CITY COUNCIL.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18463, 18 August 1925, Page 11

CITY COUNCIL.

♦- FORTNIGHTLY MEETING. . The fortnightly meeting of the City Council last night was attended by the Mayor (Mr J. K. Archer) and Councillors A. McKellar, E. H. Andrews, A. \V. lieaven, C. T. Aschman, A. F. Carey, W. J. Sim, F. 11. Cooke, C. L. Carr, Elizabeth E. McCombs, T. 11. Butterfield, W. E: Leadley, and A. .D. Tcrd. Leave of absence. .was granted t-o Crs. C. V. Agar, 0. W. E. Anderson, I>. 0. Sullivan. M.P., and J. X. 3)u Ecu. Finance.. financial statement showed:— General rate levied £124,340, collected £122,840, outstanding £1609. The District Fund 'Account, was £tiS,37G in debit (overdraft £.10,23-1, temporary loans £52,122).' Costs of Petitions. The Internal Affairs Department advised that the decision of the Commission regarding the Brvndwr exclusion petition recommending the payment of the costs in equal shares by the City Council and the Wainiairi County Council could not be altered, as an Orclcr-in-Council in accordance with the recommendation had been issued. in any event, there was no power under Section 332 of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1020, to give effect to the suggestion that the 'costs of the Commission be allocated amougst the petitioners. The powers given under Section 132 permitted only of the costs being allocated among local bodies concerned. The letter was received. Tepid Baths. The return of takings at the Tepid Baths was presented by the Baths Committee as follows: — - June. July. £ s. d. £ s. d. 1.024 S3 13 7 SI 2!) 1925 .. 73 14 !) 07 S 0 For the period from April Ist to July 31st the takings in 3924 wero £404 6s 9d, and in 1925 £353 10s. Old Fire Station. Regarding the old fire station in Lichfield street., the Finance Committee reported that the present value of the unpaid balance was £1736, and the committee recommended that the Christchurch Fire Board be informed that the Council would accept that sum in full settlement of the unpaid balance owing on the proporty. The Mayor said he understood that a petition was in circulation asking the Council to retain the present Sydenham station site for a library site. Cr. A. -McKellar said that would not affect the Lichfield street station site, which was sold by the Council to the Fire Board, the purchase money to be payable by annual instalments. The Firo Board had now sold the site, and the balance of the purchase money had to be paid to the Council before a title could be granted to the purchasers from the Board. ■ The report was adopted. Tar Supplies. The Works Committee reported that arrangements were being made with the Christchurch Gas Company for a contract over a period of four years for the supply of tar with a minimum of 150,000 gallons per annum, the price being 9jd per gallon. The tar required was distilled tar, to conform to the British Ministry of Transport's- specification. Cr. .Andrews said it had been questioned whether the Council could enter into a contract for four years, and it might be' necessary to obtain a. legal opinion. It was, however, only possible to get the tar en favourable terms by entering into the four years' contract. Cr. Carr said it was desirable that, the tar should be procured locally, seeing that the price was so favourable, and that there would be ample opportunity to test the tar for quality before delivery. Imported tar was frequently below standard, and there was no redress. The' Council should accept the contract if it legally could, j The Council agreed to enter into the contract, recommended, provided there were no legal difficulties in the way. ' Church Street Trees. I The Works Committee reported that I the Papanui branch of the Christchurch I Beantifving Association had applied for permission to plant Church street, Fapanui, with trees, and the committee I had approved of the suggestion subject to the residents bearing the whole cost of the work and the type of tree to be planted being approved by the Superintendent of Farks and Gardens. Spreydon Drainage. Cr. F. IJ. Cooke asked if the drain- j Sprevdon could be improved to j Inflow storm" water to get away more j qU Cr kI *E 11. Andrews said that Sprey- j don,"like other parts of the City had ! suffered from Hooding. The wly.de matter was under consideration by the Works Committee, and a special report would be prepared. It was pronosed that the Council should co-oper-ate with the Drainage Board m the J matter.