CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 261, 13 April 1875, Page 4

CITY COUNCIL.

Monday, April 12.

The usual weekly meeting was held in the Council Chamber. Present —His Worship the Mayor, and Crs Calvert, Hart, Ick, Schmidt, Raphael, Gapes, Jones, and Bishop. The town clerk reported receipts for the week to be as follows ;—From rate collector, account general city rate, £36 19s ; Waimakariri do, £6 3s 2d ; watering rate, £3B 5s lid; rent from Post office, on account, £75; fines from Resident Magistrate’s Court, £6 6s; horse sold, £l4 6s; rent from Market place, 7s. Total receipts, £177 2s 7d. Drainage account—Cr, £4882 12s 4d. Drainage rate account —Cr, £1169 10a 6d. Overdraft at Bank on general account, £1578 19s Id. Wages, &c, to be paid on general account, £435 13s 8d ; on drainage account, £ll6B 6s sd. The Mayor said that he had to report that he had attended a meeting of the Board of Conservators that day, and the works were in a most satisfactory state. There was an embankment that would have to be made at an expense of £SOO, and he was glad to say that that work could be carried out with the present rates. The revenue committee had done all in their power during the week to lay the case of the Council’s impecuniosity before the Provincial Council, and he trusted a satisfactory result would ensue. The petition would be laid before the Provincial Council on the following day. The city surveyor reported—- “ 1. The Lichfield street pipes have been cleaned and pumped out, and the superintendent of the fire brigade will be prepared to-morrow evening to put one or two fire engines to work at that place, and if that be found not strong enough to use all the water the pipes will supply, he purposes trying the Government engine next Friday evening. “2. As there was more than ordinary settlement in Madras street bridge last week I examined the condition of it underneath, and I found that it was quite unsafe and unfit to remain open, I therefore caused it to be closed up. As this is the third bridge I have pronounced unsafe within the last few months an opinion may gain ground that I am fastidious or too timid with regard to the bearing capabilities of a bridge. It would therefore be a satisfaction to me, if the Council sees fit, that another’s opinion should be invited on the subject, “ 3. The channelling of Tuam street is now completed, also the portion of Hereford and Madras streets ordered to be done. “4. The formation of the road round the cemetery on the North and East belts is finished. The formation and shingling of the East belt by the Ferry road is finished.

On No 1 clause of the report being read, Or Jones said that the superintendent of the fire brigade would try the sump on Thursday next with the Council’s engines, and he (the superintendent) had through the action of Cr Raphael received permission to use the Government engine. Some discussion took place on No 2 clause, with reference to the closing of the bridges, several councillors stating that they must continue to urge upon the Government to give them the means of repairing the bridges and to carry on other important works, and that unless such a grant was made all progressive works in the city must be stopped. With reference to a complaint by Mr Hargreaves of injury to his property by a cabman driving in and out to his stable, the Council resolved to visit the place, and report on it. Several members drew attention to damage done to the channelling in different pails of the city, and after some discussion it was determined to refer the matter to the works committee.

Cr Ick drew attention to the practice of driving and riding rapidly round the corners of streets.

Some discussion took place with reference to a bye-law affecting this subject, and the present composition of the bye-laws and other committees.

Cr Jones moved “ That the present committees of the Council be reformed at the next sitting of the Council.” Cr Raphael seconded the motion.

After some discussion, Or Jones received permission to withdraw his previous motion, and substitute the following one—“ That the vacancies now existing in the several committees be filled up at this evening’s sitting.’ Or Gapes seconded the motion, which was carried,

Or Hart asked whether any reply had been sent to Mr Hulbert, hat manufacturer, relative to his re-building his manufactory, as he had learnt that through the non-receipt of a reply the work was being retarded. The Mayor explained that this was not the fault of the works committee nor surveyor, as a verbal reply had been given to a verbal question, and the only difficulty was that raised by the agent for the owner, relative to the erection ot a brick wall. Two tenders for concrete channelling were opened, and they were referred to the works committee for their acceptance,

A letter was read from the Heathcote Eoad Board, stating that no reply had been received to the letter forwarded for a share of the cost of filling up the Ferry road drain. The Board required the money, as they were paying a large amount for this purpose ; also reminding the Council that the Board paid their share of the cost of making the Bast town belt before the work was commenced.

His Worship said he had seen the chairman of the Heathcote Road Board with reference to this, and the letter was ordered to be acknowledged. A letter was read from Mr H. E. Alport, drawing attention to the offensive effluvia arising from Manchester street near its junction with Armagh street. Referred to the sanitary committee to confer with the surveyor and report. A letter was read from Messrs Vincent and Co, offering to pay the proportion of channelling from their new brewery to the South town belt.

Cr Bishop, as chairman of the works committee, supported the offer of the applicants, as they (Vincent and Co) had been unable to get the inhabitants along the front of the street to subscribe their proportion, and if the channelling were not carried out the drainage from the brewery might be found to be very deleterious. He would move—“ That the request be complied with, and that the channelling from St Asaph street to the South town belt be carried out.” Cr Raphael seconded the motion.

His Worship would support Cr Bishop in this work being carried out, as it would be a permanent work. Or Gapes, though agreeing with the desirability of this work being carried out, did

not like the whole of it, from St Asaph street to the brewery, being undertaken at the expense of the Council. Ho would move —“ That a resolution on the books of the Council compelling a certain amount of channelling to be done at one time, be rescinded,” Cr Ick would move as an amendment —“ That the question be deferred until after Cr Gapes’ motion has been disposed of.” The amendment, on being put, was declared to be carried.

A letter was read from Thomas Cooper, foreman of works, asking for a hearing before the motion for his dismissal was brought forward.

The request contained in the letter was put to the Council by the Mayor, and declared to be negatived, Crs Hart, Gapes, and Ick, forming the minority. Or Raphael moved his motion of the previous week, “ That the works committee be instructed to discontinue the services of foreman Cooper.” Cr Bishop seconded the motion, which was carried, Crs Hart and Calvert voting against the motion. After some personal remarks on the motion, Cr Calvert regretted he was not in the chamber when Mr Cooper’s letter was read, as he should have, merely in justice, voted that he be granted a hearing. The report of the inspector of nuisances was read. One clause was referred to the sanitary committee, and the remainder approved. A carrier’s license was granted to P. Paterson for a spring waggon. The Council then adjourned.