CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1254, 26 March 1878, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

Monday, March 25. The Council met at the usual hour. Present —His Worship the Mayor (in the chair), Crs. Ick, Jameson, Raclcliffe, Toomer, Briggs, Euddenklau, and Bickerton. The minutes of the special meeting, held on Friday, the 15th instant, was read and conconfirmed, after which the following business was transacted. mayor’s statement. The Mayor reported that the deputation appointed at the special meeting had waited upon fcir George Grey, who recommended the Council to lay their wants in writing before the Government. Since the last meeting the Mayors and Chairmen of County Councils had met to consider the Hospital question. A report would be submitted. With regard to the objections made by the Council to certain valuations of Mr Cuff, he (the Mayor) had to report that they were in abeyance in consequence of technical objections having been taken to the method adopted, but nobody had attempted to show that the Council was wrong, or that the objections would not be sustained. Several bodies had been rated who had not objected when notice was served upon them, hut had employed counsel to resist, aud the As -essment Court had given counsel’s fee against the Council. The Mayor deprecated the conduct of the bodies referred to. Ho called attention to errors in the names of occupiers on the assessment roll. Many names were of persons who are dead, or who have left, while others were not on the list who had been residing for some lime in the houses which they now occupy. The burgess roll would he made up from the assessment list, aud such errors, woul ibe of serious consequence. His Worship, mentioned t everal cases of error of which he had personal knowledge He had also to suggest that some of the gum trees in Cathedral square should be cut down, in order to admit of the new public buildings being seen. Cr. Ick said he had intended to move a resolution referring to Cathedral square. WATER SUPPLY. The Mayor reported that he had determined to send the particulars of the water scheme to Mr Clark, whose report for the Drainage Boai’d, would be completed, he believed, on Tuesday. withdrawal of objections. Cr. Ick remarked on the singularity of tine Mayor bavin* withdrawn every objection which was resisted by counsel. The Mayor said that one of the objections thus withdrawn was found to have been improperly made, another the committee had decided to withdraw before it was brought into Court, and a third he had found so unreasonable that he could not press it. Cr. Ick’s remark applied to no more than three. EXEMPTION OF SCHOOL BUILDINGS. Cr. Briggs asked if Mr Cowlishaw's objection on account of the Board of Education applied to all the schools P The Mayor replied that it did, ERRORS IN ASSESSMENT ROLL. Cr. Jameson moved—“ That Mr Cuff’s attention be called to the errors in the names of ratepayers, with a view to their correction. Cr, Briggs seconded the motion, which was agreed to. CATHEDRAL SQUARE. Cr. Ick gavo notice that he would mow—- “ That a committee consisting of hia Worship the Mayor, the chairmen of the works and sanitary committees, report to the Council the nd-visablene-s or otherwise of dealing the west side of Cathedral square of trees, and laying out the ground in a suitable manner.” BUILDING BY-LAW. The Mayor reported that a person building a house in Armagh street had contravened the building by-law. He had been summoned, but represented that if he was compelled to make the alterations now required ho would be ruined. The summons, which was to have been heard that (Monday) morning, had been postponed for a week at his Worship’s desire, in order to allow the Council to express an opinion on the matter. Cr. Euddenklau thought that if the law had been- broken the Council ought not to be asked, to express an opinion on the question. Cr. Ick thought that as the law had bevw so often broken in similar cases it would be a great hardship to inflict punishment in the present case. He moved —“That the matter be not pressed, especially as the new by-laws will soon be in force.”

Cr. Briggs secondod the motion, as it would be no more than justice to treat this case as others had been tivated.

Cr. Jameson considered that the existing bylaw had done good service, but, under the circumstances, he would not object to the summons being withdrawn. '1 he Mayor- wished it to be understood that the Council would not overlook any infraction of the by-law for the future. The motion was carried. FINANCE. The Mayor reported that the credit at the bank was £368 18s. The receipts for the last two weeks had been £498 7a 6d. A number of accounts were passed for payment. SURVEYOR’S REPORT. Tha following ivab the City Surveyor’s report : “ 25th March, 1878. “No. 1. The work of forming and draining Barhado .-s street is now completed. The cost of the work, including shingle, will amount to £360 8a 4d. The amount of my estimate for the samo was £447. The difference between tho estimated sum and the actual cost of thework has been caused by the greater portion of the earth being taken away by private enterprise instead of at the Council’s expense. “No. 2. Part of Colombo street and the whole of Marten street are being furnished with concrete channels.

