CITY COUNCIL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 3148, 14 February 1871, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

Monday, Feb. 13, The usual weekly meeting of the City Council was held at 7 o’clock. Present:—His Worship the Mayor, agd Councillors Pratt, Anderson, Bishop,'Jcwles, Hobbs, Calvert, Hart, and Sawtell. The Town Clerk repoirted that there was a credit at the bank 0f'4652 15s. Receipts—from the Rate Collector, general city rates, 1869, £2 15s; ditto, 1870, £56 6s; watering rate, £4 7s 3d ; scavengering, £26 9s 7d; kerosene licenses, £2; carriers’ ditto, £1; rent from Market place, 7s; 'total, £93 4s lOd. Accounts, amounting to £237 2s 2d, were passed and ordered to be paid. The Mayor reported : that during the week, Councillors Hart, Anderson, and himself had watted on the Government with regard to the cattle market, the pound, the well in Cathedral square, and the Ferry Road drain. They told the Government that the site for a cat le market selected l>y the Provincial Council was not at all appropriate, and the City Council did not deem themselves at liberty to receive it from toe Government on the condition of establishing a cattle market on that spot, (hey informed the Govern ment that the City Council would require it to be in a much more favourable position than the one s leeted. With regard to the pound, they told the Government that they did not see their way clear io relieve the Government of the pound; that it was not in the most desirable position at present, and that if any chango'iwefe effected, they would recommend the*'pound to be placed nearer the city and in.a better spot. The spot selected for the tank in Cathedral square was on Government' property, and they asked whether the would be willing to allow then|> to sink the well. The Government consented to do so. The Clerk read a litter from the Provincial Secretary, signifying this- consent of the Government to the sinking of the well in Cathedral square. ; The Mayor said that with regard to the subject of the Ferrji Rond drain, the deputation placed b Tore the Government the claims the public had generally to establishing another outlet for the sewage of Christchurch.

The deputation asked the Government if they were prepared to join the City Council in expense that might be undertaken. The Government said they were not in a position to do so without a vote of the Provincial Council. At the name time, the Government would he very willing to afford every information that it possessed in the shape of levels and maps, and would instruct their engineer accordingly. The Government did not appear unwilling to assist the Council in any preliminary expense that they might be put to. The Government, however, would not pledge themselves to anything, but le t it to the Council to apply. Councillor Calvert inquired if the Mayor knew what the preliminary expenses would amount to. The Mayor said they might amount to ,£3O, and perhaps to £7O or £BO. Councillor Sawtell said he was of opinion that the deputation had exceeded its f unc tions in telling the Government that the Council were not prepared to accept the site for the cattle market that had been selected by the'Provincial Council. With regard to the subject of the Ferry Hoad Drain and,the well in Cathedral Square, he thought the deputation deserved the thanks of the Council for the action they had taken. But so far as the cattle market site was concerned, he had no recollection of any resolution being passed, authorising the deputation to decline on behalf of the Council to accept that site. Councillor Pratt, considered that the remarks of Councillor Sawtell should not be allowed to pass unnoticed. He did not like to see the deputation snubbed. Councillor Sawtell rose to order. He had not the remotest idea of sayiug anything disagreeable to the deputation, but at the same time he must repeat that so far as the cattle market was concerned, he considered the deputation had gone further than it was authorised to go. Councillor Anderson said that speaking for himself and the other members of the deputation, he could assure Councillor Sawtell that they had no desire' to go beyond instructions. The subject of the cattle market cropped up incidentally amongst other things discussed. The Mayor explained that the deputation told the Government they could not accept the site on the condition that it should be a Provincial cattle market, simply under the charge of the City Council. Councillor Sawtell said the Mayor’s explanation put quite a different aspect on the matter. So far as he was concerned, he might say that he had visited the site for the eattle market a few days ago, and in his opinion it was a most undesirable one. The Mayor said that the subject of the Ferry Eoad Drain was referred to in the City Surveyor’s report. There was also a lettter from Mr Huddleston, C E., which he would ask the Town Clerk to read. The Clerk read the letter from Mr Huddleston, as follows : Christchurch", 16th Feb., 1871. To the Mayor and City Council, Christ-

