CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2140, 4 January 1881, Page 4

CITY COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the Council was held last evening. Present—His Worship the Mayor. Ors. Lambert, England, Ouft, Oherrill, Vincent, Bishop, King, Ayore, Hulbert, and Thomson. The Mayor reported a debit balance at the Bank of £697 Is lid. A statement of accounts was presented up to 31st December, 1880, being ao follows Eeoeipts on general account, £289 9J ; bills paid by committee, £253 11s 8d ; bills to bo paid, £569 14s 2d j receipts on drainage accounts, £2 9s; Drainage Board rate, £8 lls 6d. The bills were ordered to bo paid. After some preliminary business of a routine character, The " Lyttelton Times ” was appointed the official paper for the year 1881, the Pbess having been the official paper the year previous. A petition was read from residents of Tuam street, complaining of a nuisance caused by an ice foctory in the locality. The Town Olork said he had instructed the Inspector of Nuisances to see to the matter, and report. The Town Clerk’s action was approved. A letter was road from Mr J. P. Oliver, in reference to the letter of advice from Messrs Joyut and Perceval to the Town Clerk, and asking that certain extracts from the letter of his (Mr Oliver’s) solicitors be read at the Council Board. Cr. Cherrill moved that the extracts be not read. The ease was in no way analogous to that of Mr Haskins, and, further, they should not take cognizance of extracts from an opinion. The motion was carried unanimously. Latter from the police authorities, intimating that the questions of Sunday drinking and bathing in the Avon were receiving attention. A letter from Mr Bobert Wall was mad in reference to his name being struck off the roll. The Town Clerk explained that a mistake had arisen owing to the writer’s brother having exercised the privilege to which he (Bobert Wall) was entitled. Cr. Hulbert said this was not an exceptional case, and it should bo an instruction to the officer going round for rates to bo more careful, so that citizens should not be deprived of their privileges. The Town Olork was instructed to reply to the letter. Messrs. Izard and Loughnan, solicitors, wrote on behalf of Mr Taylor, in relation to the latter’s application for licenses to build, and protesting against the action of the Council in endeavoring to force payment of the double fee. Or, Hulbert said it appeared to him that the first part of the letter was a request for advice, and be would suggsst that they should he written to asking whether they wore prepared to pay the “ usual 6i Bd.” fLaughter.J Or. Oherrill pointed out that if these gentlemen were of opinion that the Council could not legally recover, the best way for them was to pay the money and test the question afterwards. After some discussion, a motion by Cr, Oherrill was carried to the effect that the Council did not see its way to deviate from its previous resolution. Or. England remarked that the buildings now being carried on by Messrs Taylor were an obstruction. The Counoil resolved to communicate with tile police on the subject. The report of the city surveyor was read as follows: — 1. The works committee have considered the application to make a better entrance in Tnam street, and they recommended that it shouli not be granted. 2. One of the Council's horses stabled at Lichfield street station at the time of a fire becomes so unmanageable and excited that it causes delay, and the superintendent of tho Eire Brigade has applied to have the horse replaced by another, and as wo have not another more suitable for the work, the works committee recommend that one should bo purchased. 3, I have received from Messrs Dobson and Son a section showing the proposed levels of tho south side of the South belt, which I have approved of. I asked Mr Dobson if he had received any instructions about the concrete channels, and be informed me that he had not, and it appears to me that to form and shingle the road is beginning at the wrong ond of the work, as it is not the shape of the road that has always been complained of, bat the want of means for carrying off the drainage, and if it i.a now again formed with earth channels, it will soon get into as bod a state again as it now is. and so continue the bad offensive smells which now exist. 4. The work on Eichmond Terraco, viz., channelling, forming and shingling, has now been completed, and as the work has not cost quite so mnch as I estimated, the difference will have to be returned to Mr Izard, us w/is arranged should bo the case. 5. That part of Oxford Terrace, near Ward’s brewery, not yot formed and shingled, measures 25 lineal chains, and will cost -£122. 6. All that part of the asphalt pavement laid down before tho end of the year 1877, is now in good condition, and Mr Smart wishes to ho relieved of that part of his contract by receiving from me a certificate that ho has completed that portion of his contract. 