CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1404, 15 August 1878, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the City Council, which had been postponed from Alonday, was held last night in the Council Chamber. Present—His Worship the Mayor, Crs. Jameson, Bird, Briggs, Toomer, Pralt, Knddeuklau, Ick, and Eadciiffe. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. NOTICE OF MOTIONS. Cr. Euddenklau gave notice of the following motions:— . . , ~ “That in the opinion of this Council it is desirable that the office staff should be reorganised, and their duties more clearly defined. That the above resolution be submitted to a special committee, consisting of councillors—to report in six weeks. “ That this Council take steps to form, drain, and put in repair all private streets leading to tenements fronting thereon, in terms of clause 210 of the Municipal Act, and that all such private streets of a width less than twenty five feet be closed again-1 cart traffic, as provided in clause 200 of the above Act, and that the surveyor be instructed to submit plans on the best principles to form and drain such streets.” MAYOR’S STATEMENT. The Alayor laid on the table a plan of the city reserves. Ho was sorry to say that they _ had dwindled to about half their original dimensions. The Alarket Place reserve, on which the Post office stands, it had been deemed desirable to ask Government to make over to the C ity Council for general municipal purposes. A Bill had been prepared and had been taken charge of by Mr K C. J. Stevens. All the city members were in favor of the Bill. Since the last meeting of the Council two public meetings had been held, and he, as Alayor, had forwarded the re-e----lutions passed at them, as directed, to Lord Beaconsfield and to the Premier respectively. The West Coast Bailway resolutions had also been sent to the city members. A letter from Mr J. E. Brown re settinir aside a portion of the Park as an endowment for the city would be read, and a plan had been prepared which would show the nature of the proposal. There was another matter to which he would refer —the matter of town belts. At present the city got the rate- from only one side of these while the adjoining Load Board or municipality got the rates from the other side. So long us that arrangement existed he thought the streets bounding the two districts would be left in a bad state. The city -was lighting the whole of the belts. He knew that at home one-half of each section just outside the town belts ivas made to belong to the town, and the town maintained the whole belt. Such a system might be followed here. The city members were in favor of this. As one of the adjoining bodies was in favor of amalgamation with the city, this was a favorable time fur considering the whole question. FINANCE. The revenue for the week ending August 3rd JE63 9s2d; for the week ending August 10th, .£238 lls 4(1; total, .£302 3s (3d. Dr.—Balance at the Bank, .£32(34 17s 3d. Drainage rate account—balance,' <£23 4s 9d. Bills passed by committees, <£57(312s 5(1; bills to bo paid, <£3<9 2s sd; total, <£B9s 14s 10J. SURVEYOR’S REPORT. The following was read: — August 14tb, 1878. No. 1. The bridge in Manchester street north lias been removed, and a culvert built in its place, and the road made up to the full width. No. 2. The cabstand round the Godloy Statue in Cathedral square is now finished, if the Council wishes to proclaim it or to increase its size before proclaiming it. No. 3. A drawing of a footbridge over the Avon at the East belt will be laid before the Council, The cost of the bridge will be No. 4. Building licenses have been granted to the following persons H. Allchin, Manchester street; J. Anderson, Barbadoos street ; Pcugolly, Durham street; Hyndman, Peacock street; Lambert, High street; Ilitchie, Colombo street ; Harper, Walker street; Taylor, New street; J. Williams, Packer street; G. J. Alerrie, St. Asaph street; Thompson, Colombo street; Scott Brothers, Manchester street; Kastrick Brothers, Armagh street; Rastrick Brothers, Park terrace, Goss, Durham street; Goss, Colombo street; Mohr, St. Asaph street; Ayers, Cashel street; Dale, Conference street; Scrimgeonr, Walker street; McDowell, East belt; Grigg, Walker street: Ahel, Walker street; Stoup, Kilmore street; Montgomery, St. Asaph