CITY COUNCL.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1554, 11 February 1879, Page 3

CITY COUNCL.

♦ I Monday, February 10. A special meeting of the City Council was held at shvou o'clock, for the purpose of rescind- ( ing are olution p nsed at the last meeting with , regard to the Ha'-kney carriage by laws. There were present his Worship the *■ ayor and Crs ( Wilson, Bin-te id, Tremayne, Clifford, lezard, , Gapes, Ayera, Jenkins and i ass. he Mayor«xplained that r ome clerical errors j had occurred in t' e by-laws as they were printed, and therefore the special meeting had been , called to rescind the resolution passed at ihe last \ meeting. <'r. Wilson said it was currently reported in ( Christchurch that the by-laws had been passed ( by Dr. Foster and the C >uncil. Cr Cass wonld like to kaow the nature of the ] alterations in the by-law. < The Mayor thought the most simple plan would be for Dr. Foster to give the explana- ) tion.

Cr. Wilson thought the Mayor should mnke the explanation. He considered that Dr. Foster made a mistake by sitting at that table alongside the M:<yor. The M:yor siid that Dr. Foster was there at his invit tion, and he should take no important step without consulting their legal adviser. He was sorry to see that opposition to a proper course being pursued. Cr. Gapes moved —"That Dr. Foster ho heard on the subject of the by-laws." If they were to have a by-law let them have one they could rely upon Or" Ayers seconded the resolution, and said he thought the feeling of the Council was that the error oueht to have been discovered before. Cr. Lczard moved as an amendment—" That the town clerk read the by-law in question and the alterations.

Seconded by Cr. Cass, who thought it was vpry bad taste on the part of Dr. Fo.stertD sit at that 11 hie.

Cr Wil-mn supported the, amendment. They were establishing a precedent that was not at ail desirable it would be attended with a vtst deal of inconvenience hereafti r. His own office was the proper place for Dr. Foster, and not that Council Chamber. In answer to a question from Cr Binstead. '; he Mayor sa'd the by-laws were a opt d at the Inst meeting, ft -was quite competent f< r the Council to re < hid the resolution. With regard to Dr. Foster he had asked him to come, there that evening, and give any explanation he misfit desire to do. (Jr. Canes s id that the precedent had long ago been formed of the city solicitor coming to that tablo to give the Council advice or explanation.

Til answer to a question from Cr, Jenk ns, ) he Mayor said the by-laws bad not been forwarded to the Colonial Secretary. • lie resolution was then put and carried by si:: votes to three Dr. Poster made his explanation with regard to the by iaws. i Cr. Wilson objected to Dr. Foster addressing tho Council seated, He thought it was not courteous on the part of the doctor. i>r. i''o-Tc\- th«-n stood up and said he had always addressed the Council sitting down, but, it' they wished him to stand np he would do so. He then continued his explanation, and said he would suggest that the by-law should be rescinded. As they stood at present, there was a discrepancy in two of the clauses—one or the other must be corrected. He believed that ihe alteration was a printer's blunder, ihe date " 1878" was in a''Out fifteen or twenty places instead of 1870. He proposed to add a few words to clause 19, on the su; ject of the option of the passenger engaging the cab by time or distance, i his had never been provided for. The doctor proceeded to suggest several other alterations in the by-laws. Cr. Lezard asked for the production of printed copies of these by-laws, which had been settled by Dr. Foster Cr. Cass said that Dr Foster had seen at least one printed copy before the date referred to by that gentleman. Cr. Gapes moved —"That the resolution adopting the by-law passed at the last meeting of the Council be revoked." Seconded by Cr Jenkins. Cr. Wilson's .id that Dr Foster's conduct in reference to these by-laws had been a series of blu tiers throughout. He would move as an amendment the addi ion of the following words : —'" -uch by-laws having been imperfectly re vised bv Dr. Foster " Cr. Cass seconded the amendment, which was supported by Cr. Lezard. The Town Clerk said the by-law had been printed some time. The original resolution was enrried three only vot ne for the amendment—Cr». Wilson, Cass, and Lezard. The Mayor said it waa understood that Pr. Foster held himself responsible for the amended by-law. On the motion of Cr. Gapes, seconded by Cr. Ayers, the amended by-law was adopted In answer to a q iestion fro u Cr Clifford, Dr. Foster said it would be a great advantage if he were consulted •• ore iu the early stages of the by- aws. 'I he doctor then referred to a summons having been taken out without con suiting him, which had consequently fallen through. He did not think it was courteous to treat him iu such a way. When they put a matter into his hand they ought to allow him to carry it through. They ought to have much closer relations with him than they had. Cr. Cass said tint much of the business done for the Council by Dr. Foster had been done in a most slovenly manner His own opinion was that the Council had had too much of Dr. Foster's advice. The way he had conducted their bnsiness was disgraceful, and for his part he had not an atom of faith in him. 'I he Council then proceeded with the bnsiness of its general meeting, and Dr. Foster left. FINANCE. The Town Clerk reported ns follows: Receipts since the last meeting .£795 19s 5d ; drainage rate account, £G2 lis Board rate, JBU4 Us 8d ; drainage rate account balance, £1129 6s 7Jd. Cr. : Balance, .