CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1850, 27 January 1880, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

Monday, January 26

The usual weekly meeting of tlio City Council was held at 7 p.m. Present—His Worship the Mayor, Cre. King, England, Cherrill, Ayers, Cuff, Vincent, Bishop, Gapes, Hulbert, Taylor, and Wyatt. The receipts for the week were stated ns being £306 2s XOd. The debit balance at the bank was announced as £SS9 14s 10i. Bills to the amount of £193 14a 9J were passed and ordered to be paid. Or. King presented a petition from Messrs Hobday, Seymour, and Hubbard, asking that the Council should take stops to im prove the side chancels on the North East Belt, which were now merely fever beds. The Mayor pointed out that thia was not a petition to the Council, but a letter to a member of the Council. It might bo taken as new business.

Later on the matter was referred to the Avon Road Board.

Or. Xaylor said ho desired to make a personal explanation aa regarded what had been attributed to him in the reports aa to the stonebreakers. He was under the improefion that the hand broken stone cost 4.) or 5a per yard more than contract, and therefore he had opposed it. He desired to say that Inhad not the slightest wish to put any obstacle in the way of charity being given, when the labor to be done was not more expensive than they could get it done by contract. So soon as he was aware that the stonebreaters could do the work as cheaply as contract ho at once withdrew his opposition. All he wanted to gee was that the funds of the ratepayers were not expended without duo return, and not from any wish to be uncharitable. It was agreed that the coot of earth put into the cemetery, as requested by Mr W. Jameson, be refunded. A letter was read from Professor Hughes, asking the presence of the Mayor and Councillors at the performance on February Ist, for the benefit of the suffering poor in Ireland.

It was resolved that the Mayor and C Hatll give their patronage, and bu present on the occasion.

A letter was read from the Colonial Secretary, forwarding copies of the Bill introduced lust session to provide for the management of Hospitals and Charitable Aid. The Government proposing to introduce the same next session, desired to receive suggestions from the various local bodies as to any amendments.

The Mayor pointed out the great importance of this measure, the City Council being deeply interested in the matter of Hospitals and Charitable Aid. Ic was resolved that the Town Clerk write to the Government, asking for further copies of the proposed Bill. The report of the Water Supply Committee was brought up, as follows : Tour committee having received instructions to draw up a report on the water supply scheme as approved by the engineers, Messrs Louis B. Blackwell and W. P. Hubbard, with a view of placing the subject before the ratepayers in a manner to enable thorn to form a correct judgment on the whole matter, both as regards the fii ancial questions involved, as also the general utility cf the scheme, have the honor to report as follows:

Your committee having carefully examined the reports of the two engineers, together with the letters which have been subsequently published or sent to the Council by each of them, as also the articles and correspondence published in the newspapers on the subject, are of opinion that there is no substantial difference between the reports of the two engineers. The main point of difference which, at the outset, appeared to bo raised by the one engineer adopting a much larger main than the other, has now been satisfactorily cleared up by its having been shown that whereas Mr B'aekwell, in his report, was dealing with figures showing the whole supply his main would ho capable of giving, Mr Hubbard, on the ether hand, was calculating only a part of the supply which would bo afforded by bis large main. As this is a matter of very great importance, your commi’tee have asked Mr Blackwell to supply them with particulars of tho work which would be done by larger mains, as well as of the size he has adopted in bis report, and also an approximative to the extra cost of those largo mains, and the following table bis boon supplied by Mr Blackwell. Table giving pressure available in Cathedral square under varying circumstances, with different size trunk mains ; also additions to the minimum estimated cost, viz., £141.866.

Internal diameter of trunk main. " "Ordinary pressure in lbs. per square inch at hydrants in Cathedral square dining the hours of greatest consumption. " Tbs. persqnare inch at hydrants in Cathedral square iu case ot one lire occurring during such times. " Tbs. persqnare inch at hydrants iu Cathedral square in case of two lires occurringduring such times. lbs. per square inch iu case of | two fires occurring, trades, &o. t domestic supply, under control. ; ■ Approximate extra cost.

