CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 896, 9 May 1877, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

Tuesday, May 8.

The special meeting of the Council was held under the new Act, for the purpose of receiving the accounts of the city which have been already published up to March 31st, 1877. Present—His Worshi}3 the Mayor, Crs. Bird, Nathan, Turner, Ick, Thomson, llobbs.

The accounts up to March 31st were laid before the Council, and also the auditors report thereon. The latter stated that they certified to the correctness of the accounts, and expressed an opinion that the outstanding rates for 1874-5 should cither be collected or written oft'. In answer to Cr. Ick,

The Town Clerk stated that there was £ll4 Os sd, collectable out of 1875 rates, and a small sum out 1874.

Cr. Ick could not understand why so nincli should be allowed to be in arrear when the rate collector had been instructed time after time to sue for them. He thought it would be as -well to see Mr Tribe and ask him for an explanation, because he i'elt that there should be no discretion given to tbe collector. On Mr Tribe being called in, he Btated that he did not think any of the rates—or at all events very few— of 1875 were collectable.

Crs. Ick and Nathan pointed out. that twelve months ago resolutions were passed to the effect that measures were to be taken at once against defaulters.

Mr Tribe said that he had not been able to leave the office, and Mr Murray had done the collecting. On the motion of Cr. Turner, it was resolved, " That the rate collector be requested to report on the outstanding rates of 1874-5 ut the next meeting, as to what was collectable and what not." Cr. Hobbs moved, " That the accounts, as audited, be now received and adopted, and that his Worship the Mayor be requested to sign the same." Cr. Bird seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Tliis closed the special business.

The ordinary meeting of the Council was then held, which had been adjourned from Monday.

The Town Clerk reported the receipts for the fortnight to be £l7B 10s 7d. The general account was stated as being in credit £3825 18s 6d ; the Drainage loan account, £921 8s 8d ; and the drainage rate account, £3151 10s Id ; the sinking fund account, £179 2s. The payments on general account for the fortnight to be made were £IOSB 9s 4d ; and on account of drainage loan for the same period, £77 0s Bd.

I The Mayor said that there was a matter of pressing importance which he thought should be handed over to a special committee to investigate. He referred to the subsidies to municipal bodies. Sir Julius Vogel had stated that the subsidies and endowments should be permanent; but this was afterwards reduced to* five years. But it was never understood from Sir Julius's statement that the maintenance of hospitals and charitable aid were to be deducted from such subsidies, showing clearly that it was the intention of the Government to provide for these institutions in some other way. He thought the public approved of this portion of Sir Julius's statement by their silence upon the subject, and it was very evident that Sir Julius never intended that those deductions should be made, or he would not have spoken of substantial endowments, he knowing full well the costef such institutions. Up to the present time they had absorbed nearly the whole of the subsidy for Christchurch, and it was very probable at some I future time in lieu of receiving endowment ' the city will be called upon to pay large sums out of the general rates to the Government as balance of expenses for charitable institutions. The total amount of subsidy from the Government to Christchurch amounted to £29-15 8s 6d, and the Government deducted from this amount for charitable aid and hospital, £2327 19s 6d, leaving a balance of £GI7 9s to the city. This, he thought, would show that incase of extra expense being necessary for these institutions the city would become in debt to the Government. He was sorry to have to notice in some of the speeches of politicians that there is a growing tendency to do away with the subsidies of the local bodies. He thought if these gentlemen would consider the subject in its proper light, they would see that their policy was in the direction of breaking faith with municipalities and other local bodies. He would recommend that a special committee should be appointed on the subject, and should invite the co-operation of committees from other local bodies, and so form a conference with the view of bringing the whole tiling before the next sitting of Parliament.

