CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 524, 22 February 1876, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

Monday, Febbuaby 21. The Council met at i p.m. Present—Ors Ick, Gapep, Bird, Hawkes, Thomson, Schmidt, and Jones. In the absence of the Mayor, Or Ick wai voted to the chair. The chairman said that the Mayor had telegraphed from Timaru, stating that he could not be here in time* He had also been requested to apologise for the absence of Cr Turner, who had been called away to Timaru. The town clerk reported the receipts for the week. The city surveyor reported as follows : " 1. I have prepared a plan for a new fire brigade station, which will be laid before the Council this evening. The building will contain accommodation for three families, allowing each family four rooms; sleeping room, day room, and kitchen for ten single men, superintendent's office, and engine room. The sleeping rooms of the single men will be separated by a boarded partition six feet high, and lighted from a lantern roof, and by night a single gas jet will answer the same purpose. " 2. An accident is described in the papers of this morning as having taken place yes* terday, in consequence of the rotten state of the wooden bridge over the south drain in Barbadoes street. This statement must arise from some misapprehension or mistake, as no part of the bridge is rotten, and the fracture which has taken place must be the result of a very violent blow or blows. Two of the works committee have visited the bridge, and can bear me out in this view of the matter. The channelling was stopped all last week from want of timber, which arose from the difficulty of obtaining transport from Lyttelton. Mr Campbell also complains that he cannot fulfil his contract in oonsequence of not being able to obtain trucks." The plans for the Fire Brigade Station were ordered to lay on the table for a week. Mr Campbell's contract for supplying broken metal was extended for three months. Cr Jones said he had visited the bridge over the drain referred to by the surveyor, and found that the bridge was in a satisfactory state. The report of the city surveyor was approved. A letter was read from Dr Marks, reporting a case of scarlet fever, and also from the Health Officer, stating what steps he had taken in the matter, and that the case was of mild form. A letter from Dr Doyle, reported certain cases of scarlet fever, which were referred to the Public Health officer. A letter was read from the secretary of the East Christchurch school committee, stating that the committee, were glad, that the Council had been to meet the of er of.

the committee re the swimming bath at Gloucester street school so liberally. It was understood that the Council was to be permitted to utilise the water for fire prevention purposes. A letter was read from Mr S. M. Jacobsen re the Bupply of water for fire prevention purposes; also stating that the City surveyor was wrong in his estimate of the expense for sinking wells for fire prevention purposes. The letter was directed to be acknowledged with thanks.

The chairman said that he trusted the reporters would state that the estimate referred to by Mr Jacobsen was not prepared by the city surveyor, but by Cr Gapes. A letter was read from Percy Emson, requesting that his application for a driver's license might be reconsidered. The Council declined to reconsider the matter.

A circular was read from the chairman of the Ashley Road Board, enclosing certain resolutions re Shire Councils and a Provincial Board of Works.

The letter was directed to be acknowledged with thanks.

A letter was read from Mr J. S. Wagner, calling attention to the damage done to the fencing and entrance to the Clarendon Hotel through alterations to the footpath in Worcester street.

It was resolved that the Council did not recognise any liability through alterations of the street levels.

A letter was read from Messrs Joynt and O'Neill, on behalf of Mr George Cronin, stating that their client held the City Council responsible for injuries sustained by him and his family through an accident which occurred to him whilst driving over the bridge in Barbadoes street, through the timber being in a state of decay. The town clerk was directed to reply, acknowledging the receipt of Messrs Joynt and O'Neill's letter, and stating that the Council strongly protests against the statement that the accident occurred on account of the bridge being in a state of decay. A letter was read from Mr E. B. Bishop, .acknowledging with thanks the receipt of a ■testimonial from the Council for his services S.S a Councillor.

Letter from Mr Hosking, soliciting the {patronage of the Mayor and Corporation for the performance at the theatre on Friday ■evening. On the motion of Or Hawkes, it was resolved—" That Mr Hoskins' request be coreplied with." The notices of motion standing in the names of Crs Jones and Gapes were ordered to be considered next week.

Cr Hawkes said that the city surveyor had eelected a site on the river immediately above Lane's mill. He would give notice of motion for next week on the subject.

The usual reports from the rate collector and inspector of nuisances were read. After the transaction of some routine business, the Council adjourned. Notice of motion by Councillor Hawkes—- *' That a swimming bath be erected in the liver Avon between the Cashel street bridge and Lane's mill, the cost of such bath not to exceed £250.'