CITY COUNCIL.

A meeting of the City Council was held last evening; present — Hi 3 Worship the Mayor (Mr C. M. Gray), Councillors Prudhoe, Eowe, Cochrane, Swarm, Barns, Smith, Wood, Cooper, Eeese, Goss, Patrick and Humphreys. An apology was received for the absence of Councillor Bonnington. NEW COUNCILLOR. Mr E. W. Humphreys, the newly-elected Councillor for the North-west Ward, made the usual declaration and took his seat. FINANCIAL. The debtor balance at the Bank was stated to be .£4979 33 lOd. The receipts since last meeting were : — General account, .£374 183 lOd ; cemetery account, £3 18s 9d ; suspense account, .£46 10s 5d j interest account, iss9 9s 9d. Expenditure— General, ,£252 lla 9d; suspense account, JBI. The accounts were pasßed for payment.HAYOPAL STATEMENT. The Mayor &aid it had become a custom for the retiring Mayor to leave as a legacy to his successor certain suggestions to take up and endeavour to carry out. Mr Manning had left for the Council's consideration during the next twelve' months the questions of a water supply and the amalgamation of the city and suburbs. He (Mr Gray) agreed to a considerable extent that a water-supply was necessary ; but he was not prepared with any scheme yet, because he thought there were other matters, especially with regard to finance, to be considered before such a question was gone into. It was in January, 1878, that competitive Bchemes for a high-pressure water-supDly for the city were obtained and submitted to Mr Clark, engineer. The matter was fully gone into, and it was shown that a large expenditure would have been required. Looking back now he felt glad that none of these schemes had been adopted, for the growth of the city and suburbs had shown that they would have been inadequate. A scheme on a much larger scale would be required. It would not do to have a water supply which would require perpetual tinkering and adding to as the city grew larger. They should wait till they were in a position to go in for a water Bupply scheme that would be adequate for many years to come for the city and suburbs. And that brought him to the question of the amalgamation of the city and outside boroughs. When the proposal to amalgamate was made, the other local bodies had looked upon it with suspicion, as if the city was trying to gain something. He believed himself that if the outside bodies knew the advantages there would not be any jealousy, the local feeling would be got over, and they would come in and join us. He was sure it would result in a great saving of expenditure and would be an advantage in every way to all the amalgamated districts. He held the opinion that until we got some scheme of amalgamation it would not be wise for the city to incur any extensive responsibility with regard to a water supply ; but the Council might add to its information on the subject, bo that when the time came for action they would be able to deal with the matter satisfactorily. The falling valuation of the city was a serious matter. In 1883 the city valuation was £251,910 and in 1890 it was £194,681, a decrease of J857.229. This showed that if the valuations now were more in accord with the true values they must have been fictitiously high in yeara gone by. There was only one other matter he wished to refer to. He hoped during the next twelve months to bring forward some proposal whereby two new bridges, which were much needed, could be erected— one at Ward's brewery, and the other at the Hospital. He hoped the Council would give the matter serious consideration. He thought they could afford to wait for more prosperous times before going in for a water Bupply. He trusted he would have their sympathy and support in carrying out the duties of his office. (Applause). BUBGESS BOLL. Two applications for alterations in the burgess roll were received, and it was resolved that the name of J. A. Flesher should be placed on the roll ia place of William Flesher, deceased, and that of Ebenezer Long in place of Joseph Carder. SWANS ON THE AVON. The following was read :— "Christchurch, Dec. 9, 1890. His Worship the Mayor of Christchurch. Your Worship, — This day have I recorded the faith that is in me of the future of this beautiful little Colony, and I record the passing events which anger some and create in others a joyous hilarity— the latter grounded, I firmly believe, upon the hope of a coming prosperity which, shortly will find a home in New Zealand. I have taken the liberty of placing upon the waters of your beautiful Avon— the stream which is the picture of peace and tranquillity, beauty and security — seven black swans, two of which are senior and the five junior. They are placed between the bridges of Hereford street and Worcester street, opposite the Canterbury Club, where may I ask your kindiy help in saving them from destruction ? I have the honour to remain an ever-faithful citizen, — John T. Matson." Councillor Eowe proposed— " That Mr Mataon be thanked for his present." Councillor Cooper seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. The Council then adjourned till Jan. 19.