CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1673, 1 July 1879, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

Monday, June 30. The usual weekly meeting was held at 7 p.m. Present—Hi» Worship the Mayor, Ors. Jenkins, Tremayne, Binstead, Gapes, Ayers, Wilson, and Clifford. FINANCIAL. The Town Clerk reported the receipts during the week to be £l7Bl 19s 4d ; on account of Drainage Board rate, 1878-9, £129 7s Hid. The debtor balance was elated as £3284 4s 3d. Accounts to the amount of £733 16s 7d were passed for payment. The drainage rate account was reported as being in credit £319 17s 3d. METALLING STEBETS. Cr. Gapes desired to give notice for that evening that in future the works committee be requested to use shingle instead of broken metal. Or. Jenkins pointed out that the report of the works committee for the year had contained a recommendation that broken metal only should be used. The Mayor said that in that case the notice of motion would have to be given for next week. COEESapONDBNOB. A letter was read from the Colonial Secretary, intimating that the resolutions of the Christchurch and Sydenham Council as to a bridge over Colombo street, at the railway crossing, had been referred to the Railway Department. A letter was read from the chairman of the Selwyn County Council, intimating that the Council had received notification from the Government that the roads in Hngley Park came under their jurisdiction, and pointing out that the Carlton bridge, and Lincoln road to Rankin’s corner, both of which were within the jurisdiction of the City, required attention. The matter was referred to the works committee. A letter was read from the committee of West Christchurch School, asking that the footpaths, <&c., leading to the back entrance of the school, should be shingled. The surveyor said this was out of the jurisdiction of the City Council, as the footpaths referred to were on private property. Cr. Jenkins said the matter had been before the works committee, and they had referred it to the Council. Or. Gapes thought that if the school committee were willing to contribute towards the cost, the Council might do the work. After some further discussion, Cr, Gapes moved—“ That the subject bo referred to the works committee to deal with.” Cr. Binstead seconded the motion, suggesting that the committee should communicate with the secretary of the school committee. EXTENSION OF TIME OF LIGHTING. A letter was read from the Gas Company, stating that tho extra coat per lamp for lighting two hours longer would bo £1 Is. Cr. Jenkins said that this would entail a cost of £l6O per annum on tho city, as there was in round numbers 150 lamps in the city. Mo might say that he could not understand why the lamps should be lit so early. Last week lamps were lit in Barbadoes street at 330 p.m,, and so on in other streets up to ■4 and 4.30 p.m. Tho real fact was that the Gas Company did not appear to employ enough men to light tho lamps. Tho company might light tho lamps an hour later the Council being willing to pay for another hour, thus gaining two hours additional light. The Mayor said that the Council had power to employ more lamp-lighters, and if this were done they could get the extension of time they required, which would be a great convenience. Or. Binstead thought the matter should be referred to the lighting committee, with a view of their seeing if the Gas Company could not have more men employed, so as to extend the hours of lighting. He should move that the matter be referred to the lighting committee. Cr. Wilson seconded the motion, and spoke strongly in favor of the extension of the time of lighting. The motion was carried. ABPHALTK CHOSSINO. A letter was read from Mr S. Smart, asking permission to construct an asphalte crossing to connect the two sides of the road. The permission was given.

