CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1230, 12 February 1878, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

Monday, Febbt/aby 11. The ordinary fortnightly meeting was held in the Council Chamber. Present—His Worship the Mayor, Crs. Buddenklau, Toomer, Pratt, Jameson, Briggs, Ick, and Biokerton. MISCELLANEOUS. Or. Ick eaid he desired to give notice that, at a later stage of the meeting, he would move—" That minute No. 20, of Sept. 11th, 1876, ordering that the arms of the city should not. in future, be placed over the Council's advertisements, be rescinded." He ■was also informed that the land reserved for the eity could now be Crown granted, and he would like to move a resolution that steps should be taken in this direction at once, as he thought they should not waste more time than could be helped in having this land fenced in and made available. The Mayor said that, after receipt of a letter expected, the necessary steps would be immediately taken in the direction indicated. FINANCIAL The Town Clerk reported as follows: — Becoived for week ending February 2nd, 1878, £693 19s ; for week ending February 9th, 1878, £646 19s lOd ; total for fortnight, £1340 18s lOd. Cr.—Balance at bank on general account, £34114s 5d ; bills paid and to be paid on general account for fortnight, inclusive of £265 8s Id account of Fire Brigade, £723 5s 7d. Cr.—Balance on loan account, £176 12s 6d; on drainage rate account, £1392 6s lOd; bills to be paid on , drainage loan account, £l2 10s; on drainage account No. 2 (to Drainage Board), £176 ossd. The accounts were passed. subveyob's befobt. The city surveyor reported— No. I—Carter's lane has been channelled; also, Madras street No th and Antigua street. Salisbury streetis being done. No. 2—About 3000 cubic yards of boulders have now been delivered out of the 5000 adverNo. 3—The South Bolt has been metalled from Barbadoes street to Colombo street on the town side, and the rural side will be done as soon as the stone promised by t e railway authorities is forthcoming. O. Walkden, City Surveyor ._ On |No. 1 clause being read, Cr. Jameson said he had noticed the wooden kerbing curling up in many places. As this was very dangerous he thought the surveyor should isee to this. The Mayor and Cr. Toomer said they had also observed this in Manchester and Barbadoes streets. The surveyor stated that whenever he observed or heard of such cases he had them attended to at once. The various clauses of the report were adopted as read. BANITABY BEFOBT. The following report was brought up by the sanitary committee : Your committee met the sub-committee from the Board of Health on January 30th, and discussed at length the question of the sanitary control of the city, and ultimately the joint •committees came to the following resolution, which your committee recommend for adoption ._•« That in the present state of the Public Health Act the supervision of sanitary ■matters within the City of Christchurch should he left in tha hands of the City Council, and -that the Drainage Board shall take all such measures as may be necessary to enable the Council to discharge the duties so devolving upon them with thorough efficiency and legality, and that the proviso in clause 14 of the Public Health Act, 1876, be repealed. •• Signed by—- " J. V. Boss, "R. J. S. Harman, . "Ce. Bickerton, " Cb. RtTDDENKLATT." Cr. lok asked if the sanitary committee had made any arrangements as to the scavenging of the city ? Cr. Bickerton said that no such arrrangements could be made unless the Council approved of the resolution arrived at by the joint committees. If this were done the matter would be attended to at once. He wnild move the adoption of the report. Cr. Briggs seconded the adoption, which was agreed to. SITE FOB MUNICIPAL OFFICES. The following report was brought up by the aommittee: — Your committee beg to report that they have considered the question of new municipal offices, and beg to recommend that competitive designs be invited " for a building on the present site, unless a more eligible one can be obtained." That prizes of £bo and .£2O be given for the first and second best designs respectively. That the accommodation to consist of the following offices, viz.:—Surveyor, three offices ; Inspector, one office ; Town Clerk, four offices: Public offices, private office, collector and extri office. Council Chamber, 25ft x 40ft t two committee rooms, 14ft x 16ft; Mayor's room, 20ft x 16fc; library, 20ft x lGft; two safes ; caretaker, four rooms. The cost not to exceed Jesooo. . ...-., Before the above recommendation, if adopted by the Council, can be carried out, it will be necessary that the question of orrowing the necessary money for building be decided by the ratepayers; and your committee recommend that an early day be named for calling the citizens together to decide the matter. The questions of a site for a stone depot, and .also land for establishing abattoirs, are still .under the consideration of your committee. H. Thomson, Chairman. Soma alight conversation followed as to the question of the Bite. Cr. Jameson said he had been informed by i a person in authority that a larger site could be obtained by the Council opposite the Supreme Court, in exchange for their piresent site, provided they cleared away all the objßtructions thereon. The town clerk produced the conveyance of the land on which the present Council ofllees are erected. The Mayor, after reading the document, eaid it appeared to him that the Council could not exchange or sell the land, as it had to be occupied for general municipal purposes. The I eite, however, could in his opinion be handed. over, provided the land were set apart for'" recreation purposes. Crs. Ick and Euddenklau expressed thembelves in favour of, the preseat site for the Counctf'ffjpoei,