Cr. Hobbs said that the finance committee, assisted by the members for the city, Messrs Richardson and Stevens, had gone into the whole matter. What they had discovered was, that the Government had made the boroughs pay the half eost of the charitable institutions aud hospitals of the whole provincial district of Canterbury. He had been told that this was owing to the omission of a clause from the Counties Act which would have enabled the Government to have dealt with the charitable aid and hospitals within the counties. The Government, therefore, having no other body to come upon, had come o-i to the boroughs, and had committed what they all would agree was an act of gross injustice. The case stood thus : that the proportion of patients in the Hospital was twentythree from Christchurch as against sixty-one from the country. That was, that the borough had to support the paupers of the country. The finance committee had considered that it was only right that a conference should be held, with a view of putting their case before the General Assembly next session. The hardship was even greater, because they had not been allowed to have a voice in the management either of the Hospital or Charitable Aid. The hospital was 'essentially a provincial hospital, and they could not put it clearer to the public than to say that the 12,000 inhabitants of Christchurch had to provide the funds for hospitals and charitable aid for the 12,000 or 15,000 residents of the suburbs. He thought the General Government might have treated the local bodies with more courtesy, and explained what had been found out, that it was owing to an error in the Counties Bill. They might have told them that something would be done next session to remedy the evil. Cr. Turner said that he might add that Major Atkinson's words, as reported in Hansvrd, were quite opposed tojthc conduct of his colleagues. If therefore they all combined something might be done next session. The matter then dropped, it being understood that the finance committee would report on it.

The report of the city surveyor was read as follows:—

1. I think it my duty to call the attention of the Council to the fact that the residents alongside the open ditch in Salisbury sti-eet are putting in pipes and other contrivances, and closing up the ditch with earth. I am told that some years ago this locality was like a swamp, and that the ditch was cut to relieve it; consequently the action of the residents now will shortly reduce it again to a swamp. The pipes, which are being laid very badly, will in course of time become choked, or perhaps broken, and the consequence will be that the road will become impassable, and the neighbourhood so wet that it will be unhealthy to reside in it, and then the Council will. be applied to to repair the injury. Nothing but an open ditch or a properly constructed sewer with a means of carrying off the water from the subsoil, will maintain this locality in a fit state for habitation. 2. The steam road roller is now being fitted up, and will in a few days be ready for use. About 4000 cubic yards of broken metal have been spread, so that we shall have a good opportunity of testing its efficiency. C. Walkden, City Surveyor.

It was decided not to take any action as regarded the first clause, as it was deemed that the drain in question was in the hands of the Drainage Board. A letter was read from the Drainage Board, dated 24th April, asking the Council whether it would combine with the Board for the proper drainage of the North town belt, near Manchester street, in order to get rid of the nuisance of some stagnant water. On the motion of Cr. Turner, the matter was referred to the works committee with power to act. Mr Appleby had an interview with the Council respecting a private street on the North town belt.

The street in question had been laid out 44ft. instead of 66ft., as laid down in the Act. Besides this, no notice had been given to the Council of the intention of the proprietor to form a street, and thus a penalty of £SO under section 295 of the Municipal Corporation Act incurred. Mr Appleby now requested the Council to take over the street at 44ft. width. This, however, the Council declined to do.

Cr Ick gave notice of motion that the clause of the Act referring to private streets should be published, and that persons be informed on what terms the Council would take overy such streets, viz., that the same must be channelled, and the footpaths asphalted nt least 4 feet 6 inches. The following letter was read from the Mayor of Lyttelton :

Lyttelton, 23rd April

Sir, —Now that the intentions of the present Government have been shewn by tho deduction of nearly four-fifths from the subsidies due to the Municipalities and Road Boards for the maintenance of hospitals and charitable institutions, and that they have expressed in a letter last week to tho Borough Council of Lyttelton the basis upon which they have made this deduction, I think it is quite time that conjoint action should he taken against a course manifestly unjust, and which I cannot think was the iutention of the Legislature. It must be evident that, if called upon to make a large contribution toward the maintenance of these institutions every individual local body should have a voice in their management and control, and my object in writing to you is to ask whether your Council is willing to join in a movement to press for the formation of a Board of Management, the members to be elected from tliOijseveral municipalities and Road Boards, to have the control over this very large expenditure. I have, &c, J. T. Rouse, Mayor. His Worship the Mayor of Christchurch. The letter was referred to the finance committee to consider at the time it had the whole matter before it. A letter was read from Mr Samuel Smart, asking the favourable consideration of the subject of allowing him interest on his deposit on the contract for the asphalting of the city. Letters from Mr Tait and Mr England were read, stating that the General and Provincial Governments allowed interest on deposits made by contractors. Cr. Nathan moved, " That the rate of interest allowed for the Council's current balances be allowed to Mr Smart for his deposit on the asphalt contract." Cr. Hawkcs seconded the motion. After some discussion, it was resolved, " That the deposit of Mr Smart be paid into a separate account at the Bank, and that he receive all interest accruing thereto." A letter was read from the Commissioner of Police, stating that ho had directed the attention of the Inspector in charge of the Clivistchurch district to the obstruction caused by the cabs in Gloucester street. The Town Clerk said that a letter had been received from the Inspector stating the names of the cabmen who positively refused to move. Cr. Nathan suggested that the only remedy for tho evil would be to proclaim a cabstand on the other side of the street, which woidd do away with the very serious nuisance now caused. Cr. Thomson said that the police were perfectly powerless to deal with them. If the Council made a stand opposite the theatre the cabs woidd not stand there. Cr. Hawkcs said that the bye-law committee had this matter into consideration, and it woidd be attended to. Cr. Nathan wished to know when it was likely the bye-laws woidd be ready ? This matte] 1 was one of such public importance that he wanted to sec the bye-laws drafted at once. Cr. Ick said that he was very much surprised to find that so much laxity had been exhibited by the bye-law committee. The bye-laws had been before the committee for years, and yet nothing had been done. Cr. Hawkes said that the bye-laws had descended as a sort of heir-loom from committee to committee, and there was not a member of the Council who had not served on it. Cr. Hobbs said he desired to bring under the notice of the Council a most important subject, viz., that of auditing the account of the Council. It was necessary that the election of auditors should be notified that day. Now that public opinion had been directed to the necessity of an efficient audit of public accounts it was only right that the auditors should receive a fair salary and prove good nine. As there were two audits in the year it became a matter for consideration whether

