CITY COUNCIL.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7949, 25 August 1891, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

An ordinary meeting of the City Council was held last night. Present—His Worship the Mayor, and Crs. Prudhoe, Cooper, Thomson, Bonnington, Goss, Wood, E. Smith, J. T. Smith, Swarm, Barns, Patrick, Gapes and Cochrane. His Worship apologised for the absence of Cr. Humphreys, and also read a telegram, dated from the Bluff, from Cγ. Rowe. asking for six weeks leave of absence, which was acceded to.

The statement of finance for the fortnight showed that the receipts had been—General account, £486 16s 8o; cemetery account, .£lB 12s; interest account, J£94 Its ; suspense account, £57 7s. Expenditure— General account, i 2679 8s 2d, inclusive of .£599 5s to be paid; suspense account, £4. The debit balance at the Bank was £4753 12s Bd. The accounts were passed for payment.

A letter was read from Messrs Harper and Co., asking the Council to sign a deed of conveyance that the title to part of town section 1006 might be cleared, such portion of land having been, by deed of 10th December, 1881, conveyed in error to the Council by the trustees under the will of Mr Jos. Hawdon, when the same piece was conveyed by Mr Hawdon to the late Mr T. M. Hassal, by deed dated 13th November, 1878. His Worship said that about 1881 a right-of-way was laid off from Manchester street, parallel with Lichfield and Tuam streets, as far as Mason, Struthers' buildings. It turned towards Lichfield and Tuam streets, and at the former intersection was the section in question, which it appeared had been Bold, and which also held au underground tank belonging to the Council. All formalities had been observed in making the right-of-way, and it seemed that when the land had been conveyed to the Council the register had not been searched. The right-of-way had been used for some ten years, and now tbe purchaser of the section had asserted his right to it. There was just the point about it whether the Council might not be able to purchase the piece of ground, which was only small. After some discussion the letter was referred to the Works Committee to make full inquiries as to the possibility ot a purchase or not.

A letter was read from the Committee of the livery stablekeepers and drag proprietors, stating that they were desirous of meeting the Council to discuss certain matters affecting the trade. A deputation waited on the Council, and Mr Dalwood, who acted as spokesman, explained that the drag and bus proprietors wished a central place, other than the square, where they could take up their stand on race days. It was pointed out that the deputation had to compete against the railway and if they were compelled to take up their position in the square they would receive no fares. His Worship promised the deputation that the Council would consider the matter, and after the visitors had retired the Council endorsed the arrangement made on 20th September, 1890, which permitted a certain number of vehicles to stand before the Empire and White Hart hotels on race days. The Sanitary Committee reported:— "Your Committee has consideredanapplication from some contractors to use Reserve 211 for depositing night soiL Hitherto the Council's Reserve No. 212 has been used by some of the contractors for outside bodies, but it is found necessary to put an end to the practice, because it interferes too much with the Council's contractors, and further, the said reserve is none too large for the refuse from the city. Your Committee recommends the Council to give its consent for Reserve 211 to be used.

The report was adopted. In reply to a question by Cr. Wood, the Mayor said that the Council was at present out of footpath crossings, but when the Works Committee arranged for a new supply the necessity for crossings in Montreal street, near the Normal School, would be remembered.

Cr. Cooper moved, in the absence of Cr. Humphreys—" That this Council will repeal so much of section 5, bylaw No. 1, porticos, &c, as related to show boards, and will make regulations in lieu thereof to put all on the earn* footing." Cr. Thomson seconded the motion, which was discussed at some length, and then carried, after which, on the motion of Cr. Thomson, the Works and Bylaw Committees were requested to draw up regulations to apply to cross signboards, and submit them to the Council. It was decided by ballot that Cr. Barns should retire in connection with the Richmond Ward. His Worship said that in Mr Ruddenklau s time action was taken to get the Licensing Committees amalgamated. Though not in the Council he opposed that, but had since changed hie opinion in view of the fact that time after time the same gentlemen had been elected for each Committee until the election became nothing more than an expensive farce. He moved—" That in the opinion of the Council it is desirable that the present licensing districts within the City of Christchurch be amalgamated so as to form one district and that the necessary steps be taken to carry out the above opinion." He also pointed out that though the Council agreed to this course being carried into effect it was the ratepayers who had to express an opinion by a petition to the House of Parliament if they desired the amalgamation to take place. The motion was seconded by Cr. J. T. Smith, and carried after a little discussion, Cr. Swarm, who wished to see licenses issued by a Resident Magistrate, dissenting. His Worship mentioned that Cr. Rowe did not give notice of motion in writing and therefore the question about the dismissal of the Surveyor could not come forward. ; The Council then adjourned.