CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2359, 25 October 1881, Page 4

CITY COUNCIL.

A special meeting of the City Council was held 1-ist evening at 7 o’clock. Present —Hie Worship the Mayor (in the choir), Oourciilors Ayers, Vincent, Louieson, Bownjan, Caff, Thomson, England, Hulbort, Treleaven, Hiorna, Bishop, and Lambert. Tho formal resolutions vrero carried, and tho rate-book duly signed. It was reported that the credit balance at the Bank was £I9OB 17a lid ; receipts for the fortnight, £583 17a 9J j suspense account, £Bl 4s 3d ; drainage rate account, £2ol3sßd ; bills pasted by Forks committee, £179 Oa 4i : bills to be passed, £356 8a 7d; suspense account passed, £129 14a 2d.—Tho Mayor intimated that ho was authorised by the town clerk to say that the resolution relative to dispensing with his services having become null and void, ho was prepared to sign a document in accordance with the usual custom agreeing to three months’ notice on cither side. His Worship ruled, in answer to a question 1 y Or. Hulbert, that the resolution in question had become null and void. A letter was read from Canon Ootterill, inviting tho members of the Council to be present at tho consecration of tho Cathedral on tho Ist November. —A letter was read from G. J. Russell, of the Christchurch Railway Band, relative to the proposed band rotunda, which tho writer stated it would bo most convenient to erect in Latimer square. Cr. Thomson moved that this matter bo referred to the reserves committee, to ascertain whether any, and if so how mush, pecuniary assistance was desired from the Council towards the object, and also whether or not the Council had power to give authority for the erection of a rotunda on a public square. The motion was seconded. Or. Cuff thought that Cathedral square was a more suitable locality for this purpose, being less favorable to larrikinism, and not so damp. Or. Hulbert differed from tho last speaker, and thought a band rotunda would bo out of place in a public thoroughfare like Cathedral square. It was decided to refer the question of site to the committee. A letter was read from 8. Bennett, applying for numerous sites for advertising stands. Or. Hulbert thought these sites should be put up to public competition. Tho matter was referred to the reserves committee for their report.

The City Surveyor’s report wao read as follows : 21th October, 1831. 1. A letter has been received from the Government, consenting to pay one half the expense of an asphalts crossing over the south belt. 2. A petition has been sent in signed by thirtythree ratepayers requesting that two asphalts crossings may be laid down in High street on the Eist side, one across Lichfield and Manchester streets, and the other a:ross Tuam street. The cost will be about .£9O, of which the petitioners propose to pay one-half. 3. The contract for furnishing dog collars for the ensuing twelve months was given to Mr Dunbar. 4. The contract far patting some of the asphalts footpaths in repair was given by the works committee to Mr Smart. The tender for keeping the whole of the asphalte footpaths in repair was held over for further consideration. 5. The Lichfield street Fire Brigade Station is receiving a coat of paint, as it was found to be very much in need of it. 6. Mr Warner, the engineer to the Tramway Company, has sent in a plan showing an alteration he proposes to make to the aiding in Colombo street, opposite Montgomery and Co.’s, and also the corner from Colombo to Tuam street. The alteration in Colombo street will be a decided improvement, and I do not see any particular objection to the new curve from Colombo to Tnara street. —C. Walkden, City Surveyor. It was resolved, in reference to the asphalt crossing over the South bolt that the offer of the Government ba accepted, and that the matter be referred to the works committee to report next meeting. Or. Hulbert proposed, and Or. Ayers seconded—“ That authority be given to tho works committee to lay down the crossing in High street, on the usual terms.” Agreed to. The other portions of tho report were approved of without discussion. The following motion, of which Or. Cuff had given notice, was allowed to lapse—" That the resolution of Or. Hulbert of August 29th, re dismissal of staff, be rescinded.” Or. Lambert moved tho following resolution :—“ That the time has now arrived when the offices of town clerk and city treasurer ought to be hold by two parsons. That with this object in view the town clerk and assistant town clerk each receive three months’ notice. That the Council will, at the expiration of such notice, dispense with their services ; and that advertisements bo inserted in the newspapers inviting applications for the offices of town clerk and city treasurer, such applications to come in within on« month from the date of giving such notice.” He had been absent from the Council for two meetings, at which resolutions were passed with which he did not agree, viz., that tho town clerk be asked what notice he was entitled to receive, and that the question of tho dismissal of the staff be referred to a committee. He thought the Council would agree that the dual position of town clerk and treasurer ought no longer to exist. He was not aware that in any other town in New Zealand the two appointments were held by one officer. The motion was not seconded, and consequently lapsed. The town clerk was instructed to advertise in the usual way for applications for the office of city assessor, —Or. Vincent moved—“ That the name of Or. Lambert bemadded to the works committee.” There was at present no member on the committee representing the northern part of the city. Or. England seconded. After some discussion the motion was withdrawn.—Or. Hulbert moved—’“That it be an instruction to the departmental committee to take action with a view to placing the town clerk on the same footing with reference to notice as the other officers of the Council.” The town clerk having himself cut tho string, this formal resolution was necessary. Or. Lambert complained that he was not informed of tho intention of the town clerk. He came into tho Council late, and had not hoard the state - ment of his Worship on the subject. It wae duo to him that he should have boen informed of this. If ho had been ho would not have moved his motion. Or, Louisson said Or. Lambert could not have been taken by surprise in the mutter, because he himself had informed him in a private conversation of the course tho town clerk had decided to take, and that an announcement would be made at the meeting. Or. Lambert did not recollect any such conversation. It must be a ease of mistaken identity. Or. Halbert’* motion was then seconded and carried.— Certain offers of sites for a stone depot were referred to the works committee for their report.—One or two drivers’ licenses were granted, and the Council adjourned.