they should not give a much larger salary. He would move —" That the sum oi one hundred guineas should be paid to the two auditors for the year." There was no seconder to this motion. Cr Ick then moved—" That the salary of the auditors should be twenty-five guineas each."

Cr. Nathan said, as a member of the finance committee, he desired to state that so far as any control of the finances of the Council went, the finance committee was a farce. If the duty of looking over tho tabulated accounts of the Council every fortnight, and checking them, were added to those of the auditors he would be happy to second Cr. Hobbs' resolution.

Cr Ick pointed out that all the works accounts were checked and examined by the works committee, which was the major part of the expenditure. After some further discussion, the following resolution was carried—" That the salary of the auditors be twenty-five guineas per annum each, and that the duties be as per a schedule to be prepared by the finance committee. The election of auditors was fixed for June Ist next. In this the burgesses have only one and not a cumulative vote.

A letter was read from Mr Treadwell, respecting Harry street, complaining of a hole being cut across tho street, into which a sheep and a drunken man had fallen, and stating the intention of the writer to appeal to the Supreme Court on the subject. The Mayor said that a grip had been cut across the footpath which was exceedingly dangerous. The following letter from the City Surveyor on the subject was read : Gentlemen, —In consequence of a letter written to tho Local Board of Health by Messrs. Treadwell and others, concerning the condition of block 4, I think it my duty to lay before you the facts of the case, as the letter is calculated so bring discredit on tho works committee, as well as on myself. The letter is as follows : " Harry street, loth March, 1877. " The Chairman of the Local Board of Health.

" Sir, —We, the undersigned residents in Harry street, Christchurch, appeal to you for protection from the absurd and dangerous conduct of the works committee of the City Council and of their surveyor. They have sent up workmen and put in a two-foot dam at the lowest end of a ten-chain street, full of houses, in order to try to force the water up a hill four feet high, on to the South belt, They have cut a dangerously deep channel 2 feet deep by lft. Gin. broad through the top of this hill, and still the water refuses to go up the hill. The water is now flowing over the paths, over the gardens and under the houses,, damaging property, and threatening disease and death if the

