CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2299, 16 August 1881, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the City Council was held last evening. Present—His Worship the Mayor, Or*. Hulbert, King, England, Trolearen, Cuff, Oherrill, Vincent, Ayers, Lambert, Thomson and Taylor, The accounts for the past fortnight were as followsßeoeipts, on general account, £1203 11s sd; suspense account, £165 10s; bills to be paid, £561 2s lOd and £l9O 5s ; other receipts, £163. The credit at the Bank was reported to be £2374 6s 2d.

The correspondence was then read and considered. The following letters, among others, were then dealt with From Mr James Hicks, drawing attention to inconvenience and expense to himself arising out of the alteration in the leases of the shops in the Victoria market. Referred to reserves committee to take action.—From the hon. sec. of the Druids centenary committee, asking for the Council’s patronage on the occasion of tho celebration to take place on Thursday, August 25th. —Or. Ayers moved—“ That the request bo acceded to.” The motion found no seconder, and, on the suggestion of Cr. Taylor, the town clerk was instructed to write informing applicant of a former resolution of the Council, to the effect that the patronage of the Council should only be granted on behalf of charitable purposes. From the Drainage Board, stating that the Board was not prepared to pay more than 5 per cent, commission for the collection of the drainage rate 1881.—Or. Vincent moved, Or. Cuff seconded, and it was agreed that the offer of 5 per cent, be accepted.—From the Canterbury Fire Insurance Association, enclosing a copy of the analysisof gas oil made by Professor Biekerton.—On the motion of Or. Ayers, the letter was referred to the bylaw committee to take action immediately.— One or two letters on the subject of valuation were also dealt with. The city surveyor’s report was read as follows: In consequence of wbat was said at the last meeting of the Council, relative to the exits from the Theatre, I beg now to place before the Council a copy of my notes taken at my last examination,previous to this year’s license being granted Exits from stalls—one sft sliding door, one 3ft hinge door ; exits from pit—one 10ft sliding door, one sft hinge do ; exits from circle—one 6ft hinge door (double), one 3ft hinge door to Cathedral square ; exit from orchestra —one 3ft hinge door. From the above it will be seen that the exits from tho Theatre are ample in number and dimensions, but the sft sliding door from the stalls is objectionable, owing to a practise indulged in by the doorkeeper of placing a wedge under the door to prevent its being opened beyond a certain width, and in tho event of a panic in the Theatre there is no guarantee that the wedge would be removed in time to stay a crush taking place at that spot, and consequently I would recommend that instead of the sliding door there should be placed folding hinge doors opening outwards. The above remarks will also apply to the sliding door from the pit, but I cannot say whether the same practice of wedging that door prevails or not. 2. The formation of that part of Cambridge terrace between Montreal and Cashel streets is finished, and as soon as the weather permits will be shingled. 3. The formation of Oxford terrace East is being proceeded with.— C. Walkdm, City Surveyor. Or. Cuff moved—“ That the alterations suggested by the surveyor be carried out immediately.” Seconded by Or. Vincent and carried. The remaining clauses of the report were considered satisfactory, and tho report as a whole was then passed. The sanitary committee reported that Mr A. Duncan had agreed to the cancelling of bis contract, and had been paid £76 16a 2d, in full of all demands. Mr Brightling had been paid his account for work done on tho contract, which he reduced to £SO. The work was now being done by Mr Jno. Brightling, and bis contract for eleven months, from the Ist August, at the rate of £2OOO, was being prepared by the city surveyor. The report was approved. A letter was read from a person named Dann, making certain charges (in a declaration before a J.P.) against Mr H. Hennley, contractor for the removal of rubbish,—A discussion took place, in the course of which Or. Thomson pointed out that the Council were scarcely responsible or required to deal with the accusation, and other Councillors were of opinion that the statements contained in Mr Dann’s letter should be received cautiously, seeing that be was a discharged servant of the man whom he accused. The terms of the contract with tho contractor in question were read, from which it appeared that he (the dustman) was responsible to the Council for “ good behaviour.” It was ultimately agreed that the matter be referred to the sanitary committee to inquire into and report to the Council. Cr. Taylor asked the chairman of the works committee whether that committee would take into consideration the formation of the South belt between Selwyn street and the Lincoln road.