CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1709, 12 August 1879, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

Monday, Auqust 11. Tho usual weekly meeting of the Council was held at 7.30 p.m. Present—His Worship the Mayor, Crs. Tremayne, Gapes, Binstead, and Ayers. The receipts for the week were stated as being, on general account, £907 19s lid; Drainage Board rates, £366 3s 9d ; drainage rate account, £ll4 18s 6d. The credit balance on account drainage rate was stated as being £285 8s 9d. The debit balance on general account was stated as being £2815 15s lOd. Accounts to the amount of £967 8s lOd were passed for payment.

Or. .Gapes enquired whether anything farther as to the new hell tower had been received from the Insurance agents. The Town Clerk replied in the negative._ Or. Tremayne asked who was responsible for clearing the river of trees, &o. There ■were two largo trees in the mud between the "Victoria and Colombo bridges which should he removed. The Mayor said that the Drainage Board vas responsible for clearing the river. Or. Tremayne said that the town clerk had better write to the Drainage Board on the subject. He would move—" That the town clerk be instructed to communicate with the Drainage Board on the subject." Or. Gapes seconded the motion, which was agreed to. A letter was read from the Department of Justice acknowledging the receipt of letter from the Council requesting that the City Banger might be exempted from paying foes on informations laid by him, as the police ■were. The department pointed out that the City Banger not being a public officer within the meaning of the Justices of tho Peaco Act, 1866, hence the request of the Courcil could not be granted. A letter was read from J. Gomersal with reference to the refusal of the Council to grant him a license, asking for a re-considera-tion of his case.

The application was declined. A letter was read from the Commissioner of Bailways for the Middle Island, stating that the members of the Volunteer Eire Brigade attached to the Bail way Department, were prepared to turn out with their engine on tho occasion of any fire taking place in tho city. The Brigade had turned out at one fire, but as the Commissioner was informed, their services had been curtly and somewhat un- , graciously declined. If required, thoy were prepared to act under the orders of the recognised Chief Fire Inspector. If tho city thought it better to decline tho services of the brigade they would be satisfied that no imputation existed upon them. The Mayor said ho had consulted Mr Superintendent Harris on the mattor, and he was quite willing, nay pleased, to accept the services of the Brigade, if tho Council agreed to accede to their request. It would perhaps be as well to hand the letter to the Fire ■Brigade committee. Or. Ayers moved—" That tho mattor be referred to tho Fire Brigade committoe, with , power to accept the offer of the Bail way Fire Brigade with thanks, and arrange tho details for the Brigade to turn out, &a." Or. Gapes seconded the motion, which was -agreed to. A letter was read from Mr Tillman, asking i leave of the Council to transfer his contract -for masonry at the Barbadoes street bridge to Mr John Murray. It was resolved that the request be granted, subject to the surveyor's approval. A request for a lamp in Peacock street was referred to the lighting committee, to take action thereon if they thought proper. The city surveyor's report was read as follows : 1. Mr Macnamara has sent in an account for building tho East belt bridgo, amounting to .£329 15s lOd, and it has been handed to the town clerk.

2. News was brought this morning that the cylinder has been mnk to the full depth at the Waimakariri. I have been promised the loan of a centrifugal pump by the engineer to the Drainage Board, to test the quantity of water. 3. The works committee gave the contract for twenty lanterns to Messrs Dean Brothers.

4. I am trying the roller again on Victoria street, but should it rain much to-night I must again defer finishing the road. 5. During the month of July the following building licenses were granted:—Mr Stoddard, Manchester street; Mr Lee, Carter's lane; Mr Butcher, St. Asaph street; Mr Smith, Bath street; Mr Gibbs, Barbadoes street; Mr Chidgey, Cashel street; Mr Barker, Park tarrace; Mr Thomas, Horatio street. C. Walkden, City Surveyor. The report, as a whole, was approved. The reports of the rate collector, inspector, -and ranger wero read, and passed as satisfactory. Or. Ayerg stated that the committee had been dealing with the building by-law since last meeting, but were not quit» ready to report. They would perhaps be ready to bring up a report next meeting. The Council, at 7.44, adjourned until next Monday, at the usual hour.