CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1798, 25 November 1879, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

Monday, Novembbb 24 r Jhe usual weekly meeting of the Council was held at 7 p.m. Present—Hia Worship the Mayor, Ors. Ayers, Lambert, Wyatt, Hulbert, King, Bishop, England, Cherrill, Taylor, Tincent, and Gapes. The receipts for the weekrwere stated to be £614 Is lOd. The credit balance at the bank was stated as being £1236 8s Bd. Accounts to the amount of £342 17s were passed and ordered to be paid. A sum of £2078 9d 9.1 to the Drainage Board was also passed for payment. The Mayor said he had received a letter ■from the Under-Secretary stating that the ■Government had handed over to the city a reserve of some 900 acres near Bottle Lake, for the purpose of abattoirs, plantations, &0., and a Crown grant would be issued at once. The consideration of what was to be done with the reserve would be remitted to a committee, as the reserve should bo utilised as soon as possible. He had received a letter from the Associated Friendly Societies’ committee, asking for the loan of the road roller, on the condition of the societies paying the salary of the engineer and the cost of the coals The -engine would be required for rolling the Agricultural and Pastoral Assooiation’a g grounds just before Boxing Day The solicitor to the council had forwarded to him the amendments agreed to by the Council in the Municipal Corporations Act, and he had forwarded the eame to Wellington that day. He had received a letter from the secretary of the Muff Cricket Club, asking the Council to play a match with them. Cr Hulbert asked whether the notices under the Gorse Ordinance had been served. There was a portion of the city m Bedford row where gorse still existed to a large extent The Mayor said that the town clerk had informed him that the notices had been served. The part of the city referred to by Or. Hulbert would receive attention, Cr Hulbert wished to ask whether he could bring forward the matter contained ■in a letter in one of the morning papers, accusing candidates for the mayoralty of violating the principles of the ballot. He desired, as all the candidates were members of that Council, to give those gentlemen an opportunity of denying the statements made in that letter. If the statements wore true, he was of opinion that it reflected upon the -Council. Or. Taylor endorsed the remarks of O Hulbert. . . The Mayor said that he was quite in the bands of the Council. He thought it was very desirable that the question should be brought up. He would give Cr. Hulbert leave to bring this matter up as new business. In answer to Cr. Cherrill, The Mayor said that the ordinary meeting of the insurance agents would be held on Monday next, when the question of the contribution of that body towards the sinking of artesian wells to the lower strata, would bo considered. . Cr. Taylor brought under the notice of the Council the state of the side channels in Barbadoes street, and thence eastward, where the water was stagnant. Or. Gapes said that the works committee had made arrangements for a new water cart to flush the channels, and a man was now following the cart with a broom to sweep the

channels. Or. Cherrill drew the attention of the Council to the deposit of rubbish of a questionable character on the site recently occupied by the Baptist chapel. It was most important, looking to the fact that the dust from such rubbish was likely to carry tho germs of disease. The Mayor said that the inspector of nuisances would see into tho matter at once. A letter was read from Mr W. H. Smith, the secretary of tho Muff Cricket Club, challenging tho Council and officers to a match with a team of the club, and asking for the names of the artists they would bring to the field. It was resolved that tho matter be left in the hands of Ors. Bishop, Hulbort, and King, to make arrangements for the match. A letter was read from Mr E Thomas, relative to tho action of the by-law on the erection of buildings in the city, and pointing out that a large number of persons were being driven to build outside the city by the provisions of tho building by-law. It was resolved to refer the letter to the ilding by-law committee, with a request

that they would take the matter into its favorable consideration. It was resolved that the road roller be granted to the amalgamated friendly societies on Boxing Day, on condition ot payment for coals and wages of the engineer, and guaranteeing the Oily Council against any damage. An account from Mr Thomas Hill for examining the horses offered to the Council for sale, was laid before the Council. After some discussion of a desultory character, it was resolved that the account be paid. A letter was read from Peter Jenson, asking permission to sell a lotion called “ King ot Rheumatic Pains” in Cathedral square.^ Cr. Gapes moved that the application be granted, subject to the usual conditions. Or. Bishop thought that the Council should insist on the fish carts, and all these varied outdoor commercial speculations, being concentrated in Market square. The motion of Cr. Gapes was carried. A letter was read from the Drainage Board asking for an account of rates collected by the City Council on their behalf and charge for commission at 4 per cent., which had been fixed by the Board. After an expression of surprise on the part of the Council at the reduction of the rate of commission for collection from 5 per cent, to 4 per cent, without consulting the Council, it was agreed to refer the matter to the finance committee.

A letter was read from Mr Jacobsen stating that some four to vers were being carried into the Avon by the Drainage Board. Tho Mayor pointed out the whole of the watercourses were under the jurisdiction of the Drainage Board. Cr. Taylor thought if the river was polluted so as to become a nuisance the city authorities would have something to say. On the motion of Cr. Hulbert, it was resolved—“ That a copy a£ the letter be sent to the Drainage Board, with a request that they would give informa ion as to the truth or otherwise of the statements therein made.” Cr. Gapes seconded the motion. A letter was read from the Under Secretary, stating that a reserve of 900 acres had been vested in the city for the purpose of abattoirs, public pounds, sewage, cattle yards, plantations, &c. The matter was referred to a reserves committee, comprising Crs. Hulbert, Taylor, Bishop, and Cberrill, appointed on the motion of Cr. Cherrill.

