CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1822, 23 December 1879, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

Monday, December 23. The usual weekly meeting of the City Council was held at 7 p.m. Present—His Worship the Mayor, Ors. Gapes, Hulbert, England, Taylor, Vincent, Cherrill, Cuff, King, Lambert, Ayers, Bishop, and Wyatt. Tho receipts for the week were reported as being £461 15s 43. The credit balance at the Bank was stated as £336 4s sd. Accounts to the amount of £323 15s lid were passed and ordered to be paid. Or. Taylor explained that he had asked the Mayor to apologise for his absence from last mealing, but he had not seen any report of this being done. The Mayor stated that he had mentioned the matter to several Councillors, but had not brought it formally before the Council. A letter was read from Mr J. Whitelaw, reporting that Mr B. Simpson hud obstructed him in the execution of his duty as city valuer, and that such obstruction and refusal had been deliberate and premeditated. He, therefore, felt it his duty to report the matter under clause 7 of tho Rating Act. Or. Cuff thought the town clerk should write to Mr Simpson and ask him to apologise and supply the information. After some discussion it was resolved that Mr Whitelaw be instructed to proceed against Mr Simpson under clause 7 of tho Eating Act.

A letter was read from Mr T. R. Proctor asking leave to erect his camera obscura on Cathedral square near the tank. Cr. Hulbert suggested that the permission requested should bo granted on payment of a fee.

Or. Lambert moved—“ That the request be acceded to, and that a fee of £2 2s be charged for one month.” Cr. Ring seconded the motion, which was agreed to. A letter was read from Mr Oresswell, calling attention to the state of a gorse fence on a section belonging to Mr C. O. Bowen in Madras street north. He had had to extinguish no less than three fires in this hedge which was only seventeen feet from his house. Cr. King said this hedge was a perfect nuisance. It had been on fire for three days recently. Or. Hulbart said he understood that notices had been served on occupiers and owners. Was this uo? The Mayor said he would inquire of the Inspector of Nuisances. The Inspector said that the fence referred to was over 33ft. from the residence of the writer of the letter, so that the city by-laws did not apply. Or. Ayers said he thought if Mr Bowen’s attention was called to this matter, that he would remove the gorsa fence in the in*crests of public safety, particularly as the land wuS of a peaty character. The Oity Surveyor’s report was read as follows : With regard to the rights-of-way applied for by Mr Bell in Cathedral square through town section 708, and of the widths respectively of 4ft and 6ft, I do not find anything in the Act which precludes the Council from granting thorn provided the rights-of way are asphalted, and a post is erected at the entrance to prevent any other traffic through them than that of foot passengers. C. Waikdex, City Surveyor. It was resolved that permission be granted to Mr Bell for a right-of-way, provided the work was carried out as to asphalting, &c., and a post erected as suggested by the surveyor. A report was read from the ranger, stating what Lad taken place in the Resident Magistrate’s Court that morning in the case of the crossing of the asphalto pavement by a loaded dray. Or. Bishop stated what appeared in the papers on the subject, and took it that what Mr Mellish meant was that whore persona had an entrance to their property they had a right to use it, whether they crossed the asphalto or not. It was decided that the Council’s solicitor should attend tho adjourned hearing of the case. Cr. Gapes brought up a report from tho works committee, asking tho Council to reconsider its decision not to purchase 200 barrels of cement, which was required to carry out the channelling of the private streets.^ Tho Mayor pointed out that this raised the question of the carrying out of the work necessary for private streets before tho money was paid in for it. Or. King strongly urged tho completion of the work of channelling the private streets. Or. England also followed in the same Strain, urging that not the property but the •very lives of tho oitiaens were imperilled. He .should vote for the money necessary to be

taken out of next year’s rates, and recouped from the loan when raised.

Or. Hulbert thought that it was possible to carry economy too far, and now that this work was commenced he did not think they should stop for a few barrels of cement. Or. Taylor, though knowing that their financial position was not a good one, would, as this work was necessary for the health and comfort of the citizens, give his support to it. Or. Halbert moved—“ That the clauses of the report of the surveyor, presented at last meeting with regard to the purchase of cement and timber for channelling private streets, he adopted.” Or. Lambert seconded the motion.^ Or. Ayers supported the motion very strongly. The motion was then put and carried, Or. Cuff dissenting. The water supply committee reported that they had met and passed a resolution accepting an offer which they understood had been made by Or. Taylor to prepare the scheme for presentation to the ratepayers. Or. Taylor explained that he had merely said he would give all the information necessary for the matter free of cost, provided no engineers were engaged, as he thought their services were unnecessary. The engineers having been employed, of course his offer fell through. Or. Ohorrill took it that the labors of the water supply committee had ended, but that they must go to the ratepayers with all the large subjects they now had under their consideration.

Cr. Gapes thought that it was now the duty of tho Mayor and officers of tho Council to put tho scheme before the ratepayers. The Mayor said he thought that the late chairman of the water supply committee and the present committee appeared desirous to relieve themselves of their responsibility and throw tho onus on the Mayor. Tho subject was a far too important one to be dealt with by one member, though ho for one would not shirk any responsibility tho Council might put upon him. The subject should be discussed by the committee and then reported to the Council.

Cr. Ayers moved—“ That tho question of preparation of a statement to bo laid before tho ratepayers as to the revenue to bo derivable from a water supply scheme be referred back to the water supply committee.” It would not do for the Council to go to the ratepayers without some intelligent and easily comprehended statement, as it would be asking them to vote in the dark. If this report were presented, then the ratepayers would be able to comprehend what they were asked to record their assent or dissent upon. Cr, Taylor seconded the motion. After some discussion the motion was put and agreed to, with the addition “ That the finance committee join with the water supply committee to consider tho matters of loans for water supply, municipal buildings, and completion of surface drainage,” Or. Taylor brought up the report of tho finance committee on the request of the cab owners for a reduction of the fees for licenses. The revenue receivable from cab licenses for tho year was £298 ss. Now, the permanent charges amounted to £569 12s, whilst the annual expenditure for salaries, printing, &0., came to £166 lie. They, therefore, could not recommend the Council to accede to the petition. The report of tho committee was approved. Two accounts were presented by the water supply committee from the engineers employed, viz., Mr Blackwell, £343 11s 6d ; Mr Hubbard, £156. Srme discussion ensued, Cr. Taylor stating that ho thought the engineers had exceeded their instructions. Or. Bishop said, as the water supply committee had reported in favor of the accounts being paid, ho should move that they be so paid. Or. Hulbert seconded the motion, which was carried. Or. Bishop moved—“ That the surveyor be instructed to have suitable openings made at the corners of Latimer and Cranmer squares.” The motion was seconded and carried. Cr. Hulbert moved—“Thatthe works committee be instructed to asphalt Bedford Bow at once.” Or. Ayers seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Cr. Hulbert moved— *■ That the hour of commencing tho work of removal of night soil in future be twelve o’clock.” The Mayor pointed out that this resolution was in opposition to their own by-law. The resolution not being seconded fell to the ground. Or. King moved—“ That the Council make application to the Church of England Cemetery Board for that portion of land situate on the south side of the North belt, between Barbadoes street and the East town belt, now in possession of the Cemetery Board.” Or, Gapes seconded the motion, which was agreed to. On the motion of Or. Gapes the Council adjourned till next Monday week for the Christmas holidays.