£1254 17s 5d ; sinking fund account Cr. balance, £2B 15< 8d ; bills paid. £339 33 Id ; bills to be paid, .£l2B Is 9d ; credit at the bank £'949 6s (id. THE MAYOR'S REMARKS. The Mayor infor • ed the meeting that he had not seen his way to proclaim three half-holidays, but had consented to invite the citizens to close their places of business oa Tu sday afternoon and he hoped they would do so, as it would be an act of grace toward their Otago friends. He had received a letter from Mr Harmon on the vexed question of the south side of the south town belt. He hid been asked i-y a good many people to have the piece of ground in front of Godley's statue asphalted, and he hoped the Council wonld give the w rks committee the necess ry power It would also be a great benefit if the front of the now overnment Buildings were asphalted. The Governor would arrive on Wednesday, and hold an undress levee at oDe o'clock on tne following day. He wished the Council to meet in a body for the purpose of waiting upon his Excellency and presenting him with an address The chairman closed his remarks by referring to their trip down South on the occasiou of the opening of the line to Invercargill. NOTICE OF MOTION. Cr. Lezard gave nolice of motion for the next meeting for the gift of ten guineas_ as an honorarium to the tfire Brigade for their exertions on the occasion of the last fire. APPLICATION FOR WORK. Two men who had been breaking stones for the Council for the last few years waited on the Council on behalf of themselves and some fifteen others to apply for employment. The Mayor said the Council would take the matter into consideration, and do what it could for them THE BRIDGE AT THE EAST BELT. A deputation consisting of Messrs Hobbs, Campbell, Hawkea, Napier Bell, and Northey waited on tho Council, air Hobos acted as spokesman, and said they came to ask the • oun cil to stop the construction of the foot bridge at the Fast town belt, with a view of putting a cart bridge over the river there. The residents in that p n't of the town hoped that such a bridge would be erected. They thought that a lar.n r sum might be voted for a bridge than would be required for the construefci m of merely a foot bridge. It was a very great want, and if upheld" would be a great public convenience. He hoped the Council would meet their wishes. Othes members of the deputation also urged the necessi y of the work being done, and said it seemed a pity that £3OO should be thrown away when £looo would buiid a good substantial art bridge The Mayor said the question was, no doubt, an important one, bu it was a question of funds. The Council had alw «.ys thought that the Avon and Heathcote Road Boards aud individuals who owned property iu the ne ghborhood should put their hands deeply into tbeir pockets to a-sist the Council in erecting the b idge. The Avon Road Boirdhad agreed to subscribe the mag nificent Bum of J 275, and the Heathcote Head Board nothing. He would like to know if Mr Campbell and his friends were prepared to assist the ('ouncil in erecting the bridge Mr Campbell did not think there would be any difficulty in getting 1 liberal subscriptions towards the scheme. Could the Council give any idea as to the cost of a bridge ? Mr Walkden said that a good substantial timber bridge m;ght be put up for £9OO or .£IOOO. The Mayor remarked that the public had had enough of wooden bridges. They were alwa s wanting repairs. Mr Hobbs said they would be quite satisfied with a wooden bri q*e in the meantime. It would be good for ten years at any rate. Wonlf the Council put them on the same footing as the people of Barbadoes street ? The Mayor thought the Ciuncil had a right to expect more than one-fifth of the cost from the residents of the ast belt. Cr. Cass would willingly support the scheme if he saw bis way 'O do so. The i 'ouncil informed the deputation it would reconsider the matter, with a view of meeting their wishes. Mr Hobbs said that the Montreal and Madias htreet bridg. s had betn built altogether without subscriptions. Cr Wilson said he would give the following notice of motion —" That in the opinion of this Council it would be advisable to convert the proposed footbridge at the East belt into a cart bridge." The deputation then thanked the Council a«d withdrew. UNCLE TOM'S CABIN. Cr. Cass asked if the Council had any control over places of public amusement. It was intended by a company here to desecrate the Sabbath by giving a performance on that day. If the Council could put a stop to it they ought to do so. It would be a disgrace to the city if the performance was allowed to take place. If they bad the power he would certainly take the necessary steps to put a slop to it. The Mayor read several clauses of the by-laws in connection with the registered buildings, He did not think they were the guardians of public moral ty. Ho took it that if any improper prformances were given the police were the people to put a stop to them. (Jr. Cass said he understood they were going to play "Uncle Tom's Cabin" on Sunday, which was highly improper. Though it might be a police question, the Council should not ignore it Tie Mayor said this question was a difficult matter to decide. Very large audiences bad been drawn by a gentleman on the .Sunday, but who had been severely criticised by a portion of the Press. Or "ass said ho took no no'ice of that, as it wa« a well known fact that Press people were infidels and sceptics. • r. W.lson said tho Council had better refer Cr Cass to the polic i The matter thea drorped. PROFESSOR SCOTT. Application was made by Cr. Wilson for Profespor Scott to deliver his lecture near Mrs Butler's, in High street. Arter some discussion, the application was rahised.