| Cr. Ick said he understood that the committee intended to got an opinion from an architect as to whether their own site would not be large enough. In reply to Cr. Bickerton, the Mayor said that the present Bite was 66ft. square. He understood that the site near the Supremo Court was half an acre. Cr. Bickerton—" Nearly three-quarters. Cr. Jameson suggested that the adoption of the report Bhould bo deferred. In his opinion the site he hadjreferred to was a much more valuable one as it was so much larger. He thought that the ground should first bo inspected and the question of site determined on before the Council went to the ratepayers. He would move—" That further consideration of the report be deferred." Cr. Bickerton seconded the motion. He thought the site opposite the Supreme Court would be found the most suitable. Their present site was not large enough, and the city would gain in having it thrown open for recreation purposes. The Mayor would like Councillors to remember that besides giving up the piece on which the offices are erected they would also have to give up that used as a workyard. Cr. Briggs said he thought the difficulty of access over the bridge would always be found an inconvenienoe if a Town Hall were erected opposite the Supreme Court. Cr. Jameson said there might he no harm in adopting the report, provided the committee did not take further action.

The Mayor said he did not think there was anything in the report to prevent its adoption. What he purposed doing privately was to get the opinion of two architects as to whether the present site would be large enough for their buildings. Cr. Ick said that if the report were adopted, he thought the next course would be to take the matter before the ratepayers. Cr. Ruddehklau said that the question of site was not mentioned in the report, and he felt they should first have determined on a site before going to the ratepayers. He thought the report ought to be referred back to the committee.

Cr. Ick said that if the report were adopted, the ratepayers could then be consulted as to the question of site. Cr. Briggs agreed that it would be better if the report were referred back for further consideration.

Cr. Ick would suggest that the report should be amended by the addition of the following words—"for a building on the present site unless a more eligible one be obtained." He would move this as an amendment. Cr. Ruddenkau seconded the amendment. Cr. Jameson obtained leave to withdraw his motion, and Cr. Ick's amendment was agreed to as a substantive motion. PIBE BBIGADE BEPOBT. The Superintendent, in his report on the attendance of the brigade at fires for the quarter ending 26th January, Btated that ten alarms had occurred in that time, the only one requiring comment being the fire in Colombo street, on which fire he had sent in a separate report. Although the fires had not been large they had been troublesome to manage on account of the distance from water. The following lengths of hose had been used at the various fires : —"Whately road, 2890 ft.; Criterion, 2600 ft.; East belt, 2810 ft.; Colombo street, 4820 ft. ; total length used at the four fires, 13,100 ft. The great strain on these long lines of hose had done considerable damage, and he had to recommend that, say 2000 ft. of new hose be obtained. Foreman Triggs, who had resigned, was entitled to a certificate for nine years service, and W. D Barnsden a certificate for six vears.

