CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 255, 6 April 1875, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

Monday, April 5.

The usual weekly meeting was held in the Council Chamber. Present—His Worship the Mayor, and Crs Ick, Raphael, Calvert, (Japes, and Jones. 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, £3B Is; Waimakariri do, £6 6s lOd; watering rate, £42 7s 8d; quarter's rent of Resident Magistrate's Court, £3 ss; fines from Resident Magistrate's Court, £4 ss; rent for weighbridge for April, £6 5s ; Jrent from Market place, 7s. total receipts, £l2B 17s 6d. Drainage account—Cr, £4968 12s 6d. Drainage rate account—Cr, £1154 2s 7d. Overdraft at Bank on general account, £1561 16s 3d. Wages, &c, to be paid on general account, £193 12s lid; on drainage account, £156 Ob 4d. Crs Jones, Raphael, and Ick drew attention to the dirty state ia which the kerosene lamps

are kept, and the Very slendef light given by them through not turning on the burners sufficiently. On the motion of Or Jones, the town clerk was instructed to write the contractor, informing him that unless the lamps are kept clean and a stronger light given, steps will be taken to terminate his contract.

The Mayor said that during the week he had received a very influentially signed requisition asking him to call a public meeting to consider the best means of increasing the revenues of the city. The revenue committee had waited upon a number of influential citizens that day, with reference to this matter, and he might say that the necessity for some action being taken in this direction was unanimous. From the interest expressed he was assured that the meeting would be an important one. The committee had failed in securing the Oddfellows' Hall in which to hold the meeting, and were compelled to engage the Music Hall. As he had been informed that the financial statement would be made in the Provincial Council on Thursday next, it would be necessary to hold the meeting on Wednesday evening. He trusted that the result of the meeting would show the members of the Provincial Council the absolute necessity for voting the City Council a grant in aid to prosecute the necessary works of the city,. On Thursday next, at twelve o'clock, he would declare Mr W. Schmidt elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr Farr. The city surveyor reported as follows : "1. The concrete channelling in Lichfield street was commenced to-day. " 2. The Lichfield street water supply is now so far finished, that it can be made available in cases of fire ; but T think it would be very advisable, before relying upon it for that purpose, to give it a good trial with one or two powerful steam pumps.

" 3. As the brick sewer on the South belt will about the end of this month reach Antigua street, it will be necessary for me before that time to know how to deal with the water flowing from the Spreydon district.

" 4. In accordance with the resolution of the Council last week, I have made enquiries about the earth carted out of the city, and as near as lean learn, about 160 loads were carted to fill up the Ferry road drain by permission of the foreman of works, notwithstanding that I had given him instruction that all surplus earth in the south-east quarter of the city was to be devoted to raise the lower end of the South belt where a large deficiency exists. As I knew that so much was required on the South belt I have refused a number of citizens permission to take this earth. Of course, I cannot be held responsible for the acts of a subordinate who manifestly ignores my position as city survey on" Clause 1 was approved.

On clause 2 being considered, it was resolved that the fire brigade committee take steps to have the trial made with steam pumps, as suggested. Considerable discussion took place on clause 3, and on the motion of Cr Jones, seconded by Cr Ick, the town clerk was instructed to forward copies of letters of 25th July, 1871, and 27th August, 1872, to the chairman of the Spreydon Road Board, and asking that some provision may be made for draining the surface water of that district leading to the South belt drain. Several members of the Council spoke strongly of the conduct of the foreman in acting in direct opposition to the orders of the surveyor. Cr Raphael moved " That foreman Cooper be discharged." Cr Jones seconded the motion.

Cr Ick, though not desirous of justifying the foreman in any way, would prefer in the absence of two councillors that this matter be deferred for one week. The Mayor said that it was well known to members of the Council that fifty things could be brought forward to show that this man had acted as he should not have done, and was unfitted to hold the position of foreman. Cr Ick, only in a spirit of fair play, considered that a week's notice should be given to the foreman, and would move as an amendment that consideration of the motion be deferred for a week to have the presence of a full Council. Cr Calvert seconded the amendment. At the suggestion of the Mayor the resolution was altered to read—" That the works committee be instructed to discontinue the services of foreman Cooper." On being put the amendment was declared to be carried. Cr Raphael then withdrew his resolution by leave of the Council, and said he would give notice of a motion bearing on this later on. At the request of Cr Gapes his Worship promised to ask Dr Foster's opinion whether it would be advisable to communicate with the Government to request that unlicensed cabmen be not permitted within the railway gates. Cr Raphael referred to the necessity of the Council asking the Commissioner of Police to allow two mounted policemen to patrol the North and Bast town belts at night time, as numerous complaints had reached him of families being visited by vagrants after nigbtfall, and it was impossible at present to obtain police assistance in either neighbourhood. Requisitions were read from the residents on the south side of Cashel street, from Mrs Tompkin's shop to Durham street; on east side of Durham street, from Cashel street to Lichfield street; on north side of Lichfield street, from Durham street to Oxforc' terrace; and on the west side of Montreal street, from Worcester street to Hereford street, asking that those portions might be channelled and kerbed on the usual terms. It was resolved that the requests be complied with on the residents paying in to the Council their proportion of the cost of the work.

Cr Raphael moved—" That a general rate of Is in the £ for the year 1875 on all rateable property within the city of Christchurch be made, under the provisions of clause 203 of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1867 ; and that the said rate shall be due on the Ist day of May next, and payable thereafter." Cr Calvert seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Cr Raphael moved—" That the town clerk be instructed to have the rate book made out with as little delay as possible, in accordance with clause 210 of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1867." Cr Calvert seconded the motion, which was agreed to. The letter received last week from the the Heathcote Board, applying for £296175, as the Council's cost of filling up the Ferry road drain, was brought up for conaidcra-

tion, and at the suggestion of the Mayor, was referred to the finance committee to report when the Council are in funds. The usual weekly report of the inspector of nuisances was read. The sanitary committee were authorised to make arrangements with the contractor for the removal of night soil to continue his temporary contract. In reply to Cr Ick, Cr Calvert said that the sanitary committee had not considered the question of earth closets. Cr Ick was certain that early in the year the sanitary committee had been asked to give this subject their consideration, as the} were all aware that the use of earth closets was made compulsory next June. The report was approved: The Mayor desired to point out to the Council that in the Public Health Act, il was found that clauses 19 and 20 should have been reversed, and it would be necessary for the Governor in Council to make an order to bring the Act into force. The Council then adjourned.