CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1625, 6 May 1879, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

Monday, May 5. The usual weekly mee'ing of the City Council was held at the Council Chambers, at 7 p.m. Present —His Worship the Mayor, and Councillors Ttemayne, Qapes, Jenkins, Wilson, Ayers, Binstead, Lezard, and Cass. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. FINANCE. The Town Clerk reported that the debit balance at the Bank general account was £1470 18s Bd. The receipts for the week were £276 3s. The drainage rate account Cr. balance, £BSB lls Gd ; receipts for the week, £5 15s 5d ; drainage account No. 2 receipts, £7 5s 3d; bills passed for payment, £325 lls 9d. THE MATOS'S EEMAEKS, The Mayor said the Council would no doubt be pleased to hear that his Excellency had expressed his gratification at the enthusiastic reception he had received from the loyal citizens of Christchurch. He thought that the thanks of the Council were due to the Friendly Societies for their promptitude in turning out to swell the procession, also to Mr Leahy for his valuable services as marshal of the same, to Mr Superintendent Harris and the members of the Fire Brigade, and also to Mr Armstrong, the curator of the public gardens, who had kindly furnished the evergreens for the triumphal arches. In fact, he thought that the Council generally would endorse his opinion that the thanks of the Council were due to many others who had contributed to make the demonstration a success. The Council approved of his Worship’s remarks generally. OXFOBD TEEBACE EAST. A petition was presented from certain ratepayers on Oxford terrace east, setting forth that, as in every probability the thoroughfare from Avon street to the East town belt would if unattended to soon become impassable and dangerous, they earnestly requested that the same might be formed and channelled without further delay. MATSON’S EIGIIT-OF-WAY, Cr. Lezard wished to ask the sanitary committee if anything had been done towards improving Muteou’o rigtit- of-way, and also to the asphalting across the street at Lewis’ the fruiterer’s corner. Cr. Wilson said the inhabitants in the vicinity were willing to contribute half the cost, and he thought the Council might fairly contribute the other. He had consulted the surveyor upon the matter, but he had not yet received his reply. The matter of Matson’s corner had been referred to the surveyor. Or. Lezard said that in defiance of the Council Mr Ogden had last Saturday night erected his stall in Cathedral Square, and was again selling his commodities. The Mayor said the matter would be shortly brought before the Police Magistrate. coepoeations act amendment act. A telegram was read from the town clerk of Auckland, asking would the Mayor and Corporation of Christchurch co-operate with the Thames and Auckland in preparing and supporting a Corporation and other Acts amendments for the next session of Parliament. It also stated that the Premier had promised the Mayor of Qrahamstown to introduce or support whatever might be required. The Mayor said that before answering the telegram it would be advisable to ascertain what it was the Auckland Council proposed to amend. Cr. Binstead suggested that perhaps it might not be advisable to co-operate with the Auckland Council, as what might suit Auckland might not suit Christchurch. Or. Q-apes thought the Council might hold a special meeting to consider the whole question, Cr. Lezard moved “ That his Worship the Mayor be requested to ascertain the nature of the amendments alluded to in the Auckland telegram previous to holding a special meeting.” Cr. Wilson seconded the motion, which was ( agreed to. notice of motion. Or. Cass gave notice of motion to the following effect: —“ That the thanks of the Council be tendered to the various friendly societies and the fire brigades for the prompt and efficient manner in which they turned out on the occasion of the Q-overnor’s reception, and also to Mr Walkden, the City surveyor, for the extremely satisfactory way in which the triumphal arches were erected at so short a notice.” HOAEDINGS ON TOWN EESEBYBS. Mr Do Bourbel wrote asking permission to use the town reserves for the erection of hoardings, 40ft. by 12ft., the same to be removeable at the pleasure of the Council, he being willing to pay any fair charge that the compliance might involve. Cr. Wilson said he thought it was a privilege that ought to be paid for, and he considered a small fee might be reasonably demanded which the advertisers could afford to pay. The hoardings were unsightly, and he thought the applications would be lessened if a payment were exacted. Cr. Qapes considered the Council should obtain more information from Mr Do Bourbel. He moved— “That Mr Do Bourbel be requested to mention the localities and the nature of the hoardings.” Cr. Wilson would oppose the motion with all his might, as Cr. Dupes was altogether irregular in not giving notice of motion. The Mayor said he would not permit Cr. Wilson to dictate to him, once and for all, how the business of the Council should be conducted. Cr. Cuss opposed the motion, as he objected to see the city dotted all over with boards of all shapes and sizes, which would give it the appearance of a threepenny fail 1 . Ho would therefore move as an amendment—“Thatthe request of Mr De Bourbel being in too general terms canno l be granted ” Cr. Jenkins seconded the amendment, to ascertain if the reserves were vested in the municipality. The Mayor said they were, and under the control of the City Council. The boards already up were on private property.