am, ■«.«lwwmilv»jjl»)jjbmh».jm.«^iuii.uimMu<m<* l * CORRESPONDENCE. A letter was read from Me.-sra Montgomery and <~o. suiting- that the artesian supply was not now 30 good as it used to be, and asking peiv n ission to connect a pipe with the tank t > supply their engine with water, iroin 000 to 800 gahona 1 flail---. . , The matter was referred to the Fire Brigade committee to take action The securities of the assistant collector were accepted. . A letter waa read from the residents cl Lumb's lane, complaining of its condition, and asking the Council to take nome action in the matter. , I.cferred to the Work? committee to bring np a report. , A letter waa received from the T>rsinage Board, rir wing the attention of the Council to the condition of Reserves 133 and 131, which were very badly drained and flooded with water Cr. < 'ass said that he bad seen Mr reulwell, the owner of the land, who had slated that the report was utterly false, as the ground in question was as dry as a bone. Keferred to'the • anitary committee. A letter w.s read from the Rev. Charles Fraser, asking that the connection of the drains on the manse grounds should be kept up. Kefe red to the sanitary committee. WATER SUPPLY COMMITTEE'S REPORT. Your Worship and Councillors— Gentlemen,—The water supply committee, in presenting their first report, feel it incumbent on tbem to acknowledge the long patience exercised by the Council in waivng these lour months (?) for the first step in the solution of the great problem of a water supply for the city of Christchurch. At the same time they beg to assure the Couucilthat to have reported mnch earlier anything very definite would have been to act with a rashness and indiscretion altogetherout of keeping with a matter of such grave importance, involving, as this question is likely to do, many thousands of pounds of public money. They have, therefore thought it best for the public interest to appear in the estimation of same rather dilatory than to seek popularity by a hasty and imprudent dispatch of a business necessarily requiring considerable thought and investigation. Your committee, on assuming office, lost no time in making themselves fully acquainted with the history of the water supply business up to the date of their appointment, and in doing so found no inconsiderable amount of matter to get through, but result.ng in nothing beyond the receipt of some twenty schemes or more for consideration on the basis of conditions specified by advertisement, not any one of which, in the estimation of Mr Clarke, the eminent hydraulic engineer, to whose judgment they were submitted, complied fully with the conditions required by the Council. From this stage of the proceedings your committee had to strike out new paths for themselves, and after again and again examining the various schemes, they came to the conclusion that nothing less than an ample nnd unfailing supply of good water for household purposes, for scavengering purposes and for fire prevention would be likely to meet with the approval of the people or the requirements of this rapidly growing city. In addition to which your committee ate fnlly aware of the importance of further being able to recommend a scheme which, if it do not immediately provide a water supply for manufacturing purposes, may yet be of such a character as to become ultimately available for such purposes without any unreasonable additional expenditure. With these objects in view the committee have deliberately considered the various available sources of snppiy, viz., the artesian wells, the rivers Heathcote and Avon and the Waimakariri, and first, the artesian snppiy Aftcrextensive inquiry and observation your committee, while they are not in a position to affirm that this source is faili ug.caunotrecommeud the adoption of any scheme based on this source of supply, inasmuch as it is most evident the everincreasing demand upon its resources is causing a perceptible though not an alarming weakening of •i;he flow; and this condition of things must necessarily continue so long as the demand continues to increase, thus showing that the source, though it has been sufficient for all domestic purposes in times past, is quite inadequate for future requirements. There is no room to doubt that with the aid of pumps the artesian supply may be made available for household purposes for many years to come; but it is clearly a fact that the supply is capable of exhaustion, and that an uncontrollable waste and an ever increasing requirement for all purposes will hasten that exhaustion. And that, notwithstanding that an eqnal supply is obtainable from a lower stratum, for it is ascertained, from artesians sunk at the extreme north and south ends of the city, that the water rises and lalls with that of the upper stratum, iudicatiug a connection, if not a common source, between the two levels, and the exhaustibility of both. 2nl The Hcatheote river supply. Any scheme based on this source will require an extensive reservoir to bo erected on the Port hills at a considerable elevation, with powerful and costly pumps to force the water into the reservoir, whence a gravitation supply could be obtaiued for the city. But the first cost and maintenance of steam machinery, together with buildings, &c, would go far, capitalised, towards the establishment of a more effectual scheme based upon gravitation proper; and the objections to a reservoir are so numerous and so weighty as to be fatal, in the estimation of your committee, in the consideration of any scheme making that a necessity. 