street; Allchin, Manchester street; Palmer, back of Catholic Cemetery; Palmer, back of Catholic Cemetery; Palmer, hack of Catholic Cemetery; Seahright, Cashel street C. Walkden, City Surveyor. The report was considered clause by clause. Clausa 1 was considered satisfactory. Cr. Ick said—Teat with reference to the second clause the laying out of the cabstands was a matter which could not be settled that evening. He moved —“ That the by-laws committee consider the whole question of re-arrang-ing the cab and carriers’ stand, and report to this Council. Cr. Jameson thought the public works committee should deal with the matter. Cr. Ruddenklau seconded the motion pro forma, but agreed with the last speaker. Cr. Ick had no objection to the works committee doing the business, but thought the bylaw committee bad more time to devote to it. Hie stands wanted a thorough re-arrangement, and they must be dealt with so as not to create jealousy between the cabmen and carriers. It was a delicate question. The matter was left to the works committee to report upon. The consideration of the third clause was postponed, and the report as a whole was then adopted. Cr. Ick said he thought the present a proper time to lay before the Council a letter which had been received by the works committee that morning. The Mayor thought that letters intended for the Couir il should be addressed to the Council. Cr. Ick said it naturally came from the works committee. Ir< had not been included in their report because no regular meeting of the committee had been able to take place. Cr. Jameson moved that the letter be postponed till after the other business. The Alayor did not know what the letter was about, but was of opuion th it it should have been sent to the Council. Cr. Pratt explained why he was absent from the committee muting. Ho thought it would not be held till Thursday, the day; after the Council’s meeting, ns was the custom! SANITARY COMMITTEE’S REPORT. The following was read : July 29th, 1878. We beg to report that wo have considered th letter referred to us by the Council from Mr Ebert, contractor for sweeping the channels, and alter referring to the Council’s minute of the 25th March Inst, relative to the loan of tbo rods, have decided that ho have the use thereof. With regard to cleaning the channels on the south side of the South Town Belt, we consider that that portion of the city docs not come witliiu his contract, and the contractor has been asked to name a price for keeping the channels on the rural sides of tho hol‘ s clean, with the view of charging the adjoining districts. Your committee ask of the Council power to instruct the City Solicitor to draw a hy-law under clause 200 ot the Municipal Councils Act, to close courts or alleys in tho city from cart traffic. A. W. Bickekton, Chairman. The Council deeded to give the contractor the use of tho rods. Cr. Kuddeuklan thought the third clause should be considered later, as the motion he had given notice of dealt with the matter, and affirmed a principle which would affect courts and alleys. The Coancil agreed with him. The report as a whole was then adopted. RESERVES. Tho following was read : Your committee recommend that tho city reserves enumerated below, with tho conditions attached, ho submitted to public auction at an early date No. 210, 18 acres; No. 211, 22 acres; No. 209, 30 acres—Situate, Sandhills, East Christchurch; term, 5 years; condition, legal fence to he erected and kept in order. No. 2173. 8591 acres. No. 2173, 191 j acres; No. 2173, 390} acres; No. 2174, 70 acres; No. 2175, 68 acres; No. 2170, 201} acres; No. 2178, 25] acres; No. 2179, 56} acres; total, 1003} macros—Situate, Geraldine; no condition us to fencing. J. P. Jameson. William Piiatt. Cr. Jameson moved the adoption of the report Cr. Bird seconded the motion. Me thought the committee should have kept in view the desirability of planting a portion of tho reserves. Cr. Jameson replied that the committee anticipated the acquiring of reserves more suitable for planting. Crs. Ruddenklau and Bird thought the portion of the reserves which was biuh should tie fenced, and not be let. Cr. Bade ift'e thought tho Sandhills should bo lowed for a longer term than live years._ Such a course would, induce the lessees to improve ■ho land, and thus greatly increase the value of fie laud.