Cr. 0-npes tilt ught the request of Mr De Boucbtl was rather vague ai to the nature of the hoardings, &0., and it would only be coin irons to refer it back to him for further infoim iiion. The amendment was then put and negatived and the motion carried. Or. Tremayne was about to move a farther amendment, but his Worship said he could give notice of motion, and bring it on later in the evei ing. Or, Wilson said his Worship had ruled wrongly, and he must point out to him that for the* future some steps must betaken to rectify it. His Worship put him down very arbitrarily, and he would insist on objecting when his Worship ruled wrongly. The Mayor then put it to the Council that Or. Tremayno have power to move his amend' ment, which was agreed to. Cr. Tremayne moved, and Or. Wilson seconded—" That the matter of erecting hoardings on any reserves ho referred to the works committee, for them to report at the next meeting.” The motion was then put and negatived. The Mayor then said that, in spite of what Or. Wilson had said, he maintained he was right in bis ruling, and quoted the clause referring to it. Cr. Wilson wished to argue the point, but the Mayor said the discussion was closed. REPORT OF LIGHTING COMMITTEE. Your committee has had under its consideration the resolution of the Council passed at its last meeting, directing it to cause a lamp to be erected at the j unction of Peterborough and Montreal streets. Your committee hog to report that the sum of £ 1 fO9 11s is being paid for the present gas surply to the city including repairs, which exceeds the vote of the Council for the present financial year by .£9 lls. Your committee therefore come to the Council to ascertain from what source of income they are to meet the expenditure for the lamp already ordered to he erected, or lor any additional lamps that may be required during the current year. F. Jenkins, Chairman. After some discussion, Cr. Qapes moved — u That no more lamps be erected for the present.’* Cr. Jenkins seconded the motion, which was carried. The Mayor said that of course the lighting committee would understand that the motion was prospective, and did not refer to the lamp to be put up at the corner of Peterborough street. WORKS COMMITTEE. Your committee visited the East Belt bridge on Tuesday last, to inspect Mr McNamara’s contract for same. It found that the floor of the bridge is about Ift. lower than the footway in Kilmore street. The City Surveyor’s drawing show-> that it should be level, 'i he ground on the north side of the bridge is about sft. lower than the bridge, and although th s is Ift below the proper line, it humours the approach on that side. There is ample space below the bridge for ordinary bating, and as the appearance of the structure i*not materially affected by the departure from t‘he drawings, your committee recommends the taking it over on its completion. F. Jenkins, Chairman. Or. Cass suggested the report be taken in connection with the surveyor’s report. Cr. Qapes moved that the works committee’s report be accepted. Cr. Cass seconded the motion pro forma. A lengthy and somewhat acrimonious discussion took place on the question of the Mayor’s ruling, and again his Worship maintained that he was right, and said if any Cr. objected to it he could give notice of motion and bring the matter up for discussion at the next meeting of the Council. Cr. Wilson was about to move an amendment when the Mayor ruled him out of order and put the motion of Cr. Q-apes, that the report be accepted. The Mayor said he should vote in favor of the motion, as he thought the committee had given the matter of the bridge their best consideration. No detriment had been done to the interests of the public, and the surveyor had been consulted by the works committee in drawing up their report. The motion was then put and carried. THE MAYOR’S RULING. Cr. Wilson gave notice of motion that at the next meeting of the Council ho would move the following resolution —“ That the ruling of his Worship the Mayor with respect to the resolution concerning the footbridge over the Avon was informal, and that the motion of to-night be rescinded.” surveyor’s report. sth May, 18”9. Mr ’ Minehin requests that the Council will take over a street which is opposite the Scotch Manse, and which has been laid out for the last twenty years, and a portion of the Lincoln road is drained into a ditch which is cut through it. The expense of forming and shingling that part of Oxford terrace, from Avon street to where it ceases to bo built on, will be as follows: -Fifteen chains of forming at 255, .