CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 990, 28 August 1877, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

Monday, August 27. A special meeting of the Council was held at 3.30 p.m. to consider a bye-law for regulating the asphalting of the footpaths within the city. Present —His Worship the Mayor, and Crs. Turner, Nathan, Jones, Bird, Thomson, Hobbs, and Ick. The Town Clerk read the bye-law as follows :

1. In any case if any footway on either side of any street within the City of Christchurch shall be partially constructed of asphalte, and the portion of such footway which shall be so constructed shall not exceed from feet din. in breadth ; the proportion of the cost of so constructing the same which shall be a charge upon the owners and occupiers of the lands or buildings fronting thereon shall be 6d per foot for every foot in length of the frontage thereon of such lands or buildings. 2. In case the whole breadth of any such footpath shall be so constructed the proportion of cost so chargeable shall be Is per foot instead of sixpence. Cr. Turner moved —“ That the Council agree to pass the bye-law now read, and that the town clerk be directed to summon a special meeting of this Council for the Ist day of October next, at 3.30 p.m., for the purpose of confirming this resolution, and to give public notice thereof, and of this resolution, as required by the Act.” Cr. Nathan seconded the resolution, which was agreed to. ORDINARY MEETING. The ordinary meeting was then held, the same Councillors present, TUB POUND. The Mayor said he had been requested to make some inquiries about the pound, and had learnt that the Government paid the Agricultural and Pastoral Association £2O 15s per annum rental for the section, giving the pound-keeper the fees lor taking charge of it. Jt now rested with the Council to say what action should be taken in the matter. In reply to Cr. Nathan, the Mayor said the Government would give up the pound in March next. Cr. Turner would move—“ That consideration of the question of taking over the pound be left I o the new Council.” Cr Hobbs seconded the motion, and said that, when in Wellington, it had been represented to the Government that the Council would take over the pound if the section were handed to them as a freehold. If this were done he thought a very fair revenue would be received from the fines paid for s( ray cattle. The motion was put and agreed to. FINANCE, The Town Clerk reported as follows: — Received for week —Account general rate, 187/, 2r* 1 2s; Waimakariri do, £-11 17s; rent of market place, 7s ; deposits (2), £8; account (Ircsson’s right-of-way, £0 17s Od ; owners license, £1 ; bye-laws, 2s ; dog tax, £2 10s ; lines from Resident Magistrate’s Court, £5 10s; transfer Customs, £8: building license fees, £l-1; Drainage Board x’atc receipts, £lO4 12s (Jd; total receipts for week, £-144 3s. Received for week ending 28th August —Account general rate, 1870, £7 10s; Waimakariri do, £1 0s; general rate, 1877, £159 3s; Waimakariri do, £2O 10s 6cl; rent of market place, 7s ; account Horatio street, £7 8s ; account Gresson’s right-of-way, £l3 15s; Carlton do, £4 12s lOd; kerosene license, £1 ; dog taxes, £3los ; fines from Resident Magistrate s Court, 15s ; license fees, 10s ; auctioneers’ license, £4O ; Drainage Hoard rate, £OO 0s 3d; total receipts for week, £332 19s 7d. Total for fortnight, £777 2s 7d. Cr at Bank on general account, £1723 0s lOd ; Bills, &c., paid and to be paid on general account for fortnight, £485 10s 3d; drainage loan account, Cr., £lB9 15s 5d ; drainage rate account, Cr., £2085 0s sd; drainage rate account, sinking fund, Cr., £3OO ; sinking fund Commissioners’ account, Cr., £4BO 10s 9d. Received for Drainage Board for fortnight, £l7O 12s Id. surveyor’s beport.

The Surveyor reported as follows : No. 1. The works committee have had an interview with the members of the Heatlicote Road Board, and it was agreed that the South Belt should be formed and shingled for the lull width from the Gas Works road up to the railway frontage belonging to the Government, m consideration of the Heathcote Road Board paying £s loa per chain ae their portion oi the

expense. I have written to Mr Conyers, requesting him to ascertain if the Government would like to have that portion of the Belt fronting on the railway completed on the same terms.

