CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 444, 16 November 1875, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

Monday, November 16. The usual weekly meeting was held In the Council Chambers, at 4 o’clock. Present —His Worship the Mayor, and Crs Ick, Jones, Wood, Hawkes, Schmidt, Gapes, Turner, and Thomson. The minutes of the last weekly meeting were read and confirmed. The acting town clerk reported as follows ; —Received from rate collector account general city rates, 1874, £1 10s; Waimakariri do, 5s ; general city rates, 1875, £6l Is ; Waimakariri do, £8 10s 2d; rent from Market Place, 7s ; licenses, £4 ; building fees, £6 15s; fines Resident Magistrate’s Court, £l6 5s ; third instalment of Government grant, £1250. Total receipts for the week, £1338 13s 2d ; overdraft at bank on general account, £Bll 1 Is 10d ; overdraft oh drainage account, £4346 4s 9d. Drainage rate account—Or, £1576 Is 4d. Wages, &c, to be paid on general account, £73 3s 2d ; on drainage account, £lB 12s. The Mayor said they were all aware that since the Council had last met Mr Gordon, town clerk for so many years, bad expired. He felt that every member of the Council had heard the sad news with sincere regret, and that that feeling had been universal, and he thought that in recognition of Mr Gordon’s long and faithful services the Council should vote a sum of money to his widow and family. Cr Jones moved —“ That a letter of condolence be forwarded from this Council to Mrs Gordon and family, expressive of the Council’s regret at their late sad bereavement.” Cr Ick seconded the motion, which was unanimously agreed to. Cr Turner moved—“ That a sum equivalent to one month’s salary for each year’s service by the late town clerk—fourteen years in all—be paid by this Council to Mrs Gordon for the benefit of herself and family.” Cr Thomson seconded the resolution. Cr Ick moved as an amendment—“ That consideration of this matter be adjourned for a week.” He did so because he believed if it were known the amount the Council purposed voting, it would materially the subscription lists, and besides he desired all money to be voted away in accordance with the Act. Cr Gapes seconded the amendment. After some discussion, Cr Turner said he fe’e certain that if th' money were voted it would not in tV slightest degree affect the subscription Sgeiug, however, the feeling in the mind

a few of the councillors to postpone the matter for a week, he would withdraw his motion, and would also state his determination not to move fuither in the matter, as to his very great surprise the resolution had not b*en carried unanimously, and he would now leave that duty to others, on whom the onus of his having to withdraw the resolution must rest. Both resolution and amendment were then withdrawn. Cr Hawkes moved— ■“ That the Mayor be instructed to advertise for a qualified person to fill the office of town clerk at a salary of £3OO per year,” He believed the time had nearly arrived when the Council should engage the services of a professional man to fill the position. Cr Tck seconded the resolution, which was carried • The city surveyor reported as follows : ni. Another plan for Hereford street bridge will be laid before the Council this evening. The bridge will be 114 ft long and 32ft between the stone piers, and 34ft between the band rails. The stone abutments will be carried down below the lowest bed of the stream afr the site of the bridge. I have been obliged to adopt another iron lattice work handrail, that being the only material which embraces lightness, strength, and cheapness. The centre portion of the bridge will be supported on iron bark piles and beams of the same description of timber. Should the Council deem it necessary to have a wider bridge it may be widened out on the southern side, or to obtain a wider driving way, the footpath on the north side might be left out, and the space thrown into the roadway. “2. A sketch of the town belts as they now stand will also be laid before the Council. . , . “ 3. The works committee recommend that about a dozen men be taken on to regulate the footpaths rendered uneven by the channelling.” On No 1 clause being read, Cr Thomson said he was not present when this question was last considered, but he believed that being compelled to build a bridge of a less width than the street, through the existing obstructions, was simply erecting a make-believe. He was under the impression that for about half the sum mentioned a bridge could be placed across which would last the time of Mr Lane’s lease, and the money and interest saved would then allow of a bridge being built suitable to the requirements. The Mayor explained to Cr Thomson that the bridge proposed to be erected would admit of its being widened at any future time. The clause was then approved. On the motion of Cr Turner, the surveyor was instructed to advertise for tenders for the work at an early date. In conjunction with clause No 2, the following motion, of which Cr Ick had given notice, was read and considered—“ That the surveyor have instructions to form the footpaths 20ft wide on the north and east town belts, with a view to transplanting at the proper season, at suitable distances on the sides of the paths, the forest trees now standing in the centre of the roadway, and also with a view of making the roadway in the centre of the belt.” He (Cr Ick - * would mention that complaints had long been made about the roadway being at both Bides of the belts, and it had been found necessary to continually keep the fences in repair. Complaints also been made of the trees in the centre a cover for improper characters. In Paris, Berlin, Vienna, St Petersburg, and other large Continental cities, the practice obtained of planting the trees at either side of the roads, which was found not only to have a picturesque effect, but also to afford a grateful shade to foot passengers. If an argument were used that in wet weather the foot passengers would be inconvenienced by the dropping of the rain from the trees, that ■objection could be got over by planting the •trees thirty yards apart; and besides, on the belts the roadway was used more than the footpaths. He was certain it would be a step in the right direction if his resolution were carried. Cr Jones seconded the resolution with pleasure, and gave his experience of the ornamental appearance of avenues in America, which had been formed as the mover of the resolution desired their belts should be for the future. 'Cr Schmidt supported the resolution, and stated what he had seen in this direction in St Petersburg. Cr Gapes also supported the resolution. Cr Wood would strongly oppose any motion that the trees should be cut away from the belts, where they had so long existed. Not only would the appearance of the North and East belts be destroyed, to little purpose, but a large cost would also be entailed to the Council. He had noticed that the trees planted on the South town belt, in the manner desired in the resolution, had been broken off and destroyed, presenting a very miserable appearance. He did not desire that what had grown and proved an ornament and gratification should be destroyed, and to prevent that being done he wouid move the following amendment—“ That the present portion of the North and East town belts, where the trees have been planted, shall remain undisturbed.” Cr Hawkes would second the amendment, as he had taken considerable trouble to visit the belts since this question had been mooted, and had found a general desire prevailed that the trees should not be removed. It was a mistake to suppose that the trees made the roadway damp, as the gorse fences on each side were principally the cause of that. Cr Thomson supported the amendment, and would be very sorry to have the trees removed. When the belts were first planted it was not supposed they would reach the extent they now had, but if it was so desired, let the shrubs be cut away, but not the trees. The proposed idea in the motion could be carried out on the other belts. The Mayor said that he had inquired, and had learnt that the inhabitants on the North and East town belts objected strongly to the trees being removed, and before the drainage bad interfered with the East belt, it was u nly frequented by a large number of {“ales and children. some further remarks from Councillors bot.b resolution and amendment were withdrawn^

