CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 326, 29 June 1875, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

Monday, June 28.

The usual weekly meeting was held in the Council Chambers. Present —His Worship the Mayor, and Crs Calvert, Ick, Jones, Schmidt, Gapes, Raphael, and Hart. 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, £2 17s ; Waimakariri do, 9s fid ; from Provincial Government, £1260; from Board of Conservators, account of rates, £92 10s; from Board, on account of rent of chamber, £10; fines from Resident Magistrate’s Court, £9 ss; building fees from city surveyor, £4 15s; rent of Market place, 7s Total receipts, £1370 3s fid. Overdraft at Bank, £2122 Is Bd. Drainage account—Cr, £862 17s 2d. Drainage rate account—Cr, £1268 17s lOd. Wages, &c., to be paid on general account, £169 17s 8d; on drainage account, £ll2 Os 7d. The Mayor said that he regretted Cr Bishop was too unwell to attend that evening. He was glad to say that the debtor balance at the bank had been reduced by the first instalment of the £SOOO grant, which had been received from the Government during the past week. The city surveyor reported—- “ 1. The building of the South belt sewer was resumed this week. “ 2. Victoria Bridge is now finished, with the exception of painting, which will be commenced at once. “ 3. All the broken metal is now carted from the auarrv. and nine carta aro engaged carting the broken metal from Cathedral Square on to the streets. Three contractors are engaged carting shingle and gravel on to the roads and footpaths.” The clauses of the report were passed as read. Cr Raphael drew the attention of the works committee to the practice of some householders allowing water to flow into the side channels while they were being formed, to the detriment of the work. Also to the necessity of the footpath on Oxford Terrace, leading to the swing bridge, being shingled. Or Hart drew attention to the state of the footpath at the corner of Lichfield and High streets, caused by persons allowing water, soapsuds, &c, to flow from their premises on to it. It was resolved that the works committee bring up a report next week on the best means of utilising some land belonging to the Council in the vicinity of the outfall drain. A letter was read from the Secretary for Public Works stating that in reference to the interview which the Government had with the deputation from the City Council respecting the grant of £SOOO voted by the Provincial Council for bridges and drainage within the city, an imprest of £l2so—being 25 per cent of above grant—would be placed to the credit of the City Council at once, on the understanding that it would be duly accounted for before the next instalment of tt e grant is paid. A letter was read from the Manager of the Bank of New Zealand; saying that in reference to his letter of 2nd December last, he had to inform the Council that the coupons were duly paid in London, and were held in his office at the Council’s disposal. A letter was read from Mr S. Johnston, Kaiopoi, in reply, forwarding tracing of plan of his section as shown on the deed. Referred to the surveyor. Two letters were read from Mr J. J. Parker, lessee of the weighbridge, in reply, informing the Council (hat prior to receipt of their letter he had discovered the errors made by him, and had dismissed his assistant in consequence ; asking that a competent person might be sent to examine the weighbridge as to its accuracy, and bringing before (he notice of the Council the state of the entrance to the weighbridge from Victoria bridge. The explanation given in the first letter was considered to be satisfactory, and the second letter was referred to the works committee, who were authorised to examine the weighbridge, make all necessary repairs, and lay down two crossings. A letter was read from Mr F, Strouts, architect, stating that, for purposes of insurance, he had measured and plotted, after ' nclosed form, the buildings within the fire block of the city, besides several blocks outside. He had since filled 5n new buildings and alterations, and would supply the Council with a copy of the whole for the sum of one hundred guineas under certain conditions.

