CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1437, 24 September 1878, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the City Council was held at seven o’clock last evening, Prdsent —H's Worship tire Mayor and Crs. Ick, Gapes, Ayers, and Wilson. PINANCES. The Town Clerk reported as follows : Receipts for the week ending September 14th, £335 14s; receipts for the week ending September 21st, £414 7s 7d. Drainage rate account—Cr. balance, £370; receipts do., £l3O 9s lOd; Dr. balance, £3373 Os 8d ; two weeks’ receipts, £750 2s Id; bills passed, £l2O 13s ; bills to bo paid, £486 7s lid. DATES, The Town Clerk reported that the tenders for the baths would come in until Saturday next. Tire Mayor and Cr. Ick were appointed a committee to accept the successful tender. THE WATEB SCHEME. In answer to a question from Cr. Ayers, The Mayor stated that for the present the water scheme was remaining in abeyance until the necessary committees had been elected, which would not be until after the elections of new Councillors. FISH lIAWKEES. Cr Wilson drew attention to the nuisance that existed through fish hawkers cleaning their fish in the public streets and throwing the garbage in the channels. THE SANDHILLS. General Crown Lands Office, Wellington, Sept. 20, 1878. Sir,—A Bill is now being prepared to vest in the municipality of Christchurch the Sandhills (about 800 acres), lately visited by you and the Hon Mr Stout. I am directed by him to ask if, in consideration of the liberality of the Government towards your municipality in this matter, the Council would be disposed to hand over to the Avon Road Board the thirty acres of sandhills south of Horseshoe lagoon belonging to Christchurch, and within the said road district. I have the honor, <tc, James McKeeeow, Secretary Crown Lands. H. Thomson. Esq, Mayor of Christchurch. The Chairman stated that the Avon Road Board had made a claim on the Government for the piece of land in question. He had understood that the city would not he asked to part with the thirty acres of land referred to, and he thought it ought to bo represented to the Government that within a very short time the reserves ip question wguld bp within the town of Christchurch. S o doubi. it would have to be left to the Government, but at the same time the matter should be clearly explained. The Avon district would be quite satisfied to have a piece of the reserve near the river Styx. Tho matter was left to his Worship the Mayor to communicate with the mont. the public domain. Cr. Ayres gave notice that he would move at the next meeting of the Council —“ That immediate steps bo taken to have the park and domain, with alj its interest, handed over to the Corporation of Christchurch for their entire control as recreation reserves, and as such to be held in trust for ever.” AVON EOAD BOABD. A letter was read from tho Avon Road Board requesting the Council to call for public tenders for the cleansing of the side channels on the belts, as the price named in the lender forwarded from tho city appeared to the Board to be excessive, and requesting the Council to call for tenders. The Mayor did not think it would be worth while now to call for tenders. He thought it ■would bo well if tho surveyor had the work done, and then compelled tho Avon Road Board to pay their share of the cost. After some discussion it was resolved that tho matter should stand over for tho present. heathcote. A letter was read from the Heathcote Road Load’d, expressing their willingness to pay the cost of the formation of the side of the East belt; but they asked to be allowed to call for tenders for tho work, according to the plans of tho city surveyor, so as to avoid any difference as to levels, iyc. After some discussion it was resolved, on the motion of Cr. Ick—“ That the surveyor should see the surveyor of the Heathcote Board, with a view to coming to some arrangement, and reporting the same to the Council.” ana AND WEST COAST BAIL WAY. A letter was read from Mr John Jebaon, chairman of the provisional committee, re-

questing the Council to co-operate with others in indicating to the Government the desir* ability of connecting the oast and the west coasts of the Middle Island via Waimakariri and Taipo Passes, that route being twentyseven miles shorter than the Amberley route. The writer oil’ered to supply all information required as to particulars of the localities. or. Wilson moved members of the City Council will bo very happy to forward by every means they possibly can, a railway to Westland, but such a proposal being outside (lie jurisdiction of the City Council, it cannot as a Council comply with Mr Jebson’s suggestions.” The motion was not seconded, and consequently lapsed. Cr. Ick moved —“This Council will bo happy to support any scheme for a railway to the West Coast, but is not in possession of sufficient data to give any opinion as to the best route,” SURVEYOR'S REPORT. 1. I have been obliged to shut up Worcester street bridge, in consequence of the planking being decayed, and therefore unsafe. 2. I have had the swimming bath properly cleansed and cleared of weeds, so that it is ready for the coming season. 3. In front of Mr Imvood’s new premises in Cashel street stands a corporation lamp, which he desires to have removed, as it will interfere with the erection of the verandah. 4. The fence between Cashel and Montreal bridges has been set up. 5. Since last Council meeting the following building licenses have been granted :--Wm. Dawson, St. Asaph street; England Brothers, St. Asaph street; Mr Tillett, Madras street; Mr Turner, Durham street; Mr Tarnling, Now street; Mr Wood, Manchester street: Mr Galbraith, Conference street; Mr Greig, St. Asaph street. C. Walkden, City Surveyor. The Council agreed that Mr Inwood’s lamp should be removed on Mr Inwood’s paying the cost of the removal. The report as a whole was adopted. UNINHABITABLE HOUSES. A report of Inspector Hobbs was read in reference to three uninhabitable houses in George street. Full particulars in regard to these cottages have already appeared in print. It was resolved that the inspector should take action under clauses 56 and 62 of the Public Health Act. The report was adopted, BRIDGE OVER THE AVON. By permission of the Council, Cr. Wilson postponed his motion in reference to a bridge over the Avon, until the next meeting. THE RESERVE AT GERALDINE. Some discussion took place as to the reserves at Geraldine, and Cr. Wilson expressed an opinion that the selection hud been a very injudicious one. The land selected was not worth 5s an acre, Cr. Gapes thought it was a pity Cr. Wilson had not made himself more acquainted with the facts before making such an assertion as he had done. Cr. Wilson evidently knew nothing at all about the matter. Cr. Ick thought the matter was brought forward as a joke by Cr. Wilson, for it really could not be meant seriously. After some further remarks the matter dropped. LICENSES. After the consideration of applications for licenses the Council adjourned.