CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 825, 13 February 1877, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

Monday, February 12. The usual fortnightly meeting of the Council was held at 4 p.m. Present—His Worship the Mayor (in the chair), Ors Ick, Hobbs, Jones, Thomson, Bird, Hawkes, Nathan. The Mayor said he had had a very numerously signed petition presented to him that day, asking him to call a public meeting to consider the drainage scheme submittc d by Mr Oarruthers to the Drainage Board, and adopted by them. He had acceded to the request, and called a public meeting of ratepayers at the Oddfellows’ Hall, on Thursday evening. This was the same night as the Woolston meeting, but ho was unable to get the hall except on Thursday evening, so that he had to have it on that night or not at Sl The town clerk reported receiving the following amounts since last meeting. — Week ending February 3rd, £316 la Id ; do, ending February 10th, £284 14s. The balances to the various accounts were stated t 0 be—Drainage loan account, £4269 16a 4d ; drainage rate account, £2907 1.3 a 3d ; and receipts, £93. The expenditure had been— Paidby works committee, £l2l 18s 2d. The accounts to be paid were—Drainage loan account, £829 11s Gd; general account, £453 13s 2d.

The surveyor’s report was read as fol10WB . i, in compliance with the C’ounoil’s order that I should report on draining, forming, and shingling Gresson’s right-of-way running from Madras to Barbadoes street, I beg to say that the ground being level for the whole right-of-way renders the object to be attained rather difficult. The most effective way would be to lay asphalt the entire length of the right-of-way and about Oft wide, with a hollow in the centre to conduct the water to the side channel, at each end of the right-of-way. This system would cost £l5O. Another method might be adopted as follows; common field drain pipes might be laid on each side of the right0£ way, and covered with screened shingle for the entire length of the right-of-way, which would carry the water to the siue channels at either end of the right-of-way; the centre of the road could be formed and shingled and serve as a road, the cost would be £69. The latter system would be effective as long as the pipes remained clear, but as they will naturally get with sand, or displaced, a constant supervision will be necessary to keep the road dry land in good order. 2. A dressing room for the accommodation of ladies has been added to the swimming bath, and although not quite finished, is now available for use.”

The report was considered seriatim. As regarded the first point it was resolved to forward the report of the surveyor to Mr Gresson, and to remit its further considera* tion until next meeting. The second point was considered satisfactory, and the report as a whole was approved. ; Or Hobbs said he found that a large sum had accrued to the drainage rata account, j By applying to the commissioner of audit, he i thought they might use the balance towards paying the interest and sinking fund on the loans for the present year on the.£35,000 loan, instead of continuing to levy a special rate for the purpose. There was now a balance | of £3030 to the credit of the drainage rate account, and he thought they could now do without the 5d rate which had been annually j recurring. They could, he thought, do j without the rate this year, which would be a welcome thing to the ratepayers. He j would move—“ That the finance committee be requested to consider and report on the balance of the drainage rate account, with a view to expend the large balance in paying interest this year, or in the reduction of the present special rate of 5d in the £.” Or lek seconded the motion, which was carried. , „ Or Hobbs then moved—" That the Mayor be requested to invite the citizens to close their respective places of business at 1 p.m, on the days of the All-England cricket match.” . Or Thomson seconded the motion, which was carried. Or Jones said that there was a matter ha desired to bring before the Council. Ho had been informed by a person in the city that an appreciable amount of black pine had been used in the kerbing of the city, whereas the contract was for heart of totara. He would now like to ask the surveyor to state whether this was the case or not. The surveyor said that ho might at once state that no black pine had been used as stated, except a few pieces. There was now five miles of channelling in. the yard of the Council, and he (the surveyor) had had the timber thoroughly examined by two competent men, who had told him that there was not one piece of black pine out of the whole five miles. This was a pretty good criterion of the timber being according to contract. He distinctly denied that this complaint was founded on fact. Or Thomson said that they now had a charge made against one of their officers, made by no one and resulting in nothing. He for one on another such a charge as this being made should insist upon the member giving up tho name of his informant. They were°bound to support their officers, and here was a very important and serious charge made against one of them, which had beeu put before them in a moat unsatisfactory Wa Jr Jones said tho party who had told him was a man interested in the matter, and he had informed him that the black pine was noticeable in the capping of the concrete channelling. The surveyor said that the capping was so unimpprtait a matter that perhaps a plank

