CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 302, 1 June 1875, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

Monday, May 31.

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 were read and confirmed. The town clerk reported receipts for the week to be as follow :—From rate collector, account general city rates, 1874, £l4 5s ; Waimakariri do, £2 7s 6d ; watering rate, £2 16s 3d ; fines from Resident Magistrate's Court, £6los ; drivers' and cab licenses, £9 10s; contribution account, fire brigade, from insurance companies, £SO 18s 6d ; rent from Ma-k vse ,7s. Total receipts, £B6 14s 3d Orj.d £ at oankon general account, £2632 12s od. Drainage account Cr, £1427 8s 9d. Drainage rate account—Cr, £1249 7s od. Wages, &c, to be paid on general account, £156 6s Id ; on drainage account, £245 Bd. The Mayor said that he had received a copy of the health statistics for April which were more favorable than usual. He had also had an interview with Dr Foster that day consequent upon a call that gentleman had received during the morning from a a leading cabman, asking that the cab cases might be withdrawn so as to allow of the cabowners meeting and considering what means might be taken by them to come in and work under the bye-law. A letter having reference to this would be laid before the Council later on, and it would be for them to decide whether they would permit of the informations being withdrewn in the meantime or not. During the week he had received numerous complaints from a number of citizens about ;the present state of the roads. As the Council would most likely receive a grant from the Provincial Council in a few days, he felt that the number of laboring men might be increased for the purpose of cleaning and repairing the streets. He also considered that assistance should be given to the surveyor, who had a great deal of work to get through. He thought he ought to mention that the Council should take some decided action in having the amendments, proposed by their solicitor, made in the Municipal Corporations Ac*, and that they should invite the co-operation of the other municipalities throughout New Zealand. He had also received a complaint of the manner in which the concrete for one portion of the channelling in the city was being mixed. His Worship then stated the mode of mixing concrete was told him by a gentleman who had had twenty-five years' experience in concrete works.

Cr Bishop, as chairman of the works committee, explained that the cement being mixed for this portion referred to was only an experiment. Cr Jones, with reference to the Mayor's remarks, would move "that a copy of theproposed amendments in the Municipal Corporations Act be sent to other municipalities throughout New Zealand, working under the Act, inviting their co-operatioD." Cr Gapes seconded the motion, which on being put was declared to be lost. The city surveyor reported—- " 1. If we are favored with three or four days' fine weather, the Victoria Bridge footpath and roadway will be finished this week. The bad weather has greatly retarded this work.

"2. Tenders for channelling Cashel street and building the continuation of the South belt sewer will be laid before the Council this evening. "3. In consequence of my illness last week, I shall be unable to lay before the Council this evening drawings of the Lichfield street tank, but I will have them ready for next Monday." The clauses of the report were approved as read. Six tenders for concrete channelling were opened, and Mr Blackmore's accepted. Two tenders for continuation of brick sewer on South town belt were opened, and that of Messrs Parr and Brightmore was accepted. Cr Hart complained of the contractors having left a large and dangerous hole at the corner of Madras and Lichfield streets. They had not even taken the precaution to erect a light over the hole. The chairman of the works committee promised to have this remedied.

The Mayor said that Dr Frankish had had his brougham injured to the extent of £6O, through a hole being left on the South town belt, and Mr W. Wilson had also met with an accident in that direction.

The surveyor desired permission to explain that he had made most minute inquiries, and found that no hole had been left as described by Dr Frankish. The foreman there was a most careful man, and he had assured him that the accident had not been caused by the carriage going into a hole, but through the horses being frightened by a heap of dirt which had been left there in the prosecution of the work.

A letter was read from Dr Foster, stating that a leading member of the cab committee had called upon him that morning to ask if the Council would be willing to drop next Thursday's informations if the cabmen passed a resolution to work under the byelaw with the view of bringing the result of the shilling fare before the Council at the end of two months.

Cr Gapes hoped that the letter would be permitted to lie on the table. Atter the manner the cabbies had treated the Council they must think very poorly of them (the Council) to make such an offer, and he must say that Dr Foster must have a very poor opinion of the Council to submit such a proposition. He would move—" That the letter lie on the table."

Cr Schmidt seconded the resolution. Cr Hart said that the real question was how far the Council would be prepared to go at the end of two months. The cabmen would work under the bye-law for that time, smd if the informations were withdrawn would then come to the Council, and if they found it did not pay ask them to alter the bye-law. After some remarks from Crs Ick and Raphael, the resolution was put and carried. A letter was read from Mr David Craig, secretary to the Associated Insurance Companies, giving each company's proportion towards the £2OO voted for fire prevention purposes by the associated companies, and stating that with regard to the special contribution of £250, two of the companies had not yet decided the proportion they would contribute, but he would advise further in a day or two. Ordered to be acknowledged.