—Or. Lambert said they (the committee) would be very happy to do so. Or. Hulbert, in accordance with notice, moved—“ That this Council does not approve of the action of his Worship the Mayor and the departmental committee in giving notice of dismissal to the two inspectors and the ranger without the knowledge or consent of the Council; and that in future no officer appointed by the Council shall be discharged except by resolution of a majority of the members in Council assembled.” In speaking to the motion. Or. Hulbert pointed out that, in addition to the seeming slight on the Council, the action of the committee was calculated to damage the reputation of the officers concerned, as the fact of their being privately and secretly discharged would, no doubt, cause doubts and suspicions of them to arise in the public mind. At the same time, he wished to be understood as not desiring to censure the committee. —Or. Ayers seconded the motion, and said he fully concurred in what bad fallen from the mover.—Tho Mayor explained the circumstances of the steps taken by the committee. Ho bad been asked to sign the notices of dismissal, and asked the reason. It was then pointed out that the alteration in the staff had been contemplated on certain work being done, and unless the notices were issued at once there would bo a month’s loss of time.— Or. Thomson, chairman of the’departmental committee, said that being extremely unwell he should not have been present at this meeting except that he antici. pated some capital would be made out of the affair under notice. He regarded the motion as a direct attempt to pass a vote of censure on the Mayor and the committee. As a matter of fact, the departmental committee recommended that the decision arrived at by them should be reported to the Council, and the Mayor should have reported that notices had been issued, but omitted to do so. As to the “verbal ” report, of which so much had been said, he remarked that there were very good reasons (as councillors would no doubt agree) why that report should have been verbal. These officers were not “ privately and secretly ” discharged, as stated by Or. Hulbert, nor was it a fact that no reasons had been given for the change.—The notices issued would show that it was being made owing to the necessity for a reorganisation of the staff. But, further than this, he might point out that the Council must have contemplated the action taken by the committee, such steps having been anticipated by them in a report on finance, which the Council unanimously adopted. [Or. Thomson spoke at some length further in reply to Cr. Hulbert.] — The Mayor stated that two of tho officers hud admitted that they anticipated the dismissal of two of the staff. —A good deal of discussion followed, and Or. Hulbert having replied, the motion was put to tho Council and negatived by 7 to 4, those voting for it being Crs. Hulbert and Ayers (mover and seconder), and Crs. King and England. Or. Thomson then moved—“ That the action of the Mayor in giving tho necessary notices to the two collectors and the ranger that their services be dispensed with after tho 31st August, be confirmed.— Or. Cuff seconded the motion. —An amendment was moved bo Or. Hulbert, that the matter of dismissing the inspectors and ranger bo delayed till after next Council night.—Or. Ayers seconded the amendment.—The amendment was lost, and the resolution carried, by seven to four. —lt was also resolved that applications by invited for the office of inspector. Cr. Lambert gave notice of motion —“ That Oranmcr square be formed to a uniform eur face, sown with grass seed, and paths formed on a lino with Montreal street and Chester street—tho sum of £IOO having on this year’s estimates for tho work.” Cr, Hulbert gave notice that he would move at next meeting—“ That, in view of the reconstruction of the several departments of this Council, tho present staff receive legal notice of the Council’s intention to dispense with their services ; ond that applications be invited, through tho Press, from persons competent to fulfil the duties of any of tho following officers Town clerk, city surveyor, city treasurer, rate collector, inspector

of nuisances and cabs, and assistant inspector and rate collector. The following to be the salaries attached to the several officers:— Town clerk, £4OO, if a solicitor or barrister, £700; city surveyor, £400; city treasurer, £300; rate collector, £200; inspector of nuisances and cabs, £200; assistant inspector and collector, £lso.” —This concluded the business on the order paper. Cr. Ohertill rose to speak on a matter personal to himself. He said that he was about proceeding to England, and expressed the pleasure it would give him to bo of any use to the Council when at Home. He had sent in his resignation in due form.—The town clerk read the letter in which Cr. Oherrill resigned. —Or. Taylor moved that the resignation be accepted, and in doing so, spoke in complimentary terms of his (Or. Cherrill's) worth as a citizen.—The resolution was seconded by Or. Thomson, who testified to Or. Ohorrili'a great usefulness as a councillor, especially as directed to scientific questions that had come before them. He suggested that the thanks of the Council were due to that gentleman. He hoped that Cr. Oherrill would see his way to return to the colony some day in the future time.—Several other councillors and the Mayor expressed regret at the loss which the Council sustained by the resignation of Or. Oherrill.— The motion was then put, with the addition of the vote of thanks as suggested by Or. Thomson. Some applications for licenses were dealt with, after which (at 1015) the Council adjourned.