CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1414, 27 August 1878, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

The City Council held its ordinary fortnightly meeting last night in tho Council Chamber. Present —Crs. Ick (in the chair), Bird, Ruddenklau, Briggs, Toomor, Radcliffo, Pratt, Bickerton. Tho minutes of tho last meeting having been read and confirmed, FINANCE. The Chairman reported that the Dr. balance at the Bank was £3254 Is 3d, The receipts for the week ending 17th August were reported to be £l9l 10s id, and for the week ending 24th August, £715 Os Gd. Drainage Board rate, £27018s lid. Drainage rate account —Dr. balance, £23 4s 9d ; receipts, rate, 1878, £172 6s 7id ; Cr. balance, £149 Is 10id. Drainage rate account, Drainage Board, £2 15s ; Dr. balance, £4160 12a Id, deducting two weeks’ receipts, £906 10s 10d ; total, £3254 Is 3d. Bills passed August 20th—Wages, £6O 2s sd; Gas Company, £94 17s lid ; total, £155 Os 6d; bills to be passed, £773 10s ; total, £928 10s 4d. The accounts were passed. surveyor's report. The following was read : No. 1, —The reserves bordering the river arc now being planted with trees from the Government Domain, but as the trees are very small, I think it would bo advisable to erect a fence or otherwise protect the trees, as I fear the greater number of them will be destroyed by horses and boys. , . No. 2. — -The Lighting Committee have received a number of complaints about the quality of the gas supplied by tlie Christchurch Comp my, and they quite concur in the opinion that it is very had, and wish to recommend the Council to t ike some stops to remedy the evil complained of. No. 3. —The contract for 2000 cubic yards of

shingle has now been completed by Mr Brightling. The contract for 350 yards for the South belt has also been completed by Mr Miller. No. 4. —The lamp at the junction of Cashel and High streets has been removed to its new destination, and the crossing will shortly bo asphalted. No. s.—That portion of the North belt between Colombo street and Whately road has been formed, and part of the fencing removed. C. Walkben, City Surveyor.

