CITY COUNCIL.

Press, Volume XI, Issue 1408, 14 May 1867, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

The usual weekly mosting of the members of the City Council took place last evening. Present — Messrs W. Wilson (chairman), Duncan, Culvert, Anderson, Tombs, Jameson, Thomson, and Ruddenklau. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The Town Clerk reported that the balance to the credit of the Council at the Bank was £482 Os 7d. The receipts during the week had been—from general city rates, £19 ; from drainage, 17s 6d ; for scavengering, £25 18s 61 ; from the sale of drain pipes, £12 16s 6d ; for licenses, £4 ; for rents in the Market-place, £3 7s ; and from the Provincial Council, £1387 10s. A letter was read from the Secretary of Public Works, stating the amount of money due to the Government for broken metal supplied to tho Council. The amount of metal supplied made up the amount of 75 per cent, paid by the Government, and the account was therefore passed. The weekly pay-sheet, and several other eccounts were passed, and ordered to he paid A letter was read from Messrs. Crawford and Co., asking for an advance on account of their contract. The request was granted Several other minor accounts were passed and ordered to be paid. A letter was read from the Secretary of the Fire Brigade, stating that Mr Thomas Anderson had been duly elected foreman of the Brigade, and it wns deemed that this was sufficient to enable \he Clerk to act in accordance with the rules. A letter was read from Mr Haskins, stating that he would be liable for any amounts unpaid. The consideration of the matter was deferred for a time. The report of the subcommittee appointed to report on the ntate of the Town Belt, was read ; it was as follows : — ''In accordance with the resolution passed at a meeting of the Christchurch City Council, held on the 6th inst, your committee then appointed have inspected the whole of the town belts, and more partici.larly that portion already formed and planted with trees ; their attention was also directed to tho trees, the property of the City Council, growing on a portion'of the North Town Belt, near the residence of Mr George Gould, most of which are now of sufficient size as to be fit for planting out permanently. "They have also taken into consideration the best mode of planting the belts in future, so as to afford ample road accommodation to residents thereon, combined with permanent avenues of suitable trees, and would recommend the work to be carried out as follows :— " A foot-path, ten feet wide, to be made on each side of the belt, then two roadways running parallel to the footpaths, each half-a--chain in width, which will leave forty-six feet clear in the middle of the belt for planting witli trees. This centre space will be intersected by the various streets of the city, which will allow each separate block to be planted with one variety of those trees that are to remain permanently. This method of planting will produce an agreeable diversity of appearance, and relieve the monotony which would be created by having long avenues of only one sort of tree. " In forming these plantations tho following practice must be strictly adhered to : — " A secure fence of po3ts and cap rail, with sufficient wires to keep out dogs, goats, and cattle. The soil to he trenched at least two feet deep, and thoroughly worked previously to being planted. A fence of English broom to be planted inside the wires. Tho permanent trees to be planted not closer in the rows than forty feet, and the spaces between them filled up with quick-growing shelter plants, which can be thinned out as the permanent trees occupy the ground. The trees ought to be so planted as to allow a ten-feet grass walk down the centre of each block ; the ends of tho walks to open into the intersecting streets by means of turnstiles. The ground to be kept free from weeds throughout the year. The trees best adapted for avenues are English and wych elms, sycamore, ash, chestnut, American and oriental plane, English and American oak, beech, and lime. On« or two of the spaces might be advantageously planted with specimens of coniferse. Each variety of tree ought to be planted in the soil best suited for its growth, which can easily be done, seeing that the soils of the belts range from heavy clay to peat and light loam. " Your committee would not recommend any expense being incurred on that portion of the East Belt already planted, as they find that most of the permanent trees are destroyed. The few that remain can be shifted to the new plantations. " They would urge that a portion of the North Belt be formed and planted on the plan recommended in this report so soon as the Gnances of the Council will allow of it, but that only the inner roadway be completed in a substantial manner; and that in all future planting the above system be carried out around the city, which will effectually remove the longstanding grievance of taking away road frontages to tto t>wn belt from the owners of town so* i ions and rural lands having frontages thereon." The report was ordered to be laid upon the table, the Chairman stating that he hoped the matter would be fully considered during the next week, both by the public and by the members of the Council. The present plan had caused many complaints, and ho hoped that the one now brought forward would obviate many of the difficulties complained of. The report was ordered to be received, and its consideration was deferred for a week. The following r?port of the committee appointed to consider the water supply was ruad, and ordered to stand over for consideration for a week. " Your committee bog to report that in their opinion the most effectu-il plan for supplying water in cases of fire in those parts jf the city at a distance from the river will be to provide cisterns or tanks containing a quantity for immedi-tlc use, with pipes from artesian wells sufficient to keep up a continuous supply for all the engine: l ?. " The steam fire-engine and the hand engines together can throw about 18,000 gallons per hour. "To provide for this, your committee suggest that five artesian borings should be marie with three-inch pipes, and a baiiu or tank to receive the flow. "The following are tho quantities of water which might be expected to tiow from the several sized bores, viz., from one and a-half-inch pipes, about 1000 gallons per hour; threi'-inch pipes, about 4000 gallons pur hour ; six-inch inch pipes, about 14,000 gallons per hour. Reckoning for a supply of 20,000 gallons, it would require twenty one inch pipes, five three-inch pipes, or two six-inch pipe?, the latter throwing 23.000. " Your committee find that the least expensive of these would be tht> five three inch, the necessary apparatus being on baud, and the pipes most easily procured.

