CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1038, 23 October 1877, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

Monday, Ociobeb 22. The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Council was held at 7 p.m. Present —His Worship the Mayor, Ore. Ick, Bird, Iluddcnklau, Briggs, Toomer, Bickertou, Pratt, Thomson, Rudcliffe. The minutes of the previous meeting were road and confirmed. mayor’s remarks. The Mayor said the baths committee had recommended that the baths should be let for twelve months, by tender. The person who had waited on the ladies for twelve weeks had received no recompense for doing so, and the committee recommended that £0 should be voted her. XIXE BAXUS. Cr. Bird moved —“ That tho sum of £0 be voted to the lady attendant for her services during last season.” Cr. Ruddenklau seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Or, Bickfcrtgo moved a resolution to the

effect —“ That the swimming baths be let by tender for twelve months, and that, tenders be invited by advertisement, according to a specification of fees and regulations previously agreed to by the Council.” The resolution was seconded by Cr. Bird, and, after some remarks from councillors as to the advisableness of committees handing in their reports in writing, and also giving notice of motion, was agreed to. LOCAL BOARD OF HEALTH. The Mayor said the joint committees had met that day and adopted the new night pans, which had been found to answer satisfactorily. He had received a resume of the Local Healih Bill from Mr Stevens, and also two letters from that gentleman on same subject. Those, witli a letter from the Hon. E Richardson, would be laid before the Council during the evening, FINANCIAL. The Town Clerk reported receipts and expenditure for the fortnight, as follows: — Receipts for week ending October 13th, £375 Is 7d ; for week ending October 20th, £516 13s 4d ; Drainage Board rate, £134 12s 6d ; general account, £296 Os lOd ; total, £llß7 15s 9d. Bills paid by works committee, £277 12s; to be paid, £759 17s 6d. Drainage Loan account, Cr., £lB9 15s 5d ; interest, £1 18s 3d ; total, £l9l 13s Bd. Drainage Rate account, Cr., £1930 13s 7d ; interest, £29 18s Id ; total, £1960 11s Bd. Bills to be paid on Drainage account, £lB4 2s Id. surveyor’s report. The City Surveyor reported : 1. It has been mentioned to me that many of the willows are hanging into tho river, and that they ought to be lopped, but I thought it advisable to mention it to the Council before cutting them. 2. That portion of the South belt which has been formed is being again entirely put out of shape, in consequence of there being no si ingle on it. 11 would be very desirable to have it shingled at once, as there are a number of other streets that must be shingled before the winter. 3. The steam roller has been at work in the road fronting the Supremo Court to-day, but the stone that has been spread on the road is of such a soft nature that it crushes under the weight of tho roller. 4. The foreman of works has applied to the works committee for remuneration for his extra labour during the time the unemployed have been at work, and the committee are of opinion that it should he granted. 5. I find it very difficult to prevent persons from digging and taking away earth from tho streets, and leaving holes which endanger the traffic: and I wish particularly to mention a place whore the road has been excavated close to Mr Jenkins’s timber yard, and as I cannot discover who the perpetrator of it is, 1 desire to ask tlio Council to sanction my offering a reward for his conviction. I have obtained a summons to-day against a man who was caught in a similar act on the South belt. The surveyor was authorised to out the willows referred to in clause No. 1 of the report. On clause 2 being considered, Cr. Ick moved —“ That tho works committee have power to call for 5000 yards of metal, payment to bo made at the termination of the present financial year.” Cr. Pratt seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Clause 3 was approved. After some discussion on clause I, Cr. Thomson moved—“ That the foreman be allowed 10s per day during the employment of the mi-employed.” [Laughter.] Cr. Pratt seconded the motion, which was carried. On the last clause of the report being read it was resolved, on the motion of Cr Ruddenklau—“ That £2 be paid any person giving such information as will lead to the conviction of any person or persons removing soil from the roads without permission from the oily surveyor.” CITY VALUATOR. Cr. lok moved the following motion, of which he had given notice —“That a valuator he appointed for three years, who shall bo an officer of the Council, and shall superintend the compiling of the rate roll, do all valnating as required by the Rating Act, 1876, and hand it over to the City Council as soon as it has been signed by the proper authority.” Ho referred at length to the want of uniformity in the valuation of the city last year, and tho annoyance thus generally created. The valuation next year would entail a great deal of work, in consequence of alterations Unit had taken place, ami a person so employed would take at least from a month to six weeks to go round tho blocks and make a careful valuation. There would then he a great deal of work required in preparing the rolls, and subsequently, being an officer of the Council for the time being, in defending his valuation at the Assessment Court. Contingent on his resolution being carried he would move a second resolution.

Cr. Ruddonklau seconded the motion. Cr. Thomson did not think the valuation had been so unsatisfactory as referred to — (‘‘Oh!’’)—at least the Council had not lost any money by it. He did not think the mover of the resolution had given them sufficient information as to what would be gained by appointing a valuator out of the usual course, and ho (Or. Thomson) did not think they ought to engage such an officer for three years.

