CITY COUNCIL.

MOXDAT, OCTOBEB 22. The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Council was held at 7 p.m. Present—Hii "Worslup the ilayor, C». let, Bird, Rudden- &»£, Brigo e> Toomer, Bickerton, Pratt 3-Horason, Badcliffe. Ihe minutes of the previous meeting wen *«ed and confirmed. MATCH'S BBSTABKS. The ITuyor said the baths committee hac *eaonunended that the baths should be let foi twelve months, by tender. The person wh< oad vailed on the'ladies for twelve weeks hac deceived no recompense for doing so, and thi committee recommended that £6 ehould b< ■*Qted her. THB BATHS. "Cγ- Bird mored—■" That the sum of £6 b ; '* < *ed to the lady attendant for her service •during last season." Cr. Buddenkku seconded the motion, whid *»c agreed to. (Jr. Bickerton moved a resolution to th «ffect~" That the swimming bathe be let b * e ßder for twelve Tnpnt>i* t and that tendereb anted by adrertisement, according to *?ecifieation of fees and regu&tiona pre agreed to by the ConncS." _-Oms resolution n> eeoonded by Cr. Birc after eomeremarta from counciUore as t of oommittees handing i *n«r report* in writing, and also giving notie «t oiotion, wm . -

I/OCAL BOARD OF HEALTH. The Mayor said the joint committees had met that day and adopted the new night pans, which had been found to answer satisfactorily. He had received a restime of the Local Health Bill from Mr Stevens, and also two letters from that gentleman on same subject. These, with a letter from the Hon. E Richardson, would be laid before the Council during the evening. riXASCIAI-. The Town Clerk reported receipts and expenditure for the fortnight, as follows: — Receipts for week ending October 13th, £375 Is 7d; for week ending October 20th, £516 13s Id ; Drainage Board rate, £13412s 6d ; general account, £296 Os lOd ; total, £1187 15s 9d. Bills paid by works committee, £277 12s; to be paid, £759 17s 6d. Drainage Loan account, Cr., £189 15s 5d ; interest, £1 18s 3d : total, £191 13s Bd. Drainage Rate iiocount, Cγ., £1930 13s 7d; interest, £29 18s Id ; total, £1960 11s Bd. Bills to be paid on Drainage account, £184 2s Id. bttbvetob's bepobt. The City Surveyor reported:— 1. It has been mentioned to mc that many of the willows are hanging into the river, and that they ought to be lopped, but I thought it advisable to mention it to the Council before cutting them. 2. That portion of the South belt which has been formed is being again entirely put out of shape, in coneequence of there being no sr ingle on it. It would be very desirable to have it shingled at once, as there are a number of other streets that must be shingled before the winter. 3. The steam roller has been at work in the road fronting the Supreme Court to-day, but the stone that has been spread on the road is of such a soft nature that it crushes under the weight of the roller. 4. The foreman of works has applied to the works committee for remuneration for his extra labour during the time the unemployed have been at work, and the committee are of opinion that it should be granted. 5. I find it very difficult to prevent persons from digging and taking away earth from the streets, and leaving holes which endanger the traffic: and I wish particularly to mention a place where the road has been excavated close to Mr Jenkins's timber yard, and as I cannot discover who the perpetrator of it is. I desire to ask the Council to sanction my offering a reward for his conviction. I have obtained a summons to-day against a man who was caught in a similar act on the South belt. The surveyor was authorised to cut the willows referred to in clause No. 1 of the report. On clause 2 being considered, Cr. Ick moved —"That the works committee have power to call for 5000 yards of metal, payment to be made at the termination of the present financial year." Cr. Pratt seconded the motion,' which wae agreed to. Clause 3 was approved. After some discussion on clause 4, Cr. Thomson moved—"That the foreman be allowed lOe per day during the employment of the un-einployed." [Laughter.] Cr. Pratt seconded the motion, which was carried. On the last clause of the report being read it was resolved, on the motion of Cr Ruddexklau—"That £2 bo paid any person giving such information as will lead to the conviction of any person or persons removing soil from the roads without permission from the city surveyor." CITY VALUATOR. Or. Ick moved the following motion, of which he had given notice —" Tliat a valuator be appointed for three years, who shall be an officer of the Council, and shall superintend the compiling of the rate roll, do all valuating as required by the Rating Act, 1876, and hand ifc over to the City Council as soon as it has been signed by the proper authority." He referred at length to the want of uniformity in the valuation of the city last year, and the annoyance thus generally created. The valuation next year would entail a great deal of work, in consequence of alterations that had taken place, and a person so employed would take at least from a month to six weeks to go round the blocks and make a careful valuation. There would then bo a great deal of work required in preparing