CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1378, 16 July 1878, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

An ordinary meeting of the City Council was held last night in the Council Chambers. Present -His Worship the Mayor, and Crs. Ick, Bird, Ruddenklau, Briggs, and Jameson. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Cr. Ick apologised for the absence of Cr. Pratt, who had been suddenly summoned to Wellington. The Mayor apologised for the absence of Cr. Eadcliffe, who was too ill to attend. OFFICIAL. PAPER. The Mayor said that the question of the official paper for the Council hafi cropped up. Be was in favour of the papers being appointed yearly instead of half-yearly, as hitherto had been the custom. The new half-year began on the Ist July. It wan decided that the Press should continue to be the official paper for the, remainder of the year. AUDITORS. The Mayor reported the election of Messrs Craig and Alport as auditors. FINANCE. The receipt'! for the week ending sth July, 1878, were reported as .£1206 7s 3d, and for the week ending July 13th £lOl Os 6d ; total, ££o? 16s Od. The balance on gener d account was : Dr., £2571 12s 3d; the dr. balance on the drainage rate account was £34 15s 6d. _ Accounts to be passed for payment were submitted to the amount of £2ll Os 3d. An item of £ 19 13s to Dr. Foster gave rise to a conversational discussion as to the nonsubmission of accounts to tho finance committee. The Mayor said that he and tho town clerk had gone through the accounts, and were satisfied that they wore correct. The account of Dr. Foster was lor five months. Cr. Bird moved —“ That ml accounts other than those passed by the works committee bo referred to the finance committee.” Tho Mayor s dd he would not, as a mcmlrr of the finance committee, engage to attend a committee meeting for such a purpose. Cr. Ick did not think it a great hardship for the rinance committee to meet once a fortnignt, or even once a week. The Mayor remarked that tho water committee and other committees took so much pf

his time that he did not wish any more of it to be occupied. • lr. Tek was surprised to hear the Mayor say this after last week not objecting to he a member m oj/ifin of every committee. The Mayor said that ho had spoken for himse f las Councillor, not as Mayor Be would not be Mayor next ye-;r, and therefore did uo< take upon himself to deprive his successors of what he considered a. Mayor’s right. Or. Jameson seconded the motion, which would save time. Cr. Briggs supported the resolution. The absence of the Mayor would not prevent the finance commiitee from dealing with the accounts. The motion was agreed to. On tae motion of Cr. Briggs, seconded by Cr, Jameson, the accounts submitted were passed for payment. surveyor’s report. The following was read : Christchurch City Council, 15th July, 1878. No. 1. The wooden building that was creeled at the side of the theatre has been taken down, and the building at the side of the Criterion is now being erected in accordance with the bye-law. No. 2. If tbo part of the city that requires watering is to be extended this summer some additional water carts will have to bo obtained. Those wa have at present are now going to be repaired. ,'i. The following licenses for building have been granted since ray last report:—o"ter area— Uessrs Snoider, Waluer street; W. J. Williams, Kilraore street east; Jewel, Peterboro street east; (loss, Gloucester street west; W, Mill, Montreal street ; Fleming, Tnam street; Taplim, Chester street; Plunkett. Avon street; McCrao, Avon street; Tapling, Chester street; Tapliug, Chester street; Tapling, Chester street. Inner area—Mr Bourgeois, Cashel street. C. Walkden, City Surveyor. The second paragraph led to some discussion as to the watering of Manchester street. The works committee were authorised to purchase three new water carts, if found necessary. On the motion of (Jr. Jameson, seconded by Cr. Ick, the report as a whole was then passed. WATER SUPPLY. The following report was read : Christchurch City Council. Report on the Proposed Water Supply. The quantity stipulated for by the conditions issued by the Council was one million gallons per day. The average quantity generally nsed in European cities is at the rate of twenty gallons per head per day, which quantity inclnd s the requirements for all domestic wants and for municipal purposes. As Christchurch is so well provided with artesian water, the great bulk of the people would not require to draw from a supply brought into the city by pipes, hence the quantity required to be provided might fairly be put down as only half tao average quantity per head nsed in other cities ; or in other words at the rate of ten gallons per head of the population instead of twenty. Whatever quantity is estimated as the requisite quantity to be provided in each day of twenty-four hours, that quantity is generally consumed in six hours, that is to say between ten o’clock a.m. and fonr o’clock p m,, consequently a city requiring one million gallons per day would bo under the necessity of providing for a supply at the rate of four million gallons; but as this increase of rate is principally caused by domestic requirements, the same method of calculation ns to time wonld not (in consequence of the good artesian suppy) apply equally to Christchurch. If the population of Christchurch should reach 50,000 the daily consumption (according to the above assumption th-1 ten gallons per bead would be sufficient) would reach half a million gallons per day, consequently the quantity fixed by the Council as being requisite is to all appearance a liberal one ; at the same time I do not consider it excessive, because, apart from all municipal and domestic requirements, the quantity necesiary for Are purposes has to lie taken into consideration. Supposing the quantity to be fixed at 1,000,000 gallons per day it would he equal to about 700 gallons per minute, and as five one-inch jets from a fire hose would not be too much to provide for a moderately sized fire, and as each jet consumes about 100 gallons per minute, there would only bo a reasonable margin allowed if the quantity to be provided is reckoned at 700 gallons per miunto, consequently I huvo based my calculations, as to size of pipes to bo used in the distribution about the city, on the sup. position that 500 gallons per minute must be the minimum quantity required, but the pipes required to bring tbe water from tbo source of supply to the city are calculated to conduct 700 gallons per minute.

