CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2422, 10 January 1882, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

An ordinary meeting of the City Council was held last evening at 7 o’clock. Present— His Worship the Mayor (in the chair), Cre. Bishop, Vincent, Louisson, Bowman, Treleaven, England, Lambert, Hulbert, Cuff, Thomson. The statement of finance was as follows : Receipts for three weeks, £lB5 15s 7d ; receipts on suspense account, £SB Is sd; on drainage rate account, £49 5s 4d ; on District Drainage Board account, £976 6s ; expenditure, £1317 Is lOd; on suspense account, £135 15s 8d ; interest due in London on drainage rate account, £599 Oa 5d ; on drainage account No. 2, £752 15s. His Worship made the following statement: —As this is the first occasion of my presiding at a business meeting of this Council, I take tho opportunity to assure you of my confidence that you will diligently attend to your duties, and will give every question a patient and careful consideration tending to the benefit of the city, and that you will assist me in upholding the respect and dignity of this chair. For my part, I shall endeavor to bring the business before you in a manner so as not to waste your lime unnecessarily, and to conduct the meetings strictly within the rules laid down for my guidance. The verdict of the ratepayers has hitherto been opposed to any proposals of the Council for new public works and city improvements. Prom this it would appear that nothing beyond the ordinary routine duties will occupy the attention of the Council for some time to come. But, gentlemen, I hope this will not be the case during my year of office. If we are to maintain the prestige and reputation of one of the chief cities in New Zealand, we must make Christchurch healthy and attractive in order to court population. The march of steady progress should not be barred. I am fully aware that the late commercial depression has not yet entirely disappeared, that trade is anything but brisk, and work is scarce; also, that the burden of taxation is seriously felt by the ratepayers. I am strongly opposed to increasing those burdens, but, at the same time, am of opinion that several useful and important public works, which would add greatly to the health, comfort and attractiveness of our city, can be undertaken, and be made self-supporting, while benefits would be received from some of them, directly and indirectly, which would more than recoup any special rate which the Council would have to impose. Such works are the building of a > market, abbattoirs and waterworks. The two first, I believe, would pay interest on the outlay, and perhaps more after a time. As to waterworks, I have come to the conclusion, after more fully investigating the matter, that it will be imperative, if we expect to receive any benefit from the large outlay of our drainage scheme, to have a water supply embracing the whole city, it would enable ns to carry away our excreta, thereby saving our nightsoil rate; insurance premiums would be considerably reduced, special watering rates would be abolished, and the whole of our streets would receive a watering during dry weather, causing a considerable saving in their wear and tear. By utilising the nightsoil on the Sandhills, we should create a fine and valuable estate, I hope, therefore, that the next Drainage Board will see their way clear to complete their scheme, if only as far as Christchurch is concerned, in order to utilise it for carrying away our nightsoil. Now as to the business before us. I have directed the Town Clerk to inquire of the Government when the subsidy under the Financial Arrangements Act, 1881, due the 31st December last, will bo paid. A reply that it is in course of being paid over has been received. I have also to draw your attention to a statement submitted to the Hospital Board at its last meeting of three years’ receipts, amounting in the whole to £2948 19s lid. Our share would amount to £1741 3s 2d. This amount has been paid in to the public trust fund, as there is soma doubt of its having been credited to us in connection with our subsidy. It would be advisable to refer this matter to the finance committee for investigation. As you are aware, a New Zealand international exhibition is about to be held here shortly through private enterprise. I think it would behove this Council to show some support and encouragement to this undertaking, I take also the opportunity to state that I shall make it my business to attend at this office from about 11 a.m. till 1 p.m. If any Councillor or ratepayer wishes to see me on city business, I shall be at their disposal. A letter was read from Mr F. Hill and eight other holders of stalls in Victoria market, asking the Council to reconsider the resolution charging double rent for tbe market sites during the ensuing year, on account of the general dulness of trade, and stating that several tenants bad been compelled to close their stalls even at the present rents, and that it would be a great injury to the working classes were the market closed, Cr. Bishop proposed, and Cr. England seconded—“ That the matter be referred to the reserves committee, with the view of discussing the desirability of rescinding the previous resolution on the subject.” Cr. Hulbert opposed the motion, and said the arguments advanced in support of the application were not sufficient to justify the Council in granting the proposed reduction. Or. Louisson opposed tbe motion on the ground that the matter had already been twice decided by tbe Council. Or, Bishop urged tbe desirability of reducing the rents, if only in order to keep the present site occupied until the Council was in a position to establish a proper market. The motion was put and negatived —Ayes 3, noes 6. A letter was read from the Colonial Secretary’s