CITY COUNCIL.

Press, Volume XX, Issue 2303, 18 December 1872, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

Tuesday, December 17. The usual weekly meeting of the Council was held last evening. There were present —His Worship the Mayor, Crs Calvert, Hobbs, Ick, Bishop, Jones, and Jenkins. ■] The minutes of the previous meeting were { read and confirmed. FINANCIAL. The Town Clerk reported that he had received, from —General city rates, 1872, £60 15s ; Waimakariri do, £12 3s; watering do, £27 7s 9d ; scavenging, £10 7s 9d ; fines from Resident Magistrate's Court, £1 ss; rent from Market-place, 7s ; total, £112 os 6d. making a credit balance at the Bank of £ 172 10s Bd. The drainage account showed the receipts during the week to have been £12 3s, making the credit ba'ance at the Bank, £1836 11s lid. The weekly pay-sheet, &c, amounting to Mi 13s 9d was passed for payment. The city surveyor's report was read as follows :— "In reference to Mr Goss's letteT to the Council re extension of time for delivering the timber for drain, the works committee have decided to recommend,to the Council that no extension be granted, but if the contractor, M'Namara, is not delayed that no steps be taken in the matter** During the past week. 1 have engaged the twelve additional hands authorised by the Council, and the same have been employed on the wet drains. The remainder of our men have been employed watering the streets, carting rubbish, &c, clearing Ferry road and South drains, picking up stones and mowing weeds, lowering footpath Latimer square, preparing, for sports Latimer square, and other works about the city." The report was approved. LEAVE OP ABSENCE. Leave of absence was granted to Cr Hart, on account of illness. His VVoeship stated that he was happy to say that Cr Hart's health was improving, and that, if he progressed as he was doing, he would soon be back in his seat again. DRAINAGE OF ANTIGUA STREET. The subject of the drainage of the land in the neighbourhood of Antigua street and South town belt was again brought under the notice of the Council. After a lengthy discussion on the matter, it was moved, seconded, and carried-r-" That the Cierk. write to Mr Appleby, requesting to know what steps have been taken by him in the matter." CASHEL STREET BRIDGE. Cγ Jones, on beHalf of the works committee, requested another week in which to bring up their report, which was granted. CLEARING THE AVON. The further consideration of the letter from the Provincial Secretary, asking the Council whether they would concur in the proposition to clear the River Avon from the East Town belt to New Brighton, the Provincial Government, the Avon and Heathcote Road Boards, and the City Council contributing an equal share towards the expenditure, was resumed. Cr Hobbs had much pleasure in proposing that the Council concur in the proposal of the Government. He thought that as the Avon was used by the city for the purpose of carrying away a large quantity of the city sewerage, the ratepayers should share the expense of keeping it clear. Cr Calvert seconded the motion. Cr Bishop and Ick thought that the river should first be cleared, and then that the city' 1 sliould join in keeping it free from filth. After some remarks from several of the Councillors, Cγ Jones moved as an amendment— " That the Mayor and Cr Bishop be appointed a deputation to wait on. the .Government with reference to the clearing of the Avon. Cr Jenkins seconded the amendment, which on being put was, carried. CORRESPONDENCE. A letter was read from Messrs C. E. Briggs and T. B. Thornpkins calling attention to the state of the drain in Barbadoes street, causing a nuisance, and requesting it to be stone channeled at the very first opportunity. The necessary kerbing had already been done. The Town Clerk was instructed to reply that the Council cannot promise to do the work at present, but trust to be able to carry out the work as early as possible. A memorial was read from some residents in the Northern;part of the city requesting that the drainrunning from the North Town belt to Salisbury street should be cleaned out, as it was offensive to the residents in that neighborhood, and. dangerous to the health of the neighborhood. ; - — '-■ It was resolved to let the matter stand , over till the.opinion of the City Solicitor was obtained on the question of the power of the Council to deal with the drain. INSPECTOR'S R.KPORT. The Inspector reported that it had been brought under his notice that Mr, Shaw, chairmaker, Lichfield street, had on his premises a flue of insufficient elevation, and unprovided with a spark-catcher, thereby endangering the property of Mr Booth, i. After some discussion it was resolved that the City Surveyor be instructed to wait on Mr Shaw, and if he finds that danger exiets, to request him to remove Uj. LICENSES. The Town Clerk was directed to give the necessary notice that all licenses expire on Dec. 31. The Council then adjourned. .