CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1914, 13 April 1880, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

Monday, Apeid 12,

Tho usual weekly meeting was held at 7 p,m. Present— His Worship the Mayor, Ors. Gapes, King, Bishop, Taylor, Cherrill, Cuff, Hulbert, Wyatt, Ayers, England, The receipts for tho week were reported as being £225 18s lOd. Accounts to the amount of £292 6s 2d were passed and ordered to be paid. The debtor balance at the bank on general account was stated as being £3841 12s sd.

The Mayor said he had received a telegram from Or. Lambert from Kaikoura, stating that he could not be present at the meeting that evening. The sketch of the clock tower would be brought forward next week. He had [received an anonymous letter aspersing the character of one of the under officials of the Council. Ho felt sure that the Council would agree with him that unless a person folt disposed to come forward openly and make such statements they would not receive any anonymous communications, more especially when it affected character. He thought that such a course was exceedingly unmanly—[hear, hear] —and ho took this opportunity of stating publicly that he would not take notice of such a letter as the one ho had referred to. [Hear, hear.] Cr. Cherrill read a paragraph from the “ Echo,” which stated that a person who had intended to apply for the post of the tramway inspector had been informed by a member of the works committee that they had already selected their man, and that to apply was useless, as the advertising for such an officer was merely a matter of form. He should like to ask whether this was a fact ?

The Mayor said he was not a member of the committee, but doubtless those members of the Council who were would answer.

Cra. Gapes, King, and England denied that the paragraph had the slightest truth in it. (The election was one of the fairest that could be, and tho fact that the gentleman selected had not been unanimously elected proved the fallacy of such a statement. Or. Cuff was of opinion that the proper way to treat such a statement was to treat it with contempt (hear, hear.) In answer to Or. Cuff, Cr. Gapes stated that an answer had been sent to Messrs Oates and Co., respecting their request to have a permit to open a [larger length of tramway work than one hundred yards, stating that the Council declined to deal with anyone but the Tramway Company. The Mayor said that ho intended writing to the Lord Mayor of London with regard to the Rowland Hill testimonial, stating that it was the opinion of the Council that any subscriptions raised in tho colony should take the form of a fund for the superannuation of colonial postal officials. The Council acquiesced in this being done. A letter was read from the Town Clerk, Melbourne, stating that there was no inconvenience felt in carrying out the by-law respecting vehicles being driven at a walking pace at the intersection of streets, and so generally wjs it acquiesced in by the public that prosecutions under tho by-law were not necessary. A letter was read from Mr Butcher, complaining that Mr Husband and others had erected a fish shop on the Victoria street frontage, and urging that all fish hawkers should be compelled to use the portion of the reserve fronting on the river set apart for them. Or. Hulbert said it was distinctly understood that tho fish hawkers should only sell on that part of the reserve set apart for them, and not on the Victoria street site. Now that the Council had gone to the expense of having a site prepared and water laid on, the fish hawkers refused to make use of it. Ha also desired to call attention to a letter in the paper that day as to Sunday selling. Ho did not think that after expressing such virtuous indignation as to Sunday trading that they should allow this. Or. King should be prepared to move that the lease of the Sunday trader bo at once cancelled.

After some discussion, Cr. Ouff moved —“ That unless tho tenants on'tho Market Reserve comply with the instructions given them to discontinue selling fish except on that portion of the reserve sot apart for that purpose, their leases be cancelled, and that they have notice of the same immediately.” Cr. Ayers seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously.

Cr. Gapes moved —“That the small space between Mr Husband’s section and the concrete floor be concreted for Mr Husband’s occupation.” Or. Wyatt seconded the motion. Or. Hulbert detailed the conduct of Hua band, who be said had persistently opposed the committee, and was not entitled to any consideration, Ors. Ayers, Taylor, England, and King opposed the resolution. The resolution, on being put, was negatived, only Crs. Gapes and Wyatt voting for it.

Or. King moved—“ That the lease of the person selling on Sunday bo cancelled.” The Mayor pointed out that the offending stall keeper was a foreigner, and did not know that he was infringing the law. Cr. King, under these circumstances, would withdraw his resolution.

On the suggestion of Cr. Hulbert, it was resolved that a notice be sent to the tenants that Sunday trading was not permitted. A letter from Mr Hoasoman was read respecting Eaton Place and referred to the ■works committee.

A request was read from several omnibus proprietors,“ asking that buses should bo allowed to run anywhere, so as to be enabled to take other routes.

Or. Bishop explained that the course proposed would necessitate the alteration of the by-law, at an expense of some £3O or £4O. Tho matter was referred to the by-law committee to report upon. Cr. England asked whether there was a:.y consideration named in the lease of the roads of tho city to the Tramway Company. The Mayor replied in the negative. Tho committee who framed tho lease had considered that the cost of keeping the roads in order would be much lessened to tho city, because tho Tramway Company had to keep the centre of the road in repair, and also a certain portion on each side of the rails. A letter was read from Mr H. E. Poore, asking for the patronage of tho Council at a concert to be given by the Railway Band on tho 22nd instant.

It was resolved to grant tho request, Crs, King and Wyatt dissenting.

The Surveyor’s report was read as fob lows:—

(1) The contract fur forming and shingling Avon street was given to Mr Miller. (2) The contract for 2000 cubic yards of shingle was given to Mr Knowles. (3) For the post of overseer for the tramway there were thirty-three applications, and it was decided by ballot to give it to Mr Drewett. (4) A plan has been forwarded to me by the engineer to the tramway, showing the proposed loop lines in Cathedral square, and it will be laid before the Council.

The report was approved, as also were those of the inspector of nuisances and ranger. Or. Hulbert moved—“ That the city surveyor be instructed to prepare an estimate of cost of asphalt footpaths and laying down the intervening spaces with grass in Latimer square, as per plan.” Or. Taylor seconded the motion, which was carried, Ors. Ayers and Cuff dissenting.

The estimate of probable receipts and expenditure for the year ending 31st March, 1881, was brought up and read. Or. Taylor moved—“ That the estimate as read bo approved, and the town clerk instructed to advertise the same.”

Cr. Cuff seconded the motion, which was carried.

Or. Taylor proposed—“ That the town clerk notify the Council’s intention to make and levy a general rate of Is in the £ for the year ending 31st December, 1880, to be due and payable in one sum on the 27th April, 1880.” Cr. Cuff seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Or. King gave the following notice of motion—“ That the Council vote the sum of £3OO for improvements to Latimer square, including the erection of the clock tower presented to the City of Christchurch by the General Government, provided that, the sum of £l5O bo subscribed locally for the above object. The Council then ad journed.