CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 744, 7 November 1876, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

Monday, November 6. The usual fortnightly meeting was held at the'.Oouncil Chambers, The Mayor said that the election of Mayor this year would be Held under the old Act, and as previously on the third Wednesday in December. This being the case, the voting would, as heretofore, be cumulative, If the election had been held under the new Act the Mayor would have had to be elected by single voting. From what he had heard from Mr Rolleston, the Council might reckon on receiving £4OOO or £SOOO under authority from the late provincial estimates within the next four months, as they had been approved by the General Government for the current year. The works committee were authorised to have stables erected at the rear of the new fire brigade station. On the motion of Cr Ick, a sum of £ls was voted to the fire brigade towards the usual torchlight procession, and also £2O to be spent in celebration of the brigade taking possession of the new station. The town clerk reported as follows : Received for week ending 28th October — General rate, 1875, £3 6s ; Waimakariri do, 11s ; general rate, 1876, £lOl 8s ; Waimakariri do, £l6 18s ; rent of market place, 7s ; rent of weighbridge, £6 16s 8d ; Mayer’s deposit on contract, £5 ; licenses, £3 ; fines from R. M, Court, £5 15s. Total receipts for week, £143 Is Bd. Received for week ending 4th November—General rate, 1875, £2 12s ; Waimakariri do, 8s 8d ; general rate, 1876, £94 6s ; Waimakariri do, £ls 14s 4d ; fines from R. M. Court, £2 15s; received from Associated Insurance Companies, £2OO ; rent of market place, 7s ; licenses, £4 15s; by-law form and other sources, Us. Total receipts for week, £321 9a. Grand total for fortnight, £464 10s Bd, Overdraft at bank on general account, £lslß 6s 6d ; drainage loan account, Cr, £9904 6s 6d; drainage rate account, Cr, £2410 18s 6d ; wages and accounts paid and to be paid by works committee for fortnight on general account, £1354 6s lOd ; on drainage loan account, £447 14s 4d. On the motion of Cr Ick, the Council voted the sum of £7 10s to the workmen in their employ, as a contribution towards the annual outing. A resolution, moved by Cr Turner, and seconded by Cr Nathan, was carried, reducing the penalties for delay in completion of the new Fire Brigade Station, to £3O, the amount paid by the Council to their foreman of works. It was resolved that £2 10s be kept back from the amount of Mr A’Court’s contract, through his not having completed it within the stated time. The City Surveyor reported : 1. “ I have handed to the finance committee an account of money expended in lowering and raising footpaths and roads, work which was rendered necessary by the streets being channelled. The total amount expended from the general account for this work was £3450. 2. “At present the channelling is being done in Manchester street, and at the north end of that street the creek seems to have been directed from its original course and carried down the side of the street, the consequence is that for two or three chains the footpath is encroached upon on both sides of the street.

3. “ The Horatio street contract is not yet completed, and some days ago I had occasion to go to that street, as I was asked to accept the work before the shingle was ppt on to it, and I found the work was not done in accordance with the specification. I therefore refused to accept it, and I was met by the most insolent abuse and threats from both contractors. The works committee decided upon asking Mr Armson to act as umpire in the matter, the consequence of which was that the contractors were requested to lay in more fascines, which work they are now doing. 4. “In compliance with the orders of the Council I have inquired into the circumstances connected with Baton Place. I find the first sale of land abutting on it took place on the 11th April, 1874, it belonged to Mr Hassal and was sold by Mr 0. Clark, The road is 40ft wide, and about 5J chains long, the forming and shingling footpath and road, and the construction of an open drain with concrete bottom at the east end of Eaton place and leading to the South belt drain will cost £42. 5. “On Thursday next is the holiday allowed to the Council’s workmen; I presume the usual donation from the Council will be granted to them. 6. “ Tenders for sheds for temporary swimming bath, also tenders for 2000 barrels of cement, will be laid before the Council. “ C. W A.LKDEN, City Surveyor.” On the first clause of the report being read, the sum of £3450 expended in connection with the formation of the footpaths was transferred from the drainage loan account to the general account, on the motion of Or Turner, seconded by Cr Nathan. Clause No 2, and a communication in connection therewith, were referred to the Drainage Board, Clause No 3 was approved. On clause 4 being considered, the town clerk was instructed to draw Mr Hassal’s attention to the penalty incurred under clause 295 of the M, C. Act, and that the work desired can only be carried out by the money required being paid in. Clause 5 was approved. On clause 6 being read, Cr Gapes moved— the tender for the construction of the baths be not opened,” The motion was not seconded, and fell t&rougk.

The tender of Mr W. H. Barnes for £279 10s, the only one received, was opened and accepted. Three tenders for 2000 barrels cement were opened, and referred to the committee, with power to act. The petition signed by fifteen cab proprietors, calling attention to the number of licensed cabs already in the city, was again considered. It was resolved—“ That a reply be sent that the whole question of licenses will be considered when the annual licenses are being considered.” Two letters were read from Messrs Garrick and Cowlishaw, on behalf of Mr Adley, consenting to the erection of stables at the rear of the new Fire Brigade station under certain conditions. A letter was read from Mr B. J. Lee, on behalf of Mr Mcllraith, asking that a reso lution might be passed by the Council, that the gravel pit reserve should not be let to any person, particularly for grassing purposes. A resolution to this effect was moved by Mr Turner, and carried, The superintendent of the fire brigade eported that six fires h ad been attended for past quarter, none of which had, however, been serious. There was reason to fear that some of them had been the work of an incendiary. The last there was no doubt about. The report was approved. The notice of motion by Or Hawkes, respecting the proposed erection of a bridge in continuation of the East town belt, lapsed in the absence of that gentleman. It was resolved that Mr Bowron be written, asking what quantity of land he would be inclined to give to widen the road if the Council should resolve upon erecting the bridge, and also to the Avon Road Board, asking what amount they would be prepared to contribute towards its erection. Crs Ick, Hawkes, and Turner were appointed a sub committee to decide on the tariff to be charged at the new baths, and to frame rules and regulations in connection therewith.

A letter was read from Mr G. Rudd, of Russell’s Plat, asking for the loan of the Council’s boring rods. The request was declined. A petition was read from E. H. Brooker, respectfully asking a reconsideration of his application for a driver’s license. Accompanying the petition was a letter, signed by Rev W. J. Habens, Messrs J. Anderson, H. Sawtell, I. B. Sheath, Andrew Duncan, G. Booth, C. Cuff, W. Harris, R. H. Wood, and eighty-five other citizens, asking the Council to reconsider their decision. Mr E. B. Bishop also wrote, strongly recommending the petition to the favorable consideration of the Council. Cr Hawkes wrote, expressing his confidence in the petitioner’s ability to drive by personal observation, even though he is deprived of the lower portion of one arm. After some discussion, Cr Jones moved—- “ That the prayer of the petition be acceded to, and a license granted to Brooker.” Cr Bird seconded the motion, just to give the man a trial. The motion was opposed by Crs Turner, Nathan, Ick, and Gapes. On being put, the motion was lost by four to two. After disposing of some routine business, the Council adjourned.