CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1637, 20 May 1879, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

♦ Monday, May 19. The usual meeting of the Council was hold at seven o’clock. Present—His Worship the Mayor, and Ors. Gapes, Binstead, Lozard, Tremayne, Clifford, Cass, Ayers, and Wilson. FINANCE. The Town Clerk reported the debtor balance at the Bank £2310 16s 7d. Receipts for the week, £3OO 11s Id ; bills to bo paid, £353 5s Id. Drainage rate account —credit balance, £BSB 9s sd. TUB MAYOE’S BEMAEK3, The Mayor stated that since the last meeting he had telegraphed to the Colonial Secretary, asking that the Queen’s Birthday might bo held on Monday instead of Saturday, To that ho had received a reply, which had been published. Sinco then a large number of gentlemen had called upon him, and asked him to request the citizens to hold the holiday on Monday, which ho intended to do, A petition was in course of signature on this subject, and was being very numerously signed. His Worship then stated what had

fain n place with regard to the mset ngs < f the un mployed. those meetings had been of a * very temperate character. He would mention to the Council that about two years ago, when there was a similar dearth of work, the Crovenimeri)/ had granted a Bum of between £7GO and £ SOO for that were carried out on the South town belt, being at the rate of £1 per £1 spent by the Corporation, Now would this not bo an opportune time if the Government could see their way to vote a sum of money, for the City Council and tho Sydenham Borough Council to have the work on the south side of the South town belt carried out. He hoped they would take this matter into consideration, and should bo glad if they could see their way to carry out his views. A public meeting would bo shortly called on tho subject, and resolutions would bo moved. Ho had received a letter from Dr. Coward, pointing out the great danger that arose from tho unprotected state of the river wnore the man was drowned the other night. This brought the question of the • Barbadocs street bridge up. A further sum of £-14 9j had been paid into the Council that day, making in all £IOO 5s towards tho £250 required by tho Council. Mr Toovey had promised to make up the sura to £2OO, and ho (the speaker,' did hope that for the sake of the extra £SO the bridge would not he allow'd to be given up, bub that the Council would unanimously agree to construct it on the £2OO being paid in. A letter had been received from the Cemetery Board, saying they were not in a position to contribute any sum at present towards the expense of the bridge, but should the Synod, at its next sitting, give the Board power to lease the cemetery reserves, the Board would most probably favorably consider the question. He (tho Mayor) had been informed that in all probability that body would contribute the sum of £25 towards the expense of the bridge in the event of such power being given to them. QUESTIONS. In answer to questions, the city surveyor said the superiority of High street between the White Hart and Barrett’s Hotel over tho other streets of the city was duo to its having been repaired. The other streets could bo made equally as good if they had the materials upon them. He had had no instructions generally with regard to asphalting crossings. Nothing had boon done with regard to repairing Matson’s right-of-way. The Mayor said tho matter would be proceeded with as soon as the necessary guarantees were signed, Cr. Tromayne said that Mr Q-reen would only cure about 500 more pigs this year. Or. Binstead said tho stench the other night from this factory was the most abominable he had smelt since ho had been in Christchurch. Cr. Wilson endorsed the remarks of Cr. Binstead, Tho nuisance was most offensive and disgusting, and ought not to bo tolerated. Complaints on the subject had been most numerous. Tho inspector of nuisances having been called in, said the factory was most offensive, but Mr Green had told him that he intended discontinuing curing there after the present season. The inspector was told to see that Mr Q-reen did not in future create a nuisance, or proceedings must bo taken against him. In answer to a question by Or. Lezard with regard to the unemployed, Cr. Cass said there was a sum on the estimates under the heading of “contingencies.” If any considerable sum were taken to give work to the unemployed some of the public works