Estimate for bringing a supply from the Hcathcoto Valley waterworks to Christchurch : I find the reservoir on the lulls is distant from Cathedral Square 370 chains, and that it will contain half a million gallons. It is supplied by a pump which lifts 10,000 gallons per hour. Tho consumption of water in Lyttelton at present is estimated at 20,000 gallons per day, so that tho pump working only two hours per day can supply the requisite quantity for Lyttelton. The artesian well is capable of supplying 10,000 gallons per hour, consequently the water is running to waste twenty-two hours out of the twentyfour. xt will be seen by the above that the reservoir on the lulls is capable of containing twentyfive days’ supply for the ordinary consumption of Lyttelton, but in the event of there being an extraordinary demand ou the reservoir, the water could be raised to it at double tho rate I have givenabove, as there is a duplicate p imp, and there are two reservoirs at tho pumping station (and ou a level with it) containing about 200,000 gallons, which reservoirs are supplied by the waste water from tho artesian. Supposing a fire were to occur in Christchurch, and create a necessity tor playing on it with live hose for eight hours, tho fire would only consume half the quantity contained in the reservoir on the hills, which quantity could he again raised with one pump in twenty-four hours. I find that to obtain five jets one inch in diameter and 100 ft. liigh, in Cathedral square, would require a 9in. main, but as in the course of time the pipes would corrode and rust, which rust would tend to retard the flow of water in the pipes, I should recommend a lOin. pipe to be used for the main, and the branches from it should in no case he less than tiia. in diameter.

The cost would he as follows 425 chains of lOin. pipe, from pumping station to North belt, 701 tons at £ll £7,711 0 0 1803 chains of 6in. pipe, required for distribution in Christchurch, 1485 tons at £ll 16,335 0 0 Plugs, stop cocks, and air valves ... 1,500 0 0 Engineering expenses and contingencies, 10 per cent, of the above amount 2,500 0 0 Kent to Lyttelton Borough Council, £IOOO per annum, capitalised at 5 cent. ... ... ... ... ... 20,000 0 0 £48,046 0 0 Estimate for obtaining a water supply from Avon Headsprings There is an abundant supply of water on Mr Bong’s land, and the cost of bringing it to the City and distributing it would be as follows—--335 chains of 15in. pipe, 1153 ons at £ll ... £12,683 110 chains of lOin. pipe, 231 tons at £ll ... 2,541 1760 chains of Sin. pipe, 2177 tons at £1 1... 23,947 Plugs, stop cocks, and air valves 1,500 Contingencies and engineering expenses, 10 per cent 4,067 Land and other expenses at source 5,262 £50,000 Tho cost of converting this scheme into one of jiressure, for fire purposes, will be about £6OOO more. In the above estimate I have calculated for a 15m. main, which is the size required to carry 1,000,000 gallons per day, but I should strongly recommend an 18iu. pipe being used, ns the difference in price would not be very great, and in tho event of the district to be supplied being enlarged, it would be advantageous to be able to supply it. The difference in cost between 15in. and ISin. pipes would be about £4OOO, and the quantity of water would be increased by 600 gallons per minute. As there is so little head to bo obtained from these springs, I have been obliged to estimate for Biu. and lOin. pipes for tho distribution, in order that, if tho fire engines at present in use are to bo continued, there may be sufficient water to feed them. If pumping power were to ho used in Christchurch to force the water through the pipes for lire prevention purposes, smaller pipes could be used for the distribution, and thus create a saving of about £BOOO. I believe a sufficient power to obtain this object can be obtained from the Avon, at Lane’s mill. C. Walkdex, City Surveyor. July 15th, 1878. The water supply committee report was road, as follows: — Your committee heg to report that they have carefully considered the report of the city surveyor, from which it will be seen that to obtain a supply from the Lyttelton reservoir for fire prevention and watering streets during 100 days per year will cost £28,000; cost of water £LoOO per year, which, capitalised at 5 per cent, £20,000; total, £lß,oio. As this supply is only temporary and partial, and not-calculated for domestic purposes, your comm ttee consider the expense of this scheme too groat for tho results obtained. Tho Waimakariri scheme estimated by Mr Clark to cost £ 14,000; add distribution, £20,000 ; total, £64,000. As some doubts exist iu reference to the supply at, the river, and tho quality of tho water, your committee would give the preference to the following, viz.-The Avon scheme, estimated to cost, including distribution, £50,000; additional cost for high pressure for fires, £3OO per year, capitalised at 5 per cent,, £6.00; total, £56,000. 11. Thomson, Chairman.

