THE SOUTH BELT.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1930, 1 May 1880, Page 3

THE SOUTH BELT.

A conference relative to tho South town belt, of representatives of the City Council and tho Sydenham Borough Council, together with the members of the House of Assembly for the district, took place yesterday. Present —His Worship the Mayor of Christchurch (in the chair), tho Mayor of Sydenham, Ors Charters, Wnite, and Hall (Sydenham), Ore. Ayers, Cherrill, and Gapes (Christchurch). Messrs J. T. Fisher, E, 0. J. Stevens, and the Hon. E. Richardson were also present.

Tho Mayor of Christchurch said he had seen Mr Andrews, who had apologised for not being present. Ho need not say much about the conference, as they all knew its purport. The conference had been sought by the Sydenham Borough Council, and they were there to hear what they had to say. He might say that the proceedings that day would not bind the City Council, although ho was of opinion that tho City Council desired a settlement of the much vexed question.

The Hon. E. Richardson asked what was the objection to the proposition of the Sydenham Borough Council that the boundary should be the northern side of the footpath. The Mayor of Christchurch said that there were several objections. The first was that the Council would not be justified in giving up any part of their territory. It was also urged that unless Sydenham wao given up entirely to Christchurch, which was his own idea, the boundary line should be the railway. The City Council were open to allow the Sydenham Council to build their verandahs as they thought proper on the south oido. It was also objected to on the ground of difference of levels.

Mr Stevens asked whether the City Council had ever made any proposition for a scheme of adjustment or any proposition for a division of the cost of forming the belt.

Or. Ayers said he thought that question was answered by the proposition made by Cr. Taylor, and seconded by himself, that the Act should be amended so as to put the Councils on the same footing as regarded boundary roads as the Road Boards.

The Mayor of Christchurch said it seemed to him that it had not been contemplated that Sydenham would be created a borough, or a provision would have been made providing for this. Mr Stevens said he understood that the Mayor meant there was no provision for boroughs adjoining each other, only divided by a town belt. The Mayor said this was what appeared to him to be the case.

The minutes of conferences of April 10th, 1879, October, 1879, and November 7th, 1879, were read. Hon. E. Richardson said he saw from these minutes that the proposition to place the Sydenham Borough Council in the same position as tho Road Boards as regarded boundary roads had a large majority supporting it. What had been done ?

The Mayor of Christchurch explained that this was one of the alterations recommended in the Act, but, as the Hon. Mr Richardson was probably aware, nothing had been done.

The Mayor of Christchurch said that the whole business could be commenced de novo.

In reply to a question, The Mayor of Sydenham said the members of the House of Representatives had been invited to confer with the Sydenham Council on matters of importance, and this South town belt came up. Ho felt sure that putting the matter into the hands of independent arbitrators would not be objected toby Sydenham. They were iu this position, that their ratepayers kept asking them to put tbe belt in order, but they could not do so, as they had no business there. He did not know what form the business would take, whether they would pass resolutions or recommendations. The Mayor of Christchurch said that the Sydenham Borough Council had called the conference together. It was, therefore, for them to say what they proposed. Or. Hall said that, as he understood it, the district members were to be asked to act as arbitrators between the two Councils, as it were.

Mr J. P. Fisher suggested that they might consult with the Mayors of Dunedin and of the other suburban boroughs as to how they worked. Hon. E. Richardson said that the circumstances were not analogous. Mr Stevens asked whether the City Council would be prepared to assume the ownership of the whole belt and form it.

The Mayor said so far as he understood it the City Council would be willing to put the Sydenham Council in the same position as the Road Boards on the other belts. For instance, the Heathcote Road Board had paid for the share of metalling, and had completed the footpaths, &o. He need hardly remind those present that the Council would be prepared to go on with the work as soon as they got money. Or. Charters enquired whether he understood the Mayor of Christchurch to mean that the City Council would go on with the work of forming the South town belt ? The Mayor of Christchurch said that was his opinion, but, as he had stated, opinions stated there were only those of individuals, and not binding on the Councils. Cr. White said he understood that the Drainage Board were cleaning the channels and charging Sydenham with the cost. The Mayor of Christchurch said that they would be able to show them different to this.