« : To receive the wn'er a-; if- would flow, n t,-i't"th.at -.v.v-.id rv.iMi-i nb.iut 1000 ga!!o-is i, «"•««■;...,?. I " It would add to lis usefu nr*- if a driok- ; in- fountain were aide 1, also two troughs fjr j horses. . | " t'r.-sumini: upon in hes-ig a permanent! wor';, and fixed in one of the most conspicuous ! p-irrs of tne city, your<■rumii: ; <o stnvigly ; ■'! 'ha', iv its con- ri'eliin a oinMeruiion should j 'v» 'i:i I for .irn-imcnf, though not noees.-eirily ; !>f an expensive chara-ter, an 1 v-untiest that ; 1 .;.,..-Ijrns he ailverfi'i* i t'<ir> « premium of £"> heing sjiven tor the h:««t. The material mis>ht be either stone or iron, or both, and the cost , not to oxceed £150 or £200 Tho cost of three-inch wells would be £30 each, or £150 , for five, making a total about £300 or £350. "This fountain would furnish a supply of water in case of fire, covering an important • part of the city if placed opposite Messrs Matheson's Agency, and would be available • for a considerable distance towards the Ferry > road, and would, in the opinion of your ■ committee, be sufficient for the present for that f quarter. " Providing for the southern district, your • committee would recommend that a three-inch : ait sian well be bored at the head of tho South drain, and sluice-gates placed at the end of - each street running down to the drain. Tho supply of water from the existing well, and the proposed additional one, if confined by tho » sluice-gates situated nearest to » firo, would be • of very great service, and the cost, including » tho sluices, about £40." ' The report of the Public Works Committee. as read at the last meeting, was read and adopted. An application was received, requesting ! that tho formation of St. Asaph streot west bo at once proceeded with. The matter was referred to the Public Works Committee. 1 An application of a similar nature from cer- ' tain inhabitants of Tuam street was dealt with in the same manner. It was resolved that two cast iron culverts should be laid down in Cashel street, at B in- . nington's corner, to the A 1 hotel, and to tho Railway Chop-house. It was decided that Salisbury street Bhould | not bo metalled from the Papanui road to Durham street, owing to the want, of funds ; and the further consideration of the surveyor's reports was postponed for a week. The following tenders for clearing the River Avon were then received :— James Ross and C 0,£75 ; Kvedy and Co., £44; Michael Mac- ' namara, £43 ; " John Duerden, £62 10s ; James Hurst, £120 10s; Alexander Duncan, £57 10s ; Patrick Dukerly, £161 ; Grant and Co. (weather permitting), £65 ; Richard Miller, £46 10s ; Henry Wood and Co., £100 ; ' John Hnnnan, £56 7s. The tender of Michael Macnamara was accepted. ' The report of the Surveyor was read. It suggested certain works necessary, and which we-e ordered to be at once done. The con- ' sideration of the enlargement of tho Post- ' olfieo was deferred for a week, and tho re- . mainder of the report was ordered to be carried out. The report of the Rate Collector was also read. It gave a statement of what, had been ' done to recover back rates, and also a list of persons proposed to be summoned. I The report of tho City Inspector was al<o » read and considered, and Messrs Ruddenklati 1 and Calvert were appointed a committee to 1 whom the Inspector was to apply in cases of difficulties. Several carriers and other licenses were 1 then granted, t Mr Calvert moved —"That the present > wooden raiings round the artesian wells 1 should be removed, and an iron one substi- " tuted. " Tho present, erections were most unsightly, and ho considered that v hotter 1 arrangement could bo made. Ho however . wished to defer the consideration of tho matter ) for a week, at which time he would be able to f bring forward some definite plan. I Tho consideration was deferred for a week. Mr Duncan moved—"That previous to the 1 leasing of the public weighbridge for the ' ensuing year, this Council take into considora- ' tion the existing scale of rates now charged, : with a view to their reduction." Ho thought I that a reduction could be made without injuring the lessee, and at the same time 1 benefiting the public. I Mr Thomson seconded tho resolutim, which ' was carried. Mr Duncan moved that tho mover and ' seconder of the previous resolution be consti--1 tuted a committee to draw up a scale of ■ charges. Carried. Air Duncan moved—"That the striking of ; a rate be the first business at the next meeting of the Council, immediately after the con--1 sideration of the Public Works and Finance ' Committee's reports." 1 T.'ie motion was seconded. Mr Ruddenklau moved—"That a special 1 meeting be called to consider the subject." ; Mr Hislop seconded Mr Ruddenklau's 1 amendment. ' Mr Jameson considered that the usual meetings gave them plenty of time to consider the 1 subject. ' The motion was carried. Mr Duncan moved—" That the stone channel running across High and Colombo streets be lifted and then relaid, from Mr Ruddenklau's to Mr Urquhart's, and continued down Colombo 1 street to its junction with Hereford street." The motion, after some discussion, was withdrawn. Mr Calvert moved—"That tho hour of 1 meeting of the Council during the winter months be fixed at seven p.m." He considered ' that by a little more attention to business they 1 could get through their work by ten p.m. Mr Ruddenklau seconded the resolution. 1 The Chairman decided that notice must be given before the motion could be msved. The Council then adjourned until Monday : next.