CITY COUNCIL.

Press, Volume XXXI, Issue 4195, 7 January 1879, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

Hobday, Januabt 6.

* ~*A *! meeting of tk* Council was held at , A Bpß iK-Hi-rWor S hip the Major, Crs. jK*Je5S?e*P«. Wilson, Binstead, Ayer*, te»t the declaration as a new "SSTlliS'Sfi* this was a special Tee Mayor x^~» r fi-B the hacknej carnage ?" ;**S-to have an interview with the s!""*?rs«w«*° ftobyi * w - " wouid Coa!K!a SwtfcV Council to have the deputation what they had t> say ffl comprising several of the £S?of £mr jWood, Hamilton, Brooker, **M? < Brooier saM that the deputation reprerf the cabmen of the city, who smUfitetoeall attention to the Tarioua by\Znjn which the cabmen conceived there should *i ia alteration- The first of these was cianse J/ referrine to the fees payable by owners aad Ijjfjm. The cabsnen considered that the fees alreadyeWged, vi*., £i each for owner and driver were sufficient, but this by-law proposed to increase this ta .£2. He would desire to point tfcjU, in other towns, the fee was 10s for an owner asd Ss for a driver. Mr M. rTfi""'*"" said that, when the faxes •jrere reduced the last time, the Council held out the atomise to the cabmen that they were only psng to charge j>l. He took it that it was a great hardship on them to raise the fees when the fares were not to be increased. The Major—But the fares are going to be raised. Mr Hamilton—We fail to see it. Mr Brooker then went on to say that in clause 12 the cabmen wonld like to ccc a proviiksn for registering the number of the driver in the cab as well as the name of the owner. It often happened that as the owner of the cab was known and the driver not, that when the latter jniscosducted himself in any way the blame fell on the owner. It w«ia thought that the Council would not object to having the driver's number alongside the came of the owner in the cab. The next clause to which he would refer was clause 18. In this it was provided that only a certain class of vehicles should stand, say on the City Hotel stand, viz , so many four-wheelers sad Jso many hansoms. What the cabmen wasted was to be able to go on any stand with any class of cab. They wanted to have the stand open to all classes of cabs, so long as the number fixed by law was not exceeded. Mr Hamilton pointed out that it did not matter to the Council what class of cabs went on the stand so long as it was not exceeding the number fixed in the by-law. While there were not mere than seven cab; on the stand it did sot matter to the public or the Council whether they were ' four-wheeler cabs or hansoms, co keg as they did not obstruct the thoroughfare. They would, therefore, ask that all the stands should ba open to all classes of cabs. Mr Hamilton said that the cabmen were quite trilling to have separate stands at the Bsilway, because that would be a convenience to the public Mr Brooker next brought under the notice of the Council the provision respecting , standing at pjiceeof public amusement mentioned in clause 84. It provided that the cabs should wait in {fee middle of the street opposite places of amniejaset. The cabmen thought this would not be fbend to work well, because it would be very difieoit for the public to get the cabs when standing in the middle of the street. Tke Mayor said that this matter had been most carefully considered, and the resolution bad only been arrived at after much discussion. The Press generally had pointed out that the present system of cabs waiting up to the kerbs near places of amusement had caused great annoyaaoe and obstruction, and had also been commented on by the public. Mr Brooker said that these obstructions near %he Theatre had been placed to the credit of the cabmen unjustly, but that a congregation of persons were to be found in front of Burmeister's oyster saloon, who had nothing , to do with cabmen, bet who the public, from seeing the cabs dose up to the footpath, thought were cabmen. Cr. Gapes said that the Council had considered thia clause most carefully, and the police had recommended that the cabs shonld stand on ifce opposite side of the road, bat he thought Has would be out of the way of any one hailing a cab, particularly at night. Mr Brooker said now they came to the scale of fares. The first of these was the time fare at 4a per hour, 'ice cabmen did not object to - take the 4s per hour within the city, bnt they . Sound that they could not afford to take parsons, <*t a fira, "six, or seven milea drive for 4s. They found ihat they could not do it for less than Ss per boar. The by-law also did not state that a ihirer should declare whether he took the cab by time or distance, and the cabmen