An application was read signed by several residents in Armagh street west, asking that that portion of the Btreet from Cranmer

square to Park terrace might be kerbed and channelled, they undertaking to pay onefourth of the cost of the work.

Resolved—" That the work be done under the conditions stated."

A letter was read from the town clerk, Hokitika, desiring to be furnished with a copy of the regulations in force in Christchurch for giving effect to clause 20 of the Public Health Act, 1872. The town clerk was instructed to reply that the Attorney-General had been written to on this matter.

A letter was read from Mr James Wood, requesting that the channelling might be continued along Hereford street westward as far as his property, and giving reasons why he considered the Council should relax their rule in this instance.

The town clerk was instructed to reply that the work in Hereford street would be undertaken in the course of a few weeks. The letter from the Heathcote Road Board received last week, calling attention to the bad state of the South Belt at the entrance to the Gasworks road, and also to the state of the footpath on the East town belt, consideration of which had been deferred, was again read. After the town clerk had read the correspondence which had taken place on this subject from the time this work was mooted, Cr Gapes said that, according to the correspondence, he believed that it was understood that the footpath was to be shingled ; and taking the money from the people who had contributed, and not doing this work, was merely deceiving them. He would move—" That the footpath be shingled to the width of ten feet."

Cr Jones would second the motion with pleasure. Cr Ick considered the Council always treated the Heathcote Road Board like spoiled children, when any letter was received from them. If he stood alone he should vote against the motion. When the Council had formed a portion of the belt with the Spreydon Board, the latter had not come to them afterwards to ask them to shingle it. This work was of no use whatever to the city, and in the present state of the city works the Council could not afford to make a present to any Road Board. The Mayor said that the Council had contributed £67 10s for work which did not in any way benefit the city. It would not be lust to the citizens to expend more money in this work, though if the Heathcote Road Board would pay to have the work done, the Council would of course have it carried out. Cr Bishop felt that the surveyor was somewhat to blame in not having provided for the path being shingled in the specification, as had he done so the Heathcote Board would no doubt have contributed their proportion at the time. Cr Ick moved as an amendment—" That upon the Heathcote Road Board paying onehalf the estimated cost of shingling the footpath on the east side of the East belt, the Council will undertake to have the work done as soon as they are in sufficient funds." Cr Raphael seconded the amendment. After Cr Gapes had replied, the amendment was put and carried. On the motion of Cr Bishop, it was resolved to forward a reply to the Heathcote Road Board in accordance with the memoranda which had been annexed to the letter received from that Board. A letter was read from Mr H. Fuhrman calling attention to the state of the road at the corner of Madras street and Oxford terrace. Referred to the surveyor. A letter was read, signed by several ratepayers on the North town belt, requesting that the pathway in front of their dwellings might be repaired, and some gravel spread on it, as the late bad weather had made it almost impassable. Referred to the surveyor to have it attended to. Cr Hart said that as the resolutions had been moved on the previous Monday against which he had protested, he would ask leave to withdraw his protest, It was resolved that Cr Hart have permission to withdraw the protest entered by him. The letter received last week from the residents in Cashel street west, requesting that the footpaths from Cashel street bridge westerly to Antigua street might be formed, and the holes filled up, was again read. Referred to the surveyor. A letter was read from Mr D. W. Bartram calling attention to the south-west footpath in Montreal street south. Referred to the surveyor. Cr Jones moved—" That it is accessary for the health of the city that the owners of dwelling houses and premises fronting on streets which have had permanent side channels laid down, shall convey the surplus artesian water and the house slops from their respective premises in suitable drains, and connect the same with the said channels. That this Council take steps to have foregoing resolution carried into effect." Cr Ick seconded the motion. After some remarks from councillors, the resolution was put and agreed to. Cr Raphael moved—" That the footpaths be repaired and shingled where required throughout Christchurch, and that the works committee take this matter in hand as soon as possible." Cr Schmidt seconded the motion, which was carried.