Tt w.ll he seen from the above table, coupled with Mr Blackwell’s report, that the on'y inconvenience to which the ratepayers would be subject by the adoption of the smal’er main of 22in. would be in the exceedingly improbable event of two fires occurring at the same time, and in that part of the day when there is the greatest consumption of water going on for other purposes, in which case the supply for trade purposes would have to be cut off for the time necessary to bring one of the two fires under c ntrol, there being an ample supply of water under efficient pressure to secure the extinction of any single fire that is likely to occur. Under the most unfavorable condit.ons, I c . with the greatest consumption of wat r going on (the full number of 50 000 inhabitants being provided for, and 1 041 gallons per minute being also used for trade purposes, the following is the calculated delivery from fire hose in Cathedral square : With 200 ft. of he ss (say five lengths of 40ft. each), five jets would rise 100 ft. with lin. nozzle, delivering about 150 gallons each per minute. No 3. with 460 ft of hose (say five lengths of 90ft each,) the same jets would rise 60ft. And here it ma,t be borne in u ind that the case under consideration, that of two fires occurring simultaneously in thp.t part of the day when there is the greatest demand for water, would not cause any inconvenience at all, not oven the cutting off the water for trade purposes only, until such time as the consumption of wat. r by the ratepayers has reached the limit fixed by Mr Blackwell, viz , twenty-six gallons par head for 50,000 inhabitants, and at the same time a consumption of 1.041 gallons per minute for trade purposes. Your committee have ascertained from the Superintendent of the Fire Brigade, that since the establishment of that Brigade in 18‘10 there has been only a single case in which two fires have broken out at the same time, and that was in the night. Your committee feel that, under these circumstances, the “ inconvenience ” alluded to above is reduced to on inappreciable amount, and may therefore be disregarded, and that, therefore, the mains of 23in , as adopted by Mr Blackwell, will bo amp’y sufficient for the needs of Christchurch for a very long time to come. Notwithstanding this, your committee advocate the adoption of the 2-lin main, or even one of larger dimensions, for the better supply of surrounding districts, which subject will be treated of in its place. I |Your committee find that in Mr B.ackweli’a report there is an allowance m do for takiog a service pipe to the building line of each house, and also for laving the first 1400 yards of ma n with patent flexible joints, as being the on y kind which will work satisfactorily in the conditions under which the wet trench will have to be constructed. These two items, which arc apparently not included in Mr Hubbard’s o-ti-mate, probably account in some measui o for the difference in the estimates of cost as given by the two engineers, though, as Mr Hubbard does not furnish any items, it is difficult to make out wherein tha difference lies. 2 Yonr committea feel that there can be no diversity of opinion on the subject of the nti’ity and general advisability of such a water supply scheme ns is now being advocated, if it can be shown that the success of the scheme financially is a matter of certainty. In considering this branch of the subject, no evidence can bo offered of a more satisfactory character than that of the statistics of what ha been done, and is being done every day in other cities in different parts of the world.

It would appear from the statistics which have been examined by your committee that there is no case on record in which a simple gravitation scheme of water works his been carried out which has proved a failure, either financially or as a work of utility ; but on the contrary, the investment of capital in water works is usually considered so far a safe and satisfactory one that water works are frequently promoted by private companies, and in some cases even by individuals, though it is held by some of the best authorities on the subject that the value of the property created by well constructed water works is so great that it should, in all oases, be handled for the direct benefit of the ratepayers who arc the most proper persons to benefit by such an expenditure of capital.

Your committee find, on making an examination of a large number of cases, that the rates of dividends paid on water works commonly amounts to SJ to 10 par cent. But whilst it will probably be .admitted that

the proposed scheme would yield a remunerative revenue whoa it is in full operation—that is, when the 50 000 persons whom it is proposed to supply are living within its reach —it becomes necessary to consider what the effect of the scheme would bo at the present time, or rather at the time when the works arc completed, and the necessary rate is for the first time struck, n order to understand fully the financial position, it will bo necessary to consider —first, that there will be no necessity to strike a rate until the work is completed and the water ready to be delivered ; and se ond, that by that time the population and rateable value of Christchurch will haveconsiderably increased. Forwhorcas the rateable value of property in Christchurch was :