wished to hare this inserted; as it was, under this by-law a person could jump Into a cab, drive six or seven miles, and then the driver be told that he had been hired by the hour, sad gives 4s. It would not so much matter in town, as there were visits, shopping, ■ - jfce.» which took off the strain upon the horse which ensued when there was a stmghton-esd run. One of tie deputation stated thai a cab was taken recently to Snmner, aad paid Gβ for the .time* Mr Brooker said that the cabmen desired to ask the Council to alter the boundaries of the Is drive within the city. He would point out that it would be a long drive from the cabstand, say to Albion iiouse, or the other way to Judge Gresson's corner Sis Worship did not think the Council could see tie way to alter this. It waa opening up the way for disputes, and if ..there waa one thing which both Council and cabmen should desire to avoid, that was disputes with fares. Mr Brooker said they were not satisfied with toe fare fixed for half-mile beyond the city , boundary, vir., 6d for the additional half-mile. They would like to see the amount of Is inserted for ban* a mile over the belt. Cr. Cass said that this was intended to meet fbe case cf those residents who were just 'over the belt, and it would be very seldom that the cabmen wooM nave to drive half a mile over the belt. Mr Hamilton said that before the {ares were fixed by the City Council, the cabmen themselves only chargedjls 6d for fare* to the eastward as far as the Stanmore road. Mr Brooker said the next thing was the hailing of a cab within a quarter of a mile, and not feeing detained five minutes could claim nothing. : Thus a cab might be called to the Club from the stand, and be detained two minutes, and then ordered to the railway station for Is. The cabmen wished to have this altered. Mr Brooker said the next objection was that they could only charge half fares on return that was the fare to Papanui beu g 3a, they won-'d itave to drive from town to Papanui and back for 4a 6d, which they would see was not enough. Sβ would, desire also to point out that supposing they went to the railway with a fare, thej would have to take the fare back at half rate, and thus perhaps lose a full fare. What they wished to have inserted in the by-law was, that if detained for five minutes they should fcave power to charge full fare. Mr Brooker then brought unser the notice of the Council the proposition of the cabmen's meeting respecting lost property. What they treated was a similar arrange meat to that prefacing at home, viz., ihat the property should be takes to the depot, asd after some time sold, and a proportion, of the amownt realised paid over to the cabmen. Xte Mayor said he desired to point out to the •cabmen ihat they were, to a certain extent, a jmikged class, receiving as they did a license, aad he thought they should do something in reinn for the public benefit. One of the deputation said thai the London -rule was that all lost property was taken to Scotland Yard, and after being kept a certain time, aad unclaimed, the property was sold, and the prcceecL* handed to the cabman who brought thennspertr fc> the depot. Ti» Mayor Wil it was a difficult question, but the Council woeUl consider it, Mr Haaaihon brrwgfet under the notice of the - Council the question of havjng , bells in cabs, and desired to have the provision altered. The Mayor pointed out that it was at their en rajuesi that the bell was provided. The deputation then withdrew. Th» Cotmeil then proceeded to consider the frapaetkma of the cabmen. '"ijEfce first one considered was tfcat referring to Msßeense fee. said that the Cousril found t»»t **heeßse fses derived from cabmen were «ot ™"jpsaf to psy the working expenses. , «.€*» eoeM not see how they eoald depart clause as printed. He should move ' as printed be adopted. __~,feknu seconded &• motion, which was -*** 'Bat proposition was Mb*i the driver's ***ter ileald be pfoeed alongside tfca name of T? o * 2 ®- He did not think there was any eJ T**J® te it being- deae Cr> Joskins said that they would either have £>mTiie amoveabte plate w&b. {fee number or '■ **» a badge. -Tie Mayor said that the cabmen iediW to «WB*ba3ge. Cγ. On thought that is view of thefrequrat **» a eeof drivers the proposal of the es-bm-n **uat»al Bβ practical use, as the {a» wonld «**ab-etoid*Btify the driver wfcen so SJ*ay e&Mffss took place. Cr. Case wi«hed to ask whether tbew was any Urovitioa f cr tJi e oxi Tere carrying a number. The Mayor said the drives had objected to it. JS oafibeen feinted out that in many cases there *«* a better daw of vehicles and horse* which fW» wydy mads aseof tpjrjrate families,

