CITY COUNCIL.

Press, Volume XIX, Issue 2812, 7 May 1872, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

» Monday, May 7, 1873. The Council met at the usual hour. Present—His Worship the Mayor, Crs. Anderson, Calvert, Pratt, Hobbs, Bishop, Jones, Hart, and Jameson. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. FINANCIAL. The Mayor reported that he had received during the week the following—From the Rate Collector, £51 18s lOd ; from building fees, £3 10s ; from the Resident Magistrate fines, April. £9 os ; from the Insurance Companies, £40; from Mr Anthony (private road), £22 2s ; Market Place, rent, £7; from the Inspector, £12 11s 2d ; total, £139 14s. The credit balance at the Bank was stated to be on the ordinary account £62 3s 6d, and £987 0s 6d on the drainage account. Accounts to the amount of £229 3s 8d were passed, and ordered to be paid, besides a sum of £584 16s 6d, on account of drainage. REPEAL OF ORDINANCES. The Mayor intimated that all the Ordinances affecting the Council bye-laws had been repealed with the exception of the one relating to the Fire Police, which at his request the Provincial Secretary had postponed repealing until such time as the Council broughtibhe present bye-Jaw under the present Municipal Act. CITY SURVEYOR'S REPORT. The Surveyor reported as follows :—Tenders will be laid before the Council this evening for ten new outside street lamps, and twelve new inside kerosene lamps. The burners are to be those called the "Comet." The Works Committee paid a visit to the drainage works at the estuary last Tuesday, paying in view Captain Oharlesworth's letter. After having expressed their satisfaction as to the general progress of the work they recommend that a surface drain be cut outside the line of fencing so as to provide for the surface water when cut off from the Heathcote drain. By so doing the Council's drain would not require to have any culverts let into it along the Canal reserve, as they would be carried straight across the several roadways passed through. The Government have already given their sanction to this work, and the expense of culverts would be very little different either way. The Works Committee also approved of the alteration made of increasing the height of the timbering when required to bring it nearer the surface of the ground. The contractor has been greatly delayed by late weather and high tides, but will now be. qbje to proceed with more dispatch, havin-» reached about ten chains away' from the estuary. The labor gan? for the past week have been employed carting footpath shingle, side drain rubbish, kc, &c, repairing the streets with broken metal and shingle (Partridge's contract), clearing out side drains and repairing the footpaths in various parts of the city* and other small works-" A. tender was accepted for the lamps.

of the Works Committee regarding the side drain and the two extra planks be agreed to. He said that the committee were highly pleased with the drainage works so far as they had gone on, and there was every probability of the work being more successful than was even contemplated.

In reply to a question from Cr. Jameson, Cγ. Anderson said that the committee had not seen Captain Charlesworth, but there was no doubt he would be satisfied with the arrangements of the Works Committee. In reply to a question from Cr. Jones, Cγ. Anderson said that the total alterations would not cost more than 25s per chain.

Cγ. Jones called the attention of the Council to the state of the footpath from Mx A. J. White's to Barrett's Hotel.

In reply to a question from Cr. Bishop, Cγ. Anderson said that the fencing along the drain was going on very satisfactorily.

In reply to a further question from Cr. Bishop, Cγ. Anderson said that the instructions to the Inspector were to serre notices on all persons whose trees were overhanging the footpath where the branches were objectionably low. Cr. Bishop called attention to the state of Durham street north, and moved that the surveyor be instructed to report upon the cost of reforming the same. Cr. Calvert seconded the motion, which was carried.

Cγ. Jones pointed out the very bad state of the footpath leading from Barrett's Hotel to the Railway Station, and said he hoped the Government would assist in defraying the expense of asphalting the same.

Considerable discussion ensued. His Worship said he should be happy to bring the matter under the notice of the Government if the Council would give him all the particulars required. Cr. Jones would then move that the Surveyor be instructed to send in particulars of the cost of the work. Cγ. Hart said that the proposal of Cr. Jones simply amounted to the initiation of a new principle. The Council had never yet done any asphalting, and if that work were done he had no doubt that the residents of other streets would demand the same. The Council had not the means to carry out the work. The motion was not seconded, and it accordingly fell to the ground. COBBESPONDENCE. A letter was read from Mr W. Mardon, Secretary to the Christchurch Club, requesting the Council to kerb the footpath in front of the club house on the usual terms. The Town Clerk was instructed to reply to the effect that the Council would attend to the work as soon as possible. At present they had not the material for the work, and would not have it for some time. As soon, however, as it was obtained the work would be carried out. A letter was read from Mr R. Billens, asking to be allowed to erect a lamp, to be attached to the front of his shop on the Papanui road, and overhanging the footpath. Granted under the supervision of the surveyor. A letter was read from Messrs Garforth and Lee, Robert Russell, Hamilton and Co., and R. Galloway, Tuarn street, requesting the Council to cause wood kcrbing to be laid in front of their premises, on the usual conditions. : The matter was referred to the Works Committee. A letter was read from several residents in Armagh street west, calling the attention of the Council to the bad state of the footpath on the south side of the street, so much so as to have been unfit for traffic during the recent wet weather. Referred to the Works Committee. A letter was read from Mr George Oram, asking the Council to take into consideration the insufficiency of lamps in Cathedral square, near Dγ Barker's and Hargreaves' corner, which made it unsafe for foot passengers at night. He thought that a lamp at the corner of Dγ Barker's seotion would answer the purpose. The Town Clerk was instructed to reply that the Council had no further means for lighting purposes this year than that already authorised. A letter was read from Mr D. Craig, stating that at a meeting of the insurance agents held, his action in the matter of the payment of the £40 damages sustained by Mr G. Warner was confirmed. The meeting, however, asked him to remind the Council that the contribution was quite voluntary, and that on no account would the Council be relieved of any euch claims should they arise again. ABMAGH STREET BRIDGE. The Town Clerk reported that he had had no applications lodged with him regarding the Armagh street bridge, within the term specified by law. CITY RESERVES. The Town Clerk laid on the table the list of reserves asked for by Cr. Hart. Cr. Hart said he should like the discussion on the subject to be postponed till next Monday to allow members to see the deeds. The suggestion was agreed to. OUTSTANDING KATES. Cr. Hart again drew attention to the amount of rates outstanding. He moved " That the Rate Collector be instructed to furnieh to the Council a list of the parties still owing rates, with the amounts, and also of those parties who had been summoned to pay their rates since the resolution of April 15th." He thought that some more stringent measure should be adopted to get the rates in. sad Cr. Calvert seconded the motion. After some discussion, The Rate Collector was called in. He explained the action he had taken in accordance with the resolution passed by the Council on April 15th. Cr. Hart's resolution was then put and carried. GENERAL HOLIDAY. It was resolved that on next Thursday the City Council offices shall be closed. LICENSES. A petroleum license was granted to Mr J. Mnnnings, Montreal street. An omnibus license was granted to Mr R. Falloon. After considerable discussion, Cγ. Hart intimated in the course of the discussion that he intended to inquire into the whole subject of the granting of omnibus licenses, and the way io which the licensees carried out their duties. The Council then adjourned.