CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1520, 31 December 1878, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

Monday, Decembeb 30. The usual fortnightly meeting of the Council was held at 7 o'clock. Present—His Worship the Mayor and Councillors Gapes, Avers, Cass, Tremayne, Binstead, Jenkins, Wilson, and Clifford. THE MAYOB'S EEMABKS. His Worship said before proceeding to the business of the meeting he would like to make a few remarks. He hoped the coming year would bo one which would redound to the credit of the Council and the city, and that during that time they would be able to carry through some useful and much needed works. Ho also hoped that the year would be one of a good spirit among themselves, and that their conduct would be marked by good feeling and unanimity. He had no doubt that he would, during the year, have to ask their advice on many occasions. He should 'at all times be glad to receive such advice, and would promise to carry out the duties of the office to the beßt of his ability and for the advantage of the city at large. He also hoped they would so endeavor to expedite the business as not to have such long meetings as they had now. [Hear, hear.] He should therefore WML upon them to support him in the 'cnair, and he hopod they would bear in Snind the fact that they had certain rules and regulations in existence. In bis experience of the Council he had found that the business was much better done when there was less talk. [Hear, hear.] They might, in this respect, take a very good lesson from, and follow the example of a younger Municipality, whose motto was "Deeds, not words." Ho was quite sure ho should have their support during the coming year. He might state that he had received a letter from Cr. Lezard, apologising for his absence, which was unavoidable, in consequence of a provious engagement. He would ask them to bear in pnjnd' that it would bo necessary for them to appoint two members of committee, viz., works and finance. He, himself, had been so many years connected with the works committee that he quilo regretted severing his connection with it. Ho had felt quite at home when acting on that committee, and he still hoped to be able to bo of some me to that body. According to the now Act the Mayor was ex officio a member of all committees, which was net ao under the old Act, so that it would be competent for him to attend the meet iogs of committ ces when occasion required it. He should be very glad to do bo whenever his serv ces could be or any avail. There were two or three matters he would like to bring before their notice, and some of which might b? proceeded with „t oneo. Qno of these waai the necessity of opening up tlio road from Colombo Bridge to Victoria Bridge, at Oxford Terrace. There had been some delay in this matter, because the late Council thought the Government might be induced to hand over the reserve. The Government only granted the reserve on condition that the Council opened up the road in question. Per.

haps somo member would give notice upon tho subject that night. There was another thing he wished to gpeak about. In coneequonoe of the frequent application? to Beo the Mayor on the part of ratepayers, he thought it would perhaps bo advisable to hare a certain time in the week set aside for meeting them. He had, therefore, decided to attend at the Council Chamber every Thursday morning botween the hours of 9 and 11 o'clock, when he would be happy to give any of tho burj,'93Bosi all the information in his power en municipal matters. A letter had been received from the Colonial Secretary on the subject of Hospital and Charitable Aid management. (This letter has boen already published.) Ho had caused a telegram to be forwarded to the Colonial Secretary, asking how the Govern7nent proposed to convene the local body together to consider the various questions involved. To that telegram no reply had yet been received. At a meeting of the Selwyn County Council the chairman had taken upon himself to recommend a conference of County Council chairmen, chairmen of Road Boards, and mayors of Municipalities. So that under those circumstances it would be bettor to delay taking action till such conference waa held. Another matter which he wished to bring before the Council was the necessity that existed for completing the burgess roll. It had been complained that ratepayers often found they had no vote through no fault of their own. He thought that means should be taken whereby the names of any person paying rates be placad upon the roll. They had now plenty of officers in the Council, and the work might be done without difficulty. They ought to make this an imperative duty of the town clerk. Perhaps ifc*would be as well to have a resolution passed bearing on the subject. It had been brought under his notice by the town clerk that it would be necessary to issue summonses to defaulting ratepayers before the 15th January if the rates wore to be recovered. Perhaps the members of the Council would, therefore, take some action in this matter. Another thing to which he wished to call their attention, and that very seriously, was the necessity of appointing a comrnitteo to consider the question of the erection of municipal buildings. It was well known that the place in which they now transacted their business was quite inadequate for the purpose, and he hoped they would make such arrangements as would lead to new buildings being in existence during the next year. Therefore it would be well that the committee shoild bring up a report, that estimates, &c, should be repaired, and that the necessary steps should be taken to bring the question lefore the public, for their consideration or otherwise.

OIOAN OF THE COUNCIL The May>r said it would be their duty to appoint on< of the newspapers as their recognised organ during tho next year. The Pbess hac been the Council's official organ during tba last twelve months. Or. Gbpes proposed that the "Lyttelton Times" )e the official organ of the Council during fhe next year. Secorded by Cr. Ayers. Or. Vilson moved that the present arrangement tith the Pbess be continued. Seconded by Cr. Clifford. Or. Wilson said the reason he had moved his rfsolution was because he considered the PeejS treated the Council more fairly than the "Times." Cr. Ayors did not think there was any material difference in the reports in both papers. Sometimes one wa3 a little longer than the other, but in his opinion they were carefully and well reported in both papers, and really often much more fully than their proceedings deserved. Cr. Gapes said that as public men they must not object to be freely criticised. With regard to the reports, ho considered they were well and fairly reported in both papers. The motion of Cr. Gapes was carried by 6 to 2. LYTTELTON STEEET, A petition was received from the owners of property in Lyttelton street, stating that they considered the scheme of the surveyor was far too costly and elaborate. Cr. Jenkins said the matter had come before tho works committee, who had considered it advisable to refer it to the Council. After a good deal of discussion, it was resolved that the street should be put into good sanitary repair under the Municipal Corporations Act. FINANCES. Tho Town Clerk reported the receipts during the fortnight at £652 4s Id. Credit at bank, £1676 4a 6d ; drainage rate account, credit balance, £1374 15s 4d; receipts, £lO2 15s 4|d; bills paid, £99 83 7d; bills to be paid, £612 17s 3d. NOTICE OF MOTION. Cr. Tremayne gave notice of motion for next meeting for tho reserve from Colombo to Victoria bridges being formed, and thrown open to the publb. DEPUTATION. A deputation of two ratepayers waited on the Council, and complained of the condition of a private street in which they lived, leading from the river to Kilmore street. The matter was referred to the city surveyor. NUISANCES. Several nuisances were reported. Mr Hobbs was requested to take action in tho matter. surveyor's report. Christchurch City Council, 30th December, 1878. No. I—l mentioned to the works committee that a great number of notices had been served on private persona to make good the entrances to their property, and asked the committee's instructions to proceed with the work, as the time allowed by the notice had expired, and only a few persons had given instructions for the work to be done. The committee thought proper to refer the matter to the Council.

