CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1775, 28 October 1879, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

Monday, Octobee 27. The usual weekly meeting of the Council was held at 7 p.m. Present —His Worship the Mayor, Crs. Gapes, King, Bishop, Vincent, Taylor, Cuff, Hulbcrt, Wyatt, England, Lambert,land Ayers. The receipts for the week on general account were stated to amount to £60019s lid ; drainage rate account No. 1, £69 5s 2d ; do No. 2, £242 8s Id. The debit balance at the bank on general account was stated as being £2956 18s lOd. His Worship the Mayor said he felt sure they would join with him in regretting the death since their last meeting of Mr Potts, the overseer of the Waimakariri Board of Conservators. That gentleman had been connected with the Council in carrying out the works there, and he had also rendered himself most deservedly respected by the zealous manner in which he had carried out his work. If the Council agreed with him (the Mayor) he would cause a letter of condolence to be sent by the clerk to the widow of the late Mr Potts. [Hear, hear.] It was resolved that the letter, as suggested by the Mayor, should be forwarded. The Mayor said that there was another question of very vital importance, and this was that they were now overdrawn to the amount of over £3OOO. Now they had rates outstanding to the amount of £3851 16s Id, less £ll3 paid in that day. It therefore became necessary for them to consider how they could got the rates in as speedily as possible. Or. Taylor, as chairman of tbo finance committee, desired to say this, that as it was necessary for the rates to be recovered before the 30th of November, the finance committee had no alternative, though not wishing to press hardly on the ratepayers, but to get in the rates as speedily and as cheaply as possible.

It was resolved that the finance committee take such steps as ;they may deem advisable to recover the outstanding rates. In answer to Cr. Hulbert, The Mayor said that the question of compelling occupiers to asphalte or flag the entrances to their premises had been referred to the solicitor, and he had stated that he would so shape the by-law now before the committee as to meet the complaint of Cr. Hulbert.

In reply to Cr. Taylor, Cr. King said that nothing had yet been done with regard to the erection of the new fire-bell tower.

In reply to Or. Cuff, The Surveyor said the clock tower was gradually rising. Every few days or so he had to search for bolts, &0., and it was a very slow job. Thera would be but a trifling expense beyond the labor of erecting it.

A letter was read from Mr M. Macnamara, the contractor for the East belt footbridge, asking that the Council would examine witnesses and the contractor as to the fulfilment of the contract. The letter concluded by asking the Council to come to some settlement without delay. A deed of submission to arbitration was brought up and the town clerk instructed to forward the same to Mr Macnamara for his approval. A letter was read from Mr G. Johnson, one of the competitors for the premium offered by the Council for Town Hall designs, as follows:

Invercargill, October 21. Gentlemen, —Having recived my designs back in good condition, I hereby acknowledge the same, but I am told by the town clerk that no premium has been awarded, as all the designs will respectively cost more than_ the amount specified in the conditions. This I am unable to comprehend, for I was certain that I had kept within the conditions, and to make sure that I have not been mistaken I got one of our leading builders to give an estimate on it after I received the drawings back, and the result is that the work complete can be done under £IB,OOO. I therefore claim that I receive the premium, or else remuneration for time spent in preparing designs. I also ask why (as it is apparent that I must have been something near the amount, certainly not so outrageously far out as one that is chosen) I do not appear amongst the eleven to he submitted to the ratepayers? Because I am not present in Christchurch have I not to be considered with the rest ? A speedy reply to these questions, and a fair settlement of my claims, will much oblige, but if otherwise, I may seek a legal settlement, and also publish this correspondence in the Christchurch papers, so that the ratepayers may be apprised of it. It is as unfair to them as it is to me, for they are led to think that they are necessarily confined to take that which costs more than the specified figure, of which I can bring forward witnesses to attest. I have, &0., G. Johnson. Or. Hulbert inquired whether, the design spoken of was the Morgue. The town clerk reported that the motto of the design was “ Vera pro patris.” It was resolved to acknowledge the latter. The Mayor said that the design “ Avon” had been colored, and now looked beautiful. He would suggest that it be exhibited, so that the ratepayers might see their choicev Cr. Taylor objected to the design now before them being exhibited to the ratepayers as being his choice as a town hall. He would however bow to the will of the majority. The question that the design be exhibited was then put, with the following result: — Ayes—Ces. Hilbert, Wyatt, Ayers, Cuff, King, and the Mayor. Noes —Ors. Gapes, Vincent, Taylor, Lambert, England, and Bishop. The Mayor gave his casting vote for the motion. The Mayor then stated that it was necessary to have a formal motion on the subject. .....

A long discussion ensued, in which a motion for the exhibition of one plan, and an amendment for exhibiting the two—“ Avon" and “Well considered” were before the Council. . . Ultimately the amendment for the exhibition of two plans was carried. A letter was read from the Sydenham Borough Council asking the City Council to meet them in conference with reference to the South Town Belt at the City Council chambers, on Friday, at 7 p.m. It was agreed to accede to the request. The city surveyor’s report was read as follows t—--1. The channelling of Madras street is completed ; the channelling of Salisbury street is commenced ; tho forming of New street is nearly finished and the channelling of the same street will be begun in a few days. 2. The works committee recommend some alterations to be made at the junction of Barbadoes street and Oxford terrace, as they consider the corner dangerous for traffic. The suggested alterations will cost .£35. 3. I am unable to answer Councillor Taylor’s motion respecting condition of streets after Drainage Board work at present, as it is necessary that I should first see Mr Bell on the subject, and be has been away from town. I hope to be able to answer it next week. 4. Through the kindness of Mr Delamain I have permission from him to break stone for Lower High street on his land alongside that street, so that the cartage from this end of tho city will be avoided. 5. I have been obliged to erect two extra iron water tanks at the Post Office, to supply water to the part of Colombo street lately added to the district to bo watered. C. Walkden, City Surveyor. On clause 2, Or. Gapes moved—“ That the clausa bo adopted.” Or, Ayers seconded the motion. Some discussion ensued, and ultimately tho motion was agreed to. On clause 4, it was resolved that tho thanks of the Council be accorded to Mr Delamain for his kindness. Or. Gapes reported as to tho action of the works committee in collating the resolutions passed by the Council on private streets. The committee recommended the sweeping away of all the resolutions passed on the subject except the two latest ones. Or. England moved before any private streets, court, or alley, laid off after this date shall bo built upon, and before the city surveyor shall give authority to any person to build on any land abutting upon such private streets, courts, or alleys ; tho original owner laying off the same foi [building sites shall first have the said privati streets, courts, or alleys formed, shingled, oi < metalled, channelled, and asphalted as thi J Council shall direct, and in accordance will 1 Corporations Act and Amend

msnts : ThatjOouncil shall take oyer all such private streets, courts, or alloys upon the city surveyor certifying that the provisions of the said Act and Amendments have boon complied with.” Cr. King seconded the motion, A long and desultory discussion ensuod, and ultimately the resolution was agreed to. The Council then adjourned.