A letter was read from Mr H. Y. Anson, calling attention to the disgraceful state of the road connecting the South Town Belt and the Lincoln road. Cr. Wilson moved—“ That tho letter lie on the table.” He stigmatised the language of tho letter as disgraceful, insulting, beastly, and unbecoming. He therefore thought the Council should take no notice of it. There was no seconder to the motion. Or. Gapes moved—“ That tho letter be referred to the sanitary committee.” Or. Jenkins seconded the motion. Cr. Wilson accused his Worship of not having asked if there was any seconder to his motion. His Worship pointed out that he had done so. Evidently Or. Wilson had not been attending to the business before the Council. Tho motion of Cr. Gapes was then put and carried. REFUSAL OF LICENSE. A letter was read from W. Gomersal relative to tho refusal of his license as a cab driver, and asking for a reconsideration of his case. The Inspector of Hackney Carriages was called in, and after hearing his explanation, Cr. Wilson moved —“ That the license be granted.” Or. Binstead seconded the motion, on the ground of the repentance of the man. He put in a good character, given after nine years’ service by Gomersal in Manchester. Cr. Tremayne moved, as an amendment—- “ That the matter stand over until the end of the business, and that then the Council go into committee on the matter.” Cr. Jenkins seconded the amendment. The amendment was agreed to, and tho resolution was negatived. HACKNEY CARRIAGE BY-LAWS. A petition was read from a number of cabowners and drivers, asking that every vehicle should carry lights at night, either one or two lamps. It was resolved that the petition be referred to tho by-law committee. RIGHT-OF-WAY. An application was received from Mr Howley for permission to construct a right-of-way in St. Asaph street. The matter was referred to the surveyor and works committee to report upon at next meeting. QUEEN STREET. A form of agreement ns to taking over of the private street known ns Queen street, as drawn by a solicitor, was submitted by the works committee. Cr. Jenkins said the reason why the agreement was submitted to the Council was, that some of tho contributors thought that the Council should take the cost ef formation, <feo., by instalments. The committee were not sure of their powers in this behalf, and therefore they ceme to the Council. After some discussion, Or. Gapes moved—“ That the work bo done according to the surveyor’s estimate, the question of payment to be considered when the cases came before tho Council.” Or. Wilson seconded the motion, A warm discussion ensued between Cr. Ayers and Cr. Tremayne, the former accusing Or. Tremayne of having “humbugged” the people by getting them to sign a document pledging themselves to pay on the completion of the work. Ultimately Or. Gapes’ motion was carried. THE FIRE POLICE, A letter was read from Captain Mitchell, requesting the by-law committee to insert a clause in tho amendments proposed to be made in the Act by which the File Police who might be accepted by the Mayor should have a proper status. A deputation, consisting of Captain Mitchell and Mr C. P. Hulbert, were in attendance as representing the Fire Police. His Worship said that this was a question which more properly would come before the Council when considering the amendments necessary to be made in the Municipal Corporation Act. They were going that evening to consider the amendment proposed by the Auckland Council, and they would then consider the letter of the fire brigade. The deputation thanked the Council and withdrew. city surveyor’s report. The report of tho city surveyor was read as follows : No. 1. During the heavy rain of last Friday and Saturday many parts of the city were in conveniently flooded with water, particularly the East belt, Tuam street between Manchester and Barbadoes streets, and Durham street at its junction with the Whataly road. A habit has become prevalent with many persons to remove the iron gratings from the gullies, which are placed there to protect the underground pipes, and thus cause the pipes to become choked. Last week I found in an underground pipe a large glass bottle, and not many days since a member of the Drainage Board informed me that the entrails of a sheep were taken out of an underground pipe in Antigua street. Of course those sort of things could not get into tho pipos and sewers if the gratings were not tampered with. As to the flooding of the East belt, this cannot be cured until an underground sewer is built, with connections to each street. As regards the flooding of the corner of Durham street, the underground tewor has become choked, and I have been unable to see by what, inconsequence of the roadway being so much, blocked up by our own work and that of the Drainage Board at this particular spot, but as soon as I can open the ground at this particular placa the sewer must he broken into. With regard to the inconvenient flooding of Tuam street, mentioned above, it was entirely caused by the number of wooden bridges crossing channels, and I would therefore beg the Council to consider whether some means cannot ha adopted to abolish all wooden bridges in the city, and substitute iron culverts for them, as it would facilitate considerably the work of the channel sweepers, and to a great extent avoid the flooding of the footpaths in stormy weather. No 2. Tho channelling of Oxford Terrace east is finished, hut it is impossible to form the road in the present state of tho weather.