Resolved, “ That the Council regret they are not not in a position at present to purchase the plans.” A letter was read, signed by a number of residents at the corner of St Asaph street and Ferry road, drawing attention to the want of a lamp in that locality. Referred to the lighting committee. Cr Ick mentioned the very inadequate light gome of the new lamps throughout the

city were giving through the burners being 80 small. Or Hart said the size of the burners to be used in the new lamps was stipulated in the contract with the gas company. It was resolved that the town clerk write to the secretary to the gas company pointing this fact out. Or Raphael expressed his surprise that there should have been such a body as the lighting committee in existence without his knowing it before. Or Ick regretted that a sum of £4OO or £SOO should have been expended last year by the lighting committee in the erection of thirty-three lamps throughout the city without so careful and prominent a member of the finance committee as Cr Raphael being aware of such an expenditure. A letter was read from Mr Thomas Reese, calling attention to the state of Queen street, between Lichfield and Tuam streets. A second letter was also read from Mr J. Tucker to the same effect. In reply to Or Hart, the town clerk said that the street mentioned had not been taken over by the Council. It was resolved that these letters be referred to the sanitary committee to report on. A letter was read from Thomas Cooper, who had been employed as foreman of works, and discharged, asking for a hearing, employment under the Council, or else a certificate of discharge. Cr Raphael moved—“ That a certificate according to the manner in which Cooper has carried out his work, be given to him.” Cr Calvert seconded the motion.

Cr Gapes did not think the letter that had been sent to Cooper implied in any way that he had been guilty of dishonesty. He (Cr Gapes) considered that Cooper was a thoroughly practical man, and the only reason why he was discharged was that he had been guilty of an indiscretion in giving away some earth contrary to the surveyors instructions.

Cr Jones said that the reason Cooper had been discharged, merely resolved itself into his having been guilty of insubordination. The Mayor said that instructions had been given to Cooper by himself that he was to implicitly carry out all instructions he received from the surveyor, and only a short time afterwards, an instance occurred where he had positively disobeyed instructions, and he (the Mayor) would not countenance any employee being guilty of insubordination.

Cr Ick said that when an unjust action was committed it always recoiled upon those guilty of it, and he felt at the time and still felt that Cooper had not been justly treated. He (Cr Ick) had asked at the time that the man might be granted a hearing in that Chamber, but the majority of the Council would not listen to this. Tie works committee had never found fault with Cooper. They knew of bickerings between him and the surveyor, and it was his (Cr Ick’s) opinion at the time that there were faults on both sides. The streets were never in so good a state as when Cooper had to look after them. The man had not been given a hearing, and he trusted they would now do an act of simple justice. Cr Hart bore testimony to Cooper’s zealousness while in the employ of the Council, especially in the matter of the cab stands, when he worked night and day. When he (Cooper) and the surveyor were before the Council in committee, the former had certainly the best of it, and it was admitted by the surveyor that he had not issued any definite instructions at the time. He (Cr Hart) had voted that the man be granted a hearing (and only he and Cr Ick voted for that course), but this was not done. At the time he did not wish that Cooper should be retained, as he felt that either Cooper or the surveyor would have to go, and of course it must be the former. He trusted that the Council would see their way to give this man a character, and relieve the minds of many influential residents who had signed the recommendation to his appointment as foreman of works. He had known Cooper for thirty-three years, and for this reason alone had voted against his being appointed to the position, as some evilminded persons might have said that hia having known him for so long a time had influenced his vote.

After some remarks from Cr Raphael his motion was amended to read—“ That foreman Cooper was discharged in consequence of a misunderstanding with the surveyor, and it was found to be inexpedient to continue his services longer, but that the Council consider him a competent, honest, and industrious man, and that the Mayor be requested to sign a certificate to this effect. ’ An amendment moved by Cr Jones, slightly altering the words of the motion, was not seconded, and fell through. On being put the motion was declared to be carried.

A requisition signed by several ratepayers was read, offering to pay one-fourth the cost of channelling the south side of Cashel street, from Mrs Tompkin’s shop to Durham street; on east side of Durham street, from Cashel to Lichfield streets ; on north side of Lichfield street, from Durham street to Oxford Terrace. Resolved—“ That the work be carried out on the usual terms.” Letters were read from several residents in Lichfield street, calling attention to the state of the footpath in front of their residences.

An application offering to supply broken metal at 9s 6d per yard was referred to the works committee.

A letter was read from Mr Wm. Ness, hon sec to the A.0.F., soliciting the patronage of the Council to the benefit to be given at the Theatre Royal on July 15th, in aid of the Widows’ and Orphans’ Fund of the above society. It was resolved that the request be complied with. The guarantee policy of the rate collector was laid on the table.

