CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1450, 9 October 1878, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

Monday, Octobes 8, The usual fortnightly meeting of the City Council was held at seven o’clock. Present — His Worship the Mayor, and Crs. Ayers, Gapes, Ick, Binstead, Tremayne, Jenkins, Cass, and Wilson. The new members made the usual declaration. Or. Clifford was not present. On the minutes being read, Cr. Wilson said he would like to know what the amount of £7, paid to the Mayor for expenses to Wellington, had been incurred for. The Mayor said there was a proper time to aak questions. The minutes were confirmed. THE MAEKET EESEEVE, The Mayor stated that the Government were willing to give the city a reserve, on the condition that a site was also set apart for a town hall. The conditions were agreed to by the Council, but he himself did not agree with it. The reserve had been a special one, and had lain useless for many years. He thought the people of Christchurch were the best judges as to where the town hall should be. The Act said that the town hall should bo there, and nowhere else. There were one or two gentlemen who were pulling the strings in this matter. As it stood at present the Council stood pledged to the old fire brigade station as a site for the town hall. One rood twenty-five porches, on which the Public Works’ offices stood, wore also included in the Act. He would also inform the Council that the tender of Mr Garrard had been accepted for the lease of the baths. Mr Garrard's tender had not been the highest, but it was was the most suitable applicant. Application had been made for the use of the road roller for the race-eourse, and the works’ committee had agreed that the roller could bo let lor £5 a day. Ho thought it would be advisable that evening to appoint a special committee to consider the question of a water supply for the city. Ho could most unhesitatingly say that the artesian supply was failing. It was now almost impossible to got the water above ground; He thought they should apply to

get power to stop the enormous waste of water which took place by night. Such power could easily be got, and would not interfere with the liberty of the subject. EXPLANATION. Or. Ayers said he had at the last meeting seconded the resolution in reference to a reserve under the impression that it was to bo for general and not for special purposes. PINANCE. The town clerk reported as follows: Drainage rate account, —Or. balance, £5Ol 3s ; receipts, £6Bl 5s 5d ; bills to pay, £986 2s sd. General account —Receipts for the fortnight, £1205 11s; Drainage Board rates for the fortnight, £287 Is; Dr, at bank, £2074 Is 9d. The various accounts were passed for payment. NOTICE OF MOTION. Or. Wilson gave notice of motion for the erection of a lamp at the junction of Cambridge terrace and Kilmore street. QUESTIONS, Cr, Ayers asked if there was any person empowered to examine gas meters. The Mayor replied in the negative. In answer to a question from Cr. Cass, the Mayor stated that the Council had no control over the Lunatic Asylum. THE mayor’s TRIP TO WELLINGTON. Cr. Wilson again put his question about the amount of £7 referred to in the minutes. The Mayor explained that ho had gone at the wish of the Council on public business connected with the reserves. The result of his trip had been of a highly satisfactory character, as had been explained at the last meeting. If Cr. Wilson thought that £7 was a very large amount for his expenses, he could assure that gentleman that the amount did not reimburse him. With regard to the amount of £3OO per annum, he considered that it was not intended to meet such a special case as the one in question. With regard to the 1500 acres reserved at Geraldine, it was, perhaps, a pity that Or. Wilson had not himself selected the land. It would, no doubt, then have been a much better selection. [Cr. Wilson —Hear, hear.] Cr. Wilson proceeded to speak of the reserve in question, when Cr. Gapes rose to a point of order. Cr. Wilson said that Or. Gapes was utterly out of order. After a few more words the subject dropped, Cr. Wilson remarking that he should again bring the matter before the Council. PETITION. A petition was read, signed by fifty-five of the ratepayers residing upon rural sections Nos. 46, 206, 257, and 243 b, requesting the said sections to be annexed to the municipality. The Mayor stated there had been no petitions against the annexation. Cr. Gapes remarked that the fifty-five persons who had signed the petition were nearly the whole of the inhabitants of the district. The Mayor thought it very advisable that the boundaries of the city should be extended.