No. 3—Bedford Eow is 'now completed except asphalting and metalling. la it the wish of the Council that shingle or broken stone should be used on the road. No. 4—An iron pillar has been placed on South belt, near the railway station, in connection with the railway tank, which will facilitate the watering of streets in that locality. No. s—The following building licenses have been granted:—Mr E. West, Hereford street; Mr Lambert, St. Asaph street; Mr Kastrick, Park terrace ; R. Carmichael, Antigua street; Mr Marks, Manchester street; Mr Adams, Salisbury street; Mr Geo, Manchester street; Mr Jenkins, High street; Mr Esrealson, Aldred street; Mr Lambert, High street; Mrs Fuehs, Tuam street; Mr Suckling, Lichfield street; Mr Parker, Armagh street; Mr Willis, Carter's lane; Messrs Morrow and Bassett, Manchester street; Mr Drewett, North belt; Mr Andrews. C. Walkden, City Surveyor. The consideration of the first clause was postponed. The remainder of the report was adopted. TIKE BEPOET. Mr Superintendent Harris' quarterly report was read and adopted. inspector's EEpOET. This report was read and adopted. The clause referring to the condition of the south town belt it was resolved to refer to the sanitary committee, with power to fake legal advice on ylause 188 or auy other olauso. hy-laws. It was resolved to hold a special meeting of the Council on Monday next for the purpose of considering certain by lawa. WATEB SUPPLY. Cr. Cass said thero was no formal report. The committee were not neglecting their duly, but were hunting up all the information in their power. While regretting that they could not five a full and formal report, it seemed desirable to make an experiment on the Waimakariri which would probably cost from £IOO to £l5O. The committee, however, would ask for £250, though they would not spend a single shilling more than was absolutely necessary. A resolution on the subject of artesian supply would also bo brought beforo them. The following was the resolution vhicb. would be moved at im next meeting : " That tha Ouunoil be asked i;o Vote'the water oommittSe a further sum of money, not exceeding £250, for the purposes of experiments." SOUTH TOWN BELT. Cr. Ayers moved —'"That an asphalt footpath be constructed across the south town belt, from Manchester strpet to the opposite side of the road by the railway." Cr. Gapes said he should oppose the motion as it atood, The railway authorities

had refused to contribute any portion of the cost. Cr. Wilson moved as an amendment — "That the Government be called upon to pay one-half of the cost of the proposed footpath." Seconded by Cr. Cass. Cr. Gapes suggested that tho road roller should be used at the place in question, and that the water carts might also be used there. Cr. Clifford did not think the Council should be called upon to do the work. After somo discussion, Cr. Ayers roplied, and said that he meant that ths work should be done, even if not at once. He would like to withdraw tho motion for tho present. Tho motion was withdrawn accordingly, as was also the amendment. ABTEBIAN WATEB. Cr. Wilson moved —" That with a view to save the waste of artesian well water, now falling off in supply, the public wells under the control of the Council be fitted with taps, to be available for turning off the flow when not required, and also that the ratepayers of the city having wells on their premises bo respectfully requested to attach taps to their artesians, with a view to check the large flow of water now running to waste." The above resolution had been recommended by the water supply committee. Seconded by Cr. Ayers, and agreed to. THE BUEGESS BOH. Cr. Wilson moved —" That it be an instruction to the Town Clerk to seo that all burgesses who have paid his or her rates be placed on the roll." Cr. Ayers seconded the motion. Cr. Clifford thought copies of tho burgess roll should be exhibited in public and conspicuous places. The motion was then agreed to. DEFAULTING EATEPAYEHB. The Town Clerk was instructed to summon all defaulting ratepayers by the 15th proximo. MUNICIPAL BUILDING COMMITTEE. Cr. Binstead moved—" That the Mayor and Crs. Wilson, Gapes, and the mover bo a committee to take into consideration the question of munioipal buildings, Cr. Wilson to be chairman." MEMBEBB OF COMMITTEES. Or. Binstead was elected a member of the finance committee in lieu of the late Mayor, Cr. Cass to be chairman. Cr. Cass was elected chairman of the by-law committee. Cr. Tremayne was elected to the works committee, and Cr. Jenkin3 appointed chairman. LAMP SMASHING. In the case of the apprehension and conviction of a larrikin by the police for lamp smashing, it was resolved—" That the sum of , two guineas should be handed over to the ' police authorities, to be devoted to the purposes of the police library, as a recognition of , the services rendered by the police to the ■ City Council." This was all the business, and the Council , adjourned at half-past 10 o'clock. <