CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1661, 17 June 1879, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

Monday, June 16. The usual weekly meeting was held in the Council Chamber at 7 o’clock. Present — His Worship the Mayor, and Ors. Gapes, Ayers, Cass, Lezard, Clifford, Jenkins, Tremayne, Binstead, and Wilson. FINANCES. The Town C erk reported the Dr. balance at the Bank, £3893 Is 3d. Receipts during the week £169 lls 9J. Bills to be paid, £123 I3s Bd. Drainage rale account, £B6l 13s. Bills to bo paid, interest in London, £597 8s 4d. THE MAYOR’S REMARKS. The Mayor stated that when the two thousand acre reserve was offered for sale the other day, no reasonable offer was made for it. He had since heard that the reason was the short lease and the question of valuation of improvements at the end of the term. He would recommend the reserves committee to increase the length of the lease and consider the question of valuation and bring up some suggestions at a future date. Or. Gapes would remind the Council that the times were very bad just now. Or Jenkins reminded the Council that when the question was formerly considered he had recommended that the lease should be fourteen years. After some further observations the matter dropped. QUESTIONS. Cr. Wilson asked that the lamps of the city might be kept alight for two hours longer than was the case at present. Cr. Jenkins said if this was done the cost would be double what it was at present. The Mayor thought the lamps were put out far too early. Cr. Ayers said the Superintendent of Police had asked him to bring this matter forward. Or. Jenkins thought it would be an advantage if the lamps were not lighted so early as they were ; they might then be kept alight longer in the morning. The matter was referred to the lighting committee. In answer to questions, Cr. Ayers said the by-law committee bad not been deputed to consider the question of the by-law with regard to hawkers, or to take into consideration the question of the building by-laws with regard to making them of a more liberal character. After some discussion, it was found that a resolution had been passed on the subject on an evening when Cr, Ayers was not present. That gentleman promised that the matter should now be taken into consideration. CORPORATION ACT. A copy of the suggestions agreed to by the Auckland City Council to be incorporated in the Corporations Amendment Bill proposed to be introduced into the House next session was laid upon the table. It was resolved to hold a special meeting to consider the matter during the next fourteen days. THE UNEMPLOYED, A letter was read from the Kaiapoi Borough Council, enclosing a resolution passed by that

1 read from the Avon Road Board, stating that the Board had put on additional hands. A letter was read from the Heathcote Road Board, also regretting their inability to take on any more hands than they had at present. THE CITY BOIIOITOBB. A letter was read from Messrs Garrick and Oowlishaw accepting the appointment of city solicitors to the Council. MINOR LEXTEB9. Several letters of minor importance wore read and attended to. rOBBSTHB’B ENTBBTAINMBNT. A letter was read from the Foresters, asking the Council to give its patronage to them for the coming entertainment in aid of the widow and orphans’ fund, to take place on the 3rd of July. The application was granted, and councillors resolved to attend in person with their wives and families. ADVEBTISINO. A letter was read from George Fuller for permission to fpost advertising slips on the “ gutter slips ” near the side channel. After some discussion the application was declined, Cr. Wilson being the only supporter of it. THE OEMETEBY. A letter was read from the Cemetery Board, drawing the Council’s attention to the fact that owing to the recent action of the Drainage Board at the south end of the Cemetery, the water from the side channels on the east side of Barbadoes street now runs into the Cemetery ground, where there was no outlet for it, and trusting that the Council would take the matter into its consideration. The City Surveyor said he had taken steps to abate the nuisance. THE SOUTH TOW BEIT. A letter was read from the Sydenham Borough Council, enclosing copies of tho resolutions passed at late meetings of that body on the subject of the South town belt, and which have already been published. Cr. Wilson moved the following resolution —“That the Government, having refused to subsidise the £IOOO proposed to be expended by the City Council and Borough Council of Sydenham, this Council desires to meet the Sydenham Council, so that the two Councils may be enabled to meet tho necessities of the unemployed, by agreeing to pay £SOO in aid of the formation of the South town belt. It is therefore agreed as follows:—That upon the Borough Council of Sydenham paying £SOO the City Council will pay the like sum of £SOO towards tho formation of the belt, the footpath on the South side of the belt, together with the channelling of the same side of the belt, conditional upon the channel being properly and satisfactorily formed to the satisfaction of the city surveyor, such channel to be commenced at the same time, and that meantime tho unformed portions of the channel along the whole length of the belt from Barbadoes street to the Lincoln road be kept in a clean, wholesome, and sanitary condition, free from complaint by either the Board of Health or the City Council, the Sydenham Borough Council promptly signifying their approval of this motion, otherwise it shall bo deemed to have lapsed, and immediate action taken thereon with the view of affording extensive employment to the unemployed,” In moving this resolution, Cr. Wilson hoped it would meet the views of every member of the Council. The resolution not being seconded, fell to to the ground. Cr. Cass then again moved the resolution brought up by him at the meeting of the two Councils last week. Or. Jenkins seconded the motion. A discussion then ensued, in which all the councilors took part. Or. Lezard considered that tho resolution should now go forth as the ultimatum of the City Council. Or. Ayers moved as an amendment: — “ That the works committee be empowered at this meeting to put on as many men as possible within tho city forthwith, and to expend a sum of money not exceeding £SOO. Cr. Gapes seconded tho amendment. The Mayor stated that this question was dealt with in the surveyor’s report. After some further discussion, both resolution and amendment were withdrawn. BAILWAY FOOTBEIDGB. A letter was read from the Sydenham Borough Council, enclosing copy of a resolution passed by that body on the subject of a footbridge over tho railway to connect Christchurch with Sydenham, and asking the co-operation of the City Council in the matter.