In 1875 .£l5O 626. „ 18V7 .£173 000. „ 1879 .£203,963. it is fair to assume that in 1881, when the work would probably be completed (if commenced as soon as possible), the rateable value would be £210,000. Taking Mr Blackwell’s (S.’i’uate of the cost of construction at £l-11,806, ' r say m round figures £150,000, and supposing that the loan is raiser at six per cent, the annual oust to the city in interest and sinking fnnd (allowing the extinct on of the debt to take place in fifty years) would be £9500, and the east of mainte> ance would be, say, £9OO annually, making together £10,4 0, this would amount to a rate of 10id in the £ on the assumed assessment of 1882. Aa a tet off against this apparently high tax upon the ratepayers, wo must now consider ths probable consumption of water, and the saving from other sources. The population of the city was ; in 1875 12,371. „ 1877 13,164 „ 1879 1.3,475. And therefore it is fair to assume that in 1882 it will bo about 11,000.

The minimum amount of water fold by meter for manufacturing purposes in most towns in England amounted to i even gallons per bend of population tome eight years ago, and since then the more general introduction of hydraulic machinery has very greatly increased the amount used, while in America the consumption was more than double that of English towus at the period referred to. As to this point Mr Blackwell says —“I consider fifteen gallons per head a very safe estimate.”

It appears that the general average cost of water in English towns is Is to Is 6cl per 1000 gulloas in old established works, but the rate is almost always more than this at starting. In Wellington and Dunedin the price is Is (id per 1000 gallons. Supposing then that the 14,000 inhabitants were to nao at the rate of fifteen gallons per head for trade purposes at Is 6d per fOOU gallons, that would give an annual revenue .£4914, which would at once reduce the necessary rate to 5-ld in the £,. Your committee think this is the proper place to draw attention to the nature of the trade supply of wat: r on which they rely. The water they feel confident would be used for the following purposes and trades: Baths, breweries, public buildings of all kinds, hotels, large residences requiring water under pressure to convoy it to upper floors, grain, hardware and other stares, where it would be used for working “ lif s” (a purpose for wliich no other power ;s in any way comparable to water), and also for driving machinery of all kinds, as explained by Kr Blackwell in his report. The very low price and extreme simplicity of water-power engines, where power is only m-eded occasionally, will doubtless recommend this use of the water to a la 1 go number who at present are dependent on manual labor. The immense advantage of using water power in all trades where water is needed as water is almost too obvious to call for special remark, ns, of course, in those cases, the water having given its power to drive the machinery, is still available ns water which can he used from tanks, &c., as in the case of baths, breweries, laundries, &c. But besides the direct redaction of the necessary rate which will arise from the sale of water, there is the very important indirect saving to bo considered which w.ll arise by reason of the lessened amount which will be charged for fire insurance when the scheme is in active operation. In Lyttelton, with a water supply in every wry inferior to taat which it is proposed to give to Christchurch. the fire insurance premiums have been reduced 12b per cent., while in Melbourne the premiums were reduced 40 per cent, soon after the completion of the water supply. Tour corner it'ec arc of opinion (backed by ns much statistical information as they have been able to obtain) that a redaction of fire insurance premiums amounting to 25 per cent, may certainly be looked for so soon as the scheme is in full working ordtr. Still, to be on the safe side, they have adopted 20 per cent, as the amount (for the purposes of this report) of the saving effected. The amount of fire insurance premiums at present paid in Christchurch annually is ,£25.000, and it is fair to assume that in 1882 the amount would be £26,000. The reduction of 20 per cent off that amount would effect a saving of £5200. i he account would therefore stand thus : Annual pay- I Sales of water meat for 1 as indicated £ 1,511 water supply, | Saving in fire principal and s insurance intero't ... £9,5i0 ! premiums ... 5,200 Maintenance ... 900 I Deficiency ... 286 £10,400 1 £10,400 But there is another factor of actual saving to bo taken into consideration, viz., the watering rate as at present paid. Ko soon as tho water scheme is complete, it will be possible to water the streets, not only more effectually, but at a cheaper rate than at present. In the absence of exact information on the subject your committee cannot state with certainty the amount of saving which would be so effected ; but it raaj fairly be taken at two-lhirds of the present amount paid for an equal area of work done. Hence those ratepayers who now pay lid in the £ for watering tho streets would, under the new system, pay only Old. Making allowance for this further reduction, it would appear that, at the commencement of the supply of water, or say within a twelvemonth of its first start, there would be an actual saving to the ratepayers as a bodv.