of the city must suffer. His Worship said necessity knew no law. Men and women could not bo allowed to starve. Cr. Lezard—Just so. DEPUTATION, A deputation, consisting of Messrs Christie, Newman and McMann, waited on the Council to complain of tho condition of Queen street, loading from Tuam to Lichfield street. They would suggest that it should bo all asphalted and have a channel in the centre. Two or three of the inhabitants were willing to pay, but the other seven were not. Or. Tremayne said an agreement was being drawn up, so that those who could not pay all at once could, on signing it, pay by instalments in from six to twelve months. This agreement, when completed, would be circulated in the various streets of the character referred to. After some discussion, the Council resolved to see what could be done under the circumstances, and the deputation then withdrew. BY-LAWS. A circular was received from the Undersecretary, stating that tho Colonial Secretary would only acknowledge the receipt of bylaws without giving an expression of opinion thereon ; at tho same time he would recommend that they should bo prepared by the Council’s legal adviser. OPEN AIB TRADESMEN. An application from Mr J. P. Oliver to sell American household cabinets was refused. Some discussion then took place on tho question of people being allowed to sell on tho market square. Oi. Tremayne moved—“ That his Worship the Mayor have power to grant permission to sell wares in the market square.” Seconded by Or. Clifford. After some discussion tho motion was lost, four voting in favor of it, and five against. THE EABTEBN POOTBALL CLUB. Permission was given to this club to remove stones and broken bottles from Latimer square, and to mark goal lines thereon. surveyor's report. No. 1. Horatio street.—l find the undei--ground drainage and open ditches are all clear and in good condition, but the side channels in Horatio street are choked with weeds and grass. The channels do not appear to have been cleaned out for a very long time. No 2. I have had tho roof of the Resident Magistrate’s Court patched, which I hope will assist in keeping out the wet, but I am afraid it will not do so very long. No. 3. In compliance with a request from tho fire brigade committee, I have prepared a sketch of a bell tower, with a small room at the top for a “ look-out.” I consulted Mr Harris about tho position of it, and we come to the conclusion that tho best place for it would be in front of the fire brigade station in Lichfield street. The height of the tower will be 80ft,, and it will cost about <£soo. It is so arranged that access to the present engine-house can be obtained without obstruction. No. 4. Tho cost of channelling that portion of the North belt between Colombo street and Barbadocs street, will be £272, C. Walkden, City Surveyor. The first two clauses were passed without discussion. Some discussion took place on the third clause. The Mayor said that tho insurance companies ought to pay at least one-half tho expense if the work was proceeded with. Ultimately it was resolved to postpone tho consideration of the clause, Cr. Wilson had heard that a gentleman in Christchurch had resolved to present tho city with a peal of bolls, and he thought the tower should be made suitable to contain them. He thought it possible they might have twenty bells presented to them, ten largo ones and ten small ones. His Worship thought it would be an extraordinary tower that would hold so many bells. Tho matter then dropped, the next clause was passed, and tho report as a whole adopted. REPORTS. The reports of the Ranger and Inspector of Nuisances were read. Considerable discussion took place on the application of Mr Hayward to have two licenses for one ’bus. Tho application was declined. The Inspector’s report stated that ho had given notice to Mr Green _of the bacon curing factory to make certain improvements in his chimney to abate tho nuisance existing. Tho reports wore then adopted, FIRE COMMITTEE’S REPORT. The report of the Tire Brigade committee was read. It dealt with matters of detail of no public interest. Among other matters it stated that tho superintendent had recommended new uniforms, tho cost of which would amount to £134. Cr. Lezard moved —“ That tho Fire Brigade call for tenders for uniforms.” Seconded by Or, Gapes and agreed to. The report referred to tho great necessity for a water supply for fire prevention pur - poses.