The following is the report on the Colombo street fire referred to :

Being absent from t> e province at the time of the fire in Colombo street, I have tort port from infornation supplied to m-< by the foreman of the dittticfc ns welt as the foreman of the remaining districts : —

First, Foreman West reports that at 2.15 a.m. he was walking up Colombo street and heard the cry of "Fire." He looked back and saw the fire was south of Cashel street. He ran to the Chester street station, gave the alarm, and at once started with the hook and ladder carriage He further states that whf-n he gave the alarm at the station the bell at Lichfield street had not rang. When he arrived at the fire there were not thir y persons present, and he says the back of the shops of Messrs Barrett, Parker, Roberts, and Scrimshaw were at the time all on fire. This is confirmed hy the engineer residing at the Lichfield street station, who says when the alarm was brought there the fire was that large he could distinctly see the policeman and others who raised it. Foremen Burbury and Turfcon, both living within eight chains of where the fire occurred, agree in this statement, so that before any alarm was sounded a very large fire was raging. The first engine to play water on the fire was the hand engine. This engine was placed at the tank at the White Hart Hotel, but it was found to be empty, having been emptied a week before for repairs. The wells were opened and a supply obtained to keep the engine poing until the steamer started to work. The first steamer to play water on the fire was the Deluge, which was placed at the ta-k in Colombo street; one branch from this engine was used in Colombo street, and the other in the right-of-way at the back. Through the tank at the White Hart being empty the steamer Extinguisher was also taken to the new tank, and the hose laid np Colombo street, both the branches being shortly removed to the rear. I learn there is considerable surprise at the burning of the Al Hotel. I protested to the proprietor when it was built, to the City Surveyor, and Councillors, as well as insurance agents against its being constr acted in the way it was. Several windows opened through the walls, and worse still tha ends of the rafters were exposed so that the fire could get up through the iron roofing, and through the ceiling, just in the same manner as reported by me on the fire at the opposite corner on 4th March. 1870. It was very unfortunate that the White Hart tank was empty, as the power of the engine was lost in driving the water so far, to say nothing of the loss of time occupied in laying 4S2oft. of hose which had to be used—the average pressure being 701bs. to the squore inch. From what I can learn, the Brigade must have had a hard time of it. They were at work from 2 till 10 a.m. The fall of a chimney that was built on the upper wooden floor of the Al Hotel destroyed about 500 ft. of hose. The Brigade desire to thank Captain Mitchell of the fire police, and also the regular police, for the assistance they rendered them. I have, &c, W. Harris, Superintendent. In conjunction with these reports, the following was brought up by the fire brigade committee: —

Recent events in connection with the Fire Brigade have made it incumbent on your committee .to hand in the following r-, port and recommei.dations. Regarding the management of the late fire in Colombo street, various opinions are circulated, tending to damage the hitherto well-deserved reputation of the Brigade for efficiency. Your committee, af'er careful inquiry into all facts connected therewith, are of opinion that, taking into consideration the disadvantages they were working under, they could not have been done better. Thi tank at Matheson's Agency heing unfortunately empty at the time, tended to militate against the success of the Brigade. Your committee consiters it imperative that, in repairing tanks in future, it should be a positive instruction to the surveyor to employ all possible means to get the work done with as little delay as possible. Your committee concur in the opinion of Superintendent Harris that the fire extended to the Al Hotel mainly through the faulty construction of the party walls and roof and are of opinion that insurauco offices should, before effecting insurances, take measures to point out such faults, and insist on a remedy, if not compli°d with insurances should be refused. Your committee hope that provision will be made in the building by-law now under consideration to remedy such defeats, and no time should be lost in bringing it into operation. Superintendent Harris reports that a large quantity of hose wants repairing. Your committee recommend that this Council give autho-

rity to procure 2,000 feet without delay. The establishing of telegraph communication between the Fire Brigade stations and other public buildings has been decided on some eighteen months ago by this Council and the Provincial Government, but nothing has been done as yet in the matter. As it is probable the Hon. the Postmaster-General will shortly pay us a visit, your committee would suggest that a deputation should wait upon him to represent the desirability for undertaking the work at once. Your committee find that the Insurance Association baß contributed annually since March" 1873, tj»e sum of, ||tt tmrfrtbytiifrwwM