Or. Gapes thought it would be advisable if the block proposed to be taken into the city were of a better shape. He would move — “That this Council is favourable to the annexation of the land in question, provided the shape is more favourable to the city.” The motion was seconded pro forma by Or. Ick, who suggested that the matter should be postponed for another fortnight. The matter was postponed, Or. Gapes withdrawing his motion. CLAIM FOE INJURY TO A HOESE. A claim was made by Mr Thomas, on behalf of Mr Henry Parker, of St. Albans, for the sum of £36 for injuries done to his horse and cart, owing to the defective state of the culvert at the corner of Hereford street and Oxford terrace. The Mayor said the rats had undermined the street at the place where the accident had happened. The Council had no liability. Cr. Wilson moved “ That the Council feel that they are not responsible for the damage done.” Seconded by Cr. Ick. Cr. Gapes thought they were responsible. He would suggest that a committee be appointed to inquire into the whole matter, and report to a future meeting. After some discussion, Cr. Wilson’s motion was agreed to. THE BOOK-STALLS. The petition of booksellers in the matter of book-stalls was again brought up. It asked the Council to withdraw their permission for the erection of book-stalls in the street. Or. Gapes did not think any hardship would be done to the booksellers by a stall for the sale of papers being allowed near the Godley statue. Cr. Ick thought a hawker’s and pedlar’s license was required in Christchurch. If these persons paid a small license fee he did not see that the booksellers could complain. The by-law committee should bring up a bylaw bearing on the subject. He was informed that the system was in vogue in the neighboring colonies. He would suggest that the people at the stalls should not bo moved in the meantime, though he was not prepared to move a resolution. Cr. Ayers moved —“ That the consideration of the petition he deferred until the question of licenses came before the Council.” Seconded by Cr. Wilson. Cr, Binstead said he had been asked to sign the petition. He did not think the sale of papers on the stalls much injured the booksellers. Or. Wilson would not be a party to yield to the petition of booksellers to cut off the living of a most useful class of people. Cr. Cass thought they should settle the matter one way or another. He would he no party to prevent the sale of papers by means of book stalls. The Mayor thought they should settle the matter one way or the other and not put it off by a side wind. He thought himself that the matter was so trivial that it was not worth petitioning about. Cr. Cass moved as an amendment—“ That this Council regrets that it cannot accede to the prayer of the petitioners.” Seconded by Cr. Wilson. Cr. Ayers withdrew his motion. Cr. Cass’ motion was then carried unanimously. DURHAM STHEET, A letter was road from a number of the residents of Durham street, objecting to the footpath in front of their premises being lowered. The petition was referred to the works committee. SURVEY DEPARTMENT. A letter was read from the survey department, stating that stone blocks would be placed at certain portions of the city for the purposes of survey. It was resolved to co-operate with the survey department in the matter. The Mayor remarked that there was not a block in town that was correct. He measured a street the other day, and found it four inches too narrow, while in another case a footpath was three feet too wide. BEDFORD ROW. A petition was read from the residents of Bedford Row, asking the Council to form and channel and take over that thoroughfare. The petitioners expressed their willingness to pay their proportion of the cost. The surveyor’s estimate for the work was £319 4s 6d. Cr. Ick moved —“ That the necessary action be taken, and that the necessary notices be served in accordance with the Act.” The motion was seconded by Or. Ayers, and agreed to. LOWER HIGH STEBBT. A petition was read from the residents of Lower High street, requesting the Council to take some steps to improve the approaches to their various properties by the construction of culverts. The matter was referred to the surveyor to report upon at the next meeting. WEST CHRISTCHURCH SCHOOL. A letter was read from the committee of the West Christchurch School, asking for a reduction in the foes charged for emptying the night soil pans. The letter was referred to the sanitary committee to report upon at the next meeting, THE SWEEPING 1 . A letter wao r„ad from George Ebert, stating that he collld not carry out his contract unless the amount for which he had tendered was raised, '■

