr E. C. C. Stanford, F.C.8., which is so to speak, a modification of the dry earth system, charcoal being substituted for dry earth; but the following especial advantages are claimed for it. “1. One-fourth only in bulk of the deodorant is required to produce as complete an effect. “ 2. The whole manorial Value of the excremental matter is retained, of which threefourths is lost in the earth system owing to chemical changes. “3. The mixed charcoal and excrement supplies the material for supplying the deodorant (cycle charcoal). “ Iq the first instance a charcoal prepared from seaweed is used to start the process This charcoal can be placed in the market, it is said, at a cost so small as to make it available for use by local autho-

rities. The mixed charcoal and excrement is then dealt with in the following manner. The removed material is distilled in iron retorts, the p.-odueis being ammoniacal hquor—tar and gas. From the liquor sulphate of ammonia and acetate of lime are obtained. The charcoal remains in the retort, and can be used again any number of times for re-charging'the closets. At every re-burning it increases by the addition of the carbon derived from the excreta, and then contains all the potash and phosphates, being worth £5 per ton as manure. If you then add to it the sulphate of ammonia obtained by distillation, it forms the nitrocarbon manure, valued in the market at £lO per ton. “ The rivers pollution committee, in their fourth report, p. 54, in speaking of certain experiments made by them with seaweed charcoal treated urine, eighty-seven gallons to one ton, say—“We consider the result of the experiment very satisfactory, for it shows that seaweed charceal furnishes the means of transforming excreraentitious matters into an inodorous s )lid, which retains for several months, and probably for years, about three-fourths of the fertilising constituents of the original manure (1.45 per cent of nitrogen). Dry earth makes only a very distant approach to seaweed charcoal in this preservative action. Thus the dry clay soil used in the earth closets at Wakefield Prison, after receiving no less than 144 galls per ton, retained after drying only 0.392 per cent of total combined nitrogen. “ Hoping your Worship may find these suggestions of some use, “ I have, &c, “ W. H. Symes, M.D.” On the motion of Or Calvert, seconded by Or Jones, it was resolved to return the thanks of the Council to Dr Symes for his valuable letter. On the motion of Cr Gapes the letter was referred to the sanitary committee for their consideration. The seal of the Council was attached to the agreement made with the city valuer. Cr Ick moved—“ That this Council, under “special order," do now make a separate rate of in the £ for watering the portions of streets as mentioned in the rate list, and that the list be signed in accordance with clause 210 of Municipal Council Act, 1867, and the seal of the Council be thereto affixed,” Cr Calvert seconded the motion, which was agreed to, and the list was signed and seal affixed. The following report from the finance committee was read : “ Your committee having examined the rate roll, and the rate collector, find that that the amount of uncollected rates is about £4OO out of a total of £5650. On comparison with the amount outstanding last year shows there is £2OO less to be collected, although the rate is £560 more. “ Your committee have instructed the rate collector to summons every seventh name on the rate roll whose rates remain unpaid after Tuesday, 26th instant, to be continued until the whole is cleared up. The town clerk has been directed to give public notice of the foregoing instructions to the rate collector. Should any difficulty arise with the collector, he has been instructed to consult with the chairman (the Mayor), and to proceed as he may deem advisable. “ Your committee believe the outstanding rates will, by the plan now laid down for the collector’s guidance, be all got in in a very few weeks. “ Fredk. Hobbs, “ Chairman of Committee.” After some discussion, the report was adopted. The weekly report of the inspector of nuisances was read and approved. Or Farr moved—“ That that portion of resolution 33 of 18th May last, in reference to length of asphalting, viz, “ not less than ten chains be done at any one time ” be rescinded, and that the words “ not less than five chains be inserted in lieu thereof. The motion, seconded by Cr Raphael, was carried. An application from the residents on the Whately Road, to have the footpath in front of their premises asphalted, was declined for financial reasons. By permission of the Council, Or Bishop read a paper entitled “The present and future health of Christchurch.” Cr Raphael moved a vote of thanks to Cr Bishop for his very valuable paper. Cr Calvert seconded the motion. Cr Ick, Gapes, and Farr, also expressed their thanks to Cr Bishop. His Worthip desired to endorse the expressions that had fallen from the various Crs, and considered Or Bishop’s paper the moat clever that had been written o i that subject in Christchurch. An omnibus and a driver’s license were granted to James Kearney. Cr Raphael moved—“ That the city solicitor be instructed to take the necessary steps for enforcing the Hackney Carriage and Borough Stage Carriage Bye-law against all such persons as shall not have taken out their licenses.” He thought it would be as well for the solicitor to pick out a responsible man among the cabmen, and summons him as a test case. Cr Calvert seconded the resolution. Cr Farr considered that the Council ought also to close up the stands as well. The cabmen had put the Council to a great deal of expense, and had had it all their own way for a long time, and he felt they should not be allowed the use of the stands while they refused to pay a license for the right, but be compelled to parade the streets, even if the Council had to fence in the stands. He would move as an amendment, “That the police have instructions to remove all persons owning or driving borough carriages and cabs who have not taken out a license for public use, pursuant to the Hackney Carriage Bye-law, from the City Council cab-stands until such licenses be procured.’' Cr Gapes seconded the amendment. All business persons who occupied the streets were compelled to take out a license, and he did not see why the cabmen should be allowed to occupy their stands without paying for that right. Cr Ick would support the amendment. If a single cabman were singled out the case would probably be sent to the Appeal Court, and before the question was decided nine months would be lost. He would certainly advocate blocking up the stands, as a preliminary course. Gr Raphael, in reply, did not think the Council had the power to prevent the cabmen occupying the stands, as that right had been ceded to them for years. The amendment was put and carried by four to two, and the original resolution lost. It was resolved to close the offices of the Council half-day on Thursday and Friday

next during the interprovincial cricket match. The Council adjourned at twelve o’clock. Notice of Motion. Cr Raphael to move on Bth February—- “ That the resolution No 14, passed on 9th November 1874, be rescinded, and that timber be used for kerbiug to be charged to drainage account.