CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1497, 3 December 1878, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

Monday, December 2. The usual fortnightly meeting of the City Council was held at the Council Chambers at 7 o’clock. Present —His Worship the Mayor, and Ci's. Wilson, Jenkins, Clifford, Treraayno, Cass, Gapes, Ick, Binstead, and Ayers. HACKNEY carriage by-laws. The by-laws were further considered and amended, and ordered to be published. It was further resolved to hold a special meeling of the Council for tho 6th of January next, at 4 o’clock for the purpose. finances. The town clerk reported for the fortnight— Receipts, £B7O 15s 6d ; balance, £2786 0s 2d, less £879 15s 6d. Drainage rate account, Cr., balance, £lll6 3s 9|d. Receipts, £9O 6s 7d. Bills paid, £157 3s 7d. Bills to be paid, £344 14s lid. COUNCILLOR GAPES. Councillor Gapes made the following statement :—I notice a letter in the “ Lyttelton Times” of November 30th signed John O’Malley, in reference to a statement made by me in this Council on November 25th, wherein he asserts gross falsehoods. First, he states that I repeatedly accused him to the Council of employing Roman Catholics on the works of the city. This I deny in toto, Mr O’Malley at the time being only a man employed by the day, and therefore had not power either to engage or discharge the men. Any complaint from me, as Mayor, would have been made to his officer, viz., the city surveyor. Permit mo here to say that my conscience would not allow me to be so bigoted as to have recourse to actions of such narrowmindedness. In proof of this I have allowed members of my family fo take part in entertainments in connection with the Roman Catholic Church in Barbadoes street. Now, 1 respect any honorable man irrespective of his position, color, or creed. Mr O’Malley admits, in his letter, that he has told Roman Catholics seeking employment of the Council that he could hold out no hopes to them on account of my aversion to their creed. I say emphatically that Mr O’Malley never had reason, either by word or act from me, to do or suppose anything of the kind. He also iu his letter denies having requested me to accept his apology. I distinctly say that he did so on the last Anniversary Day at a fete hald on the Agricultural Show Grounds, in the presence of two gentlemen. After hearing the acknowledgment made by him, one of the gentlemen referred to, Mr J. M. Thompson (I have permission to use that gentleman’s name) told Mr O’Malley that if he were a member of the City Council ho would bring the case before 'the next sitting, and request his (Mr O’Malley’s dismissal.) This was the reply Mr O’Malley made, “If you did, sir, it would be no more than I deserve, for it was a false and wicked act, and 1 was very sorry afterwards, and have been since, and I hope that Mr Gapes will accept this my apology in in your presence.” Cr. Wilson thought that Cr. Gapes was quite out of order. The Mayor did not wish to stop Cr. Gapes, but he was of the same opinion as Cr. Wilson. Cr, Gapes explained that as tho statement referred to his (Cr. Gapes’) action while Mayor, he thought he had a perfect right to bring it forward. The matter then dropped. THE BUILDING BY-LAWS. Application was received from Mr F. S. P. to put up a building between Worcester and Gloucester streets with a corrugated iron end as a temporary measure. It was resolved that the Building By-law must bo rigidly adhered to. THE CHRISTCHURCH TRAMWAY COMPANY. Application was made by this company to continue the tramway down High street, from Manchester street as far as the East belt. Cr. Ick moved that permission bo given on the same terms as those previously granted.

Cr. Ayers seconded the motion. Cr. Wilson moved as an amendment, that the letter be referred back to the company for fuller particulars and an accompanjing plan. Seconded by Cr. Gapes. Cr. Ick would ask that his resolution should be accepted, subject to the plans being approved. The amendment was withdrawn. SURVEY OF CHRISTCHURCH.

