CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1992, 13 July 1880, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the Council was held yesterday evening. Present—Hia Worship the Mayor, Ors. King, Lambert, Cherrill, Cuff, Taylor, Thomson, and Vincent, The Mayor stated that the debit on the bank was £2314 5s lid. The weekly statement of accounts gave the following totals : General account, £2351 3s 8d; bills to be paid, £BO4 4s; drainage account, £66 15s 6d; drainage account No. 2, £233 14s 3d. The Mayor stated that he had nothing special to remark upon, but took the opportunity of saying that he had received tickets for the Industrial Exhibition, with the request that the Mayor and Council would attend the Exhibition. With regard to the Foresters' entertainment, the Mayor brought under notice the custom which had obtained of extending the patronage of the Council to snob, and it was arranged to take twenty tickets. An application was received for the patronage of the Council on behalf of a lecture on “Eternal Suffering” by Mr Cass. All the Councillors present took tickets. His Worship then said he had been asked to try to dispose of tickets for Mr J. P. Hydes’ benefit in the Oddfellows’ Hall. Questions as to the condition of local works having been replied to by the surveyor, the correspondence was considered. A letter was read from W. G. Brittain, Church steward, stating that the Church Property Trustees declined to pay the charges for scavengers’ work, payable by their tenants, and which have been allowed to go in arrears.

The Town Clerk explained that the usual notice had been served upon the tenants, but in the cases referred to, and involved in the letter under consideration, the houses were held by weekly tenants, and were constantly changing hands. A discussion arose as to the liability of the Church Property Trustees, Cr. Thomson remarking that that point ought to be settled in the first place. The Town Clerk said they were in the same position as other owners of property, who were liable for the scavenging rate by the by-law under which the rate was imposed. Cr. Thomson—lf so, the trustees cannot shuffle out of it, and should be sued for the money. His Worship had always been of opinion that the Council had never made so great a mistake as when they took over the collection of the scavenging rate. After further discussion, it was resolved to refer the matter to the city solicitor for his opinion. A letter was read from the chairman of the meeting held in reference to the Fire Brigades Bill, forwarding the resolutions passed on the subject. His Worship remarked that the Bill had been read a second time, and letters from the city members had been received in reference to the matter, but it did not appear that the amendments suggested by the Council had been considered. He thought the Council should make itself understood in the matter, as not approving of the Bill in its original form. Or. Taylor suggested that the amendments would doubtless be considered in committee. Cr. Thomson submitted that the idea was wrong in principle. Any amendments to a Bill on such a matter should be directed through the Council. The Mayor read the clause referred to. Cr. Thomson saw no objection to the alteration, but os he had said, the method of conveying it was what he objected to. It was resolved that the Council entertained no objection to the alteration proposed. A resolution was also passed to the effect that the members for Christchurch and the Premier be made acquainted with the views of the Council on the Fire Brigades Bill. A letter was received from Mr Harris, superintendent of the fire brigade, expressing concurrence in the action of the Council anent the new Bill. The manager of the Bank of New Zealand wrote stating the terms on which the financial committee (subject to confirmation by the City Council) had arranged for the continuation of the borough account with that Bank. The action of the committee was confirmed. The surveyor’s report was read as follows: July 12th, 1880. 1. The tramway committee desired me to report to the Council that they recommend the concession to be given to the 'I ramway Company to lay the tramway down High street and the Ferry read, subject to the concession terminating at the same time as the general lines already granted, and also subject to the passing-place on the East [belt Ibeing removed. 2. Mollet’s right-of-way and Willow street are now channelled, and the contract to form and shingle them has been given to Messrs Beattie and Millar. The report was approved. The Chairman of the works committee explained with reference to the Addington question referred to them that they bad not considered it in the absence of the plans of the proposed line. Or. Taylor at this stage said ho had been asked to apologise for the absence of Cr. Hulbert. Some matters of routine were then dealt with, and the Council adjourned.