MUNICIPAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXV, Issue 7791, 23 February 1886, Page 6

MUNICIPAL.

CITY COUNCIL. An ordinary meeting of the Christchurch City Council was held at 7 p.m. yesterday; present—His Worship the Mayor, Councillors Vincent, Kiver, Gray, Crooks, Hearing, Louisson, Qrinated, Frudhoo, Tait, Bowman, Manning and Andrews. FINANCE. Items of finance were reported as follows :—Receipts since last meeting— General account, £245 15s 7d; suspense account, £2B 5s 6d; cemetery account, £l9los 6d. Expenditure—General account, £475 19s lOd; loan account, £776 I6s 7d; suspense account, £144 ss; cemetery account, £7 13a 4d. Credit balance at Bank, £1384 5s 4d. The accounts were passed as read. CORRESPONDENCE. The following were read: — Circular from the Waikato County Council, asking the co-operation of the Council in drawing the attention of Government to the immature and unworkable character of the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act. The circular was received, and ordered to be laid on the table for the inspeotion of Councillors. Prom Mr T. S. Lambert, thanking the Council for the unanimous acceptance of his cfesign for the Market-place buildings. The letter was received. CITY SURVEYOR’S REPORT.

The City Surveyor’s report was as follows : “ 1. The G-inch well in Gloucester street is now down 140 ft, and the flow of water is about the same as at Martin street, although the water has to rise sft higher, in consequence of the level of the former street* being sft higher than the latter one. The cost of the well is as follows:—Cost of sinking, .£7O; cost of pipes, £36; cost of tools, £2O; total cost, £126. 2. It was found impracticable to sink the 4-inch well in St Asaph street; it has, therefore, been abandoned, and a 6-inch well will bo sunk in its place. 3. Tenders have been sent in for the additions to Chester street ( Fire Brigade Station, and the Works Committee have accepted chat of Mr Gregg for £BSO (being the lowest tender), subject to the approval of the Council. 4. The Works Committee recommend that tenders be invited for 6000 cubic yards of broken metal and 3000 cubic yards of blinding, to bo used on the streets during the ensuing 12 months.” The report was adopted. QUESTION.

Councillor Gray said that he had seen a letter in an evening paper stating that one of the designs for the Market place buildings which had been rejected had been awarded a second place, and the sealed envelope accompanying it opened, contrary to the conditions of the competition. He wished to know the facts of the case.

The Mayor said that the father of the young* man who prepared the design, having heard that several of the Councillors considered the design worthy of a second place, had written asking that this should be notified, and the name attached to the drawing. His wish had been complied with, but the sealed envelope had not been opened, and there had been no breach of confidence. THE EIRE ALARM SYSTEM. Councillor Gray moved the following motion, of which he had given notice—- “ That the present electrical fire alarm system be modified and improved as follows—(a) That the annunciators at the Police Station, the Lichfield street Fire Brigade Station, and at Superintendent Ashley’s house he dispensed with, (b) and that those places he connected with the Chester street Station by telephone; (c) and further that the batteries and signal boxes he supervised weekly.” He said that several electricians had stated that one cause of the had working of the system was the large number of annunciators. He pointedput that the cost of carrying out his motion would be but small. Councillor Crooks seconded the motion. Councillor Bowman moved—“ That the matter be referred to the Fire Brigade Committee.”

Councillor Prudhoo seconded the motion. Councillor Hosking opposed both motion and amendment. He gave it as his opinion that the removal of the Lichfield street station would, by doing away with one of the two electrical circuits at present existing, remedy the defects in the working of the system. The Committee were taking active stops in the matter, and would continue to do so. It was their intention to provide for the better supervision of the batteries.