The report was considered clause by clause, and it was resolved that a fence should be erected as suggested in clause 1, and that a remonstrance should bo sent to the Gas Company by tho lighting committee. With reference to clause 4, Cr. Pratt called attention to tho old artesian well not being properly stopped. Cr. Briggs spoke of tho desirability of attention being turned to tho tank in Whately road. Tho report, as a whole, was then adopted. Cr. Briggs asked if anything was proposed to be done as to fencing in the bank of the river between Victoria and Colombo street bridges. Children wore frequently playing in dangerous proximity to the river. Cr. Radcliffe thought fencing very necessary. The Chairman said that tho fencing had been deferred in consequence of the opposition raised in the Council a fortnight ago. Grass was being sown on tho bank, and tho question of fencing would crop up before long. If tho city did not gee tho reserve a fence would have to be erected. Cr Briggs moved—“ That tho works committee bo instructed to have that portion fenced in at once.” Or. Radcliffe seconded tho motion. Cr. Pratt moved, and Cr. Toomer seconded, an amendment, “To fence in along Victoria street, on the eastern side of tho footpath.” The amendment was put and lost, tho original motion being carried by tho casting vote of the chairman. NEW BULE3. Cr. Briggs, in tho absence of the Mayor, brought up the report on tho new rules, and asked that tho Council should go into committee later in the evening to consider them. CAB STANDS. A report from the works committee concerning tho re-adjustment of cab and carrier stands, was read and adopted, as follows : CAB AND CARRIERS’ STANDS. In compliance with a resolution of the City Council, the works committee have had under their consideration the re-adjustment of tho public stands for the licensed cabs and carts. Upon enquiry, the committee ascertained that there arc upon an average about 150 cabs and carts for which stands are required, and some diffi ulty was experienced in providing sufficient apace in convenient and suitable localities. The cabmen and carriers were, however, consulted, with a view to their convenience as well as that of the general public, and the committee now respectfully recommend that the following places bo proclaimed public stands for the number of cabs and carriers’ carts respectively, as shown below: — CABS. Railway station, 20; Borough Hotel, 1 ; High street, by Butler’s, 6 ; tank at Matheson’s Agency, 2 ; lamp near Cobb’s, 4 ; City Hotel, 2 hansoms and 2 four- wheelers, 4 ; Commercial Hotel, IJhansom and 1 fonr-whcolcr. 2 ; Cathedral square, 24; Market-place, by Post Office, 8; Goss’s corner, Victoria street, 2; Junction, Victoria street, 2 ; Hereford street bridge, near tank, 2. CARRIERS. Round east side of Cathedral square, from the tank to a point near tho Commercial Hotel, 30 ; round Cathedral square west, at tho back of Godlcy’s Statue, 12. The committee wish to remark that, although the space allotted to the carriers might appear small, yet they are led to believe, from conversation with the carriers, that the space will be found sufficient, as about one-half of their number at least arc always at work about the city, and they appear to have an objection to a stand at the [Market place, ns being out of the way of their business, otherwise the committee would have recommended an additional stand to bo placed there. Cr. Pratt moved, and Or. Bickerton seconded—" That tho places named be proclaimed as stands for cabs and carriers.” This was agreed to. RURAL SIDE OF BELTS. Tenders for clearing tho channels on tho rural side of the belts were considered. Cr. Ruddenklau said that tho sanitary committee had called for these tenders because the work was not included in the present contract. Or. Bickorton considered that one object was to know exactly what responsibility should bo cast upon tho adjoining local bodies. Cr. Briggs called attention to their being no motion before the Council. Cr. Bird moved that the matter bo referred to the sanitary committee. Cr. Bickerton moved to tho effect—“ That the present contractor go on with the work pending any arrangement with tho adjoining local Boards.” Cr. Ruddenklau seconded this motion. Cr. Briggs thought that the City Council should correspond with the other local bodies. Or. Pratt was of the same opinion. The adjoining bodies should be informed of the amount of the tender, for they might say they could have the work done cheaper. WEST COAST RAILWAY. The following was read : Christchurch, 21st August, 1878. H. Thomson, Esq., Mayor of Christchurch. Dear Sir. —I notice that it is proposed to interview tho members of the Assembly during their stay in Christchurch en route to Dunedin. Probably yon may remember that some years Mr Rolleston, in company with a practical engineer, I forgot who, made a recognizance survey of the route from Ambcrlcy via Lake Sumner to the Grey or Ahanra. Doubtless the report to tho Provincial Council could be got at, and probably a sketch plan of tho country, I suggest that such documents, if procurable should be produced at tho interview above referred to. Yours truly, C. R. Blakiston. It was resolved that the Surveyor be instructed to make enquiries in tho proper quarter for the plan referred to. COBBECTION. A letter from P. Schneider was read, correcting a statement made by tho Mayor at a previous meeting, to the effect that he (Mr Schneider) had altered tho name on a permit given by the city surveyor. The letter was received. BANK OF NEW ZEALAND. An application from Messrs Greig and Hunter, builders and contractors, for permission to use tho footpath in Cathedral square for tho purpose of making some alterations and additions to the Bank of Now Zealand was read, and after some discussion the matter was referred to the city surveyor. scaffolding. Cr. Bickorton moved “ That tho works committee take into consideration the question of the erection of scaffolding, and report to the Council.” The motion was seconded by Cr. Pratt and agreed to. inspector's report. The inspector’s report was read, and was considered satisfactory. office staff. Cr. Ruddenklau moved tho resolution of which he had given notice at a previous meeting, as follows: —“That in the opinion of this Council it is advisable that tho office staff should he reorganised, and their duties more clearly defined. That tho above resolution ho submitted to a special committee, consisting of Councillors , to report in six weeks.” He said he did not move this in any hostile spirit to tho Council officers. Tho City Council staff had been at work for a good many years, and from what had happened of late there appeared to bo a want of a clear definition of each one’s duties, Cr. Briggs seconded tho proposition, more particularly after rending a paragraph which bad appeared in a local print, stating that it was the intention of the Council to discharge all tho officers. After such a statement, he thought an investigation should bo made into the working of tho office. From correspondence which had come before tho Council, it was evident that some of the staff did not understand their relative positions. Cr. Pratt thought the motion wont too far, and would move as an amendment —“ That a committee be appointed to inquire whether or not any alteration was required, and then report to the Council.” Cr. Toomer seconded the amendment.

Cr. Bickerton thought that Cr. Ruddenklau meant no more by his resolution than was ex-

pressed in tho amendment. Ho would support the amendment.