The City Surveyor explained what had been done with regard to the South town belt. The Inspector of Nuisances was called in, and stated that some six months ago the city men had cleared the side channels all along the belt.

The Mayor of Sydenham said that at the late conference they had agreed that the alteration of the Act would not be the best solution of the difficulty. Mr Stevens said he thought that the introduction of a special provision into an Act affecting all the municipalities of the colony would be somewhat embarrassing. The impression was that, therefore, it would be much better to settle the matter locally. Or. White said that their solicitor had given them advice that they could not spend a single penny on the belt. Mr Stevens asked whether, supposing the legal position of Sydenham was assured, would such an arrangement as proposed by the alteration of the Act, to place the Sydenham Council in the same position as Road Boards with respect to boundary roads meet their views.

The Mayor of Sydenham said that he had no doubt this would be acceded to. Or. Charters asked whether the City Council would agree to allow Sydenham residents to apply for erection of verandahs, and opening up of footpaths to the Sydenham Council.

Hon. E. Richardson and Mr Stevens pointed out that if there was local agreement a special Act would easily pass the House. The Mayor of Christchurch said that the proposal to have a special Act promoted ia the General Assembly, to enable the Sydenham Council to spend money on the South belt would, he thought, have tho support of the City Council. Hon. E. Richardson said that what he meant was, that the cost of all tho work on South town belt and tho cost found to accrue to Sydenham from having to accept other levels should be decided upon, and divided between the two Councils. Cr. Charters said that in Melbourne the suburban boroughs took their boundary to tho centre of the belt, and the senior borough charged the others with a half of tho cost of the work.

The Mayor of Christchurch said it was no good bringing this matter before the City Council, as they were determined not to give up any portion of their property. It was, therefore, no use to discuss tho question further.

Cr. Hall said that the holes snd nuisances on the belt were caused by tho action of the City Council in forming their part of th belt. He thought the fairest way would be for tho City Council to keep their legal status on tho

belt, and share the cost of forming the northern half of the bolt. The Mayor of Sydenham said that ho would suggest, to test the feeling of the meeting, that, assuming that Christchurch and Sydenham could agree as to the ownenhip of the belt, means should be taken to arrive at a decision as to tbs proportion of cost to bo paid by each, either by arbitration or otherwn*. He would like to ask how that would do.

The Mayor of Christchurch said that, as a Council, ho believed that they would agree with what had been stated by the members for the House of Representatives, and he trusted that the Sydenham Borough Council would do so also. He took it that, having consulted with tho members, the Sydenham Council were prepared to adopt their proposition. Ho thought that tho fairest way would be to make the boundary line tho railway. Or. Hull—That would be a robbery. Tho Mayor of Sydenham stated that he had not boon able to find one ratepayer in favour of this. Tho Mayor of Christchurch said that he had heard of a petition being got up, which would probably be numerously signed, asking the Sydenham Council to do something in tho matter, or to petition tho Assembly to annex the district north of the railway to tho City of Christchurch. After some further discussion, Or. Charters moved—“ That a special Act be obtained, authorising tho Sydenham Borough Council to expend money in tho construction and maintenance of the town belts, under the superintendence of tho City Council of Christchurch; Sydeahum to have the right of issuiug verandah and drain licenses on their side of tho bolt; the cost of tho formation and the consideration to be allowed Sydenham for the expense that will be caused through tho lowering of the north side of the belt by Christchurch to be settled by arbitration in case of dispute. The expenses of obtaining tho Act to be borne equally by both bodies.” Or. Oherrill thought that they should pass a simple Act, empowering Sydenham to spend money on the South town belt. The remainder of the points in dispute to be sel tied by arbitration. Or. Ayers seconded the motion, which was carried.

The Mayors of Christchurch and Sydenham having thanked the members for their good offices, the conference terminated.