CITY COUNCIL.

Sfbciaii Meetings. A speoial meeting of the Christchurch City Counoil for the purpose of adopting the resolution pawed on August 26, for making tho Tramway Bylaw, was held in the Council Chambers yesterday evening } present—His Worship the Mayor, Councillor! Kiver, Ayers, England, Vincent, Lambert, Bowman Hulbert, Louieeon, Hiornp, and fiiuhop. The formal motion for adopting the resolution was moved by Councillor Bishop, seconded by Councillor Hulbert, and carried nem con. 3he speoial meeting for confirming the same was fixed for 6.40 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 9. At the conclusion of the above business, a eecond Bpeoial meeting was held, for thi purpose of adopting the Hackney Carriage By-law. The formal resolution required was carried, on the motion of Councillor Bishop, seoonded by Councillor Kiver, and the speoial meeting for confirmation was fixed for 6.50 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 9. Oedinabt Meeting. The ordinary meeting of the Co.uncil was then held. His Worship the Mayor presided, hnd the same Councillors and Councillor Treleaven were present. FINANCE. Items of finance were reported us follows ! — Receipts for past fortnight : General Bccouat, £892 15s 6d ; susponße account, £133 18s Id ; drainage rate account, £194 5b Od; drainago account No. 2, £784 4s Bd. Expenditure : General account, £1266 Is 8d ; suspense account, £860 3s lldj drainage account No. 2, £2071 Is. Credit balance at Bank, £6374 3s Bd. OITT BtJBTBIOB'S BBPOBT. The following report from the City Burvcyor was read :— " (1.) The asphalt contractor | has been preparing a quantity of material* and will shortly commence laying the asphalt in New street and other places whore r opaira are required. (2 ) Mr Fuller, who was up* pointed to drive the Deluge fire engine, has also been app inted to drive the eteam roller, and he will cummenco this week, as there are now a number of plaoes that roqnire rolling. (3.) The work of building Manchester bridge was commenced this week, and if tho material contracted for is delivered in coutraot time, the bridge will be finished in 10 or 12 weeks' time. (4.) The trees opposite the streets opening on to Park terrace have been cut down. (5.) The second water tank hag been erected on the Market place, and they are both now ready to supply the water oarto. (6 ) The amount taken in building fees during the month of August was £44, and there were 19 new licenses granted." The report was approved. CATHBDBAI BITE. The following roport from the Works Committee on this question was read : — "Your Committee have considered the letter from the Cathedral Chapter for per- ! mission to remove the tanks reserve fences to improve the appearance of tho Cathedral site. Your Committee think it would be desirable to make an exchange with the Cathedral Chapter for a piece of land elsewhore. Such exchange will be in the iutereetH of the citizen?, as the site of the Cathedral will be beautified, and the Council will obtain land which is muoh required its a dep6t for material to carry on oity workn. Tour Gout* mittoe reoommendß the Council to ugreo lo an exchange on the following torms, viz. : Toe Council to relinquish the two tank roiervea adjoining the Cathedral site, and the Cathedral Chapter to give in exchange the Church section of land at the corner of Manchester street and the North Town Belt, or five acres, part of rural section No. 243b, on the opposite side of the North Bolt. Tho Council to retain the right to uso water from the existing tank till such time us •tho city is provided with a high-pressure wator supply. A tracing showing the site of the land proposed to be given to tho Counoil ia attaohed hereto." The report waß adopted unanimously. BBBIQKATION. Councillor Hulbort tendered his resignation as a member of the Counoil. His reason for doing so at this poriod was to save expense to the ratepayer in r<?gard to the election of his successor. 11 <- lad served for threo yeara, and thought I \ at perhaps some other citizen should have it turn. He begged to thnuk the members of ■ l ie Council for tho kindacHS and courtesy wit!' which ho had always been treated. Ho idb cure that all of thorn frere actuated by tho best motives, and by ,\ pure desire for the good of the citizens His Worship the Major regretted Councillor Hulbert'a resignation vory much, and wab sure he expressed tbe opinion of the Counoil. (Hear, hear.) Councillor Hulberfc had worked hard for the good of tho oity, had been punctual in his attendance, and a moßt valuable* member. His resignation would be a lobb both to the Council and the city. (Hear, hear.) He would put the motion, " That Councillor Hulb?rt's resignation be accepted." He hoped Councillor Mulbort would, at some futuro time, come forward to serve the citizens again. The motion was then carried. Councillors England, Bishop, and Treloavon announced that Ihoy did not inleud to seek re-oleolion. THE BAIiANOB IN HAND. Councillor L. -ieson drew attention to the large credit balance in the Bunk, fie considered that this balanoe should bo invested. No business man would allow a largo sum to lie idlo so long, and why should the Corporation ? Ho moved — " 'Jhat the Finanoe Committee bo requested to consider tbe advisability of temporarily investing some portion of the present and any future surplus funds under tho control of the Counoil." Councillor Kiver seconded tho motion. A brief discussion onsuod on I ho matter. Councillor Hulbort thought the Council deserved credit for its economy. They had HiiTored so long in old times from u clironio overdraft, that, thoy had become very caroful on tho subjoot. Tho Mayor thought the agreement with the Bank, by which no interest was granted on money in hand, was rather one-sidod, as the Council had to puy ourrcnt rat-en of intorosfc for overdrafts. Tho motion was then put nnd curried. WATEBINQ HATK. Tho customary petition in favour of lo vying a special wntoring rate of lid in the £ wub read, and the resolution making the rate was carried nem con, LIOBNBBS. After considering somo applications for licenses, tho Council adjourned.