CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2405, 20 December 1881, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

An ordinary meeting of the City Council was held last evening at seven o'clock. Present—His Worship the Mayor (Mr Gapes), Crs. Vincent, Bishop, England, Thomson, Louisson, Ayers, Treleaven, Hiorns, and Bowman. An apology for his unavoidable absence was read from Cr. Lambert. It was reported that the receipts for the past fortnight amounted to £397 0s 6d, and the expenditure to £328 3s 9d, and that the oredit balance at the Bank was £2151 3s Bd. A letter was read from the Colonial Secretary's Office, acknowledging receipt of intelligence that Mr Buddenklau had beeu elected Mayor. A letter was also received from the Department of Justice, appointing the Mayor-elect to the Commission of the Peace, The City Surveyor's report was read as follows: 1. In compliance with the Council's wish I have examined several of the public buildings in Ghristchnreh in order to ascertain what damage they have sustained by the late earthquake, and I am surprised to find that so little injury has occurred to them. Normal School —The onlydamage sustained by this building is the severe shaking of one chimney stack at the junction of the old building, and the addition which was last made to it, and I have been informed by the chairman of the Education Board that the chimney will be repaired when the school breaks up for the Christmas holidays. Several of the ceilings have been damaged by the piaster cracking and falling, which appears to have been caused by the vibration of the ceiling joists. In all other respects the building seems to be nnicjured. The Supreme Court—This building does not appear to have sustained any injury. Wesleyan chapel and school, Durham streetOne stone on the exterior of this building has been thrown down, which, in my opinion, arose from its being improperly bedded. This is the only indication of any damage having been inflicted on the building. It is supposed that some of the cracks which were caused by the settlement of the building shortly after its erection have, to a very slight extent, widened, but there is no positive evidence to lead to such a conclusion. St. Paul's Church—l have carefully examined this building, both inside and out, and it does not appear to have sustained any damage whatever, in fact, the only indication of there having been any movement whatever is shown in some very slight cracks in the interior plaster work. The Cathedral—l find that Mr Mountfort, the superintending: architect, has made a thorough and careful examination of this building, and from his report thereon (which is very exhaustive) I gather that there is no damage which can bo at all thought to endanger the safety of the building except what may have happened to the spire, but as the actual damage to this portion of the building cannot be positively determined until au outside scaffolding is erected, he has recommended that a scaffold shon'd be constructed and the necessary repairs effected. Although he does not consider the spire to be by any means in a dangerous state, he thinks it advisable to repair it, and by that means enable it to stand the shock of another earthquake should it occur. I have also examined a number of private buildings, viz.—Messrs Hobday's new building, Colombo street.—l selected this building for examination because a short time back a rumor was current that the building was unsafe; but lam happy to say that there is not the slightest indication of any ill effects having; arisen from the earthquake. Mr E. Beece's building, Colombo street; Messrs Mason and Struthers' building, Colombo street; Messrs Montgomery's building, Colombo street I selected these buildings for examination because they were all three storey buildings, and that it was the custom of the owners to store heavy goods in the upper storeys; but notwithstanding these drawbacks to the stability of the buildings, there is no indication whatever of their having sustained any injury. I also made enquiries of the different tenants occupying the buildings known as Mr Green's and Mr Widdowson's, in Manchester street, but they all assured me that nothing in the interior of the buildings indicated any damage whatever, and my own examination of the exteriors was equally reassuring. With regard to Widdowson's buildings the cracks consequent on the settlement of the work may have Blightly opened, but there is no positive indication that they have. Oae chimney of a two- storied house in New street I found to be eeverely shaken, and I have given the owner notice to have it taken down. No. 2. The works committee recommend that the_ Mayor elect and the fire inspectors Bhonld visit the Theatre and other public places of amusement, and report to the C .mncil whether they think and can recommend that any alterations or improvements ought to be made to the means of exit from such places, and state what such improvements Bhould be. They also recommend that the police authorities should be requested to give the constables in attendance at such places instructions to see that all doors and means of exit are free and unincumbered during the hours of performance, or other occasions when a number of people are assembled in the buildings. 3. The works committee desire to point out to the Council that Latimer square is being so much üßed now by boys playing cricket in it that great damage is arising from their eo doing, and to request the Council to express an opinion as to whether it is advisable to allow it to continue after spending so much money to have the square put in proper condition. 4. Tenders for cement and timber have been called for to chancel some private Btreets, and the tenders accepted were from R. H. Wood for cement, and J. Smith for timber. 5. The tender of J. Anderson and Son for lamp posts was accepted. (3. The asphalt crossing on the South belt has been laid. C. Walkden, City Surveyor. Clause 2—Cr. Louisßon drew attention to the practioe of filling up the gangways at the Theatre when there was a full house. In CBBe of fire this would be attended with dis•ißtrouß reiults. —Or. Ayerß pointed out that the latter part of the clause would meet the caao, aB it would be the duty of the police to nee that there were free means of exit.—Cr. Louieson eaid a policeman was rarely seen in the dress circle.—Cr. Hiorns observed that Mr Beatty had expressed himself as very anxious to make whatever provision might be thought necessary; but he (Mr Hiorns) thought it would be unreasonable to insist upon large doorways being constructed in tho side walls, to afford an exit on to private property. — Or. England suggested that tho city surveyor should accompany the works committee and tho Mayor on their visits of inspection. This suggestion was agreed to, imd tho clause amended accordingly. Clause 3-Bovor.il councillors expressed themselves in favor of allowing boys to play on tho reaerve as at present, and it was decided that no aotion should be taken in the matter.

Clauses 4,5, and 6 were approved. Cr. Bishop moved —" That the resolution of the sth inßt, fixing the rent of temporary holdings in the market at 20s a foot, be rescinded." A number of the present occupants would be obliged to throw up their holdings if this rent were insisted upon. Cr. Hiorns seconded the resolution. It would be better to allow the rent to remain as at present for another year. Cr. Ayers supported the resolution, which was put and negatived on the casting vote of the Mayor. On the motion ot Or. Bishop, seconded by Cr. Hirons, it wag resolved—" That the Press be the official sewspaper for the city for the ensuing twelve monthß." It was decided that the employes of the Council ehould have holidays on Monday, the 26th December, and Monday, the 2nd January. A number of licenses were granted.

The Council went into committee, and on resuming adjourned until Monday, January 9th.