CHRISTCHURCH CITY COUNCIL. Monday, Jan. 15. Present Messrs. Alport, Woodford, Ruddenklau, Luck, Bishop, Duncan, Barnard, Farr, and M'Farlan. On the motion of Mr. Luck, Mr. Farr took the chair pro tern. The Town Clerk read the names of the newlyelected councillors, and Mr. Luck then moved that Mr. E. B. Bishop be chairman for the present year. Mr. Barnard seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Mr. Bishop thanked the Council for their preference, but said that, before assuming the presidency of the Council, he would like to know how the members intended to deal with the over-rlraft on the bank ; he had a strong opinion that no new works ought to be undertaken unless the Council were in a position to pay for them. Mr. Alport suggested that Mr. Bishop had better take the chair, and then the members would state their opinions on these matters if he wished it. Mr. Bishop 'then took the chair, and the minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The minutes of the meeting at the Town Hall, on Tuesday last, were also read. After some conversation, the Chairman said that the over-draft was much less now than he had supposed it to be, and he would not press on the Council the matters he had referred to. 'Mr. Alport said he would be glad to co-ope-rate with the Chairman in keeping down the city works to their means of paying for them, and he moved, "That a committee be appoiniel, to consist of Messrs. Farr, Barnard, Duncan, and the mover, to prepare an estimate of the probable receipts and expenditure of the present year. Mr. Ruddenklau seconded the motion, which was carried. The following accounts were ordered to be paid : — £ s. d. Weekly pay-sheet 5 13 0 Wm. Jones ... ... 3 19 3 Expenses at the election of City Councillors 417 7 The Porter at the Office 7 10 0 Mr. G. Gordon 29 3 4 Mr. E. Pavitt 5 5 0 Letters from the following persons were read to the Coum.il From Mr. J. C!. St. Quentin, stating that he had been informed by Mr. Ruddenklau that one of the elected candidates for a seat in the Council had not paid his rate at the tima of nomination. Mr. Luck said that it was true that one of the candidates—Mr. Barnard—had not paid his , rate when he was nominated. He did not know it at the time, or he would not have received the nomination. He had consulted Dr. Foster on the subject, and had been advised by him that as a ratepayer could pay his rate after the nomination, and vote at the poll, a candidate should be allowed to pay his rate also, and be voted for at the poll; and that therefore he thought Mr. Barnard eligible for election.

Mr. Ruddenklau said that he had proposed Mr. Jenkins on tho nomination day, but that his nomination was not received, because Mr. Jenkins had not paid his rate.

Mr. Barnard said he did not think the Ordinance required the members of the Council to have their names on the rate roll; nevertheless, it was entirely through an accident that he had not paid his rate.

From the Honorary Secretary of the Fire Brigade, asking the Council to pay the brigade at least £50 of their contribution, and stating that the brigade would not incur any further liabilities; ami if the Council would not assist them, they would have to come to a dead stand. ' Afier some discussion, on the motion of Mr. Luck, it was resolved that £50 should be piid to the brigade, and the remainder of the contribution as soon as possible. From Mr. Fielder, applying for a hackney carringe licence for an American wagon, to conyey people to the races. It appeared that Mr. Fielder had applied

to the Provincial Government for a stage-coach licence for the wagon, which had been refused; but the Council were of opinion that as this wagon was to convey people to a fixed place—the' Racecourse—it came under the Stage-coach Ordinance, and not under the Ilackney-carriage Ordinance, according to the provisions of which a person could be conveyed to where he pleased within eight miles. They therefore refused the licence. Mr. Luck said the City Council Ordinance provided that the Council shall, after the election of its chairman, forthwith proceed to cause a list to be prepared of the persons liable to be rated, and a description of the property on account of which they were to be rated; and he moved, "That a committee, to consist of Messrs. Alport, Farr, Macfarian, and the mover, be appointed to consider ih c be it mode of appointing assessors and of valuing the property to be rated. Mr. Woodford seconded the motio.i, which was carried. Mr. Duncan move:! that the instructions to tiie rate-collector be redd. The i'own Clerk read them. Mr. Woodford moved tiiat the steam-flro-engine be employed to water the streets. Motion postponed. Mr. Luck said lie had beea to inspect the nuisance complained of on the South Town Belt, and thought it came, though covertly, from Brown's brewery. Mr. Alport said he thought no water from outside the city should be allowed to drain through it. The Town Clerk reported that he had received from the collector of rates, £270 55.; for rent, £37 1.35. 4d.; Inspector of Nuisances, £4. Mr. Farr moved that the thanks of the Council be given to Mr. Luck for his services as Chairman during the last year. Mr. E. B. Bishop supported this motion, which was carried. The Council adjourned to Monday, Jan. 22. at the usual hour.