3rd. The same objections attach to any scheme taking its supply from the Kiver Avon. Iu this case the water must either be pumped directly into the mains, which is very objectionable for many reasons, or be elevated to a tower of considerable height in order to obt.iin thence the necessary pressure for the snppiy of water, either to tue upper rooms of houses or to a sufficient elevation of jet for fire prevention purposes. 4th. The only remaining available source is the Waimakariri. where there is an abundant supply for all purposes and for all time. The great advantages of this source over every other are —A. Supply by natural gravitation : B. Purest and freshest water, without risk of impurity of any kind, as it is proposed to take the supply not from tiie surface but from the lower bed of the river where there is a perfect natr.ral filtration. Your committee, in conclusion, have further to report that they are now experimenting iu the bed of the Waimakariri with a view to testing the measure of supply, and they are gratified iu being able to report most favorably us to results—so much so as to render it almost a settled fact that no objection wh itever can lie to the scheme most favorably entertained, and which, it is anticipated, wil at the next meeting of the Council, be strongly urged for your adoption. B. Cass, Chairman. The report was received. Cr Jenkins askel if the labors of the water supply committee were over. Cr. Gapes—Not at all The town clerk was authorised to get 200 copies of the report printed. he C >u oil resolved to consider the report at its next meeting. surveyor's report. 10th February, 1579. About six weeks ago I called the Council's attention to the fact that notices had been served on a number of private persons to make good their entrances, and I requested instructions how further to act in the matter. The subject was ordered to be deferred for a fortnight, and as I have r- ceived no further instructions, I fear the matter has beeu overlooked. The requisite plan has been made, and notices served on the owners of property in Lyttelton street, and as the legal time (for commencing the work) required by the Act is expired, I await further instructions from the Council beiore putting it in haud. Part of the totara timber for the channelling of High street has been delivered, so that I can now commence the work. The contractor has commenced building the foot-bridge over the Avon at Ward's brewery. It was decided by the works committee to accept the tender of Messrs Anderson aud Son for iron cnlverts. I beg to call the attention of the Conncil to a letter annexed hereto from the engineer to the Drainage Bourd, referriug to the trees on the East belt. The following building licenses have been granted:—Messrs England Brothers, Glonceste street; Mori rty. Wilson street; Hooper, Wilson street; Leach, Worcester street; Becket, Wilson street; Bright ling, Oxford terrace east; Brwhtling, St. Asaph street; Toosey and Olliver, Lichfield street; Anderson, Manchester street; Tomline Haig, Montreal street; Widdowsou, Chester street; Anderson, Lichfield street; Allen, Cranmer square; Morgan, South belt; Parker, Hereford street; Rodda, Baker's lane; Sears, Taylor's lane. C. Wai.kden, City Surveyor. Considerable discussion took place on the first clause, wliich was ultimately referred to the Mayor and town ch-rk to take legal opinion and r p' rt at the next meeting. With regard to the second clause, Cr. Gapes moved that the work be done in accordance with clause G greed to. Tho consideration of clause 6 was postponed. The report as a whole, was then approved of. TUE EAST BKLT BRIDGE. Cr. Wilson then moved the motion of which he had given notke in the earlier part of the evening as follows: —"That in the opinion of this meeting it would be advisable toco vert tie proposed footbridge on a line with the town belt east, near the boat sheds, into a cart bridge, O'.t condition upon half the cost being d by residents in the locality, and by the Avon and Heathcote Road Hoards, aud that meantime the proyress of the work of the footbridge be temporarily suspended, subject to arrangement with the contractor; it being estimated that the bridge will cost ab ut £1500." Cr. Lezard seconded the motion, which was agreed to. FIRE BELL FOR THE EAST BELT. Cr. C ss's motion on this subject was adjourned until the next meeting. THE LATE FIRE. The report oi Supe iutendent Harris on tho late lire vac read. After giving all particulars, it eon"l'n': d a'< follows • Could we have attached our hose to hydrants when we first got it out of the station,instead of having t lay such long lines and wait for the getting up of .steam, I am confident nine-tenths of the whole might have beeu saved. iu (bis lam confirmed by the large quantifies of salvage goods saved from the ruin during the last three days, aud it is not ail out yet. I mention this to show the very urgent need of a water snppiy. as there are many warehouses in the city iu which a similar calamity might at any time t.ike place. I have to mention the steady and hard work done by all the brigadi during the twelve bouts they continued to work. 1 b.ve also to aid that the lire and regular police rendered the brigade all the assistance iu their power. Tho report was received.

