CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 338, 13 July 1875, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

Monday, July 12, The usual weekly meeting was held in the Council Chambers. Present —His Worship the Mayor, and Crs Calvert, Hart, Bishop, Ick, Jones, Raphael, Gapes, and Schmidt. 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, £10; Waimakariri do, £ll3s 4d; general city rates, 1875, £B9 2s ; Waimakariri do, £l4 17s ; fines from Resident Magistrate’s Court, £5 ; received for licenses, £5 ; rent from Market place, 7s Total receipts, £125 19s 4d. Overdraft at Bank on general account, £2548 lssd. Drainage account —Cr, £l7l 14s Id. Drainage rate account —Or, £1047 12s 9d. Wages, &c., to be paid on general account, £31114s lOd; on drainage account, £8914s 4d. The Mayor said that during the week he had received the following telegram relating to the proposed amendments in the new Municipal Act; —“ I regret that I have been unable at present to submit your proposed Bill to the Solicitor-General, owing to pressure of work. He will, in the course of a day or two, be able to advise, when I will communicate fully.-EDWAED RICHAEDSON.” With reference to the letter sent in by Messrs Garrick and Cowlishaw respecting Free’s creek, the town clerk had carefully inspected the Government plans, and found that a portion of that creek was marked on one of them. He" (the Mayor) had learnt privately that all that Mr vVright, the chairman of the Board, desired, was a pipe or culvert to carry away the storm water, only with no desire of diverting the water from its present course. If the Council would leave it in his Lands he would endeavor to settle the matter amicably with Mr Wright. He (the Mayor) had summoned the drainage conference for Wednesday next. He had been spoken to about keeping open the Montreal street bridge, but not in time to make it available, as the earth approaches were in course of removal before he knew that it was a member of the works committee who had made the suggestion to the secretary;of the association. Cr Bishop said that some of the residents in that neighborhood had called on him requesting he would use his best efforts to prevent the nuisance of the water course to the creek being again opened, simply on the score of public health. The suggestion of an overflow pipe was another matter, and might be carried out if after inspection by the surveyor and works committee it was deemed advisable. Or Gapes agreed with the views expressed by Cr Bishop, and trusted the creek would psTer again be opened.

The Mayor said that he understood the contention of the Board was merely the question of giving up a right, which ne believed might be amicably arranged. On the motion of Cr Bishop, the letter received from Messrs Garrick and Cowlishaw was referred to the works committee to report. The city surveyor reported—- “ I—The1 —The lease of the quarry expires on the Ist August next. It is therefore necessary to decide what shall be done with the stone breaking machine, trolleys, and rails ; also, whether anything is to be done in the shape of repairs to the road into the quarry. << 2 —The works committee recommend that tenders be called for one thousand yards of screened shingle for the outlying streets and belts. “ 3 —The demolition of the Montreal street bridge commenced on Friday last. “ 4—The works committee recommend that tenders be called for laying channels in Worcester and Gloucester streets. “ s—Annexed hereto is a report on the effects of the last heavy rain in connection with the sewers. On clause 1 of the report being read, a long discussion took place on the inferior quality of the stone in the quarry mentioned. It was resolved, on the motion of Or Raphael—“ That the lease of the quarry be given up, and the works committee be instructed to take steps to dispose of the plant.” * The surveyor’s report, with reference to the flooding of the East town belt, was as follows :—“ The inconvenience caused by the water on the East belt, after the late heavy rain, prompted meto|examine and find out, if possible, a means of avoiding a recurrence of the evil. I find that the brick sewer below the belt, as also the land drain (owing to their shape, size, and slight fall) will never carry away the water faster than it was taken during the last storm. In my opinion the land drain should be a great deal larger, and so arranged that when there is more than about twelve inches of water in the sewer it should be allowed to overflow into the land drain, and be quickly carried away. As the open sewer now exists it backs the water up, and prevents it passing out of the brick sewer so rapidly as it might. If the open drain and the land drain were to be carried in one instead of two ditches, a more rapid current would be obtained, owing to the volume of water being increased and the friction against the sides diminished. Another reason why more water cannot pass at present is that the roof of the East belt sewer (subsequently constructed) is of necessity lower than the roof of the outfall sewer. I would suggest as a means of carrying the water away more rapidly, that the.brick invert—from the silt pits on the belt to Ollivier’s road—already authorised should be constructed as large as possible.