CHRISTCHURCH CITY COUNCIL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1356, 7 February 1865, Page 5

CHRISTCHURCH CITY COUNCIL.

The Council met at the usual hour last night. The following members were present—Messrs. Luck (chairman), E. B. Bishop, Burnell, Bailey, and Farr. The Town Clerk read the minutes of the last meeting, which were confirmed. The weekly pay-sheet, amounting to £38 7s, was ordered to be paid, as were also some small accounts, amounting to about £13. The balance o'f contract with Mr. Thomas Lunnon, amounting to about £48, was ordered to be paid. A letter was read from the Secretary for Public Works, acknowledging that the Government was indebted to the Council in the sum of £1500, but that he regretted that, in the present state of the Treasury, it was impossible for the Government to pay it, anxious as they may be to discharge the liability. The Town Clerk reported that he had had an interview with the manager of the Bank of N.S.W., who stated that the bank was anxious to be reimbursed the amount of the over-draft (amounting now to £650) before March sth, that being the day for the half-yearly balancing of the books. The Town Clerk remarked that as the contract with Mr. Reece required that the closet pans, which had now arrived, should be paid for in cash, and as there would be by that day some accumulation of expense to be defrayed, the amount of over-draft would be about £2000. Mr. Sprot appeared before the Council, and gave some information respecting the price of the drainage pipes, the expense of bringing them from Glasgow, and the best means of doing so. It appeared that the freight would be, at the outside, about £2 10s per ton from Glasgow ; they would be packed iu coal-dross, which would be useful for gas - purposes, firing steam - engine boilers, &c. The price at which he offered to supply the piping would include putting it on board at Glasgow, exclusive of the freight. One reason of the freight being so moderate was, that the piping could be used as dead weight on board a vessel in which light goods might be stowed ; some of the Glasgow shippers would be glad of the opportunity. The Council would gain considerably by taking delivery of the pipes at Lyttelton. The works where the Jiipes were manufactured were at Garmkirk, about seven miles from Glasgow by train. A small number of short pieces of piping would be sent with the pipes for the purpose of enabling the drainage pipes to be cleared out. In a very level town, like Christchurch, these additional pipes would be almost indispensable. Mr. Sprot recommended that the contract for freight should be taken here. He suggested that the cement necessary for joining the piping should also be procured from Glasgow, as it would cost a nominal price, and could be obtained of better quality than in the colonies. He thought that the estimate of £2 108. was too high a one ; he was sure that it would not exceed 305., but he did not expect that one vessel would take the large quantity which the Council required. The terms of payment would, he thought, be by a bill of ninety days after sight. The piping, and every article requisite, were always kept in stock, and he was sure that the whole apparatus would be in Canterbury within eight months, if the order was dispatched by the out-going mail. He was convinced that there were no works

in Britain which could turn out the work either better or more speedily. From a calculation made, the whole weight would be about 400 tons. Now, a ship of 400 tons register would be one of nearly 800 tons measurement. The piping might, therefore, after due consideration, arrive in one vessel. The work of laying the pipes would bo a matter of the utmost simplicity; it only depended upon correct levels being furnished. The actual coßt of the whole would be about £100 por cent, on the manufacturer's prices at the works. Mr. Sprot then withdrew. On the motion of Mr. Burnell, a committee, consisting of the Chairman, Mr. E. B. Bishop and C. W. Bishop, be appointed to ascertain the amount of piping actually necessary, and to consult such merchants as have ships trading from Glasgow as to the probable cost of conveying such piping from the Clyde. The motion having been seconded, was carried. The Surveyor's report was read, but it contained nothing calling for consideration and remark, except that the artesian well near Mrs. O'Hara's premises had been successfully accomplished, water having been struck at the depth of 85 feet. A letter was read from Mr. J. L. Hall, offering the City Council tho use of the centre-lamp outside the Theatre, on condition that the Council should defray the expense of lighting it. It would be kept alight after the other two used for his own purposes were extinguished. It was decided that Mr. Hall's offer should be accepted. A letter was read from Mr. Jameson, accompanying some samples of piping. He mentioned that he had only a comparatively small stock in hand, but if the Council accepted that, he could easily supply a arge quantity in a short time. A letter was read from Mr. G. H. Tribe, thanking the Council for the honour they had done him in electing him as assessor. He mentioned that he and Mr. Allsopp had been working diligently at their task, and asked the permission of the Council to consult their solicitor on some points of difficulty which had arisen in the performance of their duties. Permission granted. The report of the Inspector of Nuisances was read. It mentioned some nuisances which he had endeavoured to abate, especially one connected with Mr. Oram's establishment in the Papanui-road.

The Chairman, after some discussion, was authorised to see Mr. Nalder, the City Solicitor, on the subject of the last-named nuisance. On account of the smallness of the attendance of members, Mr. E. B. Bishop agreed to postpone his motion with reference to the city works until the next meeting of the Council. The Chairman and Mr. E. B. Bishop were appointed to see the Manager of the Bank of N.S.W. on the subject of the over-draft. The Council then adjourned.