Cr. Bickertou mentioned his having been rated last year at 13 per cent, on the value of Ills property, and in one instance at a higher rate. Ho approved of a competent valuator being appointed. Cr. Bird would have liked the mover to have given the Council some precedent for appointing such au officer. Cr. Pratt referred to Lire dissatisfaction created by the last valuation made, and said it was not advisable that the Council should —even though making more money-footer such a feeling. [Hear, hear.] Ho would support the motion, which would possibly give them a gentleman possessing local knowledge and a qualification to properly value property. Or. Ick, in reply, referred to Cr, Bird s desire for a precedent. The Christchurch City Council were in the habit of establishing precedents, and were looked up to as a model of profundity and wisdom —[laughter]—and their proceedings were quoted throughout all the various colonies. [Applause.]

Cr. Thomson moved as an amendment — “ That tho words ‘ for three years’ lie omitted and the word ‘ annually’ inserted instead.” Cr. Bird seconded the amendment, which was carried by the casting vote of the Mayor. Cr. Ick moved —“That tho finance committee draw up a specification detailing the exact duties to be performed by tire valuator, and advertise for tenders to be sent to tire City Council for consideration at their next regular meeting.” Cr. Thomson seconded the motion, which was agreed to. VICTOHIA. BTBEI-T. A petition, forwarded by Mr G. Gould, and signed by a number of ratepayers in WTutdy

road, was read, asking that the name of the Whately road from Victoria bridge to North town belt should be altered to “ Victoria street.”

On the motion of Cr. Pratt, it was resolved to accede to the request, and take the necescessary steps *o comply with it.

THE UNEMPLOYED. The Town Clerk said he had received the following telegram from the Government in reply—“ Proposal in your letter Ist instant to Premier is approved, and subsidy will be paid of half amount, expended, also of half of £IOO for another month’s employment of men.”

CORRESPONDENCE. An application from Mr James Taifc applying for permission to erect a hoarding in front of Me.-srs Harman and Stevens’s new offices in Hereford street.

On the motion of Cr. Bird the application was granted. Mr J. W. Treadwell wrote enclosing copy of circular letter sent by him to the principal boroughs of New Zealand, covering resolution proposed by him at a public meeting, and asking the Council to give the resolution their consideration. It was decided to allow consideration of this matter to stand over until next meeting. X’UBLIC HEALTH BILL. The following letters from Mr E. C. J. Stevens were read :

Wellington, Oct. 19th, 1877. Dear Sir, —I received this evening your telegram inquiring what action is going to taken with referee ce to powers of rating by tho 1 oc 1 Board of Health within the City of Chri t church, and also as to the powers of the Local Bo rd of Health b -mg conferred on the City Council so far as Christchurch city is concerned. You are no doubt aware that by an omiss on in the Act of last year no power of obtaining any funds whatever was conferred upon the Drainage Board, ah hough the Act devolved upon that Board the duties of the Local Board of Health, both as regards the city and suburbs. It is obvious that whatever public body does the work must have some small amount annually to meet the necessary expenses 1 posted to the Town I lerk some days since copies of the Bill, Since receiving your telegram 1 have taken steps to prevent the Bill from being pressed forward to the Legislative ouncil for some days, in order that every opportunity may be given for the views of ihe ■ ouncil being fully considered. ’I he Bill pa-sed through committee in the House to-day. As regards my own views ou the subject, I may say that last year the powers were given to the Drainage Board —the City Council of that day being by a majority favorable to the change. 'J lie object of the change was to obviate the great and admitted evils ttending the want of an equally efficient management for city and suburbs. It appears to me that before making any radical alteration of the existing arrangement, due provision must be made for the suburbs as, should w>> return to the old system, the most serious consequences will probably en-ue. In my letter to the Town Clerk I have asked for the opinion of the City Council upon this most important part of the question. fa pu lie meeting i held 1 venture to ask you to read this letter or giv the substance of it, as I consider that pu lie attention ought to bo drawn to th danger of lea 1 ing tho public health in the suburbs uncared-for in any change it may he desired to make. I am, &c., E. C. J. Stevens. His Worship the Mayor, Christchurch.

Wellington, 19th Oct., 1877. Sir,—l bog to acknowledge the receipt of your telegram and letter of 17th inst., conveying to mo the opinion of the City Council that the Drainage Board should not have the powers of tho Local Board of Health within the city boundaries, and that those powers should be conferred upt-u the Council. I doubt whether the Amendment Act can be introduced this session with any prospect of becoming law. At the same time. I shall be glad to know the views of the Council as to how, if their wishes are carried into effect, the suburbs will have the duties of a Board of Health efficiently performed within their limits. The change of last year was made in order to remove the evils of having an incomplete or ineffective system in the suburbs, it being evident that the health of both city and suburbs could not receive proper attention unless equally adequate arrangements were made for both ca-es. 1 assume tli it the Council has given full attention to this part of the subject, and shall be glad to know the remit of their consideration of it. I send you copies of the Public Health Amendment Bill. This removes the difficulty of there being no funds whatever with which to defray the necessary expense of the Health Act operations. 1 may point out th it if the wishes of the Council arc cirried into effect, either this year or subsequently. the Bill can then be limited to localities other than tho city. Meanwhile it provides for a necessity that must be met in any case. 1 have the honor to be, sir, Your obedient servant, E. 0. J. SiEVENS. The Town Clerk, Christchurch.