Cr Ick moved—" That Dr Foster prepare a bye-law regulating the speed of horses and wheeled vehicles round the corners of the following streets, viz—Hereford and Colombo streets, near the Bank of New Zealand; Colombo and Cashel streets; High and Cashel streets, near the Bank of Australasia, and the corner by Mr Calvert's shop, and such other places as the City Council may from time to time approve." He trusted the motion would commend itself to councillors, as such a bye-law would be the means of preventing many accidents, and the necessity for such a law had been patent to a large majority of the citizens for a long time. Cr Calvert seconded the motion.

Cr Bishop considered the resolution was too arbitrary to be passed at the present time, and read an extract from the report of the bye-law committee recommending that riders aud drivers should only be compelled to walk at the intersection of Cashel and Colombo streets. He could not support the resolution in its present form, and he did not think that any council should possess the power of compelling people to walk at the corners of so many streets.

Cr Gapes moved as an amendment —" That a bye-law be drafted for regulating the speed for driving within the limits of the city, so that no person shall ride or drive other than at a walking pace past any signal this Couu-

cil may cause to be erected from time to time." The amendment was not seconded and fell through. After Or Ick had repl.ed, the motion was put and carried. For, (Jis lck, Jones, Hart, Oalvert, and Schmidt; against, Ors Bishop, Kaphael, and Gapes. Or Jones moved—" That it is advisable to appoint other stands within the city besides those now used by the licensed carriers, and that the works committee be requested to select suitable sites and report to the Council this day fortnight." Or Schmidt seconded the motion, which was carried after some discussion. The following report from the sanitary committee on the introduction of earth closets was read : "Your committee and the inspector of nuisances met for the purpose of considering the introduction of earth closets under the Public Health Act, 1872. They recommend that this subject be calmly and carefully discussed. Your committee do not wish to be carried awaj by proposing great schemes, involving large or useless expenditure ; they do not wish to burden the present or future ratepayers with heavier taxes than necessary, but rather endeavour to propose practical means to purify their city, and make profitable use of that which at present is a nuisance and detrimental to health. However imperfectly they may bring this subject before you, their earnest wish is by the introduction of this system of earth closets, to accomplish the end in view. " Earth closets are generally in use in the United States of America, the Continent of Europe, also in Australia, and partially in England. In all cases where tried they have answered the expectation of all parties concerned, and from works lately received from America by Mr M. B. Hart, one of the committee, on this subject, the testimony of the most scientific, and also medical men, prove the earth system preferable to water or any other system yet adopted for the removal of excreta.

" Earth closets can be made in our own city at small or large expense, according to the wish or taste of the parties using them, so that they will come within the means of the poor as well as the rich. The comfort, cleanliness, and utility of the system, will be apparent to all who adopt it. "No difficulty need be apprehended in obtaining a supply of suitable earth, as the city scavenger will, if required, provide the same at a trifling expense,—viz, one penny per week per pan additional to the present charge, or parties using earth closets may supply themselves with earth or dry ashes as a good substitute, and may avoid the expense of removal by using the contents as a valuable manure for their own gardens. " There are earth closets at present in use in this city which answer the purpose admirably, and the parties using the same asßure your committee they would not return to the old plan on any consideration, and that this is the general experience elsewhere the following extracts will show : - " ' Board of Health, Chicago, "«November 30i.h, 1869.

" ' I have for the past three years examined and witnessed the practical working of the earth closet, and am satisfied that under a great variety of circumstances it affords the best means of disposing of night soil with reference to both sanitary and economical considerations. It is particularly valuable in this city, and in all localities where similar conditions obtain with regard to drainage. " ' John H. Rauch, " « Sanitary Superintendent.' " « Albany, N.Y., January 20th, 1870.

