CITY COUNCIL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 14169, 18 September 1906, Page 4

CITY COUNCIL.

LAST NIGHT’S MEETING. A meeting of