It is important also to remember that at the present time ‘ flushing the side channels” is an item of considerable expense, which would he saved under the water supply scheme. It must, however, be remembered that the money saved in fire insurance cannot be debited to the repayment of the loan, unless it bo raised in the definite form of a rate.

The rate for water supply will have from the first to be struck at such an amount as to produce, with the sales of water, the full amount required. 80 f ir yonr committee have been dealing with the question of the probable financial position of the water supply scheme at the commencement of the supply. It will now he necessary to direct attention to what may be fairly looked for as tha after results of the working of this scheme. The enorm uisly r ipid development of these colonies seems to point almost conclusively to the certainty that in a few years after the scheir. e has been in op ration the receipts from the sale of water alone will more than cover tha entire annual cost of the works.

In endeavouring to make a precast for a number of years many elements of uncertainty must of course, present themselves, but it is hardly too much to expect that in five years after the establishment of the works the ratepayers of Christchurch will have dis overed the advantages which have been conferred upon them, a- d will to far avail themselves of these advantages as to consume as much water per he id as is used in the towns of the United S ates, say eve., 20 gallons per head, though the total consumption in many of the cities of the United States appears to be far more than this. An 1 it is not too much to assume that in five years after the time when these works will ho complete, say in 1837, the population of the city will have risen to 20,000 In this case the annual revenue would amount from this source alone to dSf‘,36o. Bat, inas mi ch as the quantity of water used for trade purposi s would, doubtless, very much depend on the price charged for it. But there is an elc-inot.t in connection with the future that hardly app'ies to the present, and that has an important bearing on ttis very point. It is that of domestic consumption. Hitherto yonr committee have based its suppositions on the idea of an almost exclusive trade use of water, not enie-taining the idea that at first the water would be laid on to the majority of dwe linghouses as a matter of domestic conve. ience.

But your committee feel strongly that in a few j ears from the present time the present artesian supply wil be utterly inadequate for the wants of even the smaller houses in the city; and. judging from the large number of wells that are at present failing in their supply, it seems probable that, in a very short time after the works are completed a large majority of the ratepayers wib be eager to have the water introduced to their honses as a matter of convenience, if not of absolute necessity, and as soon as this use of the water becomes general the full advantage of the service will begin to be felt, and the rates at which the water can be sold will be proportionally lowered. Let ua suppose, for instance, that only onehalf of the inhabitants at the end of five years arc using the water fov domestic pimic.se 1. and suppose they take the twen y-six gallons |er head which Vir Blackwell assigns to them, this would give, at Is per 10(10 gallons, £t745, so that in this case the amount for trade purposes could ho also reduced to Is per 1000 gallons, and the total revenue would stand thus—

'1 we. ty thousand parsons taking two gallons for trade purposes at Is per 1010 gallons for 3' : working days of eight Lours, £0210; 10,000 taking twenty-six gallons per d y each for dome tic purposes, f r 305 days, at Is per ICO I. .£1715; total, £lO 985. It will be noticed in connection with this point, that Sir Blackwell sets apart for future cou-umption 1,300,000 gallons of water for domestic purposes. This would allow tbe supposed 50,000 inhabitants to draw their

twenty-six gallons per day each, and this draft would be continued more or less during the entire thirty-four hours, and also during the 365 days of the year. There is also an allowance for 1,500,000 gallons for trade purposes, but inasmuch as most trades would draw upon this supply for about eight hours out of the twentyfour, it is fdr to instance that of this supply not above 500.000 gallons would be sold. Taking these figures into consideration it would appear that there arc of the ordinary supply about 1,800,(00 gallons of saleable water to depend upon daily for sale purposes, and of this amount it will be found that only about GGO 000 have been consumed in the above estimated consumption, bringing in a revenue of .£10,985, at Is per 1000 gallons. This consumption of water still leaves of the ordinary supply about 1,140,000 gallons of daily supply to bo still dealt with, and it will ho seen at once that when, therefore, the whole supply can find a market the price cm he greatly reduced and the inducement to use water power thereby increased in proportion. For if the entire 1,800,000 gallons could ho sold at 6d per 1000, it would amount to a revenue of £14,000.