Cr. Radcliffe could not agree with Cr. Ruddenklau that the officers of the staff did not know their duties. He believed those gentlemen had performed their duties to tho entire satisfaction of tho citizens. Cr, Bird was inclined to support the amendment, inquiry could do no harm. He must express his disapproval of matters connected with the Council being published before they wore submitted to the members. Information, which should not bo given, evidently was given by some of the officers of the Council. Tho Chairman could see no difference between the motion and the amendment. Cr. Bird’s remarks wore confirmatory of the desirability of Cr. Ruddenklau’s resolution, as being somewhat the stronger of the two, being carried. Or. Ruddenklau, in reply, said that ho did not question tho efficiency of tho staff, but it seemed to him that tho officers should have a clear notion of each man’s duties. He would withdraw his first resolution in favor of Cr. Pratt’s amendment. The resolution was allowed to be withdrawn. Cr. Pratt considered it unfair to make tho officers of the Council responsible for every paragraph appearing in the papers. Reporters sometimes evolved their news from their inner consciousness. Tho resolution was then put. The members of tho committee nominated being tho Mayor, and Cra, Pratt, Ick, Briggs, and Jameson, and the time for tho report of tho committee to bo brought up being fixed at the next ordinary meeting of tho Council. Tho motion was agreed to. PRIVATE STREETS. Cr. Ruddenklau moved—" That this Council take steps to form drains and put in j repair all private streets leading to tenements ' fronting thereon, in terms of clause 210 of tho Municipal Act.” Or. Bickerton seconded tho motion. Cr. Bird cordially concurred in the resolution. Cr. Pratt, while perfectly agreeing with the desirability of such a motion being carried, explained that the difficulty was to got the money for tho work from those who ought to pay it. Whore there was any reasonable chance of the money being obtained, by all means let tho work bo done. Tho Chairman said that formerly the money for such work was recoverable as a special rate, but by more recent legislation the owners were bound to pay within a month after an advertisement had appeared, and in default could bo sued. The Clerk read tho clause of tho Act. Cr. Ruddenklau replied that in his opinion tho work should be done, and tho Council sue for payment. The resolution was unanimously agreed to. Cr. Ruddenklau then moved—“ That all such private streets of a width less than 25ft. bo closed against cart traffic, as provided in clause 200 of the Municipal Act, and that the surveyor be instructed to submit plans on the best principle to form and drain such streets.” He thought this a most important motion, and had no objection to allow it to stand over in order to allow the Council to think about it. Cr. Pratt seconded the motion pro forma. If people knew that cart traffic would not be allowed in such streets these would not be made, but ho considered that tho only way to deal with them was by a by-law. Cr. Radcliffe did not think that existing streets could be closed. People had bought the land and built houses there on tho faith of traffic being kept open. Let such narrow streets be forbidden for tho future. Tho Chairman did not think it politic to take retrospective action. It would be a great hardship to close streets which had been used perhaps for fifteen or twenty years. He could not support Cr. Ruddonklau’s proposal as it at present stood. Cr. Bickerton pointed out that the Act provided that tho Council could only pass a resolution to make a by-law. In fact it was doubtful that tho Council could take retrospective action. It would be well to postpone the matter for a meeting in order to get |legal opinion as to the power of tho Council on the question. He moved—“ That the consideration of tho question bo postponed for a month, and that in the interval tho chairman of tho bylaw committee consult Dr. Poster as to its legal bearings.” Or. Briggs seconded tho amendment, which was carried. CITY WARDS. Cr. Briggs moved—“ That, in pursuance of a resolution passed by this Council on the sth day of November, 1877, affirming the desirableness of the city being divided into wards —1. That tho city be divided into four wards. 2. That the boundaries of each ward be delineated by lines drawn from Antigua street to tho East town belt, through Hereford street, and from the North town belt to South town belt through Colombo street, 3. That the operation of the ward system 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.” Ho was very sorry that Cr. Jameson was absent, as it was upon that councillor’s suggestion the question of wards h d been postponed from March last. In November he (Cr, Briggs) had carried the point in a full meeting of the Council. He had been tempted to imitate Or. Pratt, and write an essay on the subject, which lie would have asked permission to read, but the subject was too dry. He had made a few notes, however, which he would refer to. The ward* principle had been already recognised by tho Council. It was only out of deference to the Council that he had brought the motion before the meeting, as tho principle could be carried into effect by the ratepayers under clause 21 of tho Act. He did not propose to extend this ward system to the allocation of money, Tho streets, footpaths, and channels wore now all made, so the objectionable feature of logrolling was not likely to crop up. The number of members in tho Council was at present too small for the work. In every hive there was a large proportion of drones, In tho Council there was a very large proportion. [“ Oh, oh.”] He could prove it by reference to the minutes. Christchurch was being rapidly formed into a large city, and ratepayers had many necessities to bring before the Council. It would bo well that each ratepayer should be able to post up the member for his ward, who could give the necessary information to the Council. Ho would give one or two instances showing tho desirability of his motion being agreed to. At the junction of Lichfield and Barbadoes streets there is a drain which encroaches upon the footpath 18in. Had there been wards in Christchurch when that drain was formed, the members for that ward would have prevented this. Tho drain would sooner or later have to bo taken up. Ho had received complaints of the absence of asphalt from the footpath on the Ferry road. Tho ward system would have prevented this. For election purposes there would bo this further advantage, that in case of an extraordinary vacancy in the Council, only one ward would bo agitated by tho election to fill it, instead of tho whole city. The Council was aware that all that was required was, that a petition should be signed by onefourth of the ratepayers in favor of the system. This could be done without cost to anybody by the rate collectors, who, when collecting, could obtain signatures to a petition, which might be drawn up by the town clerk. One if not two of the neighbouring districts was about to join the city. This was another reason for wards. The corporation was rapidly acquiring more extended powers, and therefore the number of members should bo bo increased from nine to at least twelve. The ward system had worked well in Dunedin, Auckland, and Wellington. Timaru had only lately applied for it, and had obtained it. Cr. Radcliffe had great pleasure in seconding tire resolution, though he could not agree with the notion that there was a largo proportion of drones in tho Council. His experience in Victoria taught him that in Melbourne, where the outlying districts had been gradually joined to the city, the ward system had worked extremely well.