" ' In reply to your request for my opinion of the dry earth commode, I am able to speak most unequivocally in its favour. One has been in constant use in my house for several months, and is regarded as an indispensable convenience. Doubtless arguments in favor of the watercloset system will be offered against the dry earth system, but simplicity, economy, and science must determine a verdict in favor of the latter. In the marvellous process of disintegration and renewal throughout the animal and vegetable worlds a constant demand is created in one organisation for those products, which are eliminated from another organisation as effete or useless. In the dry earth system this fact is regarded, and the fertilising constituents of the flesh and vegetables which we eat, after playing their part in the human economy, are conveniently and inoffensively preserved for the use of the farmer and gardener in those beautiful laboratories whose chemical products are the flower, the fruit, and the grain. "' Yours, truly, " < 0. A. Robertson, M.D.'" " ' Boston College, December 21, 1869. " ' From experiments which I had ordered as president of the College of the Holy Cross. Worcester, Mass., I was convinced that " earth closets" and the " earth system" were amoDgst the most useful discoveries of the age. " ' Your obedient servant, " ' R. W. Brady, S. J.'" " The following is from the ' American Agricultural Annual, 1870,' by Col. M. C. Weld:— "' The very important bearing this subject has upon agriculture led the writer to look carefully into it several years since, and more than three years ago the •' earth closet" was an institution in his family economy, introduced notwithstanding many doubts, and retained as an indispensable comfort. " ' We heartily wish all dwellers in the country who daily and nightly are obliged to subject themselves and the ladies of their families to the exposure of a walk of several rods to reach a retreat secluded under vines and behind hollyhocks, perhaps, but oftener open to the broad glare of day and the eyes of the passer or curious, could have the same comfort. However secluded, the conventional privy is an abomination which, after a few years, we shall wonder was aver endured in the latter half of the nineteenth century. The earth closet, supplied constantly with dry earth, is odorless and neat. Tt may be in the house or in the wood shed. It is well to have it where it may be entered unobserved, and so arranged that dry earth may be brought in and removed without attracting attention. " ' Schenectady, N.Y., December 20,1869. '"I have had the form of the earth closet known as the commode in constant use for the past two months. It being difficult to procure dry earth so late in the season, I have substituted for it sifted anthracite coal ashes. The commode has worked well in all respects, and the ashes seem to be as perfect a deodoriser and disintegrator as can be desired. There is no offensive smell, and the contents of the hod when it is emptied appear to consist of ashes only. I can conceive of no objection that c?n be used against the ashes, except that from its

lightness and consequent bulkiness, the hod is sooner filled than if earth were used, and must be emptied more frequently. If the product is to be used, as it always should be, as a fertiliser, I think the ashes preferable to earth, where the soil to which it is to be applied isheavy. As to the value of this joint result of discovery and invention, considered in all its relations, sanitary and economical, as promotive of decency and comfort, and supplying an important desideratum for every human habitation, it is impossible to overestimate it. " ' Yours truly, " ' Professor J. W. Jackson.' " " Your committee having carefully considered this question, are perfectly satisfied of the advantages of the earth closet system, and are unanimously of opinion that their general introduction will prove of great benefit to the inhabitants of the city of Christchurch." The report was received, and the thanks of the Council were accorded to the committee for their elaborate report. After some remarks from Councillors it was resolved to defer further discussion on the report until Monday next. The usual weekly report of the inspector of nuisances was read and approved. J. Kearney's application for a driver's license which had been postponed last week was brought on for consideration. The Mayor said that he had taken the letter and petition sent in for Kearney to Mr Mellish, and that gentleman still considered that the man was not fit to hold a license; that he thought the line should be drawn somewhere; that there were plenty of respectable drivers to be obtained, and that he considered the public should be protected against a repetition of the conduct for which Kearney had been convicted. Cr Raphael hoped the license would be granted, and the man given one more chance. He would move—" That a driver's license be granted with a caution attached." He would merely remark that, after all, Mr Mellish's opinion was merely one against the nineteen ratepayers who had signed the petition in Kearney's favor. Cr Schmidt gave an instance where the applicant had risked his (Cr Schmidt's) life through being in an unfit state to have charge of horses and an omnibus.

Or Ick did not desire to be hard on Kearney, or to prevent him earning a livelihood, and he hoped he would still be able to do so, but after his Worship had waited upon Mr Mellish, and that gentleman had expressed himself as they had heard, it would simply bring the Council into contempt if they granted the license. Kearney had been granted an owner's license and could get some person to drive his horses. Cr Gapes would like, with all due deference to Mr Mellish, that the man be given one more chance, on the distinct understanding that the first time he was summoned for drunkenness or incivility his license should be cancelled immediately. He would second the motion.

In reply to Cr Bishop the Mayor said that he did not think Kearney had been before the Court since the case when Mr Mellish had given evidence against him. On the resolution being put it was declared to be carried by 4 to 3, Crs Raphael, Gapes, Calvert, and Bishop voting for, and Crs Schmidt, Jones, and Ick against the motion. It was decided that Kearney be requested to attend at the Council Chambers next Monday evening. Drivers' licenses were granted to Arthur Gordon, Rowland Savage, Ralph Trigance, and Joseph Gay. A letter was read from Albert Brown, cabdriver, complaining that after he had applied for a license he had been summoned for standing with his cab in Gloucester street. On the motion of Cr Jones, seconded by Cr Raphael, it was resolved that the inspector be instructed to make enquiries, and if found as represented that he be authorised to withdraw the information. The Council then adjourned.