Cr Hawkes moved—" That the footpaths on the city side of the East town belt be formed, of the width of 10ft. 0,- Thomson seconded the resolution, which was agreed to. The third clause of the report was agreed to. The Mayor said he had been informed that tenders would soon be accepted for a large hotel, to be erected at the' corner of Colombo and Hereford streets, and if it were considered advisable to widen Colombo street at that point—and the necessity was generally admitted—now would be the time to take steps and look into the matter, as if the building were erected, the compensation would be so great as to prevent the probability of any action ever being taken in this direction. Under the Act the Council had the power to take the laud after the necessary notice had been given. A letter was read from Mr T, M, Hardy Johnston, C.E, Dunedin, asking for all information possible for the Council to give relative to the premium of £IOOO offered for the best design for the sewage and drainage of Christchurch. The clerk was instructed to forward the desired information. A letter was read from Mr W, Bush, drawing attention to a nuisance arising from leather being burnt in Messrs Lighlband, Allen, and Co’s factory, Manchester street, which adjoins his shop and dwelling. Referred to the inspector of nuisances. A letter was read from Mr J. VV. Parsons, secretary of the Central Cricket Club, asking permission to practice on Latimer square, and also to cut the grass on the wicket. On the motion of Or Jones, seconded by Cr Hawkes, the request was acceded to. A letter was read from Mr ,J. W. Treadwell, applying for a ninety-nine years’ lease, subject to conditions and at a peppercorn rent, of the open sewer on the Lincoln road, with the tramway right over lines shown on an accompanying plan, enabling him to take a train from the Addington junction on the West belt to the Council yard and Magistrates’ Court, under conditions stated by the writer. It was resolved —“ That a reply be sent, stating the Council have no power to deal with the Lincoln road.” A letter was read from Mr H, Jameson, again drawing attention to his letter of the 25th ultimo, having reference to the drainage between Windmill road and South town belt. Cr Ick said the works committee had taken the necessary action, and notices had been printed and would be served immediately. Mr Jameson’s letter would have been replied to but for the illness of Mr Gordon, A letter was read from Mr J ; C. Morris, asking whether the Council would be prepared to lease a portion of the land on the west bank of river, between Lane’s mill and Worcester street, or the block at the other side of the mill, for the purpose of preparing a bowling green, as it was proposed to form a bowling club. Referred to the works committee. A letter was read from Mr Parker, Peterboro street, asking that the contractor might be instructed to remove some heaps of soil on the footpath near his place. Referred to the surveyor. Mr Gould’s letter of last week, referring to asphalting on the Papanui road, was deferred for another week. The usual weekly report of the inspector of nuisances was read and approved. A driver’s license was granted to Walter Harper, and an owner’s to John Harper. The Council then adjourned.