“No 3. Madras street north has been channelled with concrete blocks, and the footpath cut down to suit them. “ No. 4. The wooden bridges in Salisbury, Peterborough, and Ba'badocs streets, hare been removed, and culverts placed in their stead, and the ground made up to the proper level. “No. 5. New street is being formed and. shingled.’ 1 The report was adopted. SANITARY COMMITTEE’S REPORT. The (sanitary committee’s report was read. It recommended that lenders for a three years’ contract for emptying closet pans, &c., should be called for; alto that tenders for sweeping the side channels should called for, putting ta the contract the wort of

cleaning out the channels under wooden bridges leading to private premises. Ibe report also staled that the committee had called for tenders for 1000 iron closet pans of a new pattern, according to specification, with one ot which each house in the city should be supplied as scon as possible. . , The Mayor said that it was rather irregular for a committee to call for tenders without the specifications having been considered by the Council. Or. Bickerton said that the sanitary committee had only done what had been done by the works committee. The matter of the closet pans was a most urgent necessity. The principle ox the new pans had been fully recognised by the Council, and the committee had not ucceptea tenders, but in order to save a fortnight bad deemed it desirable to advertise for them. Cr. Ick corrected Or. Bickerton as to the works commit l ee advertising for tenders. i'O work had been advertised for until the Council had approved of it He did not think it de.-iraole that an exception should be made in the scavenging contract, as recommended in the matter ot wooden bridges leading to private premises. The Council then considered paragraph by paragraph the specification of the proposed three-years’ contract, as recommended by the sanitary committee. They were approved on the motion of Cr. Bickerton, seconded by Cr. It was resolved that, though the tenders should be seat in by the 6th April, Urn worumg of the contract should not begin till the Ist ot June, as the Council was of opinion that this would enable more persons to send in tenders.;,. With regard to the 1000 closet pans of the new pattern, some discussion arose as to the desirability of requiring so many at once. Cr. Bickerton said the sanitary committee had given the matter every consideration, ana urged that before the expiration of two years at least 2000 would be required. The specifications for the pans were then approved, and the the tenders were opened. There wore four tenders, aud that of T. Crompton (the lowest) was accepted on the motion of Cr. Bickerton, seconded by Cr. Toomer. The tender was as follows :—S6O pans, at 11s 3d; 140 at 12s 3d; and 20 lids, at 14s (id. The recommendation of the committee as to the contract for scavenging not including wooden bridges was objected to by Crs. Ick and Briggs. They also called attention to the desirability of introducing some clause providing for the clearing of pipes conducting water from artesians to side channels. Cr. Bickerton considered that it would bo wrong in principle for the Council to cl ar private (pipes. He would not object to a clause such as suggested, if the owners of the private pipes paid for such work. The Mayor had no objection to the Council finding the necessary rods, but he could not see how the contractors would find time for the extra work thus necessitated,. The sanitary committee’s I’eport was then adopted on the motiou of Cr. Bickerton, seconded by Cr. Radoliffe. WORKS COMMITTEE’S RETORT.

The works committee’s report was then rend. It recommended that no new works should be undertaken, and that there should be no provision for a tax for fire prevention purposes. It recognised the desirability of additional urinals being erected, but stated that there was no money for them. The total expenditure proposed by the committee amounted to <£13,000, including ,£l7lO for contingencies, an, item the report pointed out, less than that of last year, which had been found not to be sufficient. FINANCE COMMITTEE’S REPORT.

The finance committee’s report was read. It gave the financial position of the Council for the year ending March 3ist, 1879, as follows : Receipts—Balance in Bank, <£37o ; subsidy, .£IOOO ; rites for 1877 and 1878 and asphalte rate for same years, in lall <£l3 222; dog tax, auctioneers’, publicans’, and other license fees, .£3625; rents, £50); insurance companies, .£200; commissions, £520; sundries, £293 15s. Total revenue, £21260. Liabilities Sundry accounts, £3io 19s; works in progress, £1209 15s lOd. Estimated expenditure —Salaries, &c., £1857 10s : election, legal, and other expenses, £I2BB. Works (works committee) £13,000; contingencies, £IOO. Total expenditure, £16,246 2s 6d. , The works committee’s report was adopted on the motion of Cr. Ick, seconded by Cr. Bicker ton. Cr. Ick moved, and Cr.Toomer seconded, that the works committee be authorised to proceed with the works mentioned iu their report. The motion was agreed to. The Mayor said that £SOOO had to be paid on account of lust year, hence the works committee Lad omitted to propose new works. The finance committee's report was adopted on the motion of Cr. Bickerton, seconded by Cr. Briggs. The litter councillor considered that the revenue would very probably be somewhat larger than the estimate of the finance committee. TRAMWAYS. Cr. Jameson moved, in accordance with notice—“ That the terms on which the Council will be prepared to allow the streets of the city to be used by the tramway company be now considered.” In doing so he said that the advantages derived by the public were so great that the sub-commilteedid not think that any charge should be made to the company for the use of tho streets. The company applied for a2l years’ lease, but the sub-committee were of opinion that the city should be entitled to determine the lease in 14 years. Cr. Jameson detailed tho particulars of the proposal of the Canterbury Tramways Company (hm.t id), which have already been published. Ho moved — “ That tho Council approve of the proposal of the company, as a basis for the agreement between tho company and the Council.’' Cr. Briggs seconded the motion. Cr. Ick thought the double fares after six o’clock p.m. would ho a hardship for working men. The cabmen did not raise fares until ten o’clock. He would suggest that the hour for raising the fares should be eight in the sumrn r and seven in the winter. He thought that it should be understood that the tramways company would not have a monopoly. Cr. Jameson said that the company would be in the same position, in this respect, as the gas company. He believed the e mpany would charge very low rates to working men, and would have no objection to the hour for raising fares being seven o'clock instead of six. Cr. Ick moved and Cr. Toomer seconded— That tho hour be eight in summer and seven in winter.” Cr. Radcliffe thought that the tramway question required serious consideration. It was possible that the tramways would interfere with the passenger traffic in the streets through which they passed. The streets were very narrow, and the owners of property should have an opportunity of expressing an opinion on the matter. The Mayor said tho matter had been before the public for months, and Mr Jamieson had given a fortnight’s notice of his motion, yet not a single objection had been made. Cr. EuddenkUu, reverting to the hour for doubling the fare, thought it should be eight all the year round. Cr. Jameson adopted the motion of Cr. Ick for eight o’clock in summer and seven in winter, and his motion was then agreed to. DIVISION OP THE CITY INTO WARDS. Cr. Briggs moved, according to notice — “ That in pursuance of a resolution passed by this Council on the sth day of November, 1877, affirming tho desirableness of the city beingdivided into wards 1, That the city be divided into four war :s. 2. That tho boundaries of each ward be delin ated by lices drawn from Antigua street, through Hereford street, to the East town belt, and from the North to the South town belt through Colombo street. 3. That the operation of the ward syst-ra shall apply to the election of members only. 4. That the necessary steps be taken under clause 21 of the Municipal Corporations’ Act. 1876, to give effect to the foregoing resolutions.” The matter had been discussed before, there was consequently no necessity for him to advance reasons for his motion. Cr. Radcliffe seconded the motion.

