CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 221, 23 February 1875, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

Monday, Febbuary 22. The usual weekly meeting was held in the Council Chamber. Present—His Worship the Mayor, and Crs Calvert, Hart, Ick, Farr, Bishop, Jones, Gapes, and Raphael. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The town clerk reported the receipts for the week to be as follows:—From rate collector, account G. C. rates, £99 ; "Waimakariri ditto, £l6 10s; fines from R. M. Court, £1 10s ; deposit on contract, £6; stage coach licenses, £2; rent from Market place, 7s; overdraft on general account, £1354 19s sd; by drainage account, Cr, £7613 9s 3d; received on drainage account, £4l 6s. Accounts on drainage and general accounts were ordered to be paid, amounting to £1225 10s. The Mayor said he had to report that the cases for obstruction of the streets against the cabmen were taken on Friday, and members of the Council would have seen that a fine of 10s has been inflicted. There would be a letter read from Dr Foster later in the evening, which referred to the whole question. He desired to say that, as the Provincial Council would soon be meeting, it would be advisable for the City Council to appoint a revenue committee, to act in conjunction with the city members, and wait upon the Government to ask their support in endeavoring to obtain for the city an endowment, and also to make another application for the license fees to be handed over to the City Council. He had received several letters from medical gentlemen respecting cases of measles, and had spoken to his Honor the Superintendent and a member of the Executive about these, and both of those gentlemen agreed with him that measles did not come under the description of the diseases named in clause 17 of the Public Health Act, and therefore he thought there wai no occasion for the Council to take any action as a Local Board of Health in the matter. He desired to mention to Councillors his intention of altering the mode of conducting the business of the Council in the future. He had observed ever since he had been a member of the Council, that all important matters brought on for discussion by notice of motion were taken the last thing in the evening. By that time the Councillors were tired through previous debates, and the reporters having generally already as much matter written as they could find space for, had necessarily to condense what he considered the most important discussions of the evening. In future he should take the business in the following order, viz, first the minutes, then accounts, Mayor's statement, have all correspondence read and numbered, then take notices of motion and the surveyor's report, leaving the discussions on the correspondence for the last business of the evening. At present members wasted half the evening in frivolous discussion on letters that did not require any, and took opportunities to get in speeches by a side-wind which he should not in future allow. He should require every member to move a resolution if he wished tc speak, and should request him to confine himself to the subject under discussion, and not to introduce any matter that was irrevelant. He also hoped Councillors would see the necessity before the winter of holding their meetings at 4 o'clock instead of 7, as he saw no reason, if the business was properly conducted, why members should have to stay out till 10 or 11 o'clock on dark winter nights. He trusted the Council would move in this matter. The Registrar-General's report on the vital statistics for the month of January was read, showing the deaths in Christchurch to have been 27, while the proportion of deaths to 1000 of population was 3:57,

His Worship here observed that he was glad to say that, according to the RegistrarGeneral's report, Christchurch compared favorably with two other of the largest cities of the colony. A memorandum was read from the Commissioner of Stamps, informing the Council that warrants of appointments issued by the Council were liable to a stamp duty. The town clerk reported that the only appointment, over £IOO, of a recent date was the addition to Mr Superintendent Harris's salary, and a memorandum of that had been forwarded to Wellington, and returned that day, endorsed "free from stamp duty." Appointments prior to 1871 were clearly exempted from any duty.

A letter was read from the Provincial Secretary, informing the Council that the avenue lying between the holly fence and the paling on the west side of Antigua street would be allowed to be used as a public footpath, and turnstiles would be erected in the outer fence to allow the public to have ingress and egress, but only on that part from the River Avon to the boundary of the College grounds. Considerable discussion took place on this matter, councillors being generally of opinion that being a public reserve, although outside of the city, it ought not to be alienated from the use of the public ; and ultimately the following resolution, moved by Cr Farr, was carried —" That discussion on the letter from the Provincial Secretary in reference to the canal reserve running parallel with Antigua street be postponed until next Monday; in the meantime the Mayor, Cr Bishop, and the mover enquire into the matter, and report to the Council.' The city surveyor reported as follows: "The cost of Colombo street bridge hag been £328. I have rather exceeded the stipulated sum for this bridge, owing to the difficulty experienced in obtaining a good foundation or, the north side; and I have also made the bridge 3ft wider than I undertook to do for £3OO, the sum I named." " The Lichfield Water Supply was commenced on Saturday last, and I do not see any reason why it should not be proceeded with rapidly. The hand pump I have had made will take out all the water in twelve or fourteen minutes." The report was approved as read. A letter was read from Dr Campbell, reporting that two cases of measles had appeared in Lyttelton street, and one in Tuam street; also one from Dr Marks, reporting one case of measles in Cash el street, which he had advised should be sent to the Hospital. The Mayor read clause 17 of the Public Health Act, and said he thought the Council would agree with him that measles were not " a highly infectious or contagious disease." Cr Hart moved—" That in the opinion ot this Council measles do not come under the denomination of highly contagious or infectious diseases as laid down in the Public Health Act, and therefore this Council deems it unnecessary to take steps in the matter as a Local Board of Health." Cr Calvert seconded the motion, which was ultimately agreed to. A letter was read from Thomas Barlow, fish hawker, asking permission to stand in the street for fifteen minutes. Permission was granted, subject to the supervision of the inspector of nuisances, on the same terms as granted to Brighting. A similar application was read from two boys for permission to sell fruit in the streets, supported by a letter from Mr Ollivier, who stated that they were endeavouring by their exertions to assist a sick mother and family. The Council unanimously granted the application. The following report was resd : " Report of the committee of inquiry re the carrying out the works of the city. " Your committee have to report that they sat this morning and took evidence from the works committee, the surveyor, and foreman of works, and deemed it necessary to pass the following resolution —' That in all cases of neglect of duty or insubordination of any officer of the Council working under the surveyor, he should immediately send a report in writing to the chairman of the works committee. Your committee afterwards called in the surveyor and foreman of works, and instructed the latter that he must implicitly obey the orders of the surveyor, and place himself in frequent communication with his superior officer. They trust that in future the necessary works will be executed with vigor and despatch, and prevent the necessity of any further inquiry in the matter,