£lB 15s ; shingling, .£135 ; shingle to repair damage to streets by carting the shingle through them, 80 chains, five yards per chain, £9O; total, £213 15s. On the motion of Or. Cass, seconded by Or. Binstead, it was resolved that Mr Minchin’s request be declined. The second clause was then considered referring to the formation of a portion of Oxford terrace. Cr. Qapes moved —“ That the portion of Oxford terrace referred to in the petition be formed and shingled.” The deputation who presented the petition having obtained permission to speak, wished to know if the surveyor’s estimate included chanelling as well as forming. The state of Avon street was much lower than Oxford terrace, and formed a natural basin for all the water to flow into, and the condition of the locality for wetness even in the summer was deplorable. The Mayor said the estimate did not include channelling. The deputation said the formation would be of little use without the channelling. In reply to his Worship, the surveyor stated that the cost of channelling would be £l2O. Or Tremayne seconded the motion pro forma , but would wish that it should include channelling for the indicated fifteen chains in Avon street. With the consent of Or, Tremayne, Cr. Qapes said he would be willing to include the words “and channelling” in his resolut’on, Cr. Qapes also spoke in favour of the motion. Or. Ayers said he had lately visited the neighborhood, and could endorse all that had been said about its bad condition. Cr. Jenkins moved the following amendment :—“ That the whole of the road be formed and shingled three months hence, in accordance with the vote passed by this Council, viz, £622.” Cr. Cass supported and Cr. Wilson opposed the amendment. Or. Qapes said if he lived in the locality for three months in its present state, he should consider he was jeopardising the health of his family. The winter was not so far advanced but what the work might be reasonably undertaken by the Council, and he thought it their duty to agree to it. The amendment was then put and negatived, and the original resolution carried. OMNIBUS LICENSE. An application was made by William Hey wood for a license to drive an omnibus between the railway station aud the post office, he at the same time holding a license to run between the railway station and St. Albans. At the same time he was willing to pay the two licenses. Crs. Wilson and Qapes spoke in favor of the request being granted, and the former made a motion to that effect. Cr. Cass seconded the resolution. Cr. Lezard thought if the Council granted the request they would be infringing their own by-laws. The Mayor thought that the question was settled by ti.e by-law itself, and Cr. Wilson withdrew his motion by permission. Cr. Wilson moved and Cr. Qapes seconded —“ That. Mr Hey wood bo allowed one week to niter his time table. The motion was put aud carried. INSPECTOR AND HANGER’S REPORT. The Inspector and Eanger’s report was read and received. THE GOVERNOR’S RECEPTION. Cr. Cuss moved, and Cr. Wilson seconded, in accordance with notice of motion previously given, “That the thanks of the Council be tendered to the various friendly

societies and the fire brigade for the prompt and efficient manner in which they turned out on the occasion of the Governor's reception ; also to Mr Walkden, the City surveyor tor the extremely satisfactory way in which the triumphal arches were erected on so short a notice. , The motion was unanimously agreed to. AsaraTAttT inspkctoe. The Mavor stated that all the business had been gone through, and the Council went into committee to consider the applications for assistant inspector, and subsequently adjourned at an earlier hour than usual.