This clause was referred to tho water supply committee. Several other clauses of minor importance were dealt with, and the report as a whole adopted. THE SYDNEY AND MELBOURNE EXHIBITIONS. Cr. Ayers moved —“ That this Council toko steps to secure a representation of Christchurch at tho Sydney and Melbourne Exhibition ; that for this purpose tho Town Clerk prepare a statement of tho statistics of tho city comprehending its assessment, net value, amount of rates, working expenses and other particulars ; that twelve photographic views of the principal public buildings, views of streets, and gardens, Ac, bo taken; that a banner with arms and device bo also prepared ; that a committee) consisting ot the Major, Crs. Jenkins, Gapes, Wilson and tho mover be appointed to carry out tho above in the illumination of the statistics, selection of views, and all necessary measures whatsoever.” Seconded by Cr, Wilson, pro forma, who said that our public buddings were so insignificant that they would ho laughed at in Sydney. His own idea was that tho views should bo composed of scenery in and around Christchurch, After some discussion, tho Mayor suggested that a small committee of the Council should confer with the Chamber of Commerce in the matter of procuring exhibits for the exhibitions in Question, Cr. Wilson moved as an amendment “ that the words between tho words ‘Melbourne Exhibition,’ and ‘that a committee consisting of the Mayor,’ Ac., be left out, as well as tho last twenty-one words,” Cr. Ayers said he was willing to acccopt the amendment, which then became a substantive motion. On being put it was lost, and tho matter then dropped. SANITARY CONDITION OF THE CORPORATION BUILDINGS Or. Tremayne moved—“ That in tho opinion of this Council the Board of Health officer, Dr. Powell, bo asked to examine tho municipal buildings of the city, and to report to the Council as to the healthy state of same.” The remarks of Cr. Tremayne in moving the resolution created a good deal of merriment. The Mayor said that it had been suggested outside that it was a pity some enquiry could not bo made as to tho sanitary condition of councillors. Cr. Wilson seconded tho motion, pro forma. He would move as an amendment “ that in the opinion of this Council its own inspector is perfectly capable of reporting as to tho sanitary condition of its own buildings.” Tho amendment was not seconded, and the mover was tho only councillor who voted for motion, which was accordingly declared to bo lost. Tho surveyor was instructed to mako an examination of tho building, and to do anything that was necessary. FENCES BY THE RIVER. Cr. Gapes moved—“ That suitable fences be erected at all places on tho side of tho river within the city where tho banks of the river arc within sixty feet of the centre of the roadway, and especially where tho recent loss of life took place.” Seconded by Cr. Ayers, Some discussion ensued, and Cr. Gapes, in replying, said that since 1876, when ho had brought up a similar motion, but withdrew it, no less than three lives had been lost by drowning through the want of proper fencing by the river. The motion was then put, and carried unanimously. ASPHALTING. Cr. Ayers moved—“ That in view of the fact that as the contractor will be entitled to a further payment of money on account of the asphalting contract, that tho works committee bo asked by this Council to measure off work already performed, so that tho money may be collected in order to moot the demand when made, instead of trenching upon the Council’s ordinary funds for the same.” THE BAEBADOE3 STREET BRIDGE. Cr. Wilson moved—“ That the’ offer of the residents of Barbadocs street be accepted, conditional on their making up tho amount now in hand to £2OO for tho construction of the Barbadocs street bridge.” Seconded by Cr. Clifford. Cr. Tremayne said that tho motion could not be entertained, unless a resolution on the same subject carried al a former meeting wore first rescinded. Or. Wilson said the month referred in that resolution had now passed, and they had power to carry another one on the same subject. Mr George Simpson, one of a deputation on the subject of the bridge, now said he objected to the bridge being constructed. Ho had subscribed £l. Tho money paid in ought to have been returned to tho subscribers, and not kept from month to month by tho Council. Cr; Wilson would object to such language being addressed to tho Council. Mr Simpson accordingly sat down. Several members of the Council spoke to the resolution pro and con. Tho Mayor said that when it came to tho vote he should hold up both his hands, or in other words give a deliberative and a casting vote. Mr Toovey said ho had had a month’s very hard work. He had asked 500 or 1000 people to subscribe during that month, and had found it impossible to make up the £260. Ho would himself promise to make up the sum now in hand to £2OO. Another member of tho deputation would remind the Council that the Cemetery Board would probably subscribe £25. The deputation then withdrew, and discussion was resumed by the Council, but the deputation were invited to return before the motion was finally put. On being put, the following voted for it— Tho Mayor, and Crs. Gapes, Ayers, Clifford, and Wilson; against it Crs. Cass, Lezard, Tremayne, and Binstead. The resolution was accordingly declared to be carried. CROSSINGS. Cr. Gapes moved—" That all tho street crossings within the city be put in repair.” Seconded by Cr. Lezard pro forma. Cr. Clifford said there 360 crossings in tho city. Cr. Tremayne said there were more—there were 500. Cr. Gapes withdrew his motion on tho understanding that the crossings that required repair would be attended to. BATES WRITTEN OFF. Cr. Gapes moved “That the Council authorise tho Town Clerk to close the rate books for the years 1874, 1875, and 1876.” The motion was agreed to. The Council adjourned at half-past eleven o’clock until Tuesday tho 27th inst.