CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 297, 26 May 1875, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

Tuesday, May 25. The usual weekly meeting was held in the Council Chambers. Present—His Worship the Mayor, and Crs Bishop, Calvert, Hart, Ick, Schmidt, Raphael, Gapes, and Jones. The minutes of the previous meeting having been read, Cr Hart said that, before the minutes were confirmed, he would desire to say that he received a notice to attend at that Chamber on the 24th, and he had attended on that evening. He had not received any intimation of the intention of the Council to change the evening of sitting, and he was under the impression that every other councillor had received a similar notice to attend on the 24th. He would thus take that opportunity of entering his protest, as he felt that any business transacted that night would be illegal. Dr Foster, who was present, said that his opinion was, that any ordinary business transacted that evening would be legal, though it might be matter of opinion whether special business should be taken up that night. Cr Hart would disagree with the learned doctor. He would again refer to the notice that had been sent him to attend on the 24th, and as the Council had not met, and adjourned until the present evening, he would still contend that any business transacted that night would be illegal. Cr Gapes held that as the Council had adjourned until Tuesday (that night) had they met on Monday and transacted business it would then have been illegal. The mistake had only arisen through a clerical error. Cr Hart said that had he received notice to attend on Tuesday he would have been satisfied. The notice received by him was to consider certain resolutions (other Councillors had received a similar notice) which were to be considered on the 24th, and if these resolutions were considered and disposed of on any other date, such action would be an illegal one. The Mayor said that at the end of the report in the newspapers it was stated that the Council had adjourned until Tuesday, and if members did not attend at the sittings of the Council and keep themselves posted up in the work that had been got through, and which was to be considered by the Council on a certain night, it was their own fault.

On the motion of Cr Gapes, seconded by Or Raphael, the minutes of the previous meeting were then confirmed. Cr Hart then handed in the following protest•“ I, M. B, Hart, member of the City Council of Christchurch, do protest against any of the resolutions being considered or adopted on May 25th, as being illegal, from the (circumstance that the notice was given for the meeting of the Council to be held on May 24th, and no notice of the alteration of the meeting was given to any member.— M. B. Hart.” The town clerk reported receipts for the week to be as follow ; —From rate collector, account general city rates, 1874, £25 18s ; Waimakariri do, £4 6s 4d ; fines from Resident Magistrate’s Court, £4 ss; drivers’ and cab licenses, £ls ; rent from Market place, 7s. Total receipts, £49 16s 4d. Overdraft at bank on general account, £2577 ss. Drainage account—Or, £1893 4s 4d. Drainage rate account —Cr, £1248 8s Bd. Wages, &c., to be paid on general account, £142 Is 8d ; on drainage account, £465 15s 7d.

The city surveyor reported.— “1. The works committee have requested me to suggest a plan for obtaining water for fire purposes at the junction of Lichfield and Colombo streets. This may be accomplished in various ways, but the only one which can be compassed by the funds at the Council’s disposal is an underground tank supplied by one Hin artesian well. A brick tank to contain 15,000 gallons would cost £260. It should be so constructed that it may at some future time be connected with other tanks by means of pipes, which method would of course increase the capabilities of supply of all the tanks thus connected. Should the Council wish to adopt this method, I can furnish a plan next Monday evening. “2. The South belt sewer, with silt pits, sumps, &c, is now complete as far as Antigua street, and I am pleased to be able to point out that the contractors, Messrs Parr and Brightmore, are deserving of great praise for the manner in which they have fulfilled their contract. They have not only kept to their contract time, but have done their work well. The cl n rk of works, Mr Mouldey, has also been indefatigable in giving proper attention to his duties. “ 3. As I am informed that a number of stonemasons are now available, I think it would be a favorable time to obtain stone kerbing, should the Council think it advisable to do eo.

“4- I have this week had a quantity of shingle put on the South belt, which was in a very bad state between Madras and Colombo streets, and I am now having the pathway to the Bast Christchurch school improved and gravelled. The pathway from Barrett’s corner has also been shingled.

