CITY COUNCIL.

Press, Volume XXI, Issue 2448, 10 June 1873, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

Monday, Jbne 9. The Council met last evening, at the usna hour. Present—His Worship ai>d Councillors Calvert, Ick, Crooks, Gapes and Williams. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. FINANCIAL. The Town Clerk reported that the overdraft at the Bank last week amounted to £658 15s Id ; receipts, £83 2s 9d ;Dr balance, £575 12s 4d. No. 1 drainage account, Cr. £962 11s 4d ; debentures, £400; Cγ. balance. £1362 11s 4d. Drainage rate account, £58 9s ; receipts! £3 15s 4d ; total, £62 4s 4d. The receipts for the week were as follows:—From the rate collector, on account of general city rates, 1872, £18 16s 8d ; Waimakariri, £3 15s 4d: Board of Conservators, twelve months use of Chamber, £10 ; fines from Resident Magistrate's Court, £2 15s ; from the City Surveyor, for kerbing, £13 12s 8d : rent of weighbridge for June, £4 10s ; Cab drivers' licenses, Sec, £1 10s ; from the Inspector, on account of scavenging, £24 lls Id ; building license 5s ; rent of Market-place, 7s ; total, £83 2s 9d. The following sum for wages was ordered to be paid, viz., £357 4s Bd, and on account of drainage, £227 Bs. CITY SURVEYOR'S REPORT. The City Surveyor reported as follows : — " I append to this report a letter re carrying out the drainage passed by the Council last Monday evening ; I have therefore stopped the work. " In reference to the letter from Mr Severn and others re stone channelling Durham street, 1 should recommend the Council to have the work done, it being only a short length. "In reference to Mr Doran's letter, the works committee recommend that a little improvement be made to the footpath when convenient.

" The workmen for the past week have been engaged carting shingle for footpaths from Smart's pit, filling in old culvert Whateley road, stone channelling, wood kerbing, &c, Whateley road, repairing streets with shingle, Meer's contract, clearing out side drains, making footpaths, and other small works."

In reference to the first paragraph of the report, a notice to Mr Cuff from Mr Horatio Henwood was read, telling him not to cut drains or in any way interfere in or upon the roads or streets (Horatio and Harry streets) from Antigua streets through lots No. 113 and 134 town reserves. The matter was referred to the Works Committee. With reference to the third paragraph of the, report it was resolved that the recommendation of the works committee be carried out. The remainder of the report was approved, SWING BRIDGE NEAR HOSPITAL. Cγ Ick drew the attention of the Council to the dangerous state of the swing bridge near the hospital. Cr Calvert moved—" That the Works Committee be requested to examine the bridge, and report upon ihe state of the same." The motion was agreed to. CORRESPONDENCE. A letter was read from the Spreydon Road Board stating that in accordance with the terms of the Council's correspondence bearing date April 29th, and May 13th, they are prepared to contribute one-half the cost of repairing the roadway and footpath on the south side of the South town belt, from the Lincoln road to Colombo road, on condition that the work be done as soon as practicable. After a lengthened discussion, Cγ Ick moved—"That the City Council will give effect to the request of the Spreydoa Road Board at the earliest possible opportunity." Cγ Calvert seconded the motion, which was agreed to, A letter was read from Mr C. R. Blakistqn, on behalf of the committee appointed at a meeting held on May 30th for the purpose of taking steps to procure the erection of a bridge across the Avon in the direction of Hereford street. A copy of the resolution was enclosed, and the writer urged upon the Council that they should support the wishes of the citizens in the matter, and in conjunction with the Provincial Council, concert some remedy for the pressing need which exists for the erection of a new bridge. Several Conncillors pointed out that the deputation to the City Council, mentioned in the resolutions enclosed, had not made its appearance. Cγ. Calvert moved—" That the City Council admits the necessity for better accommodation, for carriage and passenger traffic, over the Avon in a line with Hereford street, but the Council having now an overdraft of large amount, with extensive works in progress, are not at preseut in a position to carry out the wishes of the petitioners, and when the work is undertaken they will re-

quire a liberal contribution towards the expenses, in the same manner as was done with the Armagh street and Cashel street bridges." * Cr. Gapes seconded the motion, which was agreed to. A letter was read from certain residents and holders of property in the locality of Antigua and Montreal streets, offering to contribute a sum of £40 towards draining the block of land between the said streets, if the Council will carry out their proposed mode of drainage, by deepening the Antigua street drain, &c. The matter was referred to the City Surveyor. A letter was read from Mr W. Gray, asking to be allowed the whole width of the footpath of a portion of Hereford street, where he is about to erect a stone and brick store for Messrs Maling and Co, for a period of eight weeks, and undertaking, if the permission is granted, to put down a boarded pathway and hoarding under the direction of the City Surveyor. The request was referred to the Surveyor. KATE COLLECTOB'S BEPORT.

A report was read from the Hate Collector, enclosing a return of rates outstanding from last year as follows :—Total amount, £140 17s lid : less Temitted by Council and assessed in error, including houses and offices occupied by the General and Provincial Governments as per return, £51 16s Bd, leavii g a balance of £89 Iβ 3d to be collected. Tba report was appro Ted.

INSPECTOR S REPORT. The Inspector reported that he had seen Mr Cowan with reference to the drainage of his property in Colombo street, and he was allowing the waste artesian water and horse drainage to flow into a paddock at the back of his house, instead of draining into the side channel of Salisbury street. The inspector considered the latter mode preferable, but aa it would be the only house drain in that portion of Salisbury street, before giving Mr Cowan notice, he would like to have the approval of the Council. The mutter was referred to the sanitary committee. LICENSE. A drivers' license was granted to Lewis Smith, of Heathcote. The Council then adjourned.