No. 2. The tank in the Whately I’oad leaks very badly, and I -would suggest that it be repaired in the same manner as those in High street were done about two years back. No. 3. The legal notice to repair the right of way through the triangle within a given time is now expired, and has nothing has been done the works committee have given me instructions to asphalte it in accordance with the law. C. Walkdkn, City Surveyor. The clauses of the report were adopted as read. Or. Hawkes here entered the chamber and took his scat. FINANCE COMMITTEE. The Finance Committee reported on the remission of some rates. They also recommended that no alteration should be made in the present mode of the collection of the rates, and suggested that a gratuity should be given to Mr Murray tor overtime in working up the burgess list. The report was received and adopted. RESERVES BILL, The following letter and telegram from the Hon. E. Richardson to Mr. Hobbs were read: — Dear Sir, —I am sorry there should be any misunderstanding as to the Reserves Bill. The position is this: Ministers advised that I should introduce the Bill, as it was very probable that there would be opposition to the general powers they sought in their own Bill. I do so, and as is the case -with all these Bills, mine was sent to the joint committee on private Bills to decide whether it was a private Bill or not. The committee considered that if the Market Place reserve was not kept as such it was a private Bill, and as this would be fatal to the Bill this session, the standing orders not having been complied with~previously to the session, I got them to allow me to take a very .unusual course (and this I was only able to do having taken the precaution when introducing it in the House, “ not to move that it bo printed! ”). I have amcnded'thcßill and introduced a third schedule, including (2) the Market place reserves, giving them to the Council as Market place, leaving it to be dealt with otherwise next session if you think lit. Of course if you wish it, I can, in going through committee, get the new clause and schedule struck out, but the committee declined to lot the Bill go on this session if it attempted to alter the destination of these reserves. I showed them the motions you had passed, which were forwarded me by your town clerk, but could not get them to alter their decision. At all events I hope you will give me credit for doing the best under the circumstances, at all events in my opinion. I will send you a copy of the Bill as soon as printed, and shall be glad to have your final decision. The following is the telegram: — lie Reserves Bill, Mr Wynn Williams has pointed out that Worcester street runs through Latimer square, and requires following words being inserted as regards the square, “ Subject to such roads and streets as may now pass through the same.” Also, that the word “recreation” be interpreted as follows: —“For the use of the inhabitants of the city of Christchurch as public gardens and public promenades.” Please wire me before Wednesday evening - whether the Council object to above amendments.

Cr. Turner moved —“ That the action taken by the Hon. E. Richardson, as shown in the letter and telegram, be approved by the Council.” Cr. Jones seconded the motion.

Cr. Hobbs supported the motion, and considered Mr Richardson had got over the difficulties in a very satisfactory manner. He did not agree with the proposed amendments of Messrs Wynn Williams and Hamilton, as the proper time for those gentlemen to have raised objections would have been when the square was being fenced in. He did not think it right that they should now desire a clause of the kind as suggested by them after the city had considered they had had the right to this square for so many years. He would like either of those gentlemen to stand for the city on the platform of cutting up Latimer square. If they did he would have very little fear of the result of such an election. Allow Worcester and Madras streets to go through the square, and the Council might just as well sell the remaining pieces. Cr. Nathan supported the resolution. Cr. Turner pointed out that if the right of these streets existed to go through the square, then no exception could bo taken to Mr Wynn Williams’ amendment. If it did not so much the better. Cr Hobbs moved as an amendment —“That the action taken by the Hon, E. Richardson, as regarded the market square, be approved.” Cr Ick seconded the amendment.. Cr. Hawkes would support the resolution and regretted that the amendment had been proposed. Cr. Turner was under the impression that if the matter were pressed now, the Council would lose their chance of obtaining the right they desired over the other reserves. Cr. Hobbs did not think that Mr Wynn Williams possessed sufficient influence to have his amendment included in the bill. Cr. Turner said other interests might also be brought to bear, and were he in Mr Wynn Williams’ position, and had purchased his property under the belief that this street ran through the square, he would act exactly as that gentleman was now doing. Cr, Hobbs altered his amendment so as to read —“ That the action taken by Mr Richardson as mentioned in the letter be approved.” Cr. Ick declined to second the amendment as altered. The amendment was not seconded, and fell through, and the motion was put and carried.

