CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1355, 18 June 1878, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

The City Council held an ordinary meeting last night. Present —His Worship the Mayor, and Crs. Pratt, Jameson, Toomer, Bickerton, Briggs, Ruddenkl iu, Bird, and Ick. The minutes of the special meeting held last week were read and confirmed. mayor's statement.

The Mayor said that in accordance with the instructions of the Council he had consulted Dr. Foster as to prosecuting the persons connected with the missing wheelbarrows, and that gentleman was opposed to a prosecution. With regard to the 2000 acre reserve, the tenders for which had been opened and declined at the last meeting, anel which he had been instructed to re-adver-tise, he had discovered that the Council were precluded from accepting tenders and that the land must be submitted to public auction. He thought it would be better that the reserve should be surveyed and properly divided into lots suitable for letting. The committee appointed at the last meeting to draw up a memorial to the Minister of Justice re Council's by-laws, &c, had failed to form a quorum and consequently held no meeting. The matter of telegraph posts being scattered all over the town and interfering with the footpaths for the convenience of private persons, he had found should have been left to another committee and not to the finance committee. However, ho had made enquiries and had found that the Q-overnment were putting the posts up and intended working the telegraph wires, and his private opinion was that the Government could do as they liked in the matter. Of course telegraph posts would not be put up for every private person, but when posts were put up to carry private wires, the Government would where possible put up smaller posts. The strain at corners in some places was so great that it was necessary to put in large blocks of timber. With regard to the reserves occupied by the post office and fire brigade station, it was impossible from the nature of the deeds to turn them to account at present. It would be for the Council to consider whether any steps should be taken in the matter during the next sitting .of the Assembly. A committee had been appointed at the last meeting to take into consideration Mr Harris's suggestions relative to a water supply for fire prevention purposes, only as a temporary measure, and also to report generally upon the whole subject. The committee were allowed four weeks to bring up their report. They had given some consider ible attention to this matter, and visited Bung's springs. They would like the Council to authorise the employment of professional assistance so that the data might be perfectly reliable. The committee would then be able to report that day fortnight. It would be advisable for Cr. Briggs to postpone his motion re borrowing money until that date, as it would then come up in an aspect acceptable to the Councillors. The Dr. balance at the Bank was £5261 Is 6d. Cr. Ick asked if the committee had consulted Dr. Foster re the telegraph posts. The Mayor answered in the negative. Cr. Ick thought that should have been done. It seemed to him monstrous that Government should break up the asplialte and erect such huge posts. In other towns private wires were taken over the tops of houses or under the streets. He would suggest that tho by-Jaw committee should consult tho solicitor on the matter, and obtain a legal opinion. Tho Mayor said that at present it was impossible to carry the wires along or over the houses. The inspector had informed him that the posts used would be no heavier than necessary.

FINANCE. A statement was read by the town clerk showing that the receiDts for the week ending June Bth were £164 15s 9d ; for the week ending June 15th, £123 lis 6d ; total, £2BB 7s 3d. The Drainage Board rata for the same period was £l4 17s Id. The drainage rate account showed a credit balance of £959 19s 9d. Bills to be paid were as follows : - Sinking fund account, £4OO ; Bank of New Zealand, £597 8s 4d ; total, £997 8s 4d. Sinking fund account showed a credit balance of £57 2s 2d. Bills to be paid on June 17th on account of sinking fund commission, £457 2s 2d. Dr. general account, £5549 8s 9d, less two weeks' receipts, £2BB 7s 3d; balance, £S2GI Is 6d. Bills paid by works committee, June 11th, £202 19s Id ; bills to be paid, £ll3 14s 2d; total, £316 13s 3d. bubveyor's b.eport.

The Mayor announced that in consequence of Mr Walkden's illness there would bono surveyor's report. The chairman of the works committee, Cr. Jck, said that he would inform the Council that the cost of the work in the Cathedral square (not including the cost of the corporation workmen) was estimated by the surveyor as follows:—Channelling, £55 13s; broken metal, £262 10s; stone pedestal for lamps, £36 16s; two iron pillars on the pedestal, £5 ; lanterns, £1 16s; erecting ditto, £5 ; culvert, £25 ; piping, £6 12s; reservoir and fountain, £100; pitching cab stand (labor only), £3O 4s 6d ; iron fencing and concrete base, £156 10a ; asphalting crossings, £9l 8s; total, £776 9s fid. The Council could of course modify this expense, but it would he penny wise and pound foolish to lose the ship for the sake of a ha'porth of tar. The improvement would be a great ornament to the city, and conduce to the health of the inhabitants. He concluded by moving that the Council sanction the expenditure of the sum named. Cr. Briggs asked if a portion of this money could not come out of the amount (£3692) voted for day labour. Cr. Ick said that none of what was now asked for would come out of the vote named. Cr. Bird seconded the motion.