Two reports on the survey of Christchurch, signed by Mr J. R. Baker, chief surveyor, and Mr C. N, Adams, were road. They will be published in our to-morrow’s issue. The reports were referred to the surveyor. avbights and measures. A letter Avas read from Mr Chns. Allison, on the subject of weights and measures, and the Council resolved to apply to the Government on the subject. ARMAGH STREET WEST. A letter from the Drainage Board, on the subject of the dry channels in Armagh street west, was referred to the sanitary committee. REFRACTORY CABMEN. A letter was read from the General Manager of the Railways, asking the Council to take action against two cabmen who had blocked up the station, and who refused to leave when called upon to do so. The letter was referred to the Superintendent of Police. surveyor’s report. 1. About sixty notices have been served on persons having cart entrances in Cashel, Hereford, and Armagh streets, requiring them to have the entrances properly asphalted. 2. I found the exceedingly dry weather was damaging the planking of the bridges. I have, therefore, ordered some of them to be tarred, in order to counteract the influence of the weather. 3. The channelling is being laid in Bedford row. 4. Several culverts in different quarters of the town are out of repair, and require renewing. I wish, therefore, to know whether the Council desires them to bo renewed in wood or iron. I may specially mention a culvert across Armagh street, at the corner of the market place, which has been broken through three times within the last twelve months. 5. I was desired at last meeting to report on the quantity of stone required to complete the repairs to streets, in compliance with Cr. Wilson’s motion. What el,y road and Colombo street will require about 300 cubic yards—and that portion of Colombo sticet from the Bank of New Zealand to Tuam street would absorb about 120 cubic yards. The works committee desires it to he understood that they believe the boulder stone to he the heaviest and the best, provided it is obtained from boulders of a large size. G. The sanitary committee requested mo to furnish an estimate for putting a right of way, running from Lichfield to St. Asapli street, in proper repair. I should recommend its being done with aaphalte, 18ft wide, the cost would be .£l9B. 7. The following building licenses have been granted, viz., Mr Lambert, St. Asaph street; Ra«trick l-ros., Park terrace; R. Carmiehael, Anti-rua street: Mr Marks, Manchester stre t. With regard to the fourth clause the surveyor whs empowered to use iron culverts in some ii starces. With reference to the boulder stones mentioned in clause 5, Cr Wilson was about to move a resolution, Sfiying that the surveyor evidently knew nothing whatever about ro 'd making, when Cr. lek said ho should like to state that the report did not thoroughly embody the wish of the surveyor. Cr. Wilson said the streets were the most deplorable in New Zealand. He would move that no river bed metal ho until Council Ihad had an opportunity of seeing the difference between (he metal used by the city and that by the Heathcote district.

Cr. J '..ii... ord the surveyor’s report was

i’Tt in) I . The re* u'iir. of Cr. Wilson fell through for want of a seconder. Cr. Ick moved—“ That the clause bo amended by the addition of the following words alter the vord ‘boulders’ ‘as suitable boulders are not procurable in sufficient quantities, the committee recommends that quarry stone of a go »d quality to be used.’ ” The clause us amended was passed. With regard to the sixth clause the Council resolved to form the street on condition of the owners put ing for the same, viz., £l9B, or, failing fimt., that the notices be served according to the Act, to compel them to do the work, which would entail considerable additional cost. The Mayor said he thought it quite time that the Council took over all streets and formed them. The report as a whole, and as amended, was then approved. INSPECTOR OF NUISANCES. The report of the inspector of nuisances was read and adopted. SANITARY COMMITTEE’S REPORT. The report was read and approved, and it was an instruction to the sanitary committee that the Council would collect the rates. SIDE CHANNELS. Cr. Gapes moved —“ That the side channel on the south side of High street, from Madras street to the Ferry Hoad drain, be formed with concrete.” Seconded by Ct. Jenkins. After a good deal of discussion, Or. Wilson moved —“ That the matter be deferred until further information had been received from the city surveyor.” Seconded by Cr. Cass. Ultimately, the amendment was carried, and the matter was postponed until the next sitting of the Council. ASSESSMENT OF THE CITY. The tenders for the assessment of the city were opened. There were but three. The first was from Mr F. G. P. Lead), £9O ; the second from Mr Huddleston, £130; and the third from Mr C. Cuff, who offered to act jointly as valuer with any other gentleman chosen by the Council for the sum of eighty guineas. The tender of Mr Leach was accepted. LICENSES. After the consideration of several drivers’ licenses the Council adjourned at twenty-five minutes to twelve o’clock until 4 o’clock on Monday afternoon next.