Cr Gapes moved—“ That tho nuisance inspector be instructed to give notice to all owners and occupiers, as the case may be, oi lands within the city who have not sufficient drainage for carrying off storm water, t* cause the same to be properly filled up and levelled in accordance with clause No 324 oi the Municipal Corporations Act, so that storm water shall not be allowed to remain and stagnate detrimental to the health oi the residents of the city.” Or Iclc seconded the resolution, and considered it would only be useless spending thousands of pounds in drainage, if people were not compelled to fill up their back sections so as to drain into the channels. The present was a very opportune time, as the surveyor had now thousands of loads of earth which he would be glad to give away for the purpose of filling up. The Mayor pointed out that, under clause 324, the motion would be found itn-

practicable. To carry such a resolution into effect, it would have to be brought under the Public Health Act.

Cr Gapes obtained leave to withdraw his resolution, and said he would bring it on again when the Council resolved itself into a Local Board of Health.

A draft bye-law, regulating the speed at which horses shall be ridden and driven round corners of certain streets, was brought down from Dr Foster, and adjourned for consideration for a week.

Or Jones said that the fire brigade committee accompanied by Cr Ick had called upon the residents in Lichfield street with a desire to see what monies they could obtain towards having the larger tank erected in that street for fire prevention purposes, and they had been promised sums amounting to about £IOO. He trusted some of the resi dents in that neighbourhood would now take the mattei in hand. If they did not, and the Council carried out their intention of erecting the smaller tank, the residents would only have to blame themselves. He would move—“ That the Council stay proceedings for a fortnight in this direction until it is seen how much money can be collected for the erection of the larger tank.” Cr Gapes seconded the motion. Cr Ick said that about £llO had been promised, but he was doubtful if the amount required would be collected. Cr Hchmidt considered the smaller tank would answer all the requirements; asit would be much better that the balance which would have to be expended in the erection of the larger one should be spent on the streets.

Or Baphael rose to move a vote of censure on Or Jones as chairman of the Fire Brigade committee for the action he had taken in calling upon residents after the resolution passed by the Council. Or Gapes seconded Cr Raphael’s motion pro forma. Cr Raphael obtained leave to withdraw his motion.

Cr Jones’s motion was put and carried. On Dr Foster’s bill of costs being submitted, Cr Raphael moved—“ That its consideration be deferred for one week.” Cr Gapes seconded the motion, Cr Jones moved as an amendment—“ That Dr Foster’s bill be paid.” Cr Hart seconded the amendment with pleasure. He did so, for one reason, as he well remembered that on the last occasion when Dr Foster’s bill was submitted in that Council, there were many of the members who expressed themselves surprised at the smallness of the amount, and said that had the work been done by anybody else the amount would have been much larger. Why a change had since that time come over the spirit of their dream he could not tell. The Mayor said that Dr Foster had told him that under the circumstances of his not having charged for some work done he could not make any reduction, and if councillors considered his charges too high, he would not have the slightest objection to have his bill submitted either to Mr Duncan or Mr Hanmer. He (the Mayor) had submitted the bill to Cr Bishop as an old chairman of the finance committee, and he (Cr Bishop) had told him that he saw no item in it to cavil at. He had gone through the document himself, and could see no item in it which he considered an overcharge. Cr Ick could neither support the motion nor the amendment in its present form, as he learnt that some of the members of the finance committee had not examined the bill.

The Mayor explained that the bill had been sent in about a month since, and had been handed to Cr Raphael as a member of the finance committee to examine. He had mislaid it, and some time had to elapse before a copy could be made. Cr Raphael’s motion was amended with the addition of the following words—“ and that Messrs Hanmer and Harper be requested to give their opinion as to the charges.” On being put the amendment was declared to be lost and the motion carried, Crs Jones, Hart, and Calvert voting for the amendment, and Crs Raphael, Gapes, Schmidt, and Ick against it. The usual weekly report of the inspector of nuisances was read and approved. The Council then adjourned.