and if the driver had a badge it would destroy ♦he very object for which the carriage was hired. Cr. Cass raid tba*; as the driver was b<?und by the by-laws to carry his license "with him, and the cumber was endorsed tberwn, he could see no reason for a change. He should move that the clause stand as printed. Cγ. Lezard sr-coudei th<? motion. Cγ. Gapes proposed as an amecdmeat that the proposition of the c .bmea be acceded to. Cr. Wilson seconded the motion. He thought the arguments of the Mayor -were somewhat wesk, a=i if they had weight they would be 3smp!y giving way to the vanity of a certain class, who withed these hired carriages to be taken for their own. Cr. Lezard said th \t by making the owner responsible for the acts of their servants, they had a guarantee that the owner would pick out the best men. Cr. Tremayne would support the amendment, because he believed it would be a concession to the cabmen which would not do any harm. Cr. Case waa still of opinion that if the Council conceded this, they would be facilitating the deceiving of the fare by the cabmen. Cr. Gapes' amendment was then pat, and lost by three to four. The original resolution was then put and agreed to. The next proposal was, that any class of cabs might be permitted to stand on any stands except at the railway station. Cr. Ayers moved—" That the request of the deputation be acceded to." Cr. Gapes seconded the motion, pointing opt that the only stands affected were the stands in front of the City Hotel and in Cathedral squareThe motion was put and agreed to. The next suggestion was, that the cabmen should be allowed to stand alongside the pavement. The by-law provided that the stand should be 50ft from a point in front of the centre of the place of amusement. Cr. Jenkins moved that the clau.«e stand as printed. He felt sure the public would be benefited by the adoption of the by-law. Cr. Tremayne seconded the motion. Cr. Case would suggest to Cr. Jenkins the advisability of reducing the distance in the bylaw. At the railway station they had made the distance one chain. If they wonld look at the distance now proposed they would find that the cabs would be nearly two chains away, which would not be hardly within hailing distance. Cγ. Gapes suggested that 25ft. from the centre would be- quite far enough; that would leave 50ft. of clear space. Cr. Jenkins would agree to having the distance a chain instead of 50ft. Cr. Ayera would oppose the resolution, O3 he was of opinion th t it would ba better to adopt the suggestion of the cabmen. Cr. Gape 3 won'd move as aa amendment— " That the cab stand should be 25ft. from tke front of the entrance of any place of amusement." The amendment was not seconded. The motion was then pnt and agreed to, reducing the distance from the centre of the place of amusement at which the cabs were to stind from 50ft. to 33ft. \ , f The next suggestion was the request of the cabmen that they be allowed to charge fall fare for children under twelve instead of, as provided nnder the by-law, the cabmen being compelled to carry two children under twelve as one fare. Cr. Lezard moved—"That the clause stand as piinted." • Cγ. Gapes seconded the motion, which was agreed to. The next suggestion considered was the one by the cabmen that the hirer should be compelled to state at the time of hiring whether he did so by time or distance; also that they should be empowered to charge 5s per hour for time outside the city. ■ Cr. Binstead moved—"That the cabmen be ! empowered to charge 5s per hourontaide the city, and 4s within the boundary." Cr. Gapes seconded the motion, which was agreed to. I The next suggestion was that the cabmen should be empowered to charge Is for every half mile or fractional part of half mile over the belt, instead of 6d aa now provided in the by-law. It was resolved—" That the clause stand as printed." The next suggestion was that the cabmen should be empowered to make a charge of Is for going within a quarter of a mile when not hired. . Cr. Jenkins moved—"That the suggestion of the cabmen be refused." Cr. Lezard seconded the motion. Cr. Cass wonld move, as an amendment— " That for going distances not exceeding 100 yards no charge should be made; that for going over 100 yards without being hired a charge of 6d should be made, and a further charge of 6d for detention should be made." This amendment was not seconded, and the original resolution was agreed to. The next was the suggestion of the cabmen that they should be empowered to. charge full fare if detained five minutes, instead of half, as provided by the by-law. Cγ. Tremayne moved—"That the clause stand aa printed." .:.'...