But, besides tho ordinary supply now under consideration, there is also that reserved lor lire purposes, of which reserve Mr Blackwell estimates 180,000 gallons per day could ' o so'd, und-r certain conditions as to cutting off supply in case of fires, which at the like rate would bring in another £3740. As soon as the sale of water can bo made at tho rates above indicated, there is little doubt but that there will ho an incrcasfd .'omand for its use, as at that rate a half-horse power engine coaid be worked at something loss than 3d per hour, and as there is absolutely no cost in attending tho engine, and as the first coat of the apparatus complete is something under £lO, it will be seen what a boon to tho manufacturing public such a supply would bs. It will bo seen, however, that so soon as the sale of water has i cached such proportions as will admit of there being any balance in band after tho payment of the annual expenses, it will be open to the City Council then in office to utilise the balance in such a way as may be doomed fit, either by further reducing the price of water, or by taking the proceeds as a part of the revenue of tho city. So soon as the scheme becomes selfsupporting, only those ratepayers who actually use tho water would have anything to pay for it, though all would enjoy tho incidental advantages which would arise from supply. As these incidental advantages arc very important, your committee are anxious to point out some o them. The first is undoubtedly the comparative safety from fire which would be enjoyed under the system. This comparative safety cannot in any fairness be measured by lbs reduction in premiums, because it must be obvious that in no honest case can the amount received as insurance money be a full compensation for a fire. Not only is it practically impossible to obtain insurance to the full amount of value cf property, but the loss of time and disorganisat on of business caused by fire entails in most cases far heavier losses than even the actual loss of combustible mat rial. So that a really efficient service cf fire prevention appliances is worth more in a city like Christchurch than can well be estimated. The mere fact that at present there is in tho city consumable property of the value of £G 500,000, and that less than one-third of this value is insured, is sufficient of itself to show the value of a plan by which a really effectual system of fire prevention can be carried out. In reference to this point will be seen that not only would the hydrants be placed at frequent intervals along all tho stre.ts, but also there would he an excellent opportunity for all tho important buildings to have private hydrants and hose iu the building itself, so that an extensive conflagration seems almost a matter of impossibility when the scheme is in full work.

But there is another advantage of very great, if not equal, importance to bo considered, viz , the health of the city. It cannot be doubted that on extensive system cf water supply must tend very materially to conduce to the health of the city to which it is introduced, provided the supply he of a pure and wholesome nature, and whoa the exceptional purity and abundant quantify of tho water proposed to be supplied io this case is considered, especially when taken in conjunction with the rapid failing of the present artesian supply, which failure will undoubtedly increase iu an increasing ratio, tho importance of tho scheme as a sanitary measure can hardly bo over estimated. Tho importance of a supply sufficient to flr.sh the channels would of itself fee a most important consideration.

11 now remains only for your con mitten to consider the question of supplying the outlying districts with water, and it is on this point that your committee are prepared to advise tho adoption of the larger main. Tho 22in, main adopted by Mr Blackwe'l in his report would deliver 2,800,< 00 gallons of water per day, at a pressure suitable for consumption, and as the whole of this amount could not be sold, the city proper would for many years to come have more than it would need for its own consumption. But taking into consideration the probability of a very large consumption being attained in the future, and also the very small (comparatively) extra cost of a large main, if laid in the first instance, your committee would recommend that a largo main he laid in the first instance, and that Sydenham, or any other adjoining district, should bo allowed to participate in the supply, by drawing such an amount of water as would be represented by the increase of the size of the main (an amount to be determined by tho engineer) free of charge, on consideration of the district so supplied paying the additional cost of hiring such large main over and above the cost of a 22iu. main.