A letter was read from Mr Oonnal, stating that, in his opinion, the erection of the clock tower and fire boll and planting Latimer square, would bo a mistake, and suggesting that Cathedral square or East Town Belt would be a better site. He protested against the planting of Latimer square, as it would prevent many from indulging in athletic sports and games thereon. It was decided to leave the letter over until Or. King’s motion was discussed. The surveyor’s report was read as follows : No. I.—The Drainage Board I find does not contemplate doing anything to the open ditch on the Lincoln road, thorefoie anything the Council may determine on doing will not interfere with the Board’s work.

No. 2.—The wooden building in Cathedral Square which was written about some time back, has now been shifted without a license, and I wish to know whether the Council desire me to take any further action in the matter. No. 3. —I have given permission to have the verandah at the junction of Hereford and High streets supported in a temporary manner, as it is contemplated to commence a new building at that place in the course of a few weeks. No. 4.—The channelling of Moa place and Barbadoes street is now completed, and that in Park street and Carlton street is commenced. C. Walkden, City Surveyor.

On clause 1, it was decided that the matter be left in the hands of the works committee to report at next meeting. With reference to clause 2, Or. Bishop moved—“ That the city surveyor take action in this matter.”

Or. King seconded the motion. Cr. Taylor thought that they were acting too stringently in this matter. The resolution was agreed to. The remainder of the report was approved. Or King moved—“ That this Council taka immediate steps to lay out Latimer square ic an ornamental way, and to plant trees and shrubs of a suitable kind, and also to have the clock tower, presented by the General Government to the city of Christchurch, erected in the centre, and in connection with the same to have attached the firebell presented by the Union Insurance Company.” He thought that a place for recreation at the end of the city he had intimated was much needed, and he trusted the Council would carry it. He had spoken to a number of persons on the subject, and the almost unanimous opinion expressed was in favor of it. Ho thought that £SOO would cover the whole cost, and he had been promised liberal subscriptions towards the cost, and had also been promised donations of shrubs and flowers. Ho might further say that he had been told that £SO would amply cover the cost of planting. Or. England seconded the motion, but thought that it might be advisable to consult the ratepayers on the subject, as to whether they desired to have the squares planted or left as they are. Or. Cheirill pointed out a difficulty which stood in the way of the motion, viz., that a resolution stood on the books of the Council, that the erection of the clock tower should be postponed until the ratepayers had expressed their opinion upon the matter of the erection of the municipal buildings. Further than this, the Union Insurance Company had given the bell to be erected at the Lichfield street station. Hence, to erect the bell anywhere else would be, to a certain extent, a breach of faith. As the planting could not be done for some six months, they could then afford to allow the proposition of Or. King to stand over. With that view, he would move as an amendment—“ That the surveyor be instructed to have the bell tower erected at the Lichfield street station, at a cost not exceeding £75.”

The Mayor ruled that no farther action could bo taken unless the resolution referred to by Or. Oherrill was rescinded. As it was the unanimous wish of the Council that the resolution might be rescinded, Or. England moved—“ That the resolution be rescinded.” Or. Oherrill seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Or. Ayers, though agreeing with the necessity of the planting of the square, thought that they should wait some time yet, and he would therefore second the amendment. Or. Hulbert objected to the resolution of Or. King on the ground of expense, which would amount to quite £IOOO. He was in favor of seeing some improvement made in the square, though not quite so much as that contemplated by Or. King’s motion. Some further discussion arose, and ultimately the Mayor ruled that Or. Cherrill’s amendment was not in order. Or. Oherrill then added the following words to his amendment — 11 That the question of laying out Latimer square and erecting the clock tower therein be postponed for the present,” which brought the amendment in order. Or. Bishop would like to see the square laid out, but how could they afford it ? Or. Gapes endorsed the sentiments expressed by Or. Bishop. Or. Lambert spoke in favor of the amendment on the ground of economy. The Mayor said that ho would be glad to see the clock tower erected either in the east or north portion of the city. He should be totally opposed to the planting of large forest trees either in Oranmer or Latimor square. So far as the cost of the erection of the clock tower in Latimer square went, he thoroughly believed that Cr. King and himself could collect one-half tho cost of the foundation, which ho did not think would exceed £SOO.

Or. Taylor should oppose any expenditure of public money while they were in the position they were, but was strongly in favour of tho squares being planted and laid out for public recreation. As a member of the finance committee, he laid before the Council the necessity of restricting their expenditure to works actually needed. For this reason he should support the amendment. Or. King having replied, Tho amendment was put with the following result: —For—Ors. Gapes, Taylor, Cherrill, Wyatt, Lambert, Yincent, and Ayers. Against —Ors. King, Bishop, Hulbert, and England. The amendment was thus agreed to.

Or. Ayers moved—“ That tho works committee be requested to have a lamp placed in Manchester street on the west side opposite Marton street, such being greatly needed.” There was great necessity for the lamp he proposed to have erected. Or. Gapes seconded the motion, which was carried.

In reply to Or. Hulbert’s question as to the matter or otherwise of the letter respecting the canvassing for votes for the Mayoralty,

Cr. Gapes deuied that he had done such a thing. The Mayor said that he might have ashed any one casually at the door of his store whether he was going to support him, but that he had made a house to house canvass as stated ho distinctly denied. Cr. Ayers said that he might say ho had never made a house-to-house canvass. He had just done as his Worship had done, and so strongly did he feel on the matter of the ballot, that he would bo prepared to sign a requisition to Parliament making it penal to ask for a vote except by circular, or through the newspapers. The matter then dropped. In reply to Cr. Cherrill, The Mayor said that with the notice ot motion of Cr. King to rescind the resolution passed respecting the erection of clock tower before them, the works committee could not go on with the work, Tenders for the valuation of the city for 1579-80 were opened. A ballot tcok place, and resulted in a tie between Mr F. Pavitt, £B3 ; and Mr Whitelaw, £7B. The Mayor gave his casting vote for the lowest amount. _____