7. A corrected plan of Stewart street has n w been handed to me, showing its position with reference to the Government stones, and the persons living in the street request that it may bo taken over by the Conncil under the name of Stewart street. 6. I have received a latter from Mr Bell, tho engineer to tho Drainage Board, requesting that in tho roads whore there are sowers there shall be a bolt of grass about sft wide left on each side tho road, in order to prevent the sand and dost washing and blowing into tho channels, and from thence into the sewers. The letter is annexed hereto. C. Walkden, City Surveyor. In connection with clause 3, Or. Lambert proposed that tho Sydenham Counoil bo written to, asking if it was their intention to pnt down the concrete channel on the south aide of the belt, as arranged ot tho late conference. The motion was seconded by Or. Oherrill and carried. It was decided to let the clause stand over till a reply was received. In reference to clause 4, the matter was referred to the works committee for an estimate of the cost of the work. Clause 5 was referred to the works committee to report upon. On the motion of Or. Halbert, it was agreed to accept the surveyor’s recommendations in clanse 6. Or. Lambert moved — “ That a bdocial meeting of the Council be called for 6 45 p.m. on Monday, 17th of January, to consider tho propriety of taking over a new street situate between St. Asaph street and South town belt, block 4, town reserves, S..W. ward.” Seconded by Or. Vincent, and carried. Some discussion occurred in reference to the last clause of the report. The surveyor read the report of Mr 8011, and the matter was referred to the works committee, with power to act. Tho report of the city surveyor was then approved as a whole. The departmental committee reported on the case of Mr Tribe, and the letter which that gentleman wrote in reference to his discharge. The report was unfavorable to the statements made by Mr Tribe. The report was adopted. Tho following report of tho Superintendent of Fire Brigade for quarter ending December 31st was read : To Hia Worship tho Mayor. Sir, —It is my pleasing duty to again report hut very little loss from fires during the past quarter. We have had but four small fires, two of which were outside tho city boundaries. The new boiler for tho Extinguisher is now landed from the Bangitikei, and appears very satisfactory. I propose as soon as the holidays are over to have it fixed. The new hose, together with tubes for ho ler, mentioned in last repjrt, were ordered by mail on October 9th, 1880. The report was pronounced highly (satisfactory. Tho by-law committee's report recommended that tho fee charged under clause 8 of tho by-law ( re owners) be reduced to 30s, and after the 30th January it be reduced to 20a for the balance of tho year, and also that under clause 24 of the by-law (rc driven)) the fee be reduced to 15s, and after the 30th January it bo reduced to 10s for tho balance of the year. The report was adopted. The next business was the consideration of motions of which notices had been given. Or. King moved—“ That a return having been received from several largo cities in tho colony showing that tho price charged for street lamps is very mnch below that charged to this Council, a copy of tho same be forwarded to the das Company pointing out the anomaly, and requesting a reduction in price.” Cr. Cuff seconded tho resolution. Some discussion ensued, during which Or. Thomson pointed cut they ought not to pass such a resolution without further information, as the Q-aa Company might be in a position to turn round and show that tho Council was proceeding on false promises, in which case tho Council would look foolish. It was also pointed out that a number of matterm, such as the number of lamps, the hours of burning, &0., ought to bo taken into consideration. Or. Taylor moved as an amendment —“That the Qua Company be asked to reduce their

charges for gas supplied to the Council, including the public lamps.” Or. King pointed out that the amendment was embodied in the resolution. The amendment was put to the vote and negatived. Cr. Hulbert then moved a further amendment, to the effect that the question be reft rred to the lighting committee for further information and to report. Seconded by Cr. Ayers, and carried by a majority of one. Or. England moved—“ That in order to more effectually cleanse a large number of s reet channels, which at present endanger the public health, the works committee bo instructed to obtain one or more water carts v/ith the least possible delay.” Seconded by Or. King. In reply to Or. Ayers, the City Surveyor said the last cart had cost about £3O; but the first cost was the smallest —they would require a horse and a man to work it. Or. Ayers proposed an amendment—" That the matter be deferred till the appointment of a water supply committee.’’ The amendment was carried. Councillor Oherrill moved—“ That a water iiupply committee be appointed.” This was agreed to, and Ors. Oherrill, England, and Ayers were appointed members of the committee. The Council then went into committee, and on resuming adjourned.