CITY COUNCIL.

Press, Volume VII, Issue 801, 24 May 1865, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

The Council held its weekly meeting on Monday evening at the usual hour. Present: All the members except Messrs. Burn ell and Bailey. The Chairman ia the chair.

The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed, after which the following letters and papers were produced and read :— A letter from W. Andrews, late foreman of works, stating that, according to directions received from the Chairman he had repaired the injuries at the Victoria Bridge, occasioned by the fall of rain on last Friday night; he had also erected a fence on the north-east side of the bridge to prevent accidents taking place there in consequence of the earth being washed away from the end of the culvert. Other repairs were necessary to prevent further portions of the bank being carried away. Some repairs were also necessary in front of the Royal Hotel, and also to a culvert crossing Oxford terrace, in Antigua street, near the Hospital; this latter work required immediate attention to guard against accidents. The Chairman said he gave instructions to Mr. Andrews to have the injuries at the Victoria Bridge at once repaired to avoid more damage being done, and to prevent accidents. The place where the fence was erected had often before, given way, and cost a considerable sum. I£ the Council had- 12-inch pipes it would be better at once to put them down and get rid of the wooden culvert*; but some repairs were necessary until the pipes were to be had. Mr. Lane agreed with \the Chairman that pipes were much to be preferred to a wooden culvert which was often getting out of repair; the other works referred to in Mr. Andrews' letter should he attended to, for a few pounds spent now on such necessary repairs would be the means of saving ten times the amount hereafter. The works were ordered to be repaired by Mr. Andrews. A letter from Mr. C. Allaop, requesting payment of his commission for collecting rates, and also asking the Council to let him have something on account of works done in endeavoring to prepare a Ratepayers' List. The Council ordered his commission to be paid, but declined to entertain the other application at present. A letter from Mr. Brunsden, of the weigh-bridge oflice, reminding the Council that they had promised him a portion of the Market square long since to rent j that he was now in a position to take a.part or the whole of the buildings on tho triangle' formerly occupied by the offices of Public Works and Government Barracks; that having been their tenant for two years he hoped .the Council would accept his application, considering he had a prior claim in this matter. • Mr. 8,. B. Bishop said that nearly two years ago the Council" had it in contemplation to fence the Market place at the back of the Post-office into sections, on which agricultural and other implements could be exhibited.. That project fell to the ground from various causes, and hence no positive reply was given to Mr. Brunsden's application. lor. C. W. Bishop said, in his opinion/the weighbridge and office should be let by public tender. He hoped to see the Public Works buuVting swept away, theyhad existed long enough as an encroachment on public property; - The public had a right to the piece of ground on whicb/they 'stand.; ' He would be sorry to see the Immigration: Barracks let for any length of time, for he hoped the Council would carry out' the proposed plan for a market^which would be a public ' benefit. Mr. JBarnard suggested that the Council should ' fix the charges for weighing. In his opinion the pre- ! sent rates were too high; every load, now was two shillings, and it was unfair that a load of corn should "j pay only the same as hay or straw; the latter ought ' to be weighed at a much less cost. .. He knew the ' small fanners complained of the charges. J Mr. Lane agreed with Mr. Barnard that the J charges ought to be fixed by the Council. ' The Chairman agreed with the other members that ' if the charges -were less the public would use the }

weighbridge more. He thought^^T^ tainly to be charged more than hafTiW «*• more than straw, which was aimplv 3 # He proposed that Mr. Barnard and Mr I* ** _**• act as a committee, and report on the inft^kT meeting. Matter _y aex{ The suggestion was adopted, both gentlem--ing to act as requested. g ™ tlenus a agree. Mr. C. W. Bishop reminded the eentlAm . were to act in this matter that th-* ° of the person renting the wei»h.b-,v» e m , tw * t be considered. He wis obliged to & *«« constant attendance at the office, and to .eVT *' and give vouchers for every cart, &0., wei3 iS 1 was attended with some expense, for »l»*S v '"* expect to be remunerated. eh he Mr. E. B. Bishop thought the old Im»- • Barracks might be let for three months wkW* 11 ? 1 not stop any permanent improvements an? 3S bring in some return to the Council. The Town Clerk was directed* to info--, if Brunsden that the Council cannot letting of any part of the Market place for ti™ -T sent, but wiU offer by tender the office attached. a «« The Chairman informed the Council that h, W placed the proposed Amendment Bill in the LSi of the Provincial Secretary, who stated thatS matter should have the careful X! Government. g,BB thß amoUnt ° f £26 3S Sd WeW ordwa *»

The Town Clerk reported that he had wcebad from Mr. Brunsden a quarter's rent for the ».;.* bridge and office, £18 15s ; from the Inspected account of night-soil pans, £8 10s; froartna Cnl lector of Rates, £2 10s; total, £29 15s. The Inspector's report was read and considered. He stated that the new pans were now adopted in the Triangle, and he should at once have them de. livered m other localities. He informed the Council that he had found great difficulty in collectW the cleansing charges from weekly tenants, in congequence of constant change of residences. The Inspector attended, and received instructions from the Council that in every case of the weekly tenant refusing to pay the cleansing diarges, he should apply to the owner and enforce payment' by the ordinance weekly tenants were exempted from

Mr. C. W. Bishop said, as the Inspector was present, he wished particularly to draw his attention to the portion of Manchester street adjoining the Fetrr road, the channel there clearly pointed out that some persons were in the habit of throwing the house slops into the street, which was a positive infringement of the rules of the Council, and would be the means of bringing Bickness into the neighborhood. He had that very day witnessed a maid servant coming from the house of Mr. Thiele, a baker, and twice emptying a slop pail in the middle of the street. He was quite willing, for the public interest, to be a witness in tha case, as this was a breach of decency which should be punished whenever positively known. It behoved the Council to look to the sanitary measures of the city, for the news from England told the tale of s frightful plague spreading through Russia, and advancing towards other countries. This should make it a first duty on all citizens to encourage cleanly habits.

The Inspector said he would pay attention to the instructions given to him. He thought the attention of the police should be directed to this matter, as it was doubtful whether the Police Ordinance would meet these cases. He suggested that a by-law should be at once passed.

The several forms of applications and licensee, under the Hackney Carriage Ordinance, were laid qq the table, upon which Mr. Bishop moved the following resolution, seconded by Mr. Farr:—" That tha Hackney Carriage Ordinance be brought into operation on and after the Ist July next, and notice of such be published in the newspapers." Carried;"' ' After some: routine business the Council then sd« journed to Monday next at the usual hour.