The Mayor put the motion. Cr. Jameson, considering the slate of the city finalises, thought so large a sum rather slartling. He suggested that some of the expenditure be delayed. The fence, the limps, and the footpaths were hejvy items, which might be struck off for the present. He would ask the worls committee to delay those items.

The Mayor thought the fencing could not postponed. He agreed with Cr. Jameson that when they owed £SOOO overdraft, and would have to wait two months before they could get any rates, the sum was very large. They might have to sue for the asphalte rate. The fountain might be postponed, and the two lamps. Already there were several lamps in the square, and these might be rearranged so as to save the necessity for Qx.tra lamps. After the experience of this winter, the beot places for additional lumps would be known. The sum for footpaths, too, might bo allowed to stand over for the present, as that side of the square would be little u.=ed. He was in favour of the fencing being don.'; at or.ee; a temporary fence would involve a useless expenditure. Cr. Bickerton thought that at somo subsequent time a more handsome fence than that proposed could be put up were a temporary e no put up now.

Cr. Briggs asked if the cost of doing the square could not be reduced by using shingle instead of broken metal. Cr. Ick said that the works committee had asked the surveyor this question, and found him opposed to it, as the shingle and broken metal would not set. The broken metal, if put on at the right time, would set rapidly and effectually. The works committee were quite willing to postpone the asphalting of the crossings and the erection of the fountain. He could not agree with the Mayor with regard to the lamps. They would be even more required if the asplialte crossings were not made. He believed there would be more, and not less traffic on that side of the square. Such reductions as lie [Cr. Ick] now suggested would take off £2OO irmi the estimate. The works committee had not yet drawn upon the contingency fund. [Laughter.] Cr. Bickerton moved —"That the works committee be empow eed to expend the amount of £576 9s 61, postpoi ing the fountain and the asphalting of the crossings." The motion was seconded and agreed to.

Cr. Ick, in reply to Cr. Jameson, said that the asphalting of the footpath from the Postoffice to the Colombo street bridge would be proceeded with at once. He further said that with regard to the position of additional lamps, the works committee had shown on a .plan where the thirty-two would be placed Some could not be erected immediately, but fifteen could. Three lamps were reserved for future applications, wdiich were sure to be made. The cost of gas for each lamp was now £8 3s, instead of £8 10s, and £lO as it used to be. He might say that if the Council objected to the lighting committee ordering additional lamps at £5 each, the committee would not insist upon the Council taking delivery of them. Tho committee would buy them themselves. Ho concluded by moving that the lamps be put where proposed. Cr. Kuddenklau seconded the motion, which was agreed to. ADDITIONAL LOAN. Cr. Briggs, as it appeared to be the wish of the Council, asked permission to postpone his motion for a fortnight. FINANCK COMMITTEE. The finance committee's report was read as follows: —

Your committee beg to report that the ratebook for 1878 is now ready, and recommend that a general rate of one shilling in the £ be struck for the year. Also, that to meet interest and sinking fnnd on the Council's Drainage loan of ,£35,000 a rate of 3.Vd in the £ be collected, which will produce more than sufficient for the purpose. That the Town Clerk be authorised to pay over all moneys lying to the credit of the sinking fund account to the sinking fund commissioners, with a request that they will invest the same to the best advantage in freehold security. The Mayor moved, and Cr. Briggs seconded, the adoption of the report, which was agreed to. Cr. Briggs said that it was not generally known by the ratepayers that, although tho Council had power to collect a rate of 6el last year it was not collected though a rate of 5d had been struck. The rate of 5d collected in 1876 had given sufficient for two years. The 3-J-d rate now proposed was calculated to produce all that was required, leaving a margin of £4O for remissions, &c. The finance committee were continuing the policy of lust year's committee, viz,, collecting just sufficient for the year. Each year, in consequence of tho increased value of property, the rate would become less.