Cr. Ick thought the motion either too soon or too late ; too soon, as ho believed several ot the suburban districts we'O willing to join the city, and if they did the division into wards would have to be made again; too late, if only the piesent city was to bo divided, us tho f ootpaths and channels were all but completed, and the roads made.

Cr. Bickerton thought the motion should not be adopted until the i-nburban districts lud obtained their endowments.

Cr. Jameson opposed tho motion. Cr. Kuddenklau thought one obj ction to tho motion was the poor accommodation in the Council Chamber. The Mayor recognised tho difficulties which would attend the subsequent joining of the suburban districts ; besides, the necessary work could not be done this year. Cr. Toomer said that if the city was 'divided into only four wards, tho suburban districts could be included in one or two additional wards. Cr. Briggs, in reply, referred to Dunedin, Wellington, and Anckhnd having been divided into wards. Christchurch was the only large city not so divided. If nothing was done until the suburban districts were willing to come in they would have to wait a long time. Why trouble the whole city wheuever a vacancy occurred in tho Council, when by the ward system only one-fourth of the City would be called uj>oß Iff elwt f eucceswjb Mors aewbei’i W 8

required in the Council, as the work was too heavy for the present number. The wants of the various districts wan'd be better looked after when these districts had each its representative hie believed that though evidently the Council would not agree to the motion, the ratepayers would themselves take up the matter. The motion as about to be put to the Conn cil, when Cr. Bickerton moved the farther postponement of its consideration until a more convenient period. Or. Ick seconded this motion. He was sure the members of the Council agreed with the principle. Cr. Briggs, seeing the inutility of pressing the motion, asked leave to withdraw his resolution. Leave was given, and the matter was closed. HOSPITALS AND CHARITABLE AID. The Mayor read the minutes of the conference of mayors ami chairmen of counties rc hospitals and charitable aid. He stated that the resolutions carried at the conference would have to bo considered and dealc with by the Council at their next meeting. CATHEDRAL SQUARE. Cr. Ick submitted his motion ro’utive to the Cathedral square. _ Cr. Jameson seconded the motion, which was agreed to. CORRESPONDENCE. A letter from Messrs Hanmer and Harper, applying for payment to Mr .K. H. Banks of Mr It. Patton’s accowt. was read. The letter was referred to the City .Solicitor. A letter from Mr S. M. Ollivier, asking permission to use Cranmer square for the Football Club, was read. Permission was granted A letter from the Lord Mayor of London was read, tendering thanks for the prompt respon-e to his appeal for relief to the sufferers by the Indian famine. A letter from Messrs Ford and other residents in Avon street, asking for the making of Avon street, was read and referred to the Surveyor to report upon. A letter from the Sydenham Council was read. It granted permission for the construction of railway siding to the city metal depot on certain conditions. The conditions were agreed to. A letter from the Drainage Board, enclosing legal opinion as to copying assessment roll, was read and received. A letter was read from Messrs Hanmer and Harper, asking the Council to takeover a right-of-way from Manchester street to Tuam street leading to the tank. It was referred to the surveyor to report upon. A letter from the Town Clerk of the Thames, suggesting the formation of a municipal league was laid on the table, and its consideration deferred till next meeting. The collector’s and inspector’s reports were read. There was nothing of special interest in either. A number of licenses to cabmen and carriers were granted. The Council adjourned at 11 o’clock.