The Mayor said it had been suggested that a public meeting should be called to consider the question, and if the Council desired this some member could move a resolution to this effect.

Or. Bickertou referred to the helpless position occupied at present by the sanitary committee, who found they had no power to move in sanitary matters, though the Council paid for all the work done. It was monstrous that Bills affecting Municipalities, such as this and the Slaughter House Bill, should be passed by the Government without having been first submitted to the various Municipalities throughout New Zealand. He would move—“ That a public meeting bo called at an early date.” Cr. Toomer seconded the motion. Or. Thomson had been informed that the Drainage Board did not intend to levy any rate, and that they would be very happy to hand over the sanitary powers to the Council within the city.

Cr. Ick said that though Cr. Thomson might be in the confidence of the Drainage Board, and have very great confidence in them, yet ho (Cr. Ick) had no confidence whatever in that body. The last speaker had said the Board did not intend to levy the rate, and only desired the power to be used it necessary. The same was said about tho drainage rate when the power to levy was first asked for, and now what was tho fact that the people were paying five ponce in the £. In his opinion the body that levied the rate should have tho spending of it, and the City Council, which was really the representative body, should bars the power and not bo only partly represent ativo. Tho resolution, on being put, was agreed to. On the motion of Cr. Bickcrton, it was decided to take counsel’s opinion on tho best course for the Council to take in having their powers returned to them. The Mayor said if lac could get the Oddfellows’ Hall lie would call tho public meeting for Thursday evening next. CmiIRXCUUKCH Eli'S HETES BIIP. The following letter was read from the Hon. E. Kiehardpon; Wellington, 19ih October. 1877. His Worship the Mayor of Christchurch. Sir,—Tho Christchurch City Reserves Bill was put through couimitfosliiit night, and will tbMi

I on for third reading on Wednesday next. Ther< was much opposition to it, and several amend I incuts were made in it, only two of winch wil materially affect the wishes of the City Council as far as [ under t nd tee po ition. In the fir-t place a proviso wa- put in. wbi.'b will stop the Council from erecting any further buildings on the reserve on which the new brigade station now stands, and the other prin cipal amendment refers to the section on which the Council have established their yard and stables. It has for its effect theenactingth.it the whole of the strip of land between Lane'smill and Worcester street (except the portion already vested in the City Council) shall he a recreation reserve similar to all the other piece.' along the river side. The Hon. John Hall has promised to take charge of the bill in the Upper House, and should the Citv Council wish to make any attempt to alter the foregoing amendments I shall be obliged by your communicating your wish to me at the earlio-t possible date, but at the same time I am bound to state that I think it will bo very difficult to persuade the Hou e of Representatives to agree to re-discuss these points. I have the honor to he, sir, Your obedient servant, Edward Richardson. It was resolved to thank Mr Richardson for the trouble he has taken, and to express an opinion that, it would be useless for the Council to offer further opposition. ANTIGUA STREET CUTTING. A letter was read from Mr Alfred Culliford, calling attention to the damage done to his property at the corner of Antigua street and the South town belt, through the recent alteration of the roadway levels. Referred to the works committee to report, with power to take legal advice. BY-LAW COMMITTEE. The by-law committee brought up a report on a letter referring to the recent cab accident, and recommended that drivers of cabs be compelled to walk at the intersection of Colombo and Hereford streets. The report was received. Cr. Ick would have liked to have seen the junction of Cashel and Colombo streets included in the recommendation. On the motion of Cr. Bird, the report was adopted. It was resolved, on the motion of Cr. Pratt, “ That, in terms of clauses 340 and 82 of the Municipal Council Act, 1876, a special meeting of the Council be held on Monday, sth November, at 6.55 p.m., to adopt by special order the above alteration.” STREET NUMBERING. Cr. Bickerton said he would postpone the other portion of the Bye-law committee’s report referring to the numbering of the streets. In reply to Cr. Bird it was stated that the Bye-law committee would bring up a byelaw at next meeting to regulate building within the city. NOTICES OF MOTION. Cr. Bickerton to move at next meeting : “That it is the intention of the Council to continue the avenue of the Canal Reserve around the north bank of the river from the Antigua street bridge to Worcester street, and also from the north end of the Canal Reserve to the bridge near the Carlton Hotel as soon as convenient after the reserves come into their possession, and that it bo an instruction to the city surveyor that in doing any kind of work on the bank of the river ho should bear this in view.”