Or Jameson did not think the shorter term would he an advantage. Cr. Pratt said that even at the end of the five years the land would be much increased in value, and the fencing would be a great improvement Or. Ick had sen the 2000 acres and still thought they should ho let in one block, and that the lease should enforce fencing. Ihe only pers in likely to bid with the proposed cond tiona would ho the adjoining squatters. At the end of seven years the land would bo of no greater value than at present. A lease of fourteen y ars, and a clausa enforcing fencing, and another g viag the use of the bush, would have, in his opinion, brought, for the reserves a much better pri e. Rethought the Councillor * should each see the laud bifore determining upon acce ding the committee’s report. Cr. Briggs was sorry to oppo’se his friend Cr. Ick. ’When the Council had appointed t*o such experienced councillors as Crs. Jameson and Pratt, who had made a minute survey of the ground, it would be casting a slur upon them to refuse to adopt their report It would be tantamount to saying that those gentlemen might as well have stayed at homo. The Mayor thought the difficulty as to the division might be met by allowing the purchaser of the first to take the second. As to allowing the tenants the use of the bush, they would probably take French leave. Cr. Jameson thought that dividing the 2000 acres would teed to prevent the squatters taking it. The report was then adopted. ROAD BETWEEN VICTORIA AND COLOMBO BRIDGES. Cr. Jameson moved—“ That the resolution fop the formation of the road on the south bank of the river, between Victoria and Colombo bridges, be reconsidered, and the work be, meanwhile, not proceeded with.” He thought the road would not prove a short cut. The old road near the post-office might be rc-opencd. He was pleased to see that so many people took an interest in the matter. If it was the wish of many to open the new road, he would not oppose them Rome people fancied that ho wished to close the traffic there altogether. His idea was that the land should bo laid down as a greensward. The Mayor here read a petition in favour of the new road, signed by 133 persons. Cr. Pratt seconded "the motion. He thought that no road should be fixed so as to fetter the disposal of that square at some future date. It would probably be required as a market-place. Cr. Ick opposed the motion on several grounds. He noticed that Cr. Jameson had abandoned his objection on the score of expo iso. The petition just read included almost every oempier in that neighbourhood, and men who wore among the most prominent cit zeus of Christchurch. The Council had alro dy laid out a considerable amount, and the additional cost for the roadway would be only <£3o. The road was not a new one, but a continuation of Oxford terrace, it appeared to him an extraordinary thing that this portion should be closed. A continuous drive along that side of the river would be an additional attractieii to the city. As to placing buildings there, what be the u e of them without a frontage? Hut he Imped that the ground would never bo built upon [Cr. Pratt, ‘ Market buildings.”] Even market buildings. As to the old road mentioned by Cr. Jameson, it was not a road, and it cut through the Council’s freehold. [Cr. Briggs, “ Not a freehold.”] Well, the Mayor had told them that steps were being taken to get this land for municipal purposes. As to the shortness of the distance, a carrier had assured him that it would save him (the carrier) 200 miles a year. One groat argument in favor of this road was, the facility with which the fire engines could bo brought to the Provincial Government buildings, the Cl irendon, or even the magnificent pile of building in which the Council was sitting. As a matter of good faith the Council were hound to open the road. Cr. Briggs asked that thj resolution referred to by Crs. Jameson and Ick should be read Ihe town clerk read the resolution which referred to a plan upon which the proposed road had been shown.

