CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 468, 14 December 1875, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

«. Monday, December 13. The Mayor said the finance committee had met Mr Morten and had bad a lengthened conversation with that gentleman, but no satisfactory determination had been arrived at. The finance committee had even left the matter open until that afternoon, but nothing had resulted. He had been waited upon by the President of the Fire Insurance Association, asking him to submit a proposition to the Council to offer a rev ard for the appre hension ard convictiou of the person or persons who set fire to the premises in High street on the 22ud of last month, which the association would supplement. He (the Mayor) afterwards waited upon the Hon E. Richardson, asking whether his Exce'lnncv the Governor could not be advise! to oif'-r a free pardon to an accomplice. Mr liichardfou had telegraphed to Wellington, and had received a reply from the Colonial Secretary saying that bis Excellency

would bo advised to offer a free pardon as asked. Another insurance agent had called on him (the Major) requesting that the bye-law committee would introduce a law compelling brick or stone bins being attached to each house, in which the ashes should be placed, and this he (the agent) held was most necessary now that Malvern Hill coal was being brought into general use. It was necessary that the Council should appoint a junior clerk, as Mr Haskins was being worked very hard. The committee appointed had drawn up a report defining the duties of the town clerk, which would be brought down next week. On the motion of Cr Turner, seconded by Gr Gapes, it was resolved—" That the Mayor be requested to confer with the city solicitor, and to request hira to retain Messrs Garrick and Cowlishaw as counsel in the legal steps proposed to be taken respecting section No 733."

After some discussion on the subject of an assistant clerk, it was resolved, on the motion of Cr Ick, seconded by Cr Jones, " That the town clerk be instructed to advertise inviting applications for the office of assistant clerk, at a salary of £l5O per year." Cr Ick brought under the notice of the Council whether they, as a local Board of Health, could not bring under the notice of the Council the arrivals of vessels from Melbourne, where scarlatina strongly prevailed. They would all be aware of the introduction of that disease into Dunedin from Victoria.

The Mayor said he had intended to bring this matter before the Council, as Mr Callendar had called upon him and told him that there were a number of cases of scarlet fever existing now in Christchurch. If this were so, and the cases were of a malignant nature, the medical men here had certainly not done theirduty by not reporting the cases as required by the Act.

The Council determined to resolve itself into a Local Board of Health after the other business had been disposed of. The town clerk reported as follows :—Received during week on account of general city rates, 1875, £192 6s ; Waimakariri do, £32 Is; fines from Resident Magistrate's Court, £4 15s ; licenses, £1 ; rent of Market place, 7s ; Tait's deposit, £64 ; total receipts, £294 9s. Overdraft at Bank on general account, £B9B Is 5d ; overdraft on drainage account, £5090 14s 4d. Drainage rate account —Cr, £ 1900 2s 6d; wages, &c, to be paid on general account, £ll9 14s 4d ; oo draiuage account, £509 lis 2d. The city surveyor reported that with regard to the letter relating to the drainage of block No 4, referred to him, he could not see any better plan than the one proposed by him. The expense of forming Salisbury street, between Manchester street and the river, will be about £5 per chain. He hoped to have Madras bridge ready for opening before Christmas. The clauses referring to block 4 and the formation of Salisbury street were referred to the works committee. The remaining clause was approved. Two tenders for the supply of 2000 casks of cement were opened, and that of Messrs P. Cunningham and Co, at 2ls 3d per cask, was accepted. A letter was read from the Chief Postmaster, under direction of the PostmasterGeneral, requesting that the rent of the Post Office might be altered. It was decided that, in consideration of the expenditure on the building, the Council cannot accede to the request. A letter was read from the Venerable Archdeacon Willock acknowledging receipt of a letter re drainage of Cathedral square, and promising a reply as soon as possible. A letter was read from th x . Manager of the Bank of New Zealand, giving the numbers of the debentures received from the General Government to be handed over on receiving scrip certificate held by the City Council. The Mayor explained the action he bad taken in the matter, and the Ciuncil approved of it. A letter was read from the hon sec. of the Assurance Association, stating that the Insurance Companies would supplement any reward with a sum equal to but not exceeding £IOO for evidence which might lead to the conviction of the person who set fire to the premises in High street on the 22nd ulfr. It w:iß decided that the Council supplement any reward . ffered by the Insurance Companies up to £SW. Mr L Booth, of the Theatre Royal, wrote, soliciting the patronage of the Council for Friday night, 17th instant, on the occasion of his benefit. The Council decided to accord their patronage as asked. A letter was read from the City Hotel, signed by " A Lover of Justice," complaining of the overcharge of a cabman employed by him, and of his (the cabman's) subsequent conduct. The letter was referred to the inspector. A letter was read from Mr J. W. Oram, detailing the offers made at various times by him for land which the Council were desirous of acquiring. The letter was ordered to be acknowledged with thanks. A letter was read from Mr Thomas Gordon, thanking the Council on behalf of Mrs Gordon and family, for their exceedingly kind letter of condolence. A letter was read from Mr C. F, Barker, drawing attention to the footpath in front of his premises, Cathedral square. Referred to works committee. A letter was read from Mr M. Sandstein, pointing to the necessity of a tank being erected in the Eastern portion of the city, and instancing the fire on Sunday night in Gloucester street. Referred to the fire brigade committee. The Provincial Auditor wrote, forwarding copy of return required for the information of the Government, requesting it might be filled up. The Mayor undertook to see the form filled up, and verified to. On the motion of Cr Jones, seconded by Cr Ick, Mr Superintendent Harris was autho rised to order some articles, according to list submitted, required for the fire engines. Cr Gapes moved—" That on and after this date no person under the age of eighteen years be granted a license from this Councii as driver of either hackney or borough stage carriage." Cr Ick seconded the motion. After some discussion, the motion was put and lost. The inspector was called in and instructed o obtain the ages of applicants for driver's licenses in future, and also a report of the nolice us to the character of the applicant, to be a'tached to the application. Cr moved veyor be instructed to advertise for a suitable site for the erection of a fire brigade station; such land to be within a radius of 15 chains of the fire brigade station in Market place,'

Cr Ick seconded the motion, which was agreed to. An owner's license was granted to M. Goodger.

The inspector's report was read and approved. Cr Jones invited the members of the Council to meet the Fire Brigade on the evening of the 16th iostaut, when a torchlight procession is to take place.

The Council then resolved itself into a local Board of Health.

On the motion of Cr Ick, seconded by Cr Thomson, the town clerk was instructed to write to the Central Board of Health, asking that strong precautionary measures should be taken to preveut the introduction of virulent scarlatina into the province. On resuming, the Council adjourned.