On tlio motion of Cr. Ick, seconded by Or. Euddenklau, the discussion on the report was postponed for a month. It was decided, on the motion of Cr. Briggs seconded by Cr. Bird—“ lhat the committee should bo authorised to expend a sum not exceeding .£IOO, for tho purpose of making experiments.” _ Cr. Briggs asked permission to withdraw his motion—“ That the necessary proceedings be taken, tinder clauses 149 and 140 of tho Muni* cipal Corporations Act, 1870, to borrow a sum not exceeding .£ 100,000 for: 1 Providing a sati-f ctory supply of water for fire prevention, sanitary, and other purposes. 2. Completing the concrete side channelling of the city. 3. The erection of corporation offices,” _ His principal reason for withdrawing the motion was the unsettled position of the question of mnnici al offices. It would be well to leave tho matter in abeyance until the Council knew what land would bo at their dLpnsM. The motion was allowed to ho withdrawn. HOSPITALS AND CHARITABLE All*. A letter from the chairman of the Ashburton County ouncil was read. It Mated that the Council intended to request the members for the district to support, in tho General Assembly,

the courae;of legislation in the matter of hospital and charitable aid indicated by the Christchurch Conference of March. TRAMWAY COMPANY. A letter from the secretary of the Tramway Company stated that the company intended to Hive Dr. Foster’s bill of costs taxed, and requested the Council to direct that the deed of consent be forwarded to the company. The matter was left with the Council’s solicitor to deal with. VALIDATING THE RURGESS ROLL. A letter from the assistant Colonial -secretary was read, enclosing a copy of the Gazette cout lining an order in Council validating the proceedings of the City Council of Christchurch in the matter of the Burgess roll. SHOOTING GALLERIES. Cr. Jameson suggested that some enquiries should bo made as to the principle upon which shooting galleries were conducted The Mayor thought that if anything objectionable was carried on, it was for the police fco take notice of it. SYDENHAM. A letter was read from the Sydenham Town Clerk, asking that the south side of the South Town Belt might bo formed where the Sydenham streets joined the belt. The Town (.Jerk was directed to write to the Sydenham Oounc 1 referring to the clause of the Act providing that half the cost would have to be borne by Sydenham SCAVENGERING CONTRACT. A letter from George hert, contractor, was real referring to matters connected with his contract, especially the cleansing of the drains on the outer sides of the town belts. The mat er was referred to the sanitary committee, with power to act. RATE COLLECTING. A letter proposing to collect the rates upon commission was referred to the Finance Committee. The Mayor said the amount collected would be dfiUi 000 or =£l7 000. The Council could afford to have two collectors of th ir own for the amount of commission The amount of pressure which would have to be brought to bear would render the Council exceedingly unpopular. He was against the principle. Cr. Ick approved of the principle, provided the rates could be collected w.-thont anything arbitrary br-i> g done Ho moved that the matter bn referred to the finance committee to oport upon. Cr. Buddenklau seconded the motion, which was carried. INSPECTOR OP NUISANCES. The report of the inspector of nuisances was read It was of a satisfactory nature, and was approved. LICENSES. Several drivers’ and other licenses were passed for issuing. CATHEDRAL SQUARE. Cr. Bird asked if the newly paved cab-stand in Cathedral square could not be proclaimed, as far as finished. The Mayor said the whole would bo proclaimed in the course of a week. CONFERENCE. Cr. Jameson proposed that the Mayor should he the Council’s delegate to Wellington. Cr. Ick seconded the motion. The Mayor was sorry to say that ho could not go, as e could not represent the opinion ex pressed at a meeting of the Council two or three weeks ago. Apart from this consideration, ho could not afford to absent himself from his b isines-t. Cr. Ruddenklan suggested that possibly one of the members for the city might act as delegate. It was resolved, “That a special meeting of the Council be held next Monday, for the purpose of considering the report of the finance committee and Conference matters.” The Town Clerk was directed to write to Mr Stevens, reques ing him to act as delegate, and, in the event of his refusing, to write to Mr tdcliardson. T he Cmmeil then adir,urned.