of the brigade. Since that time the expenditure of the brigade has largely incroascd, and will continue to do so, in the same time the business of the insurance companies has nearly doubled itself, consequently your committee arc of opinion that the Council is justified in calling npon them to increase their contribution. In conclusion, your committee have great pleasure in testifying their unsh ken confidence in the efficiency of the brigade who are entailed t) the thanks of the citizens f«r tlnir voluntary and valuable services rendered on th ir behalf. J. G. Ruddenklau, Chairman. City Council office, 11th February, 1878. _ On the clause referring to the subscription from the insurance association being considered, it was stated that when there were only eight offices in Christchurch they contributed £2OO yearly. Now there were eighteen offices the contribution had not increased, although there had been a large increase in insurance premiums. It was decided that the town clerk should draw the attention of the association to this matter. The report was adopted, after some remarks. A strong opinion of the continued confidence of the Council in the efficiency of the Fire Brigade being expressed. The town clerk was instructed to forward a copy of the last clause in the report to the brigade. CITY BEBEEVES, ETC. Cr. Bickerton moved the following motion of which he had given notice:—" That the city members, the Mayor, Crs. Ruddenklau and Jameson, be requested to act as a commission to take evidence as to the reserves that may bo considered to be fairly due to the city of Christchurch; to ascertain the amount of money paid to the city and to the Road Boards of Canterbury; the present value of tho town reserves sold by the third Provincial Government, and all other matters relating to the charitable aid, &c, as far as relates to the city. Also, to ascertain the value of the reserves of the large boroughs of New Zealand." The mover repeated in general

terms the remarks made whon he referred to the question previously. Cr. Ick seconded the motion. Cr. Ruddenklau moved that Cr. Bickerton's name be added to the commission. The motion was seconded, and the resolu* tion as a whole agreed to. COBBESPONDENCE. A letter was read from Mr H. Scrimshaw, Colombo street, asking permission'to allow the present wall of his late building to remain, as it had not been damaged or injured in any way by the late fire. His reason for asking was that his lease had nearly expired. Cr Ruddenklau thought this matter should be referred to the surveyor as their responsible officer. Several councillors thought it would be very hard to call on Mr Scrimshaw to erect a back wall under the circumstances. Cr. Ick said that had he been in Mr Scrimshaw's place he would not hare asked the Council's consent, and would have gone on with his building. It was well known that the old Building Act was not worth the paper it was printed on. This had been shown on a previous occasion, and it was to be regretted that the late by-law committee had been so dilatory in bringing up an amended Building Act. It was only an act of courtesy on the part of Mr Scrimshaw to ask the Council's permission at all. Crs. Ruddenklau and Jameson thought the Council could not give the permission asked in the face of their by-law.» Cr. Ruddenklau moved that the letter be referred to the surveyor. An amendment, " That the Council decline to give the permission asked," was put and lost. An amendment, moved by Cr. Ick, referring Mr Scrimshaw to the by-law, was then put and carried. A letter was read from Mr R. D. Thomas, as solicitor for Mr John McGregor, trustee of the estate of R. S. Patton, asking the Council to pay to him the amount due for boulders supplied to the Council, as per surveyor's certificates lodged. After some discussion, it was resolved that a reply be written that no payment can be made unless under an order of the Supreme Court. BABBADOES STBBET CONTRACT. Mr S. Timms, as one of the contractors, wrote, asking for an interview regarding the Barbadoes street contract. Cr. Ick, as chairman of the works committee, said the contractors declined to work up to the specification unless its terms were modified. He and Cr. Pratt had visited the place that morning. The Surveyor explained that what the contractors desired modified was the clause compelling them to take out all the soft peat and replace it with clay where necessary. This was really the pith of the whole contract. Cr. Ick explained some further matters in connection with the work. If the present contractors threw up the work they would forfeit the £2O deposit, and it would then become a question whether the Council should not authorise the committee to carry out the work themselves. The Mayor thought it would be better to place the whole matter in the hands of the works committee. After further explanations from the surveyor, Cr. Briggs moved—" That the letter from the contractor be referred to the works committee, with power to act." The motion was seconded and agreed to. DISINFECTING OVEN.