On the motion of Or. Ayers, seconded by Or, Gapes, the application was agreed to. THE EAST BELT BRIDGE. A letter was read from Mr McNamara, the contractor of the East belt footbridge, declining to do the greater proportion of the work as required by the city surveyor. After a considerable amount of discussion, it was resolved that the councillors who had not yet examined the bridge should do so in company with the surveyor at 9 o’clock on Wednesday morning. FIRE BBIQADE. There was only one tender for the supply of uniforms for the members of the brigade. It was from T. H. Lever of the Triangle. The prices ranged from £5 5s to £5 15s 6d per suit. Or. Grapes pointed out that the price of the home uniforms if imported would not be more than £2 18s. The matter was referred to the fire brigade committee, Or. Oass being added to it as an expert. surveyor’s report. Christchurch City Council, June 16th, 1879. No. 1. Some time ago, a lamp was ordered to be placed at the junction of Park terrace and the North belt, and the main being now laid, the work can be done, but it would bo of more service in that locality if the lamp were made a pedestal one 'and placed in the open space opposite the Carlton bridge, at the junction of the four roads. The expense of the pedes tsl over and above the ordinary lamp post would be about .£2O. No. 2. The works committee, this morning, had under their consideration the placing of lamps on Madras and Barbadoes bridges, but they concluded that it would be better to refer the matter to the Council. No. 3. Mr Smart is desirous of drawing his 10 per cent., and giving sureties in lieu thereof, in accordance with the terms of his contract. The sureties he proposes for the acceptance of the Council are Messrs Gould and Lewis. No. 4. The Town Clerk is desirous of _ having the necessary power to prepare the preliminary work for the watering rate of next season. The cost of watering for the last season was <£sßs, and the amount realised by a three-halfpenny rate was £405,

No. 5. In view of the tramway being laid, it would bo advantageous to lower a portion of Victoria street and Lower High street. No. 6. One of the wings of Manchester street bridge gave way, in consequence of the timber being decayed. I have had the damage repaired, and the bridge is again open for traffic. It is about three years since I reported to the Council that this bridge would only last three or four years longer, and row the other wings are liable to give way at any time, with rain and frost to cause their doing so. The centre of the bridge (or driving-way) is still quite safe. No. 7. The work of widening Colombo bridge is being proceeded with. No. 8. The foundations of Barbadoes street bridge are being laid. C. Walk den, City Surveyor. Cr. Jenkins stated with regard to the 4th clause there would be no loss on the watering rate.

With regard to the sth clause, The Mayor said he had been requested to state that the tramway would be commenced from the railway station to Papanui in about a month’s time, the next being along Colombo street to Cathedral square, and the next to Addington. At present the company had no power to carry the tramway along the Ferry road to Sumner. Cr. Q-apes moved —“ That the works committee bo requested to reform Victoria street in order to complete the same previous to the tramway being laid down along that street.” Seconded by Cr. Jenkins and agreed to. It was resolved that the question of Lower High street should stand over in the meantime. The other clauses were passed and the report adopted. THE SOUTH TOWN BELT. The letter from the Sydenham Borough Council was again brought forward. Cr. Jenkins moved—“ That the offer of the Sydenham Borough Council be declined.” Seconded by Cr. Lezard. Cr. Wilson moved as an amendment — “ That, in the opinion of this Municipality, this Council should meet the Sydenham Borough Council in the matter of the formation of the South town belt and South footpath of the same, together with the channel on the same side of the belt, such works to be commenced forthwith, with the view of affording immediate work to the unemployed,” _

INSPEOTOB’B EHPOST. This report was read, and considered to be of a highly satisfactory character, especially with regard to enforcing the adoption of the pan system. Two members of the Council brought forward the subject of closets, which created a great nuisance near to the East town belt, although outside of the city. The Council was of opinion that this was a matter which had nothing to do with that body, as the local Board of Health had been appointed especially to deal with such a question, and that it did not come within the duties of the City Inspector to interfere with such matters. The report was adopted. bangee’s bepoet. The Ranger’s report was also read and adopted. THE COLLBCTOB. Cr, Cass moved —“That, in view of the infirmity of Mr Tribe, the collector, and the absolute necessity that the utmost activity should be shown in collecting the rates, it is desirable that Mr Tribe should receive a month’s notice to quit his office, and, in con sideration of that gentleman’s long services he be pensioned by this Council on a salary of sixty pounds per annum.” The Council went into committee to consider the resolution. On resuming, it was reported that the motion had been withdrawn, and that the whole question had been referred to the works and finance committees, to bring up a report at a future meeting. THE EANOEE. Or. Cass moved—“ That it is desirable in future to disallow commission to the ranger, and in lieu thereof to allow that officer the sura of £3O per annum for fodder for his horse, which it is hereby understood necessary ho should keep in order to the efficient performance of his duties.” The resolution was considered in committee, and ultimately it was resolved that £3O should bo allowed per annum to the ranger, his emoluments to remain as at present. The Council adjourned at 11 o’clock.