The Inspector stated that he had refused to pass Mr Ebert’s account because the channels had not been properly kept clean. The contract was being very badly carried out. Cr. Gapes moved—That the account be paid, and that the contractor receive a caution that’unless his contract bo better carried out in future the terras of the contract will be strictly enforced.” Seconded by Cr. Ayers and agreed to. THE “BLACKSMITH’S DEEAM.” Application was made from W. H, Robertson, proprietor of the “ Blacksmith’s Dream,” for permission to erect a tent in Armagh street, ad joining the property of Messrs E. B. and E. A. Bishop. The necessary permission was granted. THE CHANNELS ON THE BELT, A letter was read from the secretary of the Board of Health, calling attention to the bad state of the channels on the belts, and requesting the Council to pay immediate attention to the same. The letter was referred back to the Board of Health for more specific information. surveyor's report. No. 1. Last week one of the Council’s horses died, and a report from the surgeons who attended him is annexed hereto. No. 2, During the hot weather lately wc experienced great difficulty in obtaining sufficient water for the roads, and are not now able to supply the outlying districts, in consequence of 10-iug one tank in Cathedral square; but that would be compensated for if a w ell were sunk in the Whately road between the present tank and the belt. The other end of the town will be well supplied from the railway tank. No. 3. I have had an interview with the surveyor to the Heathcote Road Board, and he informs me that the Board desires to have the remaining portion of the East belt near the river formed and shingled, and that they will pay over the amount it will cost (minus ,£25, which they think the Council ought to contribute iu consideration of their utilising all the spare earth) so soon as the tenders are in and the definite amount ascertained. No. 4. I am generally called upon during the winter or wet season to form private streets or rights of way, which renders the work more difficult and more expensive. I would therefore beg the Council to have the work done (if any is to be done) now, or during the summer months. The second clause was referred to the works committee to report at the next meeting. The report was adopted. EIRE BRIGADE, The usual quarterly report of Mr Superintendent Harris was read. It described the fires and alarms during the quarter. The writer hoped that the Government would soon give the telegraphic communication promised. The Mayor stated that he understood the insurance agents would reimburse those members of the brigade who had suffered at the late fire. He had spoken to the Minister on the subject of the telegraphic communication referred to, and he had promised it, as well as telegraphic communication with the Lunatic Asylum. INSPECTOR’S report. This report was read and adopted. In answer to a question, The Mayor stated that the south-western boundary of the town was the junction of Lincoln road and the belt. BRIDGE OVER THE AVON. Cr. Wilson brought forward his motion with regard to the surveyor making an estimate of a bridge over the Avon at Barbadoes street, of which he had given notice at the last meeting. He did not think that more than about £SOO would be required to build the bridge, and £l5O could be collected in the locality. The motion was seconded by Cr. Jenkins. Cr. Ick supported the motion, but believed the bridge would cost £IOOO. To make a £SOO bridge would be false economy, Cr. Ayers also supported the motion. The Mayor explained that the finances of the city were pretty well appropriated, and he had no doubt that some of those sums would be exceeded. Or. Cass thought they might let the matter stand over for six months. Cr. Wilson replied, and the motion was put and agreed to. THE PARK AND DOMAIN. By permission of the Council, Cr. Ayers postponed his motion on this subject to the next meeting. TENDERS. The tenders for the erection of a footbridge over the Avon, at the East Belt, were opened. They were as follows: —S. Acourt, £397 12s ; G. Fuller, £399 2s 3d; and Macnamara, £295. The lowest tender was accepted. The tender of John Knowles was accepted for the supply of shingle. Cr. Wilson expressed his disapprobation at the use of shingle. The streets of the city were a disgrace to the corporation, and the very worst in the Australasian colonies. The Mayor called Cr. Wilson to order. He spoke more out of order than all the rest of the councillors put together. He made long speeches on every conceivable subject. Cr. Wilson said ho should bring forward a resolution at being so frequently interrupted by the Mayor. The Mayor replied that he should interrupt him a great deal more frequently in future when ho was out of order, and he was sure he should get the thanks of the Council. [Hear, hear.] The matter then dropped. COMMITTEES. The following committees were then appointed Works and lighting—Councillors Ick, Jenkins, and Clifford ; finance and by-law, the Mayor and Councillors Ayers and Cass ; sanitary and baths, Councillors Wilson, Binstead, and Tremayne ; fire brigade, councillors Gapes, Jenkins, and Tremayne; the first named in each committee to be the chairman. LICENSES. Several licenses were then granted to cab and ’buss drivers.