“ 5. The East belt from the river to the corner of the North belt is in a very bad state, and requires shingling. The little shingle that was on it before, was ploughed up when the belt was formed. “6. The water has been drained off the Bast and South belts by pipes laid in a temporary manner into the South belt sewer.”

On clause No 1 of the report being considered, it was resolved, on the motion of Cr Raphael—“ That the surveyor be instructed to prepare a plan and specification for an underground tank, to be submitted on next Monday ;” Crs Hart and Jones dissenting. Clause 2 was approved.

With reference to clause 3, the works committee were authorised to expend a sum not exceeding £IOO in procuring stone kerbing. The chairman of the works committee mentioned that it was considered advisable to place stone kerbing in the centre of the city in places where heavy drays backing against.the kerbing would be liable to injure the concrete work.

Clause 4 was approved. Cr Gapes moved—“ That the portion of the road referred to in clause 5 be shingled.” Or Calvert seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Clause 6 was approved. Some works throughout the city requiring attention were brought under the notice of the works committee by several Councillors. In reply to Cr Hart, Or Bishop said that the stoppage of the Council’s stone-breaking machine at the quarry had been simply through the state of the Council’s finances. The works committee were in hopes to shortly have stone broken at a much less rate than

they could break it with the machine be longing to the Council,

A letter was read from the Provincial Secretary, acknowledging receipt of a report of the works committee, having reference to the drainage of the suburbs adjoining the southern and eastern portions of the city.

A letter was read from the Heathcote Road Board, calling attention to the bad state of the South belt at the entrance to the Gas works road; also to the state of the footpath on the East town belt, which is being cut up by carts, waggons and other vehicles, adding that when the Board paid its half of the cost of making that road and footpath it was under the impression that the footpath would be shingled, and not be made to the width of twenty feet; also stating that the Heathcote ratepayers in that part were worse off now that they had been before. On the motion of Cr Jones, consideration of this letter was deferred for a week to allow the works committee to look through the correspondence. It was his (Cr Jones’) opinion that the arrangement made with the Heathcote Road Board was that for the half of the expense (£75) paid by them, this footpath was to be shingled.

A letter was read from the Chief Postmaster, under the direction of the Post-master-General, asking whether the Council will object to the alterations to the Post Office being made as proposed by the Inspector of Post Offices, and which alterations hal been pointed out to the Mayor, the chairman of works committee, and city surveyor. The Government did not ask the Council to bear any portion of the expense, but only to sanction the work being done. Request acceded to. A petition was read signed by several ratepayers in Cashel street west, asking that the footpaths from Cashel street bridge westerly to Antigua street might be formed and the holes filled up.

Consideration deferred for a week. A letter was read from Mr James Goss calling attention to the state of the side channel on the north side of Peterborough street, between Durham and. Colombo streets. Referred to the works committee.

A letter was read from Mr A. Ringwood, calling attention to the state of the footpath in front of his house between Lichfield and Tuam streets. Referred to the works committee.

Cr Hart suggested that two inches of sand should be placed in Tuam street, where the surface of the footpaths are formed of clay. He would move “ That the works committee be authorised to do this work throughout the ciiy where the footpaths are formed of clay.” Cr Calvert seconded the motion, which was agreed to. A letter was read from Mr W. H, Hargreaves, again drawing attention to the disgraceful state of the road and footpath in front of his premises, Cathedral square, and stating that cabs crossing the footpath there had made deep ruts in it, rendering it impassable during the late rains. The works committee were requested to call the surveyor’s attention to this kerbing, which they had already ordered to be carried out.

A letter was read from Mr T Pepperill, asking that the side channel in Oxford terrace East might be deepened for about four chains, and a culvert placed across the road leading to the river. Referred to the works committee.

Mr C. H. Turner asked for permission to erect a large sign board over his premises in Colombo street.

Granted under the supervision of the surveyor. A letter was read from Mr J. Rosser offering to supply any quantity of gravel according to sample, at 6s per yard, and fine gravel at 6s per yard ; also, sand at 5s per yard. Referred to the works committee.

A sample of washed gravel from Mr Comer was also referred to the works committee to report upon. Dr Foster read the amendments suggested by him to be made in the Municipal Corporations Act, the majority of which were approved . Cr Bishop moved—“ That Dr Foster take the necessary steps to forward the amendments approved of by the Council to Dr Pollen for the consideration of the General Government.”