The following letter was read from the Colonial Secretary's office:— The Cbri9tchurch District Drainage Board, which ia also the Local Board of Health, has drawn attention to the advisability of erecting a disinfecting oven, where bedding and clothing might be subjected to the action of dry heat, and it has been suggested that such an oven might suitably be constructed in connection ■with the Hospital. I am directed to express the hope of the Government that the City Council will see its way to providing an oven such as that suggested by the Drainage Board. In reply to Cr. Briggs, the town clerk said that no reply had yet been received to the letter written to the Colonial Secretary respecting the Hospital. It was resolved to defer consideration of this letter until the reply referred to had been received. FISH HAWKEBS. Cr. Pratt moved the following resolution, brought up by the by-law committee at the last meeting—" That a space be marked off in the Market-place for the use of fish dealers, and that hawkers in perambulating the streets will be allowed to remain not more than ten minutes in one spot for the purpose of selling, and such stopping places shall not be less than 100 ft. apart. The police to be empowered to order their removal from the front of any premises when desired to do so by any proprietor, or when a return to a previously occupied space is attempted." He would explain that the hawkers at present sold their fish about the streets under a resolution of the Council allowing them to stand for fifteen minutes at one spot. These persons had one or two favorite spots — notably the Al corner, and no matter what nuisance they created when their time was up, if requested to move, they moved for say a foot, and the police had then no power under the resolution to interfere with them. The present resolution waß not to prevent them carrying on their avocation, but merely to prevent them creating a nuisance. Cr. Jameson seconded the resolution, which was agreed to. _ It was resolved to rescind the motion previously carried. ASPHALTING. In reply to the Mayor, the Town Clerk said that none of the asphalting rate had yet been collected. The Mayor thought that some action should be taken immediately, and that the town clerk ought to be authorised to engage special clerical assistance to collect this rate. On the motion of Cr. Briggs, it was deoided to refer this matter to the finance committee, with power to act. collector's eepoht. A report was read from the rate collector, recommending the remission of rates applied for in letters accompanying the report. On the motion of Cr. Jameson, the rates were remitted. CITY HATES. A letter from the rate collector, with referenoe to the city rates, was read, and prder 6 4 fc> be, &4 p 0 tfa table.

CITY ARMS Cr. Ick moved-" That minute No. 20 of September 11th, 1876, ordering that the Council's coat of arms should not bo placed over the Council's advertisements, bo rescinded." The mover referred to the extra expense the Council had been put to in having to re-advertise contracts which were not sufficiently prominent through the absence of the city arms. Cr. Bickerton seconded the motion, and endorsed the mover's remarks from his own experience in advertising. The Mayor thought contractors would see the advertisements whether they were surmounted by the city arms or not. Crs. Ruddenklau and Jameson thought the expense hardly necessary. Cr. Ick gave one or two instances where money had been saved to the Council by prominence given to advertisements for contracts. The motion was put and carried, two of the Councillors not voting. CUT KBSEBTE. Cr. Jameson moved —" That tenders be called for leasing the rural block of land vested in the City Council, and that the conditions be drawn up and submitted to the Council for adoption by the sub-committee, consisting of Crs. Ick, Pratt, and the mover." His reason for moving the resolution was that the present was a good time of the year for taking action, and he believed they would get several applications in when they were prepared to receive them, and the sooner the ground was leased the sooner would they be receiving a revenue. Cr. Toomer seconded the motion, which was agreed to. inspbctob'b bbpobt. The usual report of the inspector of nuisances was read and approved. QUESTIONS. In reply to Cr. Briggs, the Mayor stated that no letter had as yet been received from the Drainage Board respecting the Council's claim of £IOO. To a further question by the same councillor, The Mayor said the un«igh% telegraph poles recently erected in the centre "of the city had been erected under the authority of the Government. Cr. Briggs called attention to the dangerous state of some of the footpaths, more particularly near Bligh's dining rooms, Victoria street, and Smithson's, High street. Cr. Ick, as chairman of the works committee said the surveyor had general instructions to see to the footpaths being kept in a proper state of repair. The Council then adjourned.