■ Cr. Lezard seconded the motion, which was agreed to. The last suggestion was regarding lost property. The cabmen required that they should take the property to the Police Depot, and after it had remained there a certain tune unclaimed tKat the property should be sold and a part of the proceeds handed over to the driver Cr. Lezard said he doubted very much whether they had power to deal with this matter. It was a subject to be dealt with by common and not municipal law. He would desire to point out that every person finding property in the streets was supposed to hand it over to the police, or run the'chance of being indicted for felony. After some further discussion it was resolved to refuse the suggestion of the cabmen. The various clauses of the by-law were read over seristim and agreed to. Cr. Gapes said he desired to point out that the bus proprietors had represented to him that the provision that twenty.four hours' notice mast be given of change of rente operated very unfairly against them. Many parties only came to them to take them out the night before, not knowing that 24 hours' notice was required. What the bus proprietors required was that, by payment of ss, they might have leave to change their route in&tead of giving the 24 hours' notice they were now obliged to give. The town clerk said that whore a bus proprietor came to him and showed that he was only taking a private party, and had not had time to advertise, he (the town clerk) gave a permit. This was done, however, with the strict understanding that if the bug proprietor, took up a single passenger he wonld be liable to be fined. The matter then dropped.. Cr. Jenkins moved—" That the Council now confirm the resolution passed at the previous special meeting for a by-law relating to hackney and borough stage carriages, and that the town clerk be requested to forward the same to the Colonial Secretary." Cr. Cass said, before this resolution was passed, he desired to move—" That the borough stage carriages stand in front of the brick arch of the nil way station, from the lamps westward." Cr. Wilson! seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Cγ. Jenkins's motion stood over until next Monday, in order that the city solicitor might consider the bye-law. The Mayor said that he had received a letter from the chairman of the present Charitable Aid Board, asking the Council to take means to be represented at the approaching conference of Mayors of Boroughs and Chairmen of County Councils, to be held in the Provincial Council Chambers on the 10th inst. For the information of new members, he might state that when the matter was before the late Council, it was proposed by the Government that municipalities should take over the management of hospitals and charitable aid. After considerable dis- : cassion, the Council decided that it would ! not be advisable to take over these institni tions. A conference of Mayors of ooroughs and chairmen of County Councils waa Held, at which resolutions were passed, framed by the Hon. John Hall. These reeoiamsided the formation o£ a temporary Board, which had been done, the members being Messrs H. Thomson, W. Montgomery. J. £. Brown, Dr. TnrnbuU, the Mayor of Sydenham, recently the Mayors of Chrietchurch and Lyttelton had been added as members. The Board had received a letter from the Colonial Secretary, which he would read. fXetter read, which has already been published ] Now, as they had beard, w waw proposed to have the meeting of the Conference on the MHh inst. He noticed by a letter received by the Hospital Board that day, that two representatives had been appointed hj she fe'elwyn County Council, and he thought that they should send $wo at least to represent them if decided to take part in. the-Oonf erence. He should like to hear the views of the members on the snbjact. \ Cr. Cass was of opinion that this was a shirking by the Government of a colonial reeponabUity. [Hear, bear-] What he said was this, that charitable aid should come out of the consolidated revenue of the colony. They all .knew how good Governments were, particularly in the colonies, in getting rid of their responsjbflUiev and he felt sure of this that if they took orar these institutions they would find that they were left with the sole responsibility of theif maintenance omifcem. Ihe only remedy for this was I for the Council to communicate with all other boroagh councils, mrgjng upon them to make ! at the next election give a promise ttat they wonld see that these institutions were iirovvi** for out of the consolidated revenue. He would nov propose that his Worship the Mayor be appointed a> the representative of the Council at the Conference. ' The Mayor having read the resolutions arrived it *>y the former Conforence, Cr Wilson said he was quite at a loss to-under-stand how it was that the present Government hidoot provided for these institution*. He did not }pm jrheßlfr $ SCWjel few late Jα ufc the