the rolls, and subsequently, being an officer of the Council for tho time being, in defending his valuation at the Assessment Court. Contingent on his resolution being carried he would move a second resolution. Cγ. Euddenklau seconded the motion. Cr. Thomson did not thiuk the valuation had been so unsatisfactory as ■ referred to— (" Oh!") —at least the Council had not lost any money by it. He did not think the mover of the resolution had given them sufficient information as to what would be gained by appointing a valuator out of the ÜBua? course, and he (Cr. Thomson) did not think they ought to engage such an officer for three years. Cr. Bickerton mentioned his having been rated last year at 13 per cent, on the value of hie property, and in one instance at a higher rate. He approved of a competent valuator being appointed. Cγ. Bird would have liked the mover to have given the Council some precedent for appointing such an officer. Cr. Pratt referred to the dissatisfaction created by the last valuation made, and said it was not advisable that the Council should even though making more money—foster 1 such a feeling. [Hear, hear.] He would 1 support the motion, which would possibly ! give them a gentleman possessing local knowfedge and a qualification to properly value property. : Cr. Ick, in reply, referred to Cr. Bird s 1 desire for a precedent. The Christchurch City Council were in the habit of establishing ' precedents, and were looked up to as a model ' of profundity and wisdom—[laughter]—and their proceedings were quoted throughout all ' the various colonies. [Applause.] ' Cr. Thomson moved as an amendment — J " That the words ' for three years' be omitted ' and the word ' annually' inserted instead." Cr. Bird seconded the amendment, which ) was carried by the casting vote of the Mayor. Cr. Ick moved—"That the finance com- [ mittee draw up a specification detailing the exact duties to be performed by the valuator, and advertise for tenders to be spnt to the Cit-v Council for consideration at their next re- , gufar meeting." _ Cr. Thomson seconded tho motion, which wae agreed to. » VICTOBIA STBKKT. B A petition, forwarded by Mr G. Gould, and 8 signed by a number of ratepayers in Whately * road, was read, asking that the name ot the Whatelv road from Victoria bridge to .North 9 town belt should be altered to " Victoria ' On the motion of Cr. Pratt, it wa* resolved c to accede to the request, end take the necesa cessary steps «o comply with it. £ THK UNEMPLOYED. * The Town Clerk said he had received the following telegram from the Government ir reply—" Proposal in your letter Ist instant tt Premier is approved, and subsidy will be pwj of half amount expended, also of half of A.-MX for another month's employment of men. COBBESPONDBNCK. An application from Mr James Tait apply, ie ine for permission to erect a boarding in froni ie of MessrsiHarman and.Stevens'e new offices a i- Hereford street. -~,•. v «.• t, On the motion of Cr. Bird the apphcatioi was granted. . re Mr J W. Treadwell wrote enclosing cop: of circular letter sent by him to the princip* •• boroughs of New Zealand, covering resolutioi d proposed by him at a public meeting, aw w asking the Council to give the resolution thei >° consideration. . "1 it was decided to allow consideration o ie this matter to stand over until next meeting. >c PUBLIC HEALTH BILL. , The following letters from Mr E. 0. J Stevens were read : — t>e Wellington, Oct. 19th, 18<<. es Dear Sir,—l received this evening your tele gram inquiring what action is going to be takei -h. with reference to powers of rating by the Loca Board of Health within the City of Chrot h » church, and also as to the powers of the Locs CI Board of Health baing conferred on the Cit. y Council so far as Christchnrch city is concerned be Ton are no doubt aware that by oa omission i a the Act of last year no power of obtaining an; " c * funds whatever was conferred upon the Drainag Board, although the Act devolved upon the ■d, Board the duties of the Local Board of Healu to both as regards the city and suburbs. It i in obvious that whatever public body does tt [ne work mnst have some small amount annmUJ j to meet the necessary expenses. I posted t

the Town Clerk some days dace copies of the Bill. Since receiving your telegram 1 nave taken steps to prevent the Bill from being pressed forward to the Legislative < 'ouncil for some days, in order that every opportunity may be given for the views of the council beiog folly considered. The Bill pa-scd through committee in the House to-day. As regards my own views oa the subject, I may say that last year the powers were given to the Drainage Board—the City Council of that day being by a majority favorable to the change. Ihe object of the change was to obviate the great and admitted evils attending the want of an equally efficient management for city and suburbs. It appears to mc that before making any radical alteration of the existing arrangement, dne provision must be made for the suburbs as, should we return to the old system, the most serious consequences will probably ensue. In my letter to the Town Clerk I have asked