CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1908, 6 April 1880, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the Christchurch City Council was held last evening. Present —His Worship the Mayor, Ors. Gapes, Bishop, King, Taylor, Chorrill, Lambert, Cuff, Ayers, Hulbert, England, and Wyatt, The Mayor stated the debit balance at the Bank to be £3289 10s 6d. The usual statement of accounts since the last meeting was submitted, giving the following totals :— Receipts on general account, £630 11s 4d ; on drainage rate account, 1879, £5 8s 2d ; ditto, No. 2, £2O 13s 7d. Bills to bo paid, on general account. £778 Os 9d ; on drainage rate account, £607 7s 9d ; drainage account, No. 2, £54 18s 2d. In reply to Cr. Oherrill, the town clerk stated that copies of the Tramways Act had been received that day. Or. King asked whether the shanties on the Market reserve were within the boundary of theflre block. The surveyor (Mr Walkden) replied that the block was within the city. A mistake had previously arisen in the matter owing to the coloring of the map. Io reply to Or. Wyatt the town clerk stated that eight persons had been summoned for obstructing the scavenger in the discharge of his duty, and that Cr. Wyatt was one of the number. Or. Bagland mentioned that the Tramway Company had let a contract for the extension of the tramway to Papanui, and he should like to know the position the Council would occupy in regard to it, being of opinion that steps should be taken for the supervision of the work, in the interest of the public traffic. It was resolved to authorise the works committee to appoint a competent person to inspect the work. In reply to Cr, Lambert, the town clerk said the Council had nothing to do with the prosecution of “ Wicked ” Marks. A petition was read from five residents of Tuam street, complaining of the chimney of Martin’s foundry being dangerous. The petition was referred to the Nuisance Inspector, A petition was received from residents of Victoria street in reference to a sanitary work in that direction. The town clerk was instructed to send a reply similar in effect to that forwarded to other petitioners on the like subject. A letter was received from the Drainage Board requesting the Council to collect the drainage rate for the current year at 4 per cent. Resolved —“ That this Council declines to collect the drainage rate for leas than 5 per cent.”

A letter was received from Mr G. L. Mellish, to the effect that the Government would not require the offices now in use for the purpose of ft Magistrate’s Court, beyond the 30th of June next. Although this was given as a formal notice he understood that it had been arranged that the Government should not pry rent tor the offices for a longer time than they wore actually occupied. In relation to the question of local industries, anent which a circular had been received from the Royal Commission thereon, Cr. Lambert moved, Cr. Vincent seconded, and it was carried—“ That the Mayor, Crs. Oherrill, .England, and the mover be a committee to consider the subject, and take such action as they deem advisable.” A letter was read from a Mr Fergueeon, claiming £2O on account of an injury sustained by his horse in consequence (as he alleged) of an imperfection in a portion of the Barbadoee street bridge. After discussion the letter was referred to the city solicitor for his advice. An application from Mr Montague Lowm for the use of the open space in Oranmer square for purpose of cricket was granted. The following circular from the Colonial Treasurer’s office was read : 11 Sir, —I have the honor, by direction of the Colonial Treasurer, to transmit to you the enclosed

form, in which you are requested to furnish the information required under section 32 of the Financial Arrangements Act, 1876. At the same lime I am to bring under your notice the intention expressed by the Government last session to discontinue the payment of subsidies after the expiration of the then financial period—a proposal which met with the approval of Parliament. While, therefore, a form is sent to you as heretofore, to enable you to supply the information required by law to be furnished to the Treasury, it is not to be taken ns an indication that provision will be made during the approaching session for the payment of any subsidy to your borough.—(Signed) James 0. Qavin, Secretary to the Treasury.” The circular was ordered to be received.

A letter was read from Mr Louis B. Blackwell on the question of water supply for the city. The report of the city surveyor (adopted) was to the following effect: April sth, 1880. Oho, urine I has been erected at the Market Square, and as soon as the localities have been definitely fixed the others will bo erected in contract. The contract for the supply of horse feed fur the ensuing year has been given to Mr Banks. The contract for the supply of totara timber was given to Messrs Montgomery and Co. The following private streets have been channelled, formed, and shingled: Taylor’s lane, Moa Place. Richmond road, Bath street, Erankish’s right-of-way, Mortimer Place, Avon street. New street, Gosling’s right-of-way, Davis’s right-of way, b aton Place. Wilmor’s road, Alcester street, and Cla: kson’s right ofway, and several others are being proceeded with The works committee received a letter from his Wo' ship the Mayor, offering to subscribe .£35 towards the erection of the clock tower, and £25 for a lamp pedestal, or that the whole sum of £SO should be devoted to the tower, and the committee beg to recommend that the latter proposition be acceded to. In reference to the last clause of the surveyor’s report, touching the offer of his Worship the Mayor, some discussion ensued, there being a difference of opinion as to whether the work prooosed in either case could be performed for the money, and a suggestion was made that a subscription list should be started, and, with the sums offered by the Mayor, raise something like £l5O for the erection of the clock tower. Eventually the matter was allowed to stand over for a week.

The annual report of Superintendent Harris of the Christchurch Fire Brigade was read as follows :—“ I have the honor to lay before the Council my report of the fires that have occurred during the past twelve months. The total number was thirty three. The number during the same period of last year was fortytwo. The losses also have been much less, the only large fire this year having been that of Messrs. Edwards, Bennett and Co. It will be further satisfactory to learn that wo have had but one fire since the 20th of October last, and for more than three months the fire bell has not been rung. The balance sheets rendered at the end of each quarter show that the expenditure during the past year has been £695 18s 2d. This sum includes the cost of new uniforms, £l5O, which will not be required again for about three years, and also some expensive repairs to the steam fireengines.” The report was approved, with subexpression of opinion as to its highly satisfactory character.

Cr. Bishop reported that the by-law committee had interviewed the chairman of the Tramway Company, re the cabmen’s petition, and had also visited the stands referred to. A deputation of the cabmen would wait on the committee on Tuesday. After disposing of some routine business the Council adjourned.