Cr Briggs supported Cr. Ick. The Council had just bn n told that the land in question was likely to be reserved for municipal purposes, it would be tho best spot in the city for a Town Hall. Ihe roul should be kept do e to the river so as to leave as ranch land as possible for tho buildings. He hoped the works committee would make tho road follow tho Curve of the river.

Cr. Bird had been undecided at the former siding as to how he should vote. Since then he had seen the inhabitants, who wo o unanimous in favor of tho new road. He a’so thought the Town Hall should be built on the reserve. He should not vote for the motion. The Mayor could not agree with Cr. Ick in cutting up a market reserve by a road,

Cr. Ick said there was a road shewn on his plan. ihe Alayor begged his pardon. There was no road. With ng.ml to the old red, which had been shut up, it was only a (right-of-way. For the purpose of an excuse for shutting up that right-of-way and tho old watering place, the road was proposed to bo formed foil- or six years ago, hut no further action hid been taken. As for the saving of a quarter of a mile each journey, a quarter of a yard would be nearer the mark. He thought the making of the road should be delayed till the Council knew exactly where it should be placed. Cr Ruddenklau thought that the advantn ges and disadvantages of making the road would balance.

Cr. Jameson said it was ridiculous to say that <£•10 would make the road. The channelling would cost more than that. Cr. Ick had said nothing about the channelling. The metalling would cost .£3O. Cr. Jameson had great respect for those who had signed the petition, but felt that they 'had acted under a misapprehension. He did not wish to have no road, but only that the matter be reconsidered. The resolution was then put to the vote, when five soted for it, viz., the Mayor and Crs. Jameson, Pratt, Badcliffe, and Ruddenklau, against it Crs. Ick, Bird, Briggs, and Toomer voted. NEW BRIDGE. Cr. Tck said that the surveyor had prepared a plan of the proposed bridge over the Avon, near Ward’s brewery. He was in a position to state that the Avon Road Board and Mr Campbell would pay half the cost. There was a probability that the Avon Road Board would increase the a mount they formerly offered. Ho thought the Council could not do bet'or than resolve to have the bridge erected. He might state that the width of the bridge would ho Bft.. and the distance from the water to the top of the arch would be 7ft. He gave no.ice that he would move that the works committee be authorised to proceed with the work at once. CITY ENDOWMENT. The following was read : - Christchurch, July 29th, 1878. His Worship the Mayor of Christchurch,— Sir.—The moot question of endowment for the benefit of the city of Christchurch, is of so groat importance that I venture to make a suggestion, which in my opinion is deserving of the consideration of the Municipal Council. My proposition is that a strip of laud in the park, about 2-i chains wide, commencing near the Carlton bridge and extending parallel with western boundary round to the present Acclimatisation Gardens, be sub-divided into half-acre sections, and let for a term of fifty years, four-fifths of the annual rental to bo for the use of the city, and one-tifth to bo employed by the Domain Board in making and maintaining a road at least 100 ft. wide, in front of the sections on the park side, and also in improving and embellishing the remainder of the park. It is not unreasonable to expect a rental of at least 20s per foot frontage, together with the right of either the Domain Hoard or the Municipal Council to decide noon the style and cost of all buildings to be erected by the lessees. In this way the city will be ensured for along terra of years a very liberal subsidy in aul of rates, and will at the same time convert the present unsightly sheep walk into one of the most beautiful parks belonging to any city in the colony. So far as I have been able to ascertain, the Domain Board is not, nor is it likely to be, in receipt of funds for the purpose of either maintaining or improving the park, therefore the sooner some plan is devised for the purpose the better it will be for all concerned. Should the Council determine to act upon this suggestion, I will have much pleasure, in conjunction with the city members of the Assembly, in obtaining the necessary legislative sanction. I have, &c., J. Evans Brown, Cr. Jameson suggested that the letter be considered at a special meeting of the Council, on Monday next. The suggestion was accepted. “swine” by-law. A letter from the Drainage Board, covering the proposed “ swine ” by-law, was read. It was resolved to acknowledge the letter. CROSSING A FOOTBATH. Permission was applied for by Mu T. Tillman to enclose a portion of the footpath in High street; also to cross it with drays. Cr, Pratt thought that, if possible, the footpaths should not bo enclosed. He referred to the largo building of Messrs Beath being built without stopping the traffic. Cr. Bird moved that the application be not granted. Cr. Ruddenklau did not think contractors should he inconvenienced. Ho would move that permvsion ho granted for enclosing half tin footpath until the first storey was completed, but no longer. T c Mayor said that Mr Bcuth’s building had no front wall; Half the footpath was not an unreasonable request. Cr. Jameson agreed with Cr, Euddouklau’s motion. The Oily Surveyor could not sco how it was