No. 3. Whately road work. —I reckon there is equal to twelve chains of this work finished, and it has cost .£95 for mens’ wages, and £2O for cart hire, making a total of £126, or £lO 10s per chain, hut as the portion done is the heaviest part of the work I think the whole will he done for about £9 per chain—forty chains, £360. Of course this amount does not include the new metal put on, nor the cost of rolling. I tried the roller on it, but it was evident the ground was too wet and soft to carry the weight, therefore the road must he- rolled and receive a top dressing of small metal when the weather is more suitable for that work. C. Walkden, City Surveyor. Tho report was road clause by clause, and approved as a whole. Cr. Gapes asked why tho formation of Oxford Terrace had not been completed before the recent bad weather. The Surveyor said that the channelling was only just done on Friday last. Tho whole cost of metalling, forming, and rolling Victoria street would bo about £OOO. Cr. Jenkins pointed out that tho street must have been metalled, and a vote had been taken for tho work, but not expended. The Surveyor, is reply to Or. Q-apes, stated that tho cost of the work in Lower High street would be about the same per chain as Victoria street. With regard to iron bridges, as suggested by the surveyor, tho chairman of the works committee said that tho matter would ho attended to. The recommendation of tho surveyor as to the iron culverts was agreed to. Cr. Jenkins said tho committee had or about sixty of tho unemployed on Victoria street, and about forty on stonobreaking. In reply to Cr. Ayers, The Surveyor said that the case against the person accused of breaking down tho barriers in Lyttelton street had broken down because it was held by tho bench to bo an accident. BATE COLLECTOS’S EEPOET. Tho report of tho rate collector recommending the remission of rates was read. EEPOET OP INSPECTOR OF NUISANCES. The report of the Inspector of Nuisances was read. Or. Wilson moved—“ That the Inspector bo instructed to take legal advice as to the steps to be taken to compel Mr E. M. Morton to fill up tho sections in Cathedral square.” No one seconding tho motion, it fell to the ground. Cr. Gapes moved —“That tho matter of Mr Morten’s property bo referred to the Local Board of Health. ” Cr. Ayers seconded tho motion, which was agreed to. APOEOGTES. Apologies were received from Ors. Lezard and Cass for their absence. EEPOET OP THE EANGEB. The report of the Eanger was read, considered, and adopted. EEPOET OP SUPEBINTENDENT OP PIES BRIGADE. The quarterly report of Mr Superintendent Harris was read as follows : Sir,—l have the honor to report the occurrence of ten fires in the city during the past

quarter, the only one of a serious nature being tbe large bonded store of Edwards, Bennett and Co. This building was totally destroyed, but a large quantity of salvage stock was saved. In all other cases, the fires have been suppressed without much loss of property. I regret to state that the labors of the Brigade were much increased at the fire of Messrs Edwards, Bennett and Co. by the scarcity of water. I have, &c., W. Harris, Superintendent. His Worship the Mayor, Christchurch. Or. Jenkins said he desired to draw the attention of the Council to the great neces sity which existed for the speedy provision of an increased water supply for fire prevention. Or. Ayers, as one of tho water supply committee, regretted that he had nothing to report on the matter. It was most unsatisfactory. Ho believed that the cylinder was at the Waimakariii, but he was not sure. The surveyor had informed him that he had done all he could to push on the work, but was unable to get it done. The Mayor asked Cr. Wilson whether he knew where the cylinder was ? Or. Wilson said ho believed that the cylinder was on tho bank of the Waimakariri. Cr. Jenkins asked if it was true that the cylinder was found on the New Brighton beach this morning ? Tho surveyor gave an explanation as to the delay which had occurred as to the pneumatic pumps. He had had to contend with innumerable delays, and finding places of these pumps in various parts of the district. One part of the pump was found in Lyttelton and one at Sheffield. Or. Gapes said that tho superintendent of the Fire Brigade had presented the Council with a very handsome picture of tho brigade and buildings. He would move formally—- “ That the gift of the Fire Brigade bo received, with thanks.” Or. Jenkins seconded the motion, which was agreed to. LICENSES. One license was granted. COMMITTEE BUSINESS. The Council then went into committee, and afterwards adjourned.