CITY COUNCIL.

Press, Volume X, Issue 1194, 4 September 1866, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

The Council met last evening at seven p.m. Present—Messrs E. B. Bishop (chairman), Duncan, Ruddenklau, Barnard and Alport. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Chairman stated the overdraft at the bank to be £71 19s Id. The receipts during the week had been—from the Collector of rates, £70 2s 6d; from rents, £6 j from the Inspector of Nuisances, £4 8s; total, £80 10s6d. Various accounts, amounting to £89 Bs, were passed, and ordered to be paid. A letter was read from the Secretary to the Riccarton Road Baard, stating that if a proper account was made out, the Board would be willing to pay the rates for property owned by them and situated in the city. The Collector was ordered to furnis't the account to Mr Shand A letter was read from Mr J. Grant, requesting time for the payment of hia rates It was referred to the collector.

A letter wa9 also read from Mr Swinbourno, stating that he was unable to pay his rates, and that he had been summonod for tho same. He also asked for time- The application was referred to the collector. A letter from the Secretary of the Firo Brigade, enclosing the following memorial received by him, and signed by a large number of the leading merchants and tradesmen of Christchurch, was read :— " To the Chairman and Members of the City Council-:

"Gentlemen, —We, the undersigned, having observed the increasing evils arising from the fire-bell of this city not being under responsible control, and convinced that a remedy would be secured by placing the means of raising the alarm in a suitable erection by the engine station, and under the management of the Fire Brigade, therefore request your worshipful Council to take such immediate stops in the matter as shall meet the want now existing." After some discussion, it was decided that the Council should guarantee to the Fire Brigade the sum of £125 to erect a gong and look-out, provided such work were carried out in a satisfactory manner ; the work to bo done under the superintendence of the Brigade, and certified by the City Surveyor before any payment be made:

A letter was read from Mr Joseph Bailey, complaining of the state of Kilmore street opposite some buildings owned by him, and near its junction with Madras street. The matter was referred to the City Surveyor.

A letter was also read from Mr Thomas Preston, complaining of the state of Hereford street, near St John'B church. The Town Clerk was ordered to reply that the matter would be looked into as soon as the City Council had any money to expend. The report of the City Surveyor was read and considered. It drew the attention of the Council to some works which were immediately necessary, some of whicli were ordered to be at once commenced.

The Chairman said that he had carefully read the report on drainage, &c, supplied by the City Snrveyor, but he could not see how with their present means they could undertake works of the magnitude proposed. He considered that before the works were commenced, the city should be divided into wards, and a proportionate part of the rates collected spent in each ward. The Surveyor had offered as a suggestion that the sum of £25 should be expended on each quarter of the city every three months, bo that an eqrial amount might be spent in each distriot.

Mr Barnard considered that the suggestion was not a practical one, and would be strongly objected to outside. It would take, under the proposed plan, years to form a single street. Mr Alport considered that it would be useless for the Council to think about making the streets until they had money in hand. No resolution was come to upon the matter.

The Town Clerk was requested to write to the Cathedral Commission respecting the state of the boarding round the foundations of the Cathedral.

The Rate Collector's report was read and considered.

An application for a driver's license was granted. The Chairman stated the case of the City Council v. Wynn Williams had been heard, and had been decided in favor of the CouncD, with costs ; leave of appeal being granted to Mr Wynn Williams.

Mr Ruddenklau moved—" That the watercarts belonging to the City Council be put in a thorough state of repair and improved, so as to be fit for watering the streets effectually ; and that notice be given to the ratepayers of the city in one or more newspapers that the Council will undertake to water the streets during, the ensuing summer on receiving a petition signed by two-thirds of the ratepayers of any district, street, or part thereof, according to Clause 21 of the City Council Ordinance, and that a rate should be levied for the special purpose in such district." He considered that something should be done by the Council; on previous occasions when the watering of the streets had been attempted by private parties they had failed, owing to the difficulty of collecting the money. The Council would not be saddled with any expense, as the undertaking would be self-paying. He had no doubt but that a large number would sign the requisition.

Mr Alport seconded the resolution. He thought the measure a very necessary one, and that it should be immediately commenced as they might soon expect some very, heavy nor'-wasters.

Mr Alport agreed with Mr Ruddenklau as to the necessity of putting the carts in proper repair, but he could not see the necessity of adverlising a clause whioh was well known to all. Some objections could also be raised against the clause, which stated that the work must be undertaken for a special benefit, and it was very possible that many would be found to object to the proposal. He would rather see the Council take the matter in their own hands, and not rely at all upon the publio.

Mr Ruddenklau considered that all who signed the requisition would thereby render themselves liable to the rate. He was quite sure that a large number of the inhabitants would be in favor of the measure. He would not object to the Council bearing the expense of watering certain places, such as the Cathedral square, where the inhabitants were widely distributed. The resolution was Carried. The Town Clerk was requested to apply to the Provincial Government for £1000, on account of the £1700 voted for city purposes. The Council then adjourned until Monday evening next, at seven o'clock.