for the opinion of the City Council upon this most important part of the question. If a public meeting is held I venture to ask yon to read this letter or give the substance of it, as I consider that public attention ought to be drawn to th« danger of leaving the public health in the suburbs uncared-for in any change it may be desired to make. I am, &c, E. C. J. Stevens. His Worship the Mayor, Christchoreh. Wellington, 19th Oct., 1877. Sir,—l beg to acknowledge the receipt of your telegram and letter of 17th inst., conveying to mc the opinion of the City Council that the Drainage Board should not have the powers of the Local Board of Health within the city boundaries, and that those powers should be conferred upon the Council. I doubt whether the Amendment Act can be introduced this eeesibu with any prospect of becoming law. At the same time. I ehall be glad to know the views of the Council as to how, if their wishes are earned into effect, the suburbs will have the duties of a Board of Health efficiently performed within their limits. The change of last year was made in order to remove the evils of having an incomplete or ineffective system in the suburbs, it beiny evident that the health of both city and suburbs could not receive proper attention unless equally adequate arrangements were made for both cases. I assume that the Council Las given full attention to this part of the subject, and shall be glad , to know the result of their consideration of it. I send you copies of the Public Health Amendment Bill. This removes the difficulty of there being no funds whatever with which to defray the necessary expense of the Health Act operations. I may point out that if the wishes of the Council are carried into effect, either this year or subsequently, the Bill can then be limited to localities other than the city. Meanwhile it provides for a necessity that must be met in any case. I have the honor to be, sir, Your obedient servant, E. C. J. Sievens. The Town Clerk, Christchurch. The Mayor said it had been suggested that a public meeting should be called to consider the question, and if the Council desired this some member could move a resolution to this effect. Cr. Bickerton referred to the helpless position occupied at present by the sanitary committee, who found they had no power to move in sanitary matters, though the Council paid for all the work done. It was moDetroue that Bills affecting Municipalities, such as this and the Slaughter Houee Bill, should be passed by the Government without having been first submitted to tho various Municipalities throughout New Zealand. He would move —"That a public meeting be called at an early date." Cγ. Toonier seconded the motion. Cr. Thomson had been informed that* the Drainage Board did not intend to levy any rate, and that they would be very happy to hand over the sanitary powers to the Council within the city. Cr. Ick eaid that though Cr. Thomson might be in the confidence of the Drainage Board, and have very great confidence in them, yet ho (Cr. Ick) had no confidence whatever in that body. The last speaker had said the Board did not intend to levy the rate, and ouly desired the power to be used if neccseary. The same whs said about the drainage rate when the power to levy was first asked for, and now what was the fact — that the people were paying five pence iv the £. In his opinion the body that levied the rate should have the spending of it, and the City Council, which was really the representative body, should have the power and not be only partly representative. The resolution, on being put, was agreed to. Oα the motion of Cr. Bickerton, it was decided to take counsel's opinion on the best course for the Council to take in having their powers them. . The Mayor said if he could get the Oddfellows' Hall he would call the public meeting for Thursday evening next. CHBISTCHUBCn KBBEBVES BILL. The following lotter was read from the Hon. E. Bichardson: — Wellington, 19th October, 1877. His Worship the Mayor of Christchurch. Sir,—The Christchurch Citvßeserves Bill was put through committee last night, and will come on for third reading on Wednesday next. There was much opposition to it, and several amendments were made in it, only two of which will materially affect the wishes of the City Council, as far as 1 the position. In the first place a proviso was put in, which will stop the Council from erecting any further buildings on the reserve on which the new brigade station now stands, and the other principal amendment refers to the section on which the Council have established their yard and stables. It has for its effect the enacting that the whole of the strip of land between Lane's mill and Worcester street (except the portion already vested in the City Council) shall be a, i recreation reserve similar to all the other piecee along the river side. The Hon. John Hall has promised to take l charge of the Bill in the Upper House, and . should the City Council wish to make any i attempt to alter the foregoing amendments I shall be obliged by your communicating your wish to mc at the earliest possible date, but at the same time lam