THE SOUTH TOWN BELT.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1778, 1 November 1879, Page 3

THE SOUTH TOWN BELT.

A conference between the Christchurch City Council and the Sydenham Borough Council, for the purpose of discussing the question of the improvement of the South town belt was held last night in the City Council Chamber. Present—Christchurch: His Worship the Mayor and Crs. King, Vincent, Taylor, Gapes, Lambert, England, Ayers, Wyatt, and the city surveyor. Sydenham: Crs, Brown, Charters, Andrew, Pavitt, Hall, Nioholl, White, Joyce, and the borough clerk. Hia Worship the Mayor of Christchurch opened the conference by saying—This is a matter that has occupied the attention of the previous Council, and no satisfactory arrangement has hitherto hosn arrived at. I may say for myself that I shall be glad if this meeting of both Councils should result in an amicable understanding being come to, e which shall be for the advantage of all parties. As the interview was sought by the Svdenham Council, I shall leave them to initiate the proceedings. It would be as well, for the information of new members, and for refreshing their memories generally, that tho minutes of the previous discussions upon the matter should be read over. The town clerk then read the minutes of the previous conferences. Cr. Hall narrated the history of the first formation of the belt, and thought that as tho City Council had altered that formation the Sydenham Council ought not to be called on to hear any future expense connected with re formation. Cr. Andrew having apologised for tho absence of the Mayor of Sydenham, Cr. Brown said without any preconceived scheme he thought they had met to discuss in an amicable manner how the desired improvements to tho South Town belt could be carried out. He wsuld point out that Sydenham had no right to any portion of the belt, and it was manifestly unfair to expect tho borough to expend the ratepayers’ mrney. Indeed they had a legal opinion that the Borough Council had no power to expend money outside the borough. Cr. Joyce said the borough was willing to jisy their fair share of the expenses of tho belt. Ihe statute would not permit them to expend money on the South belt without being invested with authority. The boundaries of the city and borougt had been defined, and they had to take them as they were. The real question was the fair apportionment on either side of the expense of keeping it in proper repair. Unless an agreement was made as to the imaginary line to be drawn between the ci'y and borough, the latter could not expend any money. In reply to Cr. Joyce, the Chairman ruled that it was advisable not to take any resolution, as the conference partook more of the iiatuao of a committee meeting for the purpose of eliminating individual opinion in an amicable manner. ■ Cr. Joyce had fairly opened up the question, on tho po nt of the settlement of the boundaries. It seemed to him a fair legitimate conclusion that if Christchurch was to keep the belt in proper renair the rates collected on the South side should be devoted to its maintenance. The rates collected on t ho South should go towards the expense. To sjk Christchurch to give up halt of the belt on Sydenham paying half the cost of repair would be like asking a man to give up bis house on condition that tho applicant kept it papered. He would never give his sanction to give up. one rood of what he considered one of tho chief ornaments of the city. Cr. Pavitt thought if Sydenham was to pay any part of the maintenance they should Lave gome status on the belt, vibich at prtsoai they tad not,

Or, Charters said there was but one way out of the difficulty. Sydenham could not pay money on the belt without having a share in it, and Christchurch would mb be a loser by conceding what was asked, Cr. Ayers thought there was another solution of the difficulty by the Act being amended so as to give the Council power to make the belt, aad for the borough to pay their share. Cr. Hall pointed out they could not make Sydenham form the belt again. The Mayor said the City Comcil had instructed the solicitor to make an alteration in the proposed Amendment Act, such as had beon alluded to. That was, to have the word “ borough ” inserted as well as Bead Board in the clause relating to the forming of streets. Cr. Taylor thought it absurd for the City Council to give up any portion of the belt. Prom tho spirit displayed they were getting further away from a solution of the difficulty. He could not advise the Council to give up any portion of tho belt. Cr. Gapes said tho Council could not give np any part ef the belt any more than the borough could part with a portion of their district. He would recommend, however, that the Council should concede something, as the citizens derived more benefit from the belt than residents in tho borough, and steps might be taken to induce the Government to give some assistance in the way of subsidy, and the work to be done by the unemployed. The asphalting and channelling might be done subsequently, the formation was the primary tmhg to be done. In reply to Cr. Ayers,

Tho Mayor said the passing of any resolution to tost the feeling of the meeting would have no legal effect, bnt personally he had no objection to that course being taken. Cr. Taylor asked if tho City Council could not form the belt, leaving the side walks and channelling to bo done by tho borough. Cr. Charters said tho Borough Council could not do that, as it was only their boundary. The Mayor thought the best way would bo to alter the Act so as to make it compulsory for each district to pay its fair share. The Ci'y Council would perhaps acquiesce in this if Sydenham would also agree. Cr. Pavitt said the Borough Council only asked for a portion of the city territory, which was of no value in contributing to the rates of the city. Cr Gapes said the amendment of tho Act would be fair to the borough, as the proportion of the cost would then be legally settled on a fair basis. Cr. Ayers moved, and Cr. Joyce seconded—- " That with the view of a prompt and definite settlement of tho South belt question between the Borough of Sydenham and the City of Christchurch that both Councils take immediate stops to have the Municipal Corporations Act so amended as to bring the Sydenham Borough in the same position as Eoad Boards as regards boundary roads, as set forth in the Municipal Corporations Act, clause 188, and sub-sections.” Cr. Gapes suggested that the question should he deferred for a week or two, another meeting called, and then both Councils could come prepared with fresh suggestions. After some further discussion, Cr. Hall moved an amendment to the resolution, but as no one seconded it, it fell through. Cr. King deprecated in the strongest terms giving up any portion of the belt. The Sydenham Borough, if they wished it, could obtain legislative power to spend money on the belt. Cr. Charters said none of the Sydenham Councillors would he prepared to spend any money on tho formation of the belt. Tho Mayor said, then that settled the matter, and they need proceed no further. Cr. Taylor agreed with the Mayor, that it was a waste of time to proceed' further if Cr. Charters was determined to oppose every proposition. Cr. Hulbert thought with the Mayor. Cr. Hall said Cr. Charters spoke for himself, bnt had not expressed tho opinions of the whole Borongh Council. Cr. Charters wished it to be understood that in speaking as he had, be merely intended to intimate his impression that the Borongh Council would not agree to spend money on the formation of the bolt. The Mayor said the true solution of the difficulty would he to put aside all petty jealousies, and amalgamate the borongh and tho city in one large municipality, which would settle at once and for ever the whole difficulty. If the amendment which he understood was to be put was not carried, he would embody his suggestions in the form of another amendment. Cr. White expressed his opinion that the belt was a disgrace to the city, the borough, or any ontside Eoad Board. Cr. King proposed as an amendment —" That this meeting in general. Council assembled consider that the Sydenham Borough Council should legislate upon the matter of tho boundary of the South town belt, so as to legalise tho expenditure necessary for the formation and maintenance of tho same under the direction of the Christchurch City Council.” The Mayor then put Cr. King’s amendment, which was negatived. Cr. Taylor moved a further amendment—--11 That the conference adjourn nntil this night week, at 7 p.m., that the members might have further time for consideration.” Cr. Gapes seconded the amendment, which was carried. A vote of thanks being passed to the Mayor, the conference adjourned.