CITY COUNCIL.

Press, Volume XI, Issue 1373, 2 April 1867, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

The usual weekly meeting of the City Council was held last evening at the usual hour. Present—Messrs W. Wilson (chairman), Thomson, Tombs, Jameson, Hislop, Calvert, Ruddenklau, and Duncan. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The Town Clerk stated that the balance to the credit of the Council was £477 6s 4d. The receipts during the week had been— From general city rates, £48 7s ; for drainage rate, £2 8s 6d; from the sale of drain pipes, £2 2s; from scavengering, £2 2s 6d ; from rents in the Market-place, £3 10s; making a total of £58 10a. The weekly pay-sheet and monthly salaries to officers were passed, and ordered to be paid. It was then decided —*' That application be made to the Provincial Government for 2000 cubic yards of broken metal at the price named, viz., 9s per yard. A petition was read from certain householders residing in Salisbury street, requesting that portions of that street between Montreal and Durham streets should be at once formed. The petition Bet forth that the inhabitants were rapidly increasing, and therefore the traffic. The petition was ordered to be received, and the consideration of the subject of the petition was delayed until after the financial report of the funds at the disposal of the Council for new works had been laid up the table. A letter was read from Mr Harris, foreman of the Fire Brigade, stating that he intended to resign his office at the next meeting. The following resolution was carried — " That the City Council desire to record their appreciation of Mr Harris's services as chief

engineer of tho Fire Brigade, and in accordance with his expressed desire will acquiesce in any decision at which the brigade may arrive'upon the subject." A letter was read from Mr G. H. bharp, drawing the attention of the Council to the necessity of metalling a portion of Montreal B treet south, at the South Town Belt. It was decided that Mr Sharp's petition could not receive attention, as he was a ratepayer of the Spreydon district, and not of Christchurch. A letter was read from Mr Oram, requesting to be allowed to purchase and lay down pipes from hia premises to tho river. Tho matter was referred to the City S.irvevor, to re {.■•ft upon at the next meeting of the Council. A letter was read from Mr 11. E. Alport, the honorary secretary of the Rifle Association, enclosing a resolution passed at tho last meeting of the Association, requesting the Council to erect a powder magazine at the sandhills within the city boundaries ; also asking permission for the use of the City Council reserves at tho time of the next annual meeting. It was decided that a powder magazine erected within the boundaries of the city would be dangerous ; the Town Clerk was therefore instructed to write to the Honorary Secretary advising the Association to apply to the Government to erect a magazine without the town boundary. It was decided that the latter part of the request should be granted. A hackney-carriage license was granted to George Share. Tlie transfer of a site in the Market-place from Mr Bailee to Mr Niemann was agreed to The report of the Public Works Committee was read. It recommended the formation of certain streets; and after the opinion of the City Surveyor had been taken as to cost, it was finally adopted with some small alterations. The reports of the City Surveyor and Inspector were read and considered. They mentioned no works of any great public importance. Mr Thomson moved—"That as it is in contemplation by this Council to coat the main thoroughfares and principal streets with broken metal, this Council is of opinion that before metalling that part of Colombo street running through Cathedral square, it would be more advantageous for the general traffic of the city, as well as making a portion of the square available as a publio garden, to have it made as straight as possible, so as not to interfere with tho Cathedral. The motion was seconded by Mr Hislop, and after considerable discussion was deferred for a week. Mr Euddenklau moved—" That the Public Works Committee be requested,in conjunction with ihe assistance of the City Surveyor, to furnish the Council with a list of works necessary to be undertaken during the present year ; also the estimated cost of each work recommended, and to report in fourteen days." The motion was seconded by Mr Duncan, and carried. It was decided, on the motion of Mr Jameson :—" That tenders be invited for the carting, spreading, and stacking of broken metal from the Lincoln ferry to the various principal roads in the city." There being no further business the Council adjourned.