possible for a contractor to do without scaffolding which would stand on the footpath. .Several Councillors said that the scaffold poles could bo placed outside the footpath, Cr. Hadcliffe had seen very largo buildings erected in Australia without interfering with the public traffic, by placing the scaffold polos in cement casks. The same plan might he adopted here Permission was granted in this case; also to Mr Booth, for premises in Rt. Asaph street. the circus. A letter was road from Mr Bligh, agent for the irons, apologising for his having inadvertently infringed the by-laws by erecting the Circus without permission. The Mayor said that a license bud since been taken out. MR PATTERSON. A letter from Air Patterson, of Cashel street, re the additions to his building was read. Cr. Pratt informed the Council that the works committee had ordered the removal of the addition. The Mayor said tint no doubt the by-law had been infringed, aad anyone could lay an information ag dnst Air Patterson. The matter was left with the by-laws committee to deal with. NEWSPAPER STALL. An application from E. >‘J. Davis to place a newspaper stall at the Post office was gr nted, on the same conditions as that in Cathedral square. OBSTRUCTING A STREET. A petition from Oh rlos Oswald begged the remission cf a fine inflicted upon him for obstructing a road. The Alay.ir gave a brief account of the particulars of the case, f om which it appeared that the permit was first given to Air Snider who, when the street became obstructed, got the name on the permit changed to Oswald. The town clerk was instructed to enquire as to who would get the line, and act accordingly. BRIDGE AT EAST BELT. Cr. Ick, having received permission, moved—- “ That as soon as one-half the estimated cost of the proposed hrjdgo near Ward’s brewery be paid into the hands of the town clerk, the city surveyor be instructed to proceed with the work.” Cr. Briggs seconded the motion. Hcthoncht it advisable that he should eat a little humble pie. At the last meeting lie had opposed the work, and although bo still held that the bridge should be a cart bridge, and that a cart bridge should be built in Barbadoes street first, be would yield to what ho found was earnestly desired by a large number of ratepayers. The Surveyor informed the Council that the approaches would not cost much, but their cost was not included in the estimate. Cr. Ruddenklau was still of opinion that a cart bridge should bo erected in Barbados street. He would be pr pared to vote that the money for this should be taken from any future loan. The motion was carried, the only dissentient being Cr. Ruddfinklan. ASSISTANT BATE COLLECTOR. Applications for the office of assistant rate collector were about to he opened, when Cr. Briggs proposed that they should bo referred to a committee. Cr. Ick would oppose the suggestion. Cr. Ruddenklau moved the Council into committee. The motion was seconded and agreed to. The Council then went into committee. On resuming, The Mayor reported that Air C. J. Barker had been appointed. inspector’s report. The inspector’s report was partly read, but at the suggestion of Cr. Pratt its consideration was postponed till Alonday next. Cr. Kuddenklaa was about to propose the motion rc the Council’s offic al s‘aff, of which ho had given notice earlier in the evening, when several councillors objected, audit was left till next meeting. TESTING THE ASPHALT PAVEMENT.

Aft r considerable discussion, a letter from .'dr S Smart w..s rcul, complaining that tho city surveyor tested the thickness of tho asphalt pavement by breaking the surface. Cr. Fra t considered that the contractor had no right to complain, ihe mere fact ot testing the pavement was no reflection upon him. Cr. ick thought that the testing should have been done before the work was passed. The works committee had never instructed the surveyor to take up the pavement He might say that the surveyor had informed the works committee that the contract had been satisfactorily carried out.

Cr. Briggs asked if any officer had been sent round to test work after it had been paid for Mr Smart had toid him that this was being done.

The Alayor explained that 25 per cent was kept hack when payment was made. The City Surveyor informed the Council that he was perfectly sat sfied that the work had been elfic cutiy carried out, but in order to be certain of the work, uu’e-s a clerk of the works saw it done, a mile of it would have to be taken up and examined. He had ha t one or two pieces brought to his office, but these were from places whore the surface had been broken for the purpose of laying down pipes. He had not had the surface specially broken. 7he Council adjourned at a quarter past e'even.