church. Cientlemen,—As the subject of drainage is at present occupying the attention of the City Council, I do myself the honour to offer my services, should outside professional assistance be required, either to report on a new line of discharge for the eastern portion of the City, the utilization of the sewage, or any other question relating to the sanitary condition of Christchurch. Your obedient servant, H. B. Huddleston, C. E. The City Surveyor reported as follows : I find that it will be a very long time before I am able to complete the survey, and other necessary work in preparing plans, &c., for a new line of drainage during my office hours, but if the Council is willing for my working overtime for levelling and doing the draftings of an evening, I may safely say I could get them completed in about six weeks after having received permission to cut lines, &c., through private property. The Works Committee recommended that tenders be invited for quarrying 1000 cubic yards of stone at the City Council’s Quarry ; tenders to be sent in by next Monday, Eeb. 20ih. Also, that tenders be invited for providing a steam engine an 3 breaking the 1000 yards when quarried ; tenders to be sent in by Monday, Feb, 27. Councillor Bishop moved, “ That this Council engage the services of a professional engineer to furnish within a period to be agreed upon, the information required in the resolution passed with respect to drainage on Dec. 19 last. Councillor Hart seconded the resolution. He did not believe that the City Surveyor would have time at his disposal to do the work, and it was advisable, therefore, that outside assistance should be obtained. Councillors Anderson, Pratt, and Hobbs spoke in support of the motion. After some discussion, the motion was amended by the insertion of the words : “ or such portion as may he agreed on by this Council.” The resolution, as amended, was agreed to. After some discussion, it was considered that the hands of whomsoever the Council might appoint should be left untied. Councillor Calvert moved—“ That the instrue: ion to the Engineer be to report on the most suitable line for carrying away the city liquid drainage.” Councillor Hart seconded the motion, which was agreed to. • The question as to the professional gentleman whom the Council should employ was then discussed. ; Councillor Hart suggested the name of a gentleman who had been connected with the province off aud on for the last 18 years, and who had great experience in engineering works here and elsewhere. He did not wish to have the gentleman’s name published until he was consulted on the subject. Councillors Bishop and Anderson said they had the highest confidence in the abilities of the gentleman to whom Councillor Hart alluded. Councillor Pratt said that Mr Bray was now employed by the Government, and possibly he might not be in a position to undertake the work. Councillor Jones said that Mr Huddleston was a gentleman of great ability also, and he could be consulted if Mr Bray were unable to undertake the work. After some further discussion, Councillor Hart moved—" That a committee consisting of the Mayor, and Councillors Anderson and Hart be appointed to confer with Mr Bray, <\E., with a view to ascertain his willingness or otherwise to render his professional services on the subject of the city drainage.” Councillor Jones seconded the resolution, which was agreed to. The consideration of Mr Huddleston’s letter was ordered to stand over for the present. The remaining portions of the City Surveyor’s report were approved. Councillor Bishop pointed out the inconvenience that was caused by the lowness of the ceiling, and insufficiency of ventilation in the City Council Chamber. The matter was referred to the Works’ Committee to report upon. A letter was read from Mr David Craig, informing the Council that while the New Zealand Insurance company asked the ( ouncil to undertake the charge and distribution of certain ladders, it was not intended to hand over the absolute property therein. That must remain with the company, as was the case with other presentations for a similar purpose in other towns in New Zealand. The retention of this right of property, however, was more a matter of form than anything else, there being little probability of its ever being exercised in any way. The Town Clerk was instructed to acknowledge the letter. A letter was read from Mr William Swale, stating it was a great pity that such a superabundance of cresses on each sid • of Madras bridge, on the edge of the river, should be allowed to ripen their seed pods. He had no doubt this simple fact must have escaped the notice of the Council. Mr Swale sent a sample of the cress with his letter. The matter was referred to the City Surveyor; A letter was read from Mr W. B. Armson, architect, C lombo street, requesting permission to erect a portion of a store in Cashel street for Mr Robert Sutherland, without adhering strictly to the bye-law No. S,

relating to buildings, on the grounds that Mr Sutherland's building was erected before the bye-law came into force, extending back 33 feet from the street ; that he was about to build an additional store in connection with the present building, covered with galvanised iron, and extending further backwards ; that the seven feet of wall on both sides of the new store necessary to complete the length of 40 feet from the street would be occupied almost entirely by doors, but that if the byelaw were strictly adhered,4o, it would be necessary to introduce a few feet of brickwork, which would be utterly useless as a protection from Are, and would render the building structurally weaker than if it were built entirely of wood and iron. The request was declined. The Kate Collector reported as follows : In reference to the annexed letter from John M'Honald for a remission of rates, I beg to report that the writer has been afflicted with some internal disease for more than twelve months, which has rendered him quite incapable of work. He has a wife and five young children, and lives on his own freehold near the Cemetery. He has hitherto paid his rates with tolerable punctuality, and I think under all the circumstances I should be justified in recommending the application to the favourable consideration of the Council. I have further to report that Mr Haskins and myself have completed the Rate Roll for the present year, which I trust will be found satisfactory. It is now in the hands of the Assessor. On the motion of Councillor Hart, the rates were remitted in the case of Mr M'Donald. The report of the Collector, as a whole, was approved. With regard to the tank in Cathedral Square, Councillor Pratt moved—" That the site for the tank in Cathedral Square be at the end of Worcester street, east of the Square, provided there is no legal objection thereto.” The motion was seconded by Councillor Jones and agreed to. An owner’s license was granted to Henry Z. Nichols ; and driver’s licenses to James Eeed and Henry Deakin. The Council then adjourned.