dam be not removed. Mr Gapes, the Mayor, has been up and can substantiate these facts, but Avas of course unable to order the workmen to remove the water, because the latter act under the orders of the works committee. "We beg you would have the kindness to send up your surveyor at once to give a report upon this dam, which has accumulated also a body of water 30ft. by 2ft. 2in. deep at the entrance gate to the Lincoln road school. "It is useless to attempt to move the works committee or the city surveyor, as the whole question has been before them, and it has been settled before " that the water was to go down hill," when Mr Treadwell formed the roads and drained all the properties, by so doing about two years since. "Begging your immediate attention to this dreadful nuisance. " We are, sir, " Yours obediently, " J. W. Treadwelij " G. R. Black "R. H. Gray "W. Bennett." By direction of the Council, in the beginning of November, 1875, I made a plan for the drainage of block 4. The plan was approved by the Council, and handed to the works committee with instructions to cai'ry out the work, .and in order to afford immediate relief to the inhabitants of block 4 I obtained permission from Professor Bickerton to cut a temporary drain through his land, which he kindly granted, on condition that it should only remain open long enough to allow the permanent scheme to be carried out. The temporary drain was cut and afforded immediate relief. I find in tho record of a meeting of the Council on the 29th November, 1875, the following minute —" Mr Treadwell asked permission to see the - Council, which the Council decided to grant. After Mr Treadwell had explained the purport of his interview, and the matter had been considered, it was moved and seconded that the works committee delay carrying out the works on block 4, and that Mr Jameson be written to." After the temporary drain through Professor Bickerton's land had remained open more than twelve months, that gentleman expressed a wish to have it again closed, accordiug to promise. This was accordingly done, in consequence of a report from the sanitary committee having been handed to the Council in the following terms : (Copy.) "Report of the Sanitary Committee, " August 28th, 1876. " The committee have made an examination of the city as to its sanitary condition. Upon visiting the south-west corner, where last year, at this season, large quantities of stagnant water remained upon the surface of private lands for a long time, in consequence of improper drainage, most injurious to the health and comfort of the people residing in that locality, " Your committee have much pleasure in rereporting that, at the expense of the residents in that locality, that part of the city is now in a satisfactory condition. " Jas. Gapes, Chairman. " J. A. Bird, " Wm. Schmidt." About the middle of last month Mr Treadwell's mother-in-law called on the inspector of nuisances to complain of the deplorable condition of Block 4 for want of drainage. He visited the locality, and afterwards took some workmen and endeavored to afford some relief by cutting a drain on to the South belt, and in return for this service the letter copied above was written to the Local Board of Health. It will be seen by the above documents that instead of the works committee or the surveyor being at fault, they have done all in their-power to afford the required relief, but were prevented doing more by Mr Treadwell himself. I have the honor to remain, gentlemen, Your obedient servant, C. Walkden, City Surveyor. Since writing the above I have, ascertained that the " dangerously deep channel" complained of was cut by some one without the knowledge, sanction, or assistance of any one in the employ of the Council. The Mayor said he saw a man in the employ of the Council at work deepening the cutting referred to. The Surveyor stated that the clearing out had been done by order of the inspector of nuisances, but the cutting was made by Mr Treadwell or some other resident in the neighborhood. Cr. Hawkcs thought that they should not go into the matter at all. They had before them an impertinent letter, full of misstatements, and it would be beneath their dignity to discuss such a letter. It ought to lie on the table. He would move—" That no further discussion take place, and that Mr Treadwell's letter lie on the table." Cr. Bird seconded the motion, which was agreed to. A letter was read from Mr W. Jameson, stating that the Agent-General had made arrangements to despatch a ship in April, which would almost exclusively be devoted to female domestic servants. A letter was read from Mr T. J. Gee, J stating that he required the whole of the j footpath for tho carrying out of the work < referred to in his last letter. Cr. Thomson moved—" That Mr Gee be 3 allowed to have the use of the whole of the i footpath, under the supervision of the sur- \ veyor." Cr Nathan would second the motion. : Cr. Ick would oppose the motion, as the j public would be greatly inconvenienced by j the taking of the whole of the footpath. [ The motion was agreed to, the time being I limited to the concurrence of the surveyor. An application from Mr Brook for a coffee stall at the corner of the Central Hotel was granted, subject to the discretion of the inspector of nuisances. The surveyor was instructed to have the hoarding removed from Morten's block. The report of the Superintendent of the Fire .Brigade committee was read and adopted. Cr. Hawkcs said that he might say that the lighting committee might adopt tho course proposed by the Gas Company to have what was known as average meters. He would see that a full report on the subject was brought before the Council at its next meeting. The report of the inspector of nuisances was read. He reported that Mr Beatty, of the Palace Hotel, bad declined, or rather refused, to provide proper accommodation in the matter of urinals. There were also some others who had not done it. Cr. Thomson moved—" That the Council write to the Licensing Bench, and ask that the licenses of those refusing to carry out the request of the Council to provide urinals be suspended until the request be complied with." Cr. Bird seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Cr. Bird asked the Mayor whether he had received any intimation of the visit of lus Excellency the Governor, and whether it was intended to take any steps towards welcoming him. Cr. Ick suggested a public ball. They were perfectly satiated with public dinners, and he thought the ladies had a right to expect a ball. The Council then adjourned.