Government to give them a landed endowment out of the mil ions acres now unsold. This, he thought, they were entitled to ask for, as the Hospital was now growing so large a 9 ta beiome a very great charge upon the local bodies. He thought that with Sir G_orge Grey's evident desire to be popular, and his desire to do what was good and tight, they would perhaps be able by the united efforts of the Borough Councils to get from the Government an endowment.

Cr. Ayers quite agreed with Cr. Wilson aa to expres?ing surprise that the Provincial Council had omitted to endow the hospitals. He should oppose with all his might the attempt to

put the support of these institutions npon the voluntary subscriptions of the charitably disposed. They knew now tbat the charitably disposed in the centre of Christchurch were very largely imposed on.

The Mayor said the only argument used in favor of the system proposed by the Government wss that the money being raised by the people they would be the more careful to look after the economical management of these institutions. In Otago there were several of these institutions supported by voluntary contributions, hut he would desire to point out that this arose from the fact that in a great majority of cases these hospitals were situated in gold digging townships, and were supported by micers, because they were not sure whether they themselves might not be the very next one te require the tid of the institution. Now, he quite endorsed the remarks of Cr. Ayers as regarded the tax upon the charitably disposed. The residents in the centre of the city were very heavily taxed for subscriptions, aud he could not see how they could afford to have so large an institution as the Hospital to support. He had very little faith that the- subsidies now paid would continue, and, therefore, he said that if they got this responsibility put upon them they would find it impossible to divest themselves of it once more. The fairest way would be that the Eupport of these institutions should be defrayed out of the consolidated fund. Cr. Binstead said that though it was a noble thing to support their own charities, their experience waa that voluntary contribution fell only on a few. He trusted, therefore, that the representative of the Council at the conference would oppose any attempt to put the support of the hospital and charitable aid upon the local bodies. [Hear, hear ]

Cr. Cbfford also_ spoke most strongly against the local bodies being saddled with the support of these institutions.

Cr. Jenkins said that he was quite content to leave the matter in the hands of the delegates. Cr. Gapes said he regretted to see that a doubt was cast on the continuance of the subsidies by the Government. He looked upon the promises of the Government as a contract which he took for granted the Government intended to carry out. He hoped the delegates would consider this, as he (Cr. Gapes) had faith in the promises of the Government.

The Mayor eaid he gathered from the opinions of the Council that the delegates were to oppose the taking over of the hospital and charitable aid by the local bodies. [Hear, hear.] Cr Tremayne quite agreed with Cr. Wilson, and thought they would be able to get an endowment from the Government. He felt that they had no right to be saddled with the re«pohsibility of these institutions, the cost of the maintenance of which was far beyond their means. i

Cr. Gapes said the delegates would find themselves very much embarrassed, as there were two propositions before them. One of the3e was that they should not tak _ over these institutions at any price, and the other was that they should apply to the Government for an endowment for the Hospital by means of a grant of land. He thought it was best to put the latter something in thiß way, that the Conference should apply to the Government for a grant of land as endowment for the Hospital, and that, this being done, the city of Christchurch would be willing to take over the management of the Hoapital and Charitable Aid.

Cr. Wilson then moved —"That the Mayor and Cr. Cass be appointed as delegates of this Council at the Conference to be held on the 10th instant."

Cr. Jenkins seconded the motion, which was agreed to. The Council then adjourned till 6.45 p.m. on Monday next.