bound to state that I think it will be very difficult to perstiade the House of - Representatives to agree to re-discuss these I points. I have the honor to be, sir, , "Xour obedient servant, Edward Richardson. [ It was resolved to thank Mr Richardson for 1 the trouble he has taken, and to express an opinion that it would be useless for the ' Council to offer further opposition. ANTIGUA STBKET CUTTIXGk A letter was read from Mr Alfred Cullia ford, calling attention to the damage done to his property at the corner of Antigua street and the South town belt, through the recent j alteration of the roadway levels. Referred to the works committee to report, a with power to take legal advice. |j BY-LAW COMMITTEE. The by-law committee brought up a report on a letter referring to the recent cab accij dent, and recommended that drivers of cabs be compelled to walk at the intersection of Colombo and Hereford streets. The report was received. Ie Cr. Ick would have liked to have seen the n junction of Cashel and Colombo streets a included in the recommendation. <j On the motion of Cr. Bird, the report was ,Q adopted. It was resolved, on the motion of Cr. Pratt, "That, in terms of clauses 310 and 82 of the Municipal Council Act, 1876, a jV special meeting of the Council be held on Monday, sth November, at 6.55 p.m.,- to adopt by special order the above alteration." STBBET NUMBBBIXG. ,n Cr. Bickerton said he would postpone the other portion of the Bye-law committee's ■J report referring to the numbering of the ' n streets. ,j In reply to Cr. Bird it was stated that the L Bye-law committee would bring up a byelaw at next meeting to regulate building _f within the city. XOTICB3 OP MOTION. '" Cr. Bickerton to move at next meeting : — t " That it is the intention of the Council to continue the avenue of the Canal Reserve around the north bank of the river from the ; e . Antigua street bridge to Worcester street, and an also from the north end of the Canal Reserve al to the bridge near the Carlton Hotel as soon it- as convenient after the reserves come into sil their possession, and that it be an instruction f y to the city surveyor that in doing any kind of **• work on the bank of the river he should bear ay this in view." "I ear Paddy, th&t is the worst-looking ?* horse you drivel ever saw. Why don't you t KS/hta up?" up, is it ?. hi Faix, the poor raete can hardly carry the tly little mate there's on him n»w," replied to paddy. '

INDIAN FAMINE BELIEF FUND. ] In addition to the collections on behalf of i the above fund given yesterday, the following additional amounts were collected on Sunday 1 last —Free Methodist Church, including < Sunday school and private collections, £20 ] 13s 9d; Papanui Church (Anglican), £26 i 8e 5d • German Church, Christchurch, £5 Iβ; i St. Mary's, Addington. (Anglican), £614s 2d; : St. StepWs, Lincoln (Anglican] \; £5 Is 10d; t Christ's College Chapel, Christchurch £20 ; < Disciples of Christ, Oddfellows Hall, Chnst- i church, £15 5s 4d; Sumyside Asylum, £1 7s i lid; Primitive Methodists, Chnstchurch (in- t eluding previous collections), £5; St. Mary's, 1 Springston (Anglican), £3 18s 4d ; Green , Park Church, £3 15s 9d. t In Lyttelton collections were made at the i Church of England, Wesleyan, and Presby- i terian Churches, £29 being collected at the Church of England, £22 at the Wesleyan, and '. between £21 and £22 at the Presbyterian. There was no collection made at the Catholic Church, sufficient notice not having been i given, but one will take place shortly. At Kaiapoi the amount collected in the i Wesleyan Church ou Sunday at morning and i evening service was £20. The amount re- I ceiyed in the offertory at morning service at ! the Episcopalian Church was £5 13s 9d. i At Opawa the collections in St. Mark's i Church amounted to £18 10s. At Oxford a public meeting called by the i chairman of the Boad Board was only : attended by six persons. Mr Gorton, chair- < man, read a letter from the Mayor of Christ- i church, asking for the co-operation of the : Board, and a letter from the Eev. F. Opie, ] apologising for his absence, he being in attendance at the Synod in Christchurch. After a i few remarks from the chairman, expressing i his disappointment at the apathy of the people of Oxford in this matter, and the terrible nature of the famine, he suggested : that the meeting should lapse. After some conversation, the meeting terminated without i anything being done. In the Ellesmere parochial district the offerings at the various Church of England i services were specially set apart on Sunday for this fund, and, notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, as far as the returns are to hand, the response was most liberal. At St James's Church, Southbridge, the collections amounted to £36, and at the Leeston morning service some £15 odd was subscribed. It is also prrposed by the Ellesmere Road Board to apply to the committee of the Ellesmere Agricultural and Pastoral Association for their assistance in providing a table to be presided over by members of both bodies, where those who may not have otherwise had an opportunity of contributing may do so.