here or there of black pine might have got in, bnt he might say that, to hia knowledge, black pine had not been used instead of heart of totara, The matter then dropped, the Council considering the explanation satisfactory. Cr Ick, as chairman of the works com mittee, reported that they had decided upon taking one-fifth of the cost off the amount due for breaking metal to Mr J. L. Wilson, viz, 8s per yard instead of 10s, as the metal supplied was not according to contract, some of it not being broken. A letter was read from Mr Wilson on the subject, pointing out that a very large de-duction-over £loo—had been made by the works committee without taking into account the unbroken metal. Or Nathan moved—'' That the Council endorse the action of the Works Committee as regarded the stone supplied by Mr Wilson.” Cr Jones seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Or Hawkes said that he desired to say a few words on the swimming bath question, A gentleman rejoicing in a peculiar name had made fun of the remarks made at the meeting of the Council. Now he (Councillor Hawkes) knew that there existed in the Hospital grounds a large concrete tank into which the sewage of the Hospital was con* ducted—and pumped into casks and con veyed away. The Council sitting to form the medical school, however, found out what astonished the medical men as well as himself, and that was this that the architect had filled up this concrete tank when the new female ward was erected, and the drainage was sent into the river. He had taken the trouble to consult several medical men on the subject, who pooh-poohed the idea of any contagion being contracted, The returns before the Council shewed that the baths had been used by a large number of persons during the period they had beon open, and a considerable monetary return had been made. The baths were opened on January 17th, and from that date to February 12th, 1168 bathers had used the baths, and £l7 lls 9d had been receive 1 for fees, &c. Cr Jones thought that Cr Hawkes and those who had worked with him in the establishment of the baths deserved the thanks of the community. Ci Hobbs said that the Local Board of Health had given the Hospital authorities notice to cease putting their drainage into the Avon within one month, which would prevent any pollution of the river above the baths, Cr Hawkes moved — (t That a letter be forwarded to the Drainage Board informing them that the Council would collect their rates for commission of 5 per cent.” Cr Thomson seconded the motion, which was carried.

A letter was read from the Under Secretary requesting to know in what Bank the account of the Council is kept, and also requesting the Council to inform the Govern* ment of any alterations which might be made by removal of the account from one Bank to another. Attention was also drawn to the fact that the funds must be paid into an account, to be called “ The Borough Fund Account.” Cr Hobbs moved—“ That the town clerk be instructed to notify that the funds of the Council are kept at the Bank of New Zealand, and that the information be forwarded to the Government.”

Cr Nathan seconded the motion, which was carried.

A letter was read from the secretary of the United Literary Association, asking if the Council Chamber could bo used for debating purposes once a fortnight, and if so upon what terms. The clerk was directed to state that the Council could not grant the request, A petition from the residents of Eaten place was read, requesting the Council to take over that thoroughfare. The clerk was directed to state that the Council could not take over the street, as there was no outlet to it.

A letter was read from the Colonial Secretary, in answer to a request for the continuance of the grant of £SO, hitherto given by the Provincial Government towards the maintenance of the fire brigade. The letter stated that the Government regretted they had no funds available for the purpose. Or Nathan said that he felt that the Government, having so large an amount of property in the various cities, the Council should go to them as a right, and ask them to contribute towards the maintenance of the fire brigade. Ho would move, “ That the Government be written to, asking them to place a sum on the estimates equal to the grant of the Provincial Council.” Cr Jones seconded the motion, and strongly supported the application. The motion was then put, aud agree! to. A letter was read from the Government, stating that they would not raise any objection to the Council realising the sinking fund invested in Government debentures, and reinvesting the same on mortgages of freehold within the city, pursuant to clause 161 of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1876. The letter was referred to the finance committee to take action upon it as they might doem fit.

A communication was read from the Commissioner of Police, stating that the Hon 0. 0. Bowen, in the absence of the Native Minister, had approved of a sergeant of police being appointed as inspector of cabs, provided his pay and allowances were provided by the Council, The letter was d irected to bo acknowledged,

An application was received from the master of the Colombo road District School, asking that tickets might bo issued for the swimming baths to the scholars of that school.

The letter was referred to the bath committee. An application was received from Mr Hayward fora license for his two busses, to run from St Albans to the Railway Station, and via Merivale.

Some discussion ensued, some of the Councillors expressing their opinion that omnibusses should be allowed to run anywhere they pleased. Ultimately the matter was referred to the bye-law committee to make an alteration in the special bye-law, to report next meeting. The report of the finance oommitte was read recommending that the sum of £2O be paid to Messrs Fiocktou and Co, tho municipal assessors for collecting additional information for the valuation roll. Messrs E, C. J. Stevens and David Craig were recommended for appointment as sinking fund commissioners.

Cr Jones moved—“ That the gentlemen named be appointed as Sinking Fund Commissioners, under clausa 101 of the Municipal Corporations Act.” Or Hobbs seconded the motion, which was agreed to.

Or Nathan brought under the notice of the Council the precarious state of the swing bridge over the Avon near the Government buildings. It was resolved after some discussion to refer the matter to the works committee, and ask them to consulc with Mr Thornton on the matter.

Some discussion arose as to the appoint ment of a cab inspector. Or Ick said that it appeared that they could get no assistance from the Government in the matter of the appointment of an inspector. He thought they required au officer of this kind, and he would move—" That the Council advertise for the services of a borough inspector at a salary of £l5O per annum, and that a schedule of his duties be drawn up.” Or Hawkes seconded the motion. The Council then adjourned for a fortnight.