CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1249, 8 March 1878, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

Thursday, Maech 7. A special meeting of the City Council was held at 4 p.m. Present —His Worship the Mayor, Crs. Bird, Pratt, Ruddenklau, Radcliffe, Jameson, Briggs, Bickerton. The business before the Council was the consideration of a new by-law for the regulation of the erection of buildings within the His Worship having briefly explained the objects of the meeting, The Town Clerk produced the advertisements which had been inserted in the local papers giving notice of the intention of the Council to make the by-law. Cr. Pratt asked whether now was the time to move amendments on the various clauses of the by-laws. The Mayor replied in the affirmative. Cr. Bird said that, though he had not had an opportunity of considering the by-law, anything which did away with the present inefficient one would be a great improvement. The present one had certainly led to results which were to be deprecated. Cr. Ruddenklau was of opinion that the area of the building block called in the bySaw the inner area was not sufficiently large. He should like to see it much increased, and would move an amendment on the clause with that view. He would move as an amendment on the clause—

The Mayor suggested that it would, perhaps, be as well to take the clauses seriatim before any amendments were taken. The first two clauses relative to the inner and outer area of the city were then put. Cr. Ruddenklau moved, as an amendment, that the description of the inner area be amended to as to read as follows: —" That the inner area shall comprise all that portion of the city comprised in the following boundaries :—Commencing at the junction of the Montreal and St. Asaph streets, thence easterly to Madras street; thence northerly to Peterborough street; thence westerly to Montreal Btreet; thence southerly to the commencing point." Cr. Pratt opposed the amendment. The mubject of the inner area had received a very large amount of consideration from the by-law committee, because it was felt that while proriding for prevontion of fire they should also take care not to place obstacles in the way of "building. It was a very serious matter making it imperative to erect expensive buildings, and therefore while taking every precaution against fire, they should not unnecessarily extend the by-law. In the exemptions it was provided that any building coming within twenty feet of another should have a party wall.

Cr. Euddenklau said that many citizens were of opinion that the extension of the building block should be taken to include tho original city proper. As to the hardships spoken of by Or. Pratt, it must be recollected that the holders of property in the city felt the hardship as much or more than those intended to be included by his amendment. Cr. Bird seconded the amendment.

On a division the votes were equal. Ayes— Crs. Euddenklau, Bird, and Eadcliffe. Noes—Os. Briggs, Pratt, and Jameson.

The Major gave his casting vote in favour of the original clause. On the clause as to the City Surveyor giving certificates it was resolved that a supplementary clause should be inserted, making it to be understood that wherever the City Surveyor was mentioned it should mean any officer that might be appointed by the .On the clause referring to the fees payable for inspection, Ge. Jtuddenklau desired to move an addition to ihVWtcs fixed in the clause, but the amendment was jiot seconded. On the clwise referring to non-combustible roofs, Cr. Briggs asked whether there was any provision whereby the shingle roofs now ■existing within the inner area would within any time be obliged to be replaced with incombustible materials.

The Mayor replied in the negative. Cr. Briggs inquired whether copies of the by-laws had been sent to the various architects aiul builders in the city, and if so had any suggestions been received from them ? The Town Clerk said that copies had been sent to the various architects and builders throughout the city, and no suggestions as to alterations had been received from them. A .cojjy of the names of those to whom the byilawa fead been sent was on the table. A mwber of technical details, comprising ■several .cteases were passed. On the ej-emption clauses being read, Cr. Pratt sail that he desired to move, as ■am amendment, that the exempted portions an tin* outer area be hviyded in the schedule for paying fees, and also tie to giving notice to me aumyor. 6 The Mayor desired to point out, (bat the -only exeiuptiioai on buildings in the outer area ■had reference to material only. They could he built of anything, but the same provisions as to payment'of fees and giving notice to the .-surveyor referred to them. Cr. Pratt thought that the clause was not explicit enough, as drafted, to convey this idea.

Cr. Jameson could not see that buildings in the outer area should he palled upon to pay fees or come under fluperyiejon. The surveyor had no power whatever ove* them. All that ho had to do with was those /nc/uded •within the inner area.

Cr. Bidterton was of opinion that the surveyor had power over these buildings under the Municipal Corporations Act. After eome discussion Cr. Bvig»B moved—'•' ing comprised in the outer whether erected or to be arreted 20ft. from any Qthpr, ■hall be esomojfl hflai the operation of the tyr-jitw, mt]x Ithe excepiioa of, the cjaugep re*

ferring to submitting plans, penalties on builders for not giving notice, power to enter and inspect, and payment of fees." Cr. Pratt seconded the amendment, which was agreed to. A clause explaining the term "City Surveyor" to mean that officer or any other employed by the Council, was moved by Cr. Pratt and agreed to. On the motion of Cr. Pratt the by-law !\s a whole was adopted, and the Bth April fixed for a special meeting of the Council for the confirmation of the same. The meeting then terminated.