By adopting this system a great advantage would be gained by all parties as the extra size of the main would render the pressure greater in proportion. And the greater pressure would, without extra cost of maintenance, render the water more valuable for the chief purposes for which it is needed, viz., for fire extinction and for driving ma hintry, whi e the other participate g districts would get an effectual water supply at a very cheap rate. Y our committee in conelading this report, are desirous to point out that, in their opinion, it is most desirable to carry out for Chid-tchurch such a scheme of water supply as will afford the greatest chance of a profitable use being made of the water ; and your committee cannot avoid the conclusion that this paying quality is one of the greatest advantages in the present scheme. By bringing the water from the Waimafciriri under sufficient pressure to enable the ratepayers to use it as a motive power, the works are at once brought under their consideration, under which handsome profit is almost certain, whereas if any lass scheme were carried out, and the idea of fire prevention and channel fln-hing schemes were contemplated, it is manifest that although a smaller capital amount -would be required in such a case, still, as the whole burden of the payment would rest on the ratepayers (there being no derivable revenue from f'O plan) the larger scheme, na > cly that ut p.e-ent advocated, will be found ont not only the best at all times but the cheapest in the end.

higned— Willi a m Vincent, Chairman. Nelson IC. Cherrill. A. Ayers. C. Cuff. It was agreed to take tho report as road. Mr Blackwell was in attendance lo answer any questions. Cr. Taylor moved—“ That the report to adopted.” Cr. Lambert seconded tho motion.

In reply to a question from Or. Wyatt. Mr Blackwell said he could not say from memory whether in those cases where clividords had been paid by water companies, an artesian supply existed. There was scarcely another country which was so favorably situated as to water as Christchurch.

Or. Cherrill pointed out that the artesian water was practically useless for the purpose of driving machinery, from which the largest revenue was expected to bo derived. Or. England thought the revenue from the sale of water was much overrated, at any rate for the first ten years. Or. Ayers said that tho supply of va ! ar now posscsse-I by Christchurch was not at all of an exceptional character, as it. was rapidly being exhausted. Every now house that was erected so far reduced the supply, as a now well was then added to those in existence.

Some discussion arose on tho point raised by Cr. Gapes whether the Council had not already accepted the scheme for water supply. I'he Mayor ruled that the report before tho O uncil was the report of tho committee to bo laid before tho ratepayers. Crs. Cuff, Lambert, Hulbert, Taylor, and Bishop, having spoken in favor of Ihorisoiution, it was put and agreed to unanimously. Cr. Ayers moved—“ That 2000 copies of the report a» adopted bn printed, and circulated amongst tho ratepayers,” which was agreed to. The report of tho surveyor wr.s read as follows :

No. I—The connection between tho Tramway Company's artesian and Cathedral square tank is completed I took advantage of the tank being emptied to have it properly cleaned out. I also measured the quantity of water will'll each each arte-iau supplies. The Company’s artesian gives twenty-tbre => gallons t er minute, and tho C am il’s artesian gives fourteen gallons per minute. This measurement is taken at Cathedral square, so than it is no guide as to what the deep welt would give if measured in tho tramway shed, as the water loses so much of its force between tbo shed and tho tank. No 2—PicVm nd road is being channelled, formed, and shingled. No. 3—A well-si ker has been enga ,ed to put down the deep well in Victoria street. No. 4—The broken metal has been spread on lower High street, and the rolling partly done.

No. s—Part of Lichfield street, which was iu a very bad condition, I am having coated with broken metal.

C. Walkden, City Surveyor. The report was approved. The report of tha committees on municipal buildings and finance were brought up and taken as read as follows : MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS.

Tour committee having been requested to report upon the designs selected, viz., that of “Avon” and “Well Considered,” with a view to supplying information to Jay before the ratepayers as to the probable revenue that might be derived from the buildings when erected, report as follows : 1. That we have, taken the architect’s estimate of cost, the same having been verified by tho quantity surveyors who were employed by the Council to report upon the designs upon which wo have based our calculations, viz , that of “ Avon” at £30,000, and “ Well Consider- d” at £lO 000, adding thereto a sum of £3uoo as the probable sum that would be required to furnish tho Town Hall and offices. 2. We have calculated upon tho money being raised by loan for fifty years at a cost of fi per cent, per annum, and have also upon being able to invest our sinking fund at 6 per cent. 3. In estimating the probable revenue that will be derived from letting the Town Hal! and offi -es, we hive based our calculations very low, so as to be rather within the mark than over.

