VITAL STATISTICS.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 450, 23 November 1875, Page 2

VITAL STATISTICS.

The Registrar-General’s report on the vital statistics of the various boroughs in thecolony for October is published in the Gazette, of which the following is a summary :

Although the Auckland and Hokitika Hospitals are situated outside the boundaries of the respective boroughs, yet the deaths in them have, for the sake of uniformity, been included in this report. The population has been estimated by adding the excess of births over deaths since the Ist March, 1874, to the then census population. It is impossible to estimate the increase from immigration. The births were 14 more than in September. The deaths were 8 more in number than the deaths in September. Of the deaths, males contributed 85; females, 44; 39 of the deaths were of children under 5 years of age, being 30-23 per cent of the whole number ; 25 of these were of children under I year of age. There were 7 deaths of persons of 65 years of age or over, —namely, 5 males aand 2 females. The oldest male was 79 ; he died at Auckland. Both females were 70 ; one died in Auckland, the other in Dunedin.

4 o’clock in the Council Chamber. Present; His Worship the Mayor, and CrsTurner, Wood,Thotnson, Ick, Jones, Schmidt, Hawkes, and Gapes. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.

The acting town clerk reported as follows : Received from rate collector account general city rates, 1875, £230 10s ; Waimakariri do, £3B 8s 4d ; rent from Market Place, 7s ; fines from Resident Magistrate’s Court, £9 Iss ; licenses, £ 1 15s; total receipts for the week, £2BO 15s 4d. Overdraft at bank on general account, £697 17s 7d ; overdraft on drainage account, £4364 16s 9d. Drainage rate account —Cr, £1672 3s 2d. Wages, &c, to be paid on general account, £270 3s ; on drainage account, £BO 12s. The Mayor said he wished to refer to a local that had appeared in the PRESS "stating that all applications for the position of town clerk would have to be sent in by that day (22nd). This was an error, as the time given in the advertisement was next Monday, the 29th. He had to inform the Council that, in response to invitations he, with the chairmen of the Road Boards, had met his Honor the Superintendent that morning in his Honor’s office, to arrange for the election of the Drainage Board. It was decided that the nominations should be made on the I4th December, and the election take place'on the 20th of that month. His Honor had asked the chairmen and himself to recommend some persons to act as returning officers, and he had recommended Mr Walkden and Mr Tribe for two of the districts. Christchurch would be divided into four districts for the purpose of the election, and he believed that Mr G. L. Lee and Mr J. H. Bennett would be appointed returning officers for the other two districts. The polling places for the city would be as follows: —N.W., Council Chambers ; S. W., Drill shed ; S.E., St John’s schoolroom ; and N. 8., Immigration depot, Aimagh street east. The Council approved of the names recommended to the Superintendent by his Worship. The city surveyor reported ;

“ 1. The works committee recommend that the orraation of Kilmore street should be proceeded with. “ 2. With regard to Mr Johnston’s fence on the North Town belt I have made some further enquiries, but elicited nothing that will enable me to say positively whether it is an encroachment or not. There is one point worthy of remark, and that is that the belt before Mr Johnston shifted his fence was two chains wide at chat part, but now it falls short of two chains where Mr Johnston has removed his fence.

“ 3. I find that a copy of the original map of Christchurch would cost five guineas, and as it would not give us more information than the map we possess, I thought I would not bespeak it without further orders from the Council. "4. I have taken on the extra men and horses ordered by the Council, and they are at work at the footpaths." The first paragraph of the report was approved. (Jr Gapes moved—“ That Salisbury street be formed from Manchester street to the river in conjunction with Kilmore street." , Cr Thomson seconded the motion pro orma.

Cr Turner would have to oppose the motion if forced to a division, as the works committee did not seem to consider this work as pressing just now, as Kilraore street and Salisbury street would no doubt be included in the statement of necessary works which would shortly be brought up by that committee.

Cr Ick explained that even if the work in Salisbury street were ordered to be carried out, the surveyor could not lay down concrete channelling on new ground. Cr Gapes remarked that if concrete channelling could not be laid down, the surveyor could lay down stone channelling. Cr Turner moved as an amendment, “ That the -works committee instruct the surveyor to prepare an estimate of the cost of forming Salisbury street, from Manchester to Barbadoes streets.” Cr Ick seconded the amendment.