— C. Walkdbn.” Cr Bishop said the works committee considered the suggestion a good one, and recommend that it be adopted. Cr Calvert moved, and Cr Bishop seconded the adoption of the report. Cr Hart considered the report required serious consideration before being adopted, as it would involve an expense of something like £20,000. He did not for one moment agree with the conclusions of the surveyor as to why the water was not carried away as quickly as desirable on the occasion of the recent exceptionally heavy storm, which might not again happen for another thirteen years. He also differed with the surveyor’s remarks on the shape of the land drain, and would prefer Mr Bray’s opinion to that of Mr Walkden,

Cr Bishop said that Cr Hart misunderstood the suggestion of the surveyor, as the only work to be actually carried out was that portion recommending that the brick invert from the silt pits to Ollivier’s road should be carried out. The remainder of the report was merely a series of suggestions from the surveyor. The Mayor said that the surveyor had had an exceptional opportunity, during the late floods, of watching the working of the drain, and in reporting the result of his observations, he had merely done his duty. On the motion of Cr Bishop, that part of the report recommending the construction of a brick invert, was adopted. Cr Bishop, as chairman of the works committee, said the surveyor had inspected the best spot near the East town belt for the erection of a cart bridge over the river, and had recommended that part immediately opposite Ward’s Brewery. If this work were carried out (and the works committee would advise no other than a cart bridge being constructed) a piece of land for a road would have to be purchased on the other side, and the cost would exceed £2000,. A letter had been sent to the East Christchurch committee advising them of this. On the motion of Cr Raphael, the works committee were instructed to purchase a spring cart and harness. Or Ick drew attention to the nuisance arising from the branches of trees overhanging footpaths which are broken off during high winds, filling up the drains, and preventing the water being carried away. This had been brought under his notice particularly during the gale that day . Cr Raphael said he had particularly noticed this nuisance iniront of the Bank of New South Wales. It was eventually resolved that the attention of the inspector be drawn to branches overhanging footpaths. A deputation from omnibus owners waited upon the Council to ask that the licenses to conductors should be connected with owners’ licenses, and not be granted personally to the boys. It was resolved that consideration of this matter be deferred for a week, the town clerk in the meantime to write to the Commissioner of Police to stay proceedings against boys acting as conductors who had not taken out licenses. Consideration of the draft bye-law regulating the speed at which horses shall be ridden and driven round corners was further adjourned. A letter was read from the Secretary to the Treasury, Wellington, in reply to application from town clerk, enclosing scrip for £4OO for four debentures to be issued under the Immigration and Public Works Loan Act, 1870. A letter was read from the Minister of Education, forwarding for information, copy of a letter received from the chairman of the East Christchurch school committee re the erection of a bridge across the river near the East town belt, adding that the Government would be glad if the City Council could see its way to give the necessary accommodation. It was resolved—“ That a reply be sent to the Minister of Education, stating that the

erection of a bridge, with the necessary land that would have to bo purchased, would exceed £2OOO, and thu ihe L'ouncil arc not at present in a position to expend that sum.” A letter was read from the secretary to the Agricultu) al and Pastoral Association, asking the Council to allow the Montreal street bridge to be opened for driven stock only on their way to the society’s exhibition, on Thursday next ; also, asking the Council to extend the hour at which stock may be driven through the streets to 10 a.m, and allow them to be driven from the yards at 3.30 p.m. on that day. The town clerk was instructed to reply that the Council regrets the demolition of the bridge had commenced before receipt of the letter, aad that the Commissioner of Police would be communicated with in reference to the latter request. A letter was read from Messrs M. Smith, W. Gavin, and G. Wood, calling attention to the bad state of the South town belt, between Colombo and Montreal streets, also to Durham street, and the footpaths in that neighborhood, also requesting the erection of a lamp. Referred to the works and lighting committee. Cr Ick said that it would be as well that ratepayers who complain of shingle not being laid down sufficiently fast on the footpaths knew that after the late heavy rains there was about nine inches of water in the