4. In taking our basis for the amount of rates that would re quire to be struck to meet the expenditure of interest and sinking fund, we have estimated the valuation of the city for the first ten years at £240,000 per annum, for the sec nd period of ten years at £260 000, and for the third period of ten years at £300,000. No doubt these valuations will be largely exceeded before the time named expires, and thus further reduce tho amount of rates which would be required. 5. We have estimated that at the end of thirty years the revenue derived from tho letting of the Town Ball and offices will be‘ufficient to meet the expenditure without any help from the rates, and thus leave the city supplied with ample accommodation for carrying on the busine s, and also in possession of a Town Hall that will meet all requirements for many years free of cost to the citizens. _ Should tho ratepayers decide against erecting either of tho selected buildings, they will very shortly find it absolutely necessary to expend a sum of money in erecting offices of so > e description in which to carry on the municipal business, as the present building is rapidly falling to decay. [Detailed estimates are bore appended.] Briefly stated, the annual cost to tha ratepayers will be as follows: The design of “ Avon”—For the first term of ton years a sum of £1425 per annum, requiring a rate of lid in tho £. For the second term of ten years a sum of £1054 per annum, requiring a rate of Id in the £. For the third term of ten years a sum of £722 per annum, requiring a rate of jjd in the £. For design “ Well Considered”—For the first term of tea years a sum of £1894 per annum, requiring a rate of 2d in the|£. For the second term of ten years a sum of £1454 per annum, requiring a rate of I*4 iu the £. For the third term of ten years a sum of £lOOl per annum, requiring a rate of §4 i Q the £. After thirty years no help from rates should bo required as the receipts ahoald meet the expenditure. FINANCE COMMITTEE. His Worship tho Mayor and Conn-illors. Your committee beg to report as follows : Having bad under consideration the report of the committee appointed by this Council rc water supply and municipal buildings, which now lies upon this table and submitted for your consideration this evening, have no he-itation in commending the same to the favourable consi deration of the ratepayers, feeling satisfied that the data upon which those calculations have been based arc safe and reliable. After due consideration, we find, for the proper carrying ont of these and the necessary city drainage works, which have already been commenced (calculating upon a loan being negotiated), we will require to borrow a sum not less than £260,000, divided as follows : £ For water supply 160,000 Municipal buddings and town ball 50 000 To retire present loan ... 35,000 Necessary surface drainage works ... ... ... 15 000 £260 000 We here beg to point out that it will not bo necessary to float the whole of this loan at once, but only as we may require, say, £ ' 00,000 for the first year and tho remainder as we require it. (Signed) C. B. Taylor, Chairman. Tho report was adopted, together with the watar supply committee’s report. Or. England moved—“ That permits be issued to builders and others connected with the building trade to use footpaths where necessary without obstruction, and that a charge of 5s bo made for each issue ; also, that a copy of the permit bo forwarded to the police authorities for their guidance.” Cr. King seconded the motion, which was carried. Or. Oherril! moved —“ That iu tho opinion of this Council it is desirable to adopt a system of lettering the blocks of the city, and that it be an instruction to the works committee to have tho work done aa soon as possible. ” Or. Cuff seconded the motion.

A lengthy discussion ensued, and ultimately it was resolved—“ That the works committee, with Or. Cherrill, report on the subject of the resolution at next meeting,” Or. Taylor moved—“ That all dogs found without collars be impounded and advertised, and if not claimed within twenty-four hours to be dealt with as the law directs.”

Or. Ayers seconded the motion. After some discussion, the motion was withdrawn, on the understanding that the town clerk communicate with the Commissioner of Police as to tho strict enforcement of the Dog Nuisance Ordinance.

Or. Ayers moved—“ That a committee of this Council bo appointed to wait on the Minister of Lands at the carlie-t possible opportunity, to seriously bring under his notice the paucity of reserves held by or at the disposal of tho corporation of Christchurch as compared with other important cities in Now Zealand, and to ask for a Royal Commission to enquire into the matter ; such committee to consist of Crs. Cherrill, Vincent, and the mover.” The mover pointed out the injustice under which Christchurch labored os to reserves, pointing out that Dunedin and Auckland had reserves to the extent of about one million sterling. Cr. Gapes seconded tho motion. After some discussion as to the appointment of the reserves committee, the motion was amended so as to make the reserves committee tho one to whom tho subject was referred, with Cr. Ayers added, and agreed to. Tho Council then adjourned.

iiil m m son 8-001 !i! m ®r