" Febdk Hobbs, " Chairman." A letter was read from Mr Grisbrook calling attention to a nuisance existing at the corner of Salisbury street and Whately road. Referred to the inspector of nuisances. A petition was read from the inhabitants of Hereford and Madras streets, drawing attention to the necessity of side channelling from Manchester street on the south side of Hereford street east to St John's school, and thence south down Madras street. A discussion followed, in which it was urged that as the work was not of a permanent character as leading to the outfall drain, it ought not to be undertaken until one-quarter the expense had been contributed by the ratepayers interested. Cr Kaphael pointed out that it was a case of emergency, as the health of the children attending St John's school should be immediately attended to. After further discussion, the consideration of the matter was adjourned for a week. The following report was read from the rate collector : " I beg to report that I have taken out summonses amounting in the aggregate to nearly £SO, and that in accordance with your instructions I will take out another batch this week, and will use my best endeavors to get in the balance as soon as possible. " May I be allowed to lay the following statement before the Council. In the year 1860, when I was appointed collector, the number of properties on the roll was 1834, and the amount to be collected £2416. This has been gradually increasing till I find on the roll now in course of collection, the properties assessed are 2504, being 670 more than in 1866, and the total amount to be collected £8945. I find I have collected altogether since July last (a little over seven months) £7743. Of this sum £4892 is for the city rates, which leaves a balance outstanding on that particular rate of £758. At the corresponding period of last year there was outstanding the sum of £1245, though the total amount of the rate was only £5096, whereas this year it is £5650; thus the Council will see that though the amount to be collected is more by some £SOO or £6OO, there is actually less outstanding than there was at the same time last year by nearly £SOO. I would also desire to lemiud.

the Council there is a large amount of clerical work to be done, in which my assistance is absolutely necessary. We are now engaged in compiling the rate roll, to enable us to do which we have to visit the various properties, write down the Christian and sirnames, occupations, and residences of both the owners and occupiers. This has to be transferred to the rate roll for the assessor. When that gentleman has completed his duties, we have to make another copy, called the rate list. When that is signed by the Mayor, the application books have to be filled in, which is almost equal to making another copy of the rate list. There is also another document to be made out, and that is to enter the names alphabetically of those entitled to vote, together with their occupations, places of abode, description of property, and number of votes; this, as the Council is aware, is called the burgess roll, and I can assure the Council it involves a considerable amount of time and labor as well as great care and attention. " My object in laying these facts before the Council is, that when it is proved to them how very much my duties have increased, they may be inclined to extend to me some little forbearance, for I need hardly say it is much more agreeable if I unfortunately cannot receive their approval, that I may at all events avoid incurring their censure. " I have the honor, &c., "F. C. Tribe, Collector." " To his Worship the Mayor and Councillors. The report was received. Cr Farr moved—" That the explanation is satisfactory, and be accepted." Cr Gapes seconded the motion, which was agreed to. The usual weekly report of the inspector was read and approved. A memorandum was read from Dr Foster, having reference to the cab cases, giving it as his opinion that an indictment for conspiracy would lie against those men who had pulled down the barriers erected around the stands, and asking instructions as to his further action.

Cr Hart moved—" That no instructions be given until after the application for prohibition has been decided." Cr Ick seconded the motion. Cr Raphael moved as an amendment—- " That the whole matter be abandoned." The amendment was not seconded, and, after some discussion, the motion was agreed to. Cr Farr moved the following motion, of which he had given notice —" That notice be given to all persons having gorse fencing within the city that all such fencing must be removed within twelve months from the date of such notice, subject to the Municipal Acts." The motion was not seconded, and fell through. Cr Farr then moved his second motion—- " That all trees overhanging the footpaths within the city be ordered to be trimmed by the occupiers and owners of the property on which such trees are situated, to a height of not less that fifteen feet, such trimming to be performed within the next month." The motion was not seconded, and lapsed. Cr Raphael moved—" That the Council jo appoint a revenue committee, consisting of the Mayor, Crs Hart, Bishop, and the mover, the Mayor to be chairman ; three to form a quorum." Cr Gapes seconded the motion, which was agreed to. An omnibus licence was granted to C. Dalwood, and drivers' licenses to Phillip Ball, C. Dalwood, and S. Jackson. The adjourned application for a cab and owner's license to Andrew McTaggart was read. On Cr Raphael's motion being put—" That the license be granted," the application was refused by 5 to 2. An application for a license from James Kearney, which had previously been before the Council and postponed for the inspector's report, was again adjourned. Objection was taken to its being granted from the fact of his being fined 60s during the week for being drunk while in charge of an omnibus driving from the Heathcote Regatta. NOTICE OF MOTION. Cr Bishop gave notice of the following motion:—"That application be made at the next sitting of the Provincial Council for a reserve of acres on the Sandhills at Forty-mile Beach for the following purposes;—Deposit of nightsoil and rubbish, cemetery, abattoirs, or either of such purposes." The Coancil then adjourned.