EAST BELT BRIDGE. Cr. llawkes presented a petitiop signed by a number of persons residing in tlm city and suburbs, praying that the Council will erect a bridge oyer the Avon at Ward’s brewery. He (Cr. Hawkes) had been informed that Mr Campbell was willing to give land to widen the road there, and that the Avon Road Board would no doubt also contribute towards the cost. The petition was received and read. Messrs Campbell and Bing wore introduced to the Council, and spoke in support of the petition, showing the convenience such a bridge would be to persons residing both in the city and suburbs. Nearly 500 persons had signed their names to the paper, and in that number were included all the medical men in the city. Cr. Ick said that though he felt such a work was most necessary and highly desirable, and although ho had supported the erection of a bridge at that spot on a previous occasion, yet he thought that as the Council would be going out in a few days they ought not to deal with a work which would at least involve an expenditure of £2OOO. The Avon Road Board had only promised a contribution of £SO on the last occasion, and it this was all they were prepared to give> the petitioners

could hardly expect the new Council to undertake such a large proportion of the cost.

er. Hawkes moved—“ That the thanks of the Council be tendered to the gentlemen who have appeared to support, the petition, and that they be given an assurance that it will have the present Council’s best consideration, and bo handed over to the incoming Council, with a strong recommendation to have the work carried out.” Cr. Hobbs seconded the motion.

Cr. Thompson thought the deputation should have got up as strong a petition and first presented it to the Avon Road Board. Cr. Nathan would like to sec such a bridge constructed, provided the surrounding Road Boards contributed their fair share. The resolution was put and carried, and the deputation having thanked the Council withdrew. PERRY ROAD. A petition was read from a number of residents in the South East portion of the city, complaining of the open ditch along 1 lie Kerry road, from Barrett’s Hotel to Manning’s Brewery. Referred to the Drainage Board. A petition was read from a number of residents in the vicinity of the Cavcrsham Hotel, asking that that portion of the Ferry road from the Cavcrsham Hotel to the East belt might for the future be called “ Lower High street.” It was resolved to comply with the request. COKRESPON DENCH. A letter was read from Mr J. Merson, claiming £4 17s, damage done to his dray through his horse being frightened by the steam road roller. The Surveyor was instructed to investigate the claim and report. A claim for £lO 9s was read from Mr John Cowley, for injuries received by bis horse through being frightened by the road roller, and loss of time caused to claimant thereby. On the motion of Cr. Nathan, seconded by Cr. Bird, it was decided to settle the claim on Mr Cowley showing the number of days his horse was disabled through the accident. A letter was read from the Spreydou Road Board, offering to pay £250 towards the cost of forming and channelling the belt as far as the Lincoln road. It was resolved to send a reply that the work can only bo undertaken by the Board guaranteeing to pay half the actual cost of forming and shingling their proportion of the belt. The question of channelling was not considered. A letter was read from Mr J. H. Morrison, Dunedin, enclosing copy of a petition from employers of labour, being circulated for signature, asking that the House of Assembly may influence the Government to use colonial manufactured materials in carrying the public works scheme. The town clerk was instructed to acknowledge receipt of the letter, and inform the writer that resolutions bearing on this question had lately been passed at a public meeting, and forwarded to Wellington. A circular letter was read from the lion, secretary of the Australian Juvenile Industrial Exhibition, to be held at Ballarat on Ist March, 1878, asking the Council to give the object publicity among the inhabitants of Christchurch. Consideration of the letter was postponed for a month. inspector’s report. The usual fortnightly report of the city inspector was read and approved. LICENSES. A number of licenses were granted. In reply to Cr. Jones, Ihe Town Clerk said that it was necessary for a hawker to have a license for each cart. The Council then adjourned.