Cr Gapes withdrew his motion, and the amendment, which became the substantive motion, was carried In conjunction with clause 2 of the report, a letter was read from MrJ. L. Wilson, saying that, after making inquiries, he had come to the conclusion that Mr Johnston had ho legal right on his side, and asking the Council to protect the citizens from his encroachment.

The Mayor said that he and the surveyor had gone to the Government buildings that day and inspected the Crown grant of rural section 6 (portion of the land in question) from the Canterbury Association to Mr E. J. Wakefield. The grant was subject to a roadway of 25ft from the river frontage, but he must say that all the information they could obtain was in favor of Mr Johnston.

Or Gapes considered the Council was doing wrong in allowing Mr Johnston to encroach on the path with his fence. After some further remarks the subject dropped. That clause of the report and the remaining clauses were then approved. On the motion of Cr Ick, the surveyor was given power to close Gloucester street from the corner opposite the Council Chambers to Cathedral square, to allow of the footpaths being put in order.

Cr Ick said the works committee had seen Mr Morris and other gentlemen during the week with reierence to the application for a piece of ground on either side of the bridge at Lane’s mill for the purpose of forming a bowling-green, andafter going over theground it was found that the pieces alluded to in the application would be too small for the purpose required. The surveyor had, however, pointed out a piece of land from three to four chains square, between the new boatshed and Montreal bridge, which could be placed in order at a small expense; and he would ask the Council to give the works committee authority to treat with Mr Morris for the use of this piece of land. On the motion of Cr Ick, seconded by Cr Turner —“ The works committee were given the necessary powers as asked,”

Cr Thomson moved—“ That the side channeling in Manchester street, between Gloucester and Armagh streets, be proceeded with.”

Cr Jones seconded the motion, which was agreed to.

A letter was read from the Heathcote Road Board, requesting that that portion o|

lo me committee, wish power to act, A letter was read, signed by several residents in Peacock street, stating that that street had been formed and metalled, and asking the Council to take it over as public property. Referred to the surveyor to report. A letter was read from the Public Works office, enclosing report from the Provincial Engineer with reference to some heaps of stones lying between the Hospital and Ric* carton hotel. , , The engineer’s report stated that the heaps referred to had been stacked along the road only for about 20 chains to facilitate the work of coating that portion with the broken metal, and extra men would be placed on to spread it. He had had no previous intimation that any accidents had occurred through the metal being banked, and the heaps were some four or five yards distant from the nearest wheel track. Cr Wood said the action taken by him last week had been approved by a number of persons who are in the habit of travelling on the Riccarton road, and he had heard of one or two accidents which had been caused by these heaps of metal being allowed to lie on the edge of the road. A second letter was read from the Public Works office, with reference to the width of the Riccarton road, in which the engineer reported—" That the present roadway is of the width stated, viz, 46ft. The south gide footpath, from the edge of the water table to the centre of the quick fence, is from 15ft to 16ft. The letters were considered satisfactory. A letter was read fiom Mr J. P. Jamieson, saying the East Christchurch committee weie anxious to have from 1000 to 1500 yards of earth, and as they could not take it from Armagh street, they desired permission to remove it from the Bast town belt, A letter on this subject from Mr W. B. Mountfort, was also read. In reply to Cr Ick, the surveyor said that if a bridge were built in a line with the East town belt a great deal of earth would be required to make the approaches. Or Thomson said that the committee urgently required the earth to fill up the worst portion of the playground at the main school, and in wet weather there was at least one foot of water on this part of the section. The committee had saved hundreds of loads by the action they had taken in diverting the drainage, and the earth asked for was really and urgently required. On the motion of Cr Jones, seconded by Cr Gapes, the surveyor was authorised to give earth to the committee for the purpose asked from the roads or footpaths wherever it can be spared. By the desire of Cr Gapes Mr Gould’s letter respecting asphalting was deferred for another week. Cr Jones moved—" That a committee be appointed, consisting of the Mayor and Councillors Ick, Turner, and the mover to report to the Council this day fortnight the amount of monies they would recommend this Council to present to Mrs Gordon, widow of our late town clerk.” Or Ick seconded the motion. Cr Turner considered that appointing a committee,’was merely surplusage, and moved as an amendment —" That a sum equivalent to one month’s salary for each year’s service (fourteen years in all) be paid by this Oonncil to Mrs Gordon for the benefit of herself and family.” He would agree with Or Ick in so far that though the money might be voted there was no necessity to pay it over for some little time. Cr Thomson seconded the amendment.