Cr. Pratt moved, and Cr. Bird seconded, motions giving effect to the finance committee's report, and they were agreed to. Cr. Briggs moved—" That the Sinking Fund Commissioners be requested to sell the Government debentures belonging to the city and to invest tho proceeds to the best advantage on mortgige of free'iold property." Cr. Piatt seconded the motion, which was agreed to.

WATER SUPPLY. Cr. Bickerton moved—" That the water supply committee be empowered to employ professional assistance, in order to ascertain the efficiency and cost of the Lyttelton water supply scheme." The scheme had many points which would be of use to Christchurch. The elevation, 200 ft., would save steam fire engines, and much smaller pipes would be able to be used. The supply would give 240,000ga15. a day, and at present Lyttelton used only 20,000ga1., consequently a considerable quantity of water would be available for those parts of the city where the artei-ians diil not rise to the surface. The water would, however, bo given only to persons applying for it. Another supply could be obtained from Boag's; this would reach all the first floors in town. The whole of the town could be covered, in the one case, by pipes having high pressure for fire purposes, and in the other, with pipeß having low pressure from the Avon. At present the committee would only work out the expense of the water supply from Lyttelton for fire purposes. The cost of two small pipes would not much exceed that of one large pipe, as the latter would require much greater thickness. The Mayor suggested that the word " Lyttelton" should be left out.

The motion, thus altered, was then agreed to. MB HUDDLESTON'S ACCOUNT. The account of Mr H. B. Huddlcston, £3 3s, for attendance at Court, was ordered to be paid. HOABDING, &c. Permission to erect a hoarding, &c, in St. Asaph street was given to Messrs Buckley and Marshall. PEA-SnOOTING BIFLES. Messrs West and Catchpole asked permission to use pea-shooting rifles in their gallery next the Theatre Royal. The permission was granted until further orders. CITY COAT OF ARMS.

The proprietors of the "Times" wrote to say that they had resolved to admit no "blocks" except the Government coat of arms and shipping " blocks." Cr. Ick thought that tho city coat of arms produced a larger number of tenders. Itwould be money out of the City Council's pocket if the blocks were omitted. It would be for the Council to consider how they should advertise where they could get the greatest publicity. Cr. Bickerton agreed with the last speaker. Cr. Ruddenklau, thought the " Times" could do as it pleased. Cr. Ick said that the Pbess was now the official paper of the Council. The rule was to give the official advertisements to each paper for six months alternately. ANALYST. A letter from the Colonial Secretary was read, informing the Council that Profeesor Bickerton had been appointed analyst. MB TBIBE. A letter was read from Mr Tribe, reminding the Council that a bonus used to be given in connection with the Waimakariri rate. The Mayor explained that tho system of bonuses had been discontinued, and officers' salaries had been increased in consequence of suuh arrangement. It was resolved not to give the bonus referred to,

INDIAN FAMINE FUND. A letter from the Colonial Secretary was read, asking for information re Indian Famine Fund collection. An answer had been sent that Canterbury had remitted £SOOO. SIIT PITS. The following letter was read : Chri itchurcli District Drainage Board, f'iercford street, June 10th, 1878. His Worship the Mayor of Christehurch. Sir,—! have the honor, by direction of the Drainage Board, to forward a copy of a resolution passed at the last meeting of the Board : "That the attention of the City Council he drawn to the fact that the sewage mud, flowing into the river from the side chauuels, is causing fccrious obstruction to the river, and suggesting that a system of silt pits would to some extent mitigate the evil." I have the honor, &c, Thomas Gordon, Secretary. The Mayor stid that this matter had been attended to at the time the letter was written. It was resolved to inform the Drainage Board of this. b.m. OOUBT. The following letter was read : Kesident Magistrate's Office, Christehurch, sth June, 187*3. _ Sir,—l have the honor to inform j ou that it