office, Wellington, enclosing copy of a letter from the Selwyn County Council, in reference to the maintenance of the Park roads, and asking the Council to express their concurrence with the same. The enclosure having been read, it was resolved that the arrangement therein specified be endorsed by tho Council. The hallheeper of the Oddfellows’ Hall, Lichfield street, wrote acknowledging receipt of the Council's letter complaining of the iron gates of the hall having been closed at a recent meeting, and stating that steps had been taken to prevent a similar occurrence in future. The letter was referred to the City Surveyor. A letter was read from the Audit Office, stating that the Controller and tbe Auditor-General was of opinion that the charges which local bodies have power to make for collecting the Waimakariri rates should be each only as to refund to those bodies the actual cost of collection. In cases where the rates of the River Board and of the local bodies were jointly collected, he was of opinion that 5 per cent, would amply cover the additional expense, but where collected separately a much higher charge might be made. He proposed to make an award accordingly; but before doing so desired to hear any objection which the Council might have to make. It was decided to inform the Government that the Council had agreed to collect the rates of tbe Waimakariri Board for 5 per cent. The City Surveyor’s report was read as follows: I have received instructions from the Fire Brigade committee to invite tenders for some additions to tho Chester street station, and drawings and specifications are being now prepared. It is intended to defray tho expense out of the money voted by the Council. I have surveyed the City Council reserve near the nightsoil reserve, and shall now invite tenders for fencing it in in accordance with instructions. When I went down to make tho survey I found a number of men and carts employed in stripping off the top soil from the Couoo'l’s reserve in order to cover up a new road with it in tho Heathcote district, and when I requested to know by what authority they wore doing it, they told me that they had instructions from the foreman of the Heathcote Road Board. I ordered them to desist from taking any more, and they left off work, but I am informed that they commenced again the next morning. On receiving this information I requested the town clerk to write to the Heathcote Road Board on the subject. I have had a now lamp erected on the corner of Manchester street and Gloucester street, to replace the wooden one, which was ia a rotten condition ; also, the one on the North Belt, which was broken by some

passing vehicle, I have had repaired. The channelling of Pjke street is now being pro i needed with. I have received a letter from the engineer to the Tramway Company, requesting to be allowed to alter the two sidings in the Whateley road, and I purpose giving the permission asked for, as I think what they propose doing would be an improvement, as far as the general traffic is concerned. I have also received an intimation from the Tramway Company that they intend to commence laying the Ferry road line after the 14th instant. The following building permits have been issued during the month of December, 1881, on which fees have been received to the amount of .£3l sa;—Mr Tombs. Gloucester street; Mr Ayers, Cashel street; Mr Collins, Cambridge terrace; Mr Piper, Peterborough street : Mr Bickerton, Baker’s Lane; Mr Smith, South belt; Mr Lamb, Lichfield street ; Mr May, High street; New Zealand Insurance Company, Cathedral square ; Messrs Hudson, Ridley and Co., Cashel street; Mr Button, Colombo street; Messrs Lewis and Gould, Worcester street; Mr Haling, Manchester street; Mr Appleby, Worcester street; Mr Roberts, Bedford Row ; Mr Rogers, South belt; Mr Rogers, South belt. The total amount taken in fees in my office during the twelve months ending 31st December is as follows: Building fees, .£323 15s; asphalte repairs, £l3 12s 6d; yearly permits, £1 ss. Total, £338 12s fid. Clause 1 was approved on condition that the tenders be referred to the Council. Clause 2 was referred to the reserves committee, with power to act. The remaining clauses were approved of. Superintendent Harris reported that the fire brigade had attended six fires during the quarter ending 31st December, viz,, three buildings, two gorse fires, and one beyond the belt. The first building was in Manchester street North, and no water anywhere near. The next, in Madras street North, was allowed to burn itself out for want of water. The third was at Vincent and Co.’s Brewery, the water for the suppression of which was obtained from Messrs Vincent and Co.'s private tanks. Report approved. Superintendent Harris also made a report on the recent fires at the Union Bank and Mr D. Beese’s timber yard. He recommended that an order should be sent home by next mail for 1600 ft of rubber hose. The matter was referred to the fire brigade committee. Or. Treleayen asked the tramway committee if it was intended to continue the present system of shunting carried on near the Bank of New Zealand, which was very inconvenient to the public, and to the ordinary road traffic. Cr. Bishop said the committee had had the matter under consideration, and were preparing a by-law which would be submitted at next meeting of the Council. Or. Bishop moved the adoption of a bylaw framed by the committee in reference to earners. Or. Bowman opposed the motion, and moved as an amendment “ That no carrier be required to pay a license wiio does not occupy the stand.” After some discussion, the debate was adjourned until next meeting. A number of licenses were granted. The Council went into committee to consider a question of account between the city and the Sydenham borough in reference to the South belt road, and afterwards adjourned