Cr Gapes contended that the Council had not the power to vote the money. Personally he would wish that the Council was in a position to vote £BOOO to Mrs Gordon for her late husband’s services. He had, however, a duty to perform, and when so much was required to be done throughout the city he could not vote for £3OO being voted away, and he regretted the Council could not afford it. He did not approve of either the motion or amendment. The Mayor said that as be would no doubt have to give his casting vote, he would mention in answer to the remark that the Council could not afford to vote the money, that there still remained uncollected of this year’s rates the sum of £4274, that the Council would receive £2500 from the General Government, and £1250 from the Provincial Government, amounting altogether to over £BOOO, and against this their liabilities were £697 overdraft and a few small amounts. If Mr Gordon had speculated privately during the long time he had been in the Council’s employ, or made money in any other way of business, some objection might be raised to voting the money, but he had given the whole of his time and attention to the Council for a very inadequate remuneration, and he (the Mayor) would support the amendment with very great pleasure, and only regretted that the resolution proposed last Monday had not been Unanimously carried. Cr Schmidt would heartily support the amendment, andjelt that all right thinking ratepayers would approve of his doing so.

Cr Thomson felt that there was not a ratepayer in the city who, taking into consideration Mr Gordon’s long and faithful services, at the exceedingly small salary he received, could believe his widow and family would be compensated by a paltry quarter’s salary, or some such similar amount. He was under the impression that, as (Jr Turner had left the onus of further action on those who had objected to the resolution being passed, on the ground of its illegality, that they would have tabled a notice of motion on this matter during the week, and he was very much surprised to learn that afternoon that this had not been done. He would heartily support the amendment. Cr Ick would explain that it was only on the ground that voting a sum of money, other than in the ordinary way, would be illegal, that he had objected last week. That was his only objection to the resolution being passed, and why he had desired that notice of motion should be given. Cr Jones made similar remarks, and had only desired that notice should be given, so that the Council should be unanimous, ll

■ , . ■ . “V iuo« w.. K, voce for the money being passed, and his action on the previous Monday was all the more strengthened by expressions that had fallen from ratepayers during the week —for whose opinion he had a very great respect,—who regretted that the resolution had not been unanimously carried. He had certainly been threatened by one individual, who said he would endeavor to get up a requisition to all the councillors to resign if such a motion were carried, and should oppose him as strongly as he could ; but he (Cr Hawkes) feared very little what this person could or might attempt to do. Mr Gordon had worked hard and faithfully for the Council at a miserably inadequate salary, and he would heartily support the money named in the amendment being voted to Mis Gordon and family.

On the amendment being put, it was declared to be carried. Grs Turner, Thomson, Schmidt, Hawkes, Wood, and the Mayor voting for, and Crs Jones, Ick, and Gapes against. The Mayor then put the resolution, Crs Jones and Ick only voting for it, all the other councillors against. The Council approved of the plan submitted by the surveyor for the drainage of the land at the rear of the High school.

The inspector’s report was approved. Consideration of a letter received from Mr J. W. Treadwell was postponed fora week. An owner’s license was granted to Thos, Murphy. The Council then adjourned. NOTICE OF MOTION.

The Mayor to move, at next sitting—- “ That this Council proceed, in accordance with clause 10 of the Municipal Council Amendment Act, 1871, to take a of land, being part of town section 733, having a frontage of at least 10ft on Hereford street and Cathedral square, and forming the western boundary of Colombo street, opposite the Bank of New Zealand, for the purpose of widening that portion of the street,”

Population. Births. Deaths. Death rate. Auckland ... 13,105 43 28 2-13 Thames 8,295 22 7 0 84 Wellington.. 11,066 67 10 090 Nelson 5,822 21 8 1-37 Christchurch 10,677 38 21 1-96 Dunedin ... 19,327 82 51 2-63 Hokitika ... 3 468 15 4 M5