is my intention to quit the present Court-house and offices on or before the end of the current month. May I ask whether the City Council will accept this as sufficient notice, as owing to the dilapidated state of the building it will bs impossible to ocaupy it longer than the above date. I have, &c , Geo. L. Melltsii, Resident Magistrate. His Worship the Mayor, Christchurch. The Mayor said that he had caused the Town Clerk to reply that the Council would attend to Mr Mellish's wishes. The action of the Mayor was approved of. MUNICIPAL MATTEBS. The following letter was read : General Crown Lands Office, Wellington, May 31, 1878. Sir, —Referring to your letter of the 12th April last, addressed to the Hon. Minister for Public Works, respecting certain questions which were brought under the notice of the Hon. the Premier during his late visit to Christchurch, I have the honor, by direction of the Hon. Minister of Lands, to inform you that, after giving the various subjects their fullest consideration, the Government have decided as follows : 1. It is proposed to vest in the Corporation the site, comprising about half an acre, upon which the old Public Works Office stands, as well as the unsold portions of the Sandhill. 0 , comprising about 1500 acres between Christchurch and the Waimakariri, by a Bill which will bo introduced by the Legislature for that purpose during the ensuing sessi >n. 2. The Government are unable to vest the cattle market reserve and the late Provincial Government buildings in the Corporation as desired, nor can they see their way to any further grant of public lands as an endowment to the Corporation. 3. A public analyst has already been appointed. I have the honor, <yc., H. J. B. Elliott, Under Secretary for Crown Lands. The Town Clerk, Chriatclrarch. The Mayor said that, with regard to the cattle market reserve, it had been bought for Christchurch. The Sydenham Borough Council, by employing the good offices of a Minister, had succeeded in stopping the vesting'of the reserve in the Council of this city. Cr. Ick thought there should be a strong protest made against this. Cr. Bickerton thought this a matter which should be referred to the commission ho had proposed formerly. The Mayor thought it should be relegated to the Conference.

Cr. Briggs read the motion for the " commission," which had been proposed by Cr. Bickerton as far back as January last. Cr. Bickerton admitted that the subject for the consideration of the commission was a very large one, but he believed that the whole could be considered in one day. The mattor then dreppad. CONFERENCE.

The Mayor suggested that the Lyttelfon, Ivaiapoi, and Sydenham Councils bo invited to send representatives to a special meeting of the Council, at which the matters to be brought before the conference would be discussed. The general opinion of the Council was (hat a special meeting should bo held on Monday next, but that the representatives from the localities mentioned should be invited to a later meeting. HOEATIO STEEET. A petition from residents in Horatio street, calling attention to the wretched state of the street, was read. The Mayor said that this street had not been taken over by the city. The matter was referred to the works committee. SnOOTING GALLERY. Messrs Sharpies, Hobbs, and Goodwin applied for permission to have a shooting gallery next the Criterion Hotel. Permission was granted under the new building by-law. INSURANCE CO.'S ASSOCIATION. The following letter was read : In-urance Companies' Association Office. Town Clerk, Christcliurch. Sir, —Your 1-ttf.r of the 21th April came before a meeting of the Association on the 14th inst., when the question of contribution to the City Council for tire prevention purposes was very fully to the City Council an additional .£SO, making the annual grant £250 ; to the Fire Police, ,£lO 10s ; to the Brigade library, £lO 10s ; and the sum of £75 towards the cost of tho Tuam stroet tank; making in all the sum of .£346, 1 have the honor &c, Henry Dunsford, Secretary.

Or. Bird said that another item had heen omitted, viz., fifteen guineas for a torchlight procession.

The Mayor said that the tanks would be no longer required. He might mention that while in Auckland he had seen a statement as to the contributions made by the Insurance Companies in Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne. In Sydney the companies paid all the cost of the fire brigades, £ISOO ; in Brisbane the insurance companies paid half, and tho Gt-overument the other half of the cost; in Melbourne the companies paid tho whole cost. The towns of New Zealand were all treated as Christchurch was.

Cr. Bird said they should bear in mind that, in the places named, the brigades were entirely under the control of the insurance offices.

The Mayor said the Council were quite willing to agree to that. Cr. Bird said the companies would think about it when they got possession of the plant, &c„ of the brigades. The Mayor asked what the gentlemen present thought of the handsome offer of the association.

Cr. Ick would like the public to kuow the extreme liberality of the companies. Cr. Bird said the usual practice of the in° surance offices in New Zealand v.r.s to give one-third of the expenses of the fire brigade. The annual expense in Christchurch was only £6OO.