_ Councillor Louisson suggested that, after the explanation of the Chairman of the Fire Brigade Committee, Councillor Gray should withdraw his motion. The Mayor and Councillor Andrews concurred with Councillor Louisson, and Councillor Gray consented to withdraw his motion for the present, stating that his only object was the improvement of the

fire-alarm system; and that if this did not soon take place he would bring forwardthe matter again. - • , ■ V . ! THE TRAMWAY. ' . Councillor Louisson drew attention to the extremely bad state of the tramway rails 1 in' some parts of the city, especially in Twain street. . The City Surveyor was instructed to communicate with the Tramway Company on the subject at once.' After transacting some routine business, and dealing with a number of applications for licenses, the Council adjourned. SYDENHAM BOROUGH # COUNCIL. An ordinary meeting of the above body was held last evening; present—His Worship the Mayor (in the chair). Councillors Jones, Fisher, Day, White, Taylor, Bowden, Gledhill, and Booth. CORRESPONDENCE. The following was read: — Prom the Addington Workshops Band, asking for patronage to a concert on March 12, in aid of the Band funds. The request was acceded to. From Mr J. Baldwin, Churchwarden of St Saviour’s Church, calling attention to the inconvenience which would result to the congregation from the unnecessary height of side channelling. Referred to Works Committee. From Mr James Crowley, on the subject of levels in Madras street, and intimating that Be would hold the Council responsible for any damage that might ensue to his property. 'Referred to Works Committee. WORKS REPORT.

The Works Committee reported as follows:

.1. The Committee has enquired into the complaint of the workman who, at the last ordinary meeting, complained of being unfairly discharged from the Council’s service, and is of opinion that the Council’s Foreman of Works was fully justified in discharging the man. 2, The Committee is taring steps to ascertain the wishes of the day labourers respecting the proposed Saturday half-holiday, 3. The Committee has arranged for the supply of cement for immediate use. The report was adopted. FINANCE REPORT. The Finance Committee reported as follows :—Receipts for the fortnight, £243 Is 10d; accounts recommended for payment, £349 16s lOd; credit balance at bank £lls Is sd. The report was adopted. CHARITABLE AID. A man in the employ of the Council, under part payment from the Charitable Aid Board and the Council, attended, and asked the Council to increase his allowance, as he had a wife and family to support. The Works Committee stated that if the Council increased the allowance, the Aid Board would cease payment. Councillor White was unaware of such a resolution on the part of the Board. Councillor Bowden suggested that the matter should ho left in the hands of the Works Committee, who could ascertain the actual state of affairs. Councillor White moved for a return by next meeting showing tho amount of loan expended in the various blocks of the Borough, and the amout to debit or credit of the several blocks in the general account. Complaint had been made to him of unfair expenditure, and he wished to set the question at rest. The Town Clerk said it would ho impossible to prepare the return by next meeting. Councillor White said he had been charged with using his influence with the Works Committee to the unfair advantage of certain blocks, and to meet the difficulty raised by the Town Clerk, he was prepared himself to supply any requisite additional clerical assistance. The Chairman of the Works Committee exonerated Councillor White from the charge of attempting to influence the Committee.

Councillor White said the statement had been made by a member of the Works Committee, hence his action.

The motion was carried. An application for employment was referred to the Works Committee. An adjourned special meeting was afterwards held to consider the subject of objection to valuation roll, as prepared by the Property Tax Assessor. CORRESPONDENCE. Correspondence as follows was received : Prom the Property-tax Department, covering valuation roll. From the Borough solicitors (Messrs Salter and Swann) furnishing opinion regarding legality of valuation roll, and advising the Council that it could not object to the roll in its entirety, but should forward a list of objections to the several valuations. Councillor Taylor moved—“ That this Council is of opinion that the statement of values supplied is inequitable to many ratepayers, especially small ratepayers, and that the assessor (Mr Blake) be requested to attend the Council and explain the basis of his valuation.” Seconded by Councillor Day. A long discussion ensued as to the best course for the Council to pursue. The motion was eventually carried. It was resolved to instruct the Borough solicitors to lodge the necessary objections to the roll, as hot being in accordance with the Acts. The Council then adjourned.