Cr. Ruddenklau thought that the Council should leave it to the burgesses to take action in the matter. Cr. Briggs appeared to wish that the town clerk should draw up the petition, and the city ollicers collect signa-

tures. In the present perfect state of civic matters, ho could recognise no necessity for additional members, for whom he could not see room, even in the chamber. Cr. Bird would oppose the motion as premature. It was a matter to bo dealt with by the burgesses, and the Council should wait till the burgesses demanded wards. Ho had no reason to believe that the citizens were dissatisfied with the present Council. Cr. Pratt thought Cr. Briggs had pointed out all the advantages of the ward system, and before long no doubt the principle would bo adopted ; but he thought it premature until there was more accommodation in the council chamber. Cr. Bickorton felt that the matter should be postponed for a time at all events. As to the number of dronejj, he could safely assort that there had been a deal of hard work done. The time for the introduction of the ward system would bo when it was certain that the outlying districts intended to come into the city. Cr. Toomer would support the motion on principle. Ho could not see why Christchurch should think itself wiser than the boroughs of the old country and those in New Zealand, which had been mentioned by Cr. Briggs. It was the citizens’ business to do it, and those who favored the movement should agitato the question. The Chairman agreed with the last speaker. Ho was surprised that the system had not been adopted long ago. If Cr. Briggs intended to throw upon the officers of the Council the trouble of doing the work, ho should oppose it. But he would support the affirmation of the principle. Cr. Briggs hero said he would withdraw clause 4- of his resolutions. The Chairman would in that case go heartily with Cr. Briggs. He did not think there was any fear of jealousies now, whatever fear there might have been formerly. Ho must say, however, that he considered the matter lay solely in the hands of the ratepayers. Cr. Briggs said one clause, No. 2, ho had omitted to refer to. The division ho had proposed, the Council would sec, gave as fair a partition of the city as was practicable. He was sure that the citizens would take action at once, but the expression of opinion by the Council would help forward the movement. As to Or. Bird’s objection, he (Cr, Briggs) could not think that Councillors should take no action till forced by the citizens. Cr. Pratt had objected that there was not room, but ore long the Resident Magistrate would vacate his part of the building, and there would then bo sufficient room. Ho would undertake that the citizens should have an opportunity of expressing their views upon the matter. Clauses 1,2, and 3of the resolution were then put and carried, the votes being—For : Crs. Ick, Briggs, Toomer, Radcliffe, and Pratt. Against: Crs. Bickerton, Bird, and Ruddenklau. The Council then went into committee to consider the now rules. On resuming the Council adjourned.