Cr. Ick said the annual expense was £llOO. Cr. bird reminded the Council that the association had subscribed £SOO to the brigade offices, and had also subscribed to the cost of the tanks. After some further conversational di-cus-sion the letter was accepted, tho Council expressing regret that the association could not see their way to the exercise of greater liberality.

MANCHESTER BTREKT NORTH. A letter calling attention to the creek and road at the north end of Manchester street was read. Cr. Jameson endorsed all that the letter said. It was resolved to refer the matter to the works committee, to do the best they could until the Drainage Board dealt with it. THE 2000 ACRES RESERVE. Cr. Jameson s.tid that it would be well if more definite information could be obtained as to the locality of the reserve. He thought it should be pegged out, so that intending lessees could know exactly what lasd was to be leased. Cr. Jck said that Mr Cuff and another gentleman, whose name he oould not remember, knew every inch of tho ground, and would be fully qualified to peg out the land. The matter was left in the hands of Crs. Jameson and Pratt. collector's retort. A report from the collector was read. It gave tho names of several persons who were unable to pay rates. The rates were ordered to we remitted. INSi'EuTOE'S REPORT. The report referred to a nuisance at Mr G-reen's bacon factory in Manchester street, and said that the neighbours who complained of the nuis'inco had not taken the action required by the Act. The report was on the whole satisfactory as to the condition of the city. It recommended the planting of the Sandhills at once. The report was passed, HOUSES FOR CAE3. _ Applications for several cab licenses were granted. (Jr. Briggs asked if the age of the applicants for drivers' licenses was given. The Town Clerk said he would get the information. hawkers' licenses. Two hawkers' licenses were granted. corporation offices. Cr. Bird obtained permission to postpone the motion of which ho had given notice at the last meeting. The Council then adjourned.

THEATRE ROYAL. Notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather the lower portion of the Theatre was well filled last night, the performance being for the benefit of Mr W. 0. Dillon. A dramatic adaptation of Paul Feval's celebrated romance the " Duke's Motto" was the piece de resistance. It was in the character of Henri de Lagardero that the once popular French actor Fechter first made his mark in London, and it is one that for its adequate representation demands a considerable amount of versatility. The plot of the "Duke's Motto" is too well known to require special description. The story is laid in France, principally in Paris during the time of the " Regency," and in the height of the " Mississippi" fever. The characters embrace all classes of society from princes of the blood royal down to swashbucklers, the representatives of the latter being generally more successfully assumed last night than the aristocratic section of the cast. Mr Dillon in the character of Lagard<sre, certainly made a hit, his forte being, apparently, melodrama rather than the interpretation of the poetic drama. His change from the character of the chivalrous and devoted solidier to the misshapen hunchback iEsop was exceedingly good, and his performance throughout was free from the mannerisms which so disfigured his performance on Saturday night. He was repeatedly called before the curtain. Mr Graham, as the Prince dc Gonzique, was equally successful, and was similarly honored, although it is a pity that this rising young actor's ability should have inspired such a partisan-like spirit among the juvenile habitues of the pit, as can only be appeased by his being unseasonably howled for, whether he has earned the dubious distinction or not. Miss Tilly Andrews and Miss Pender were appropriately costumed, and were equally successful in pleasing the audience. Messrs Hydes and Hill were sufficiently comic as Cocardasse and Paesepoil, while Mr Wilkinson, possibly without intending it, was irresistibly funny. This gentleman unfortunately had greatness thrust upon him, and forcibly reminded one of Sancho Panza under similar circumstances. His dignity impaired his memory. Mr Alf Burton also seemed oppressed from similar causes. The dresses of some of the characters were rich and appropriate, but others exhibited a deplorable deficiency of the latter characteristic. Mr Williams painted a charming gala scene—the garden of the Palais Royal—which necessitated his bowing to the audience. It is a pity this gentleman's talent is not more frequently called into requisition. It requires a powerful imagination to evolve a street in old Paris out of a "sea horizon," especially when it figured in Rjb Roy as a mountain pass. The exigencies of the situation, however, required a man to be drowned in the sight of the audience, and possibly the anachronism alluded to arose from that circumstance. Altogether the play seemed to hit the taste of the public, and doubtless the management will not be slow to avail themselves of the fact, so that a season of melodrama will probably be inaugurated during Mr Dillon's engagement.