Cr Jones seconded the motion, which was carried.

Cr Jones, Raphael, and Ick obtained leave to withdraw the notices of motion standing in their name for May 24th, and gave notice of their intention to move them on Monday next.

The following report from the works committee on Mr J. Newton’s letter of the previous week was read

“ The letter received last Monday from Mr J. Newton, with reference to broken metal, was referred to the works committee to report upon. “ They beg to state that they do not think the Council would be justified to make a private arrangement with any one in a matter which involves a large ouflay. “ They therefore recommend that tenders should be advertised to supply during twelvemonths, commencing Ist August next, not less than 3000 yards broken metal. “The tender to state the price at the quarry, and that for delivery to any part of the city, as might be required. “ The Council could dispose of a much larger quantity than this, but the committee hesitate to recommend ordering more at present, owing to the uncertainty of knowing what amount of funds will at this time next year be available for this purpose. “ The committee also advise that tenders be invited for the supply of 600 yards of fine gravel suitable for placing on footpaths, and that Mr Newton’s liberal offer be accepted, with thanks, to lay down, in a stated part of Hereford street, for a distance of 100 yards, some fine gravel on the footpath as a sample of what he could supply at a price to be afterwards quoted.

“ With reference to the road roller, it is very desirable that one should be used in all cases where fresh broken metal is laid down.

“ The funds of thelCouncil would not allow of purchasing one, but if a roller should find its way here, which we hope will be the case, the Government, Council, and Road Boards, would act wisely in patronising the same. “E. B, Bishop, “ Chairman.”

The report was received and adopted. Cr Raphael moved—“Tnat Mr Newton’s letter be acknowledged, and a copy of the report forwarded to him.” Cr Bishop seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Cr Bishop moved —“ That in the resolution passed, with reference to the suburban drainage, the name of his Worship the Mayor be added thereto, and that he be chairman of that committee,”

Gr Calvert seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Cr Gapes moved—“ That clause No 15 of the bye-law relating to streets and footways be advertised, with the view of cautioning persons not to damage the concrete channelling.” Cr Raphael seconded the motion, which was carried.

Cr Raphael observed that there were many cabmen driving about the city and taking fares who had not taken out licenses. This he considered unjust to those persons who had taken out licenses.

Dr Foster replied that he had met a mounted constable ihat day who was taking the names of all those who had not taken out licenses. He might mention that he had about forty summonses coming on for hearing next week, and if these persons did not fight the bye-law then, he might conclude that it was not their intention to do so at all.

Cr Gapes made some remarks of what he believed to be the proposed intention of the Government to hand over a portion of the Normal school to be used as a college, and which he considered an unfair course to the citizens.

The Mayor pointed out to Gr Gapes that the only course he could lake in the matter was to induce those citizens who felt aggrieved to forward a requisition to him (the Mayor), when he would call a public meeting. The weekly report of the inspector of nuisances was read and approved. The sanitary committee obtained another week j.to bring up their report on the introduction of earth closets under the Public Health Act, 1872. M. Goodger, T. Wheeler, J. Heard, J. H. Evans, and J. Garland applied for cab licenses, which were reported upon favorably and granted. A. Gordon, R. Savage, and R. Trigence applied for drivers’ licenses. As the inspector had not reported on these, they were ordered to stand over for a week. The applications of F. Vale, T. Wheeler, F. Palmer, P. Hamilton, T. Kerr, M. Goodger, for drivers’ licenses, which had been before the Council at its last sitting, were considered.

A petition was read signed by nineteen ratepayers, asking that the Council would entertain favorably the application of James Kearney, for a driver’s license, which had been refused him. The applicant also wrote offering to conduct himself better for the future if the license were granted to him. Deferred for a week, the Mayor in the meantime to submit the petition and applicant’s letter to the Resident Magistrate who had given evidence against Kearney some few mouths ago. Or Jones expressed his intention of moving on next Monday, that a stand be appointed at one side of Cathedral square for carriers’ vans. The Council then adjourned.