- r > .ffeV.itiTirt :?»•- " 'hanks to tho fire ■ ri--1 fires to record * vitf* 0» »■ "Wet l ; way in t gado >.nd fire police ?of fc»W •-.-.. ' for so - \vhi"h they roped with the Iste ore, B<iu t many hours." , . . ■ \ i Seconded by Of. "Wilson and carnal ittlftßs- ; mously. 5 RATE COLLECTOR'S REPORT, The report w>s read and ador>»«d. i inspector's report. The r.-porfc w»8 al"0 wad and aU pted. f THE s-'OUXk BELT. 1 The following letter was read from Mr R. J. S. i Harman: — Board o* Health, Christchnrch. , February loth, 1879. To his Worship the Mayor of Christchurch. Sir,-In reference to the verbal communications i which have pa-sed between jour Worship and rn>- > self on the subject of the S 'nth belt Hide channel, r i would venture to make the following suggestions:--That if owing to the unevennesa of the channel the ordinary cleaninsr by t le shovel will not put it into ! a satisfactory condition, the worst points along the ' line might be tapped by running pipes theretrom " into the South belt sewer. As the nuisance arises from causes operating within tho bound: riesof tho borous*h of Sydenham i the cost of all such measures should obviously tali , upon that borough. But if it were arranged hat the ownership of the pipes should still re am in the Sydenham Council they be restored to that body when they had served their temporary purpose, and thus the whole expense permanently incurred by the borough of Sydenham on a temporary work would he reduced to a very trilling amount. , I propose sending a communication ot similar import to his Worship the Mayor of Sydenham. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, K. J. S. Harman. Cr, Tremayne thought the sanitary committee o' that body and the Sydenham Rorough Council, ought to have b?en called together. Cr. Wilson said the nuisance, whi h had been greatly exaggerated, rose wholly from Sydenhrtm, and any expense the city was pnt to < ught 1 to be recovered from Sydenham. Mr Harman had evidently been writing about what he knew ] nothing whatever about. Cr. Gapes moved—" That the sanitary comi mittee confer with the sanitary committee of 1 'he Sydenham Borough Council, and report to ' the next mooting." Seconded by Cr Jenkins and agreed to. , CITf RANGER. ! Cr. Tremayne proposed his motion for the ; appointment of an officer to c fleet the dog tax impound cattle, &c , at a salary of .£'3 a -week. ' Seconded by Cr. Cass. After a con-id rable amount of Cr. Wilson moved, a« an amendment —"That the salary be £ 3 a wek, and that he he allowe , in addition, a commission "f 5 cent, on fine for impounding cattle, hr. aches of the Dog iict, ; and for offences against ci'y proper y." , . Seconded by Cr. C! ifford, and agreed to. godley's statue. Cr. Gapes moved—" 1 ha* the front of Godley's stttue be asphalted and t.ridges placed over the channels." Seconded by Cr Wil-on and agreed to. THE SWIMMING BATHS. Vr. Binatead moved—" That the town clerk be instru-ted to request the bath keeper not to open the baths on Sunday." Seconded by Cr. Tremayne. The motion was lost. The Council adjourned at ten minutes to twelve o'clock.