shingle beds, which prevented the shingle being got out, A letter was read from the surveyor to the Spreydon Road Board, saying the South town belt at the end of Durham street was quite impassable, and the Board was prepared to pay half the cost of gravelling a footpath across it if the Council would have the work done. Ordered that the work be carried out. The following report was read : “ Report of Lighting Committee, July 12th, 1875. “ Your committee beg to report that the six new improved Skelton’s lamps, ordered from England, have arrived ; and they recommend that the same shall be placed at the following places, viz—Cathedral square, near Godley’s statue ; near St Michael’s Church ; near New Congregational Church and Masonic Hall ; near St John’s Church and Schools ; near the Public Library ; Victoria Bridge, south-east side, on the new iron post. “ The committee also desire to urge upon the Council the great necessity that extsts for the further additional lighting of the city with gas lamps, and respectfully recommend that they be empowered to call for tenders for iron lamp posts and lanterns for the following places, viz—Corner of Tuam and Manchester street, Laurie’s corner; Ferry road and corner of Jenkins’ section ; St Asaph and Barbadoes street, Nathan’s corner; Madras and New street, Howard’s corner ; Armagh and Madras street, near old police depot; Tuam and Colombo street, Montgomery’s corner; St Asaph and Antigua street, near Deacon's brewery ; Colombo and Peterborough street, near Hume’s bakery ; Cashel street bridge, north-west side ; Gloucester and Antigua street ; Worcester and Antigua street ; Tuam and Madras street, Dobb's c jrner ; Lichfield and Manchester street, near Mrs Butlers’ and Peacock’s old store ; Whateley road and Peterborough street, near the tank ; Papanui road and North town belt, Billing’s corner ; Gloucester street and Cambridge Terrace, near Synagogue ; Cathedral Square and Worcester corner, Twentyman’s ; Cambridge Terrace and Whately road : Kfimore street dast, corner of Carter’s Jright-of-way ; Salisbury street and Park Terrace. “ The committee in recommending that lamps should be placed as soon as possible at the places above indicated, are fully sensible there are many other places where lamps are badly wanted, but until the Gas Company are in a position to extend their mains to those places, it will be unnecessary to call for larger tenders. It is, however, suggested that the Council respectfully urge upon the company to extend their mains to the belts at as early a period as possible, with a view of increasing to a large extent the facilities for better lighting the streets of the city.” The lighting committee were authorised to call for tenders for the necessary lames. It was resolved that a notice be advertised, as directed by clause 240 of the Municipal Corporations Act, stating their intention to consider a proposition to borrow a sum of £9OOO, to be raised on debentures of £SO each, to be expended on works of drainage. A letter, influentially signed, was read from owners and occupiers of land in Hereford street, calling attention to the necessity and desirableness of providing a more commodious bridge over the river on that line of the street, giving the following reasons: — “ I—Because1 —Because the present bridge is narrow, and placed entirely at one side of the street lines. 2—Because the mill traffic offers a constant obstruction to the ordinary cart traffic. 3—Because the present bridge has not been erected at the expense of the city, and the ratepayers specially interested in this line of communication have a fair and reasonable claim to be considered equally with other ratepayers interested on other lines of bridge thoroughfares, and 4 Because the existence of the present bridge seriously depreciates the value of the land on both sides of the river.” Or Raphael considered that the persons who had signed the letter should subscribe one-half of the cost of the bridge. He would mo ve —‘ ‘That the work be carried out on this being done.” Cr Gapes seconded the motion. Cr Ick thought the Council should go a step further, and instruct the surveyor to prepare plans. If it were known that a handsome structure would be erected it might influence subscriptions to a considerable extent. The Mayor said that the letter might be worded, informing the petitioners that the character of the structure would depend on the amount subscribed. The usual weekly report of the inspector of nuisances was read and approved. A letter was read from R. Offwood, accompanying application for license for a fourwheeled cab, and asking permission be allowed to run his cab on Friday, July 16th. The request was granted. Applications for a driver’s license was received from R. J. Offwood, and from A. Downing and H. J. Price for conductor’s license i, and deferred for a week for the inspector’s report. Twenty-three applications received for the office of foreman of works were opened and read. After some discussion it was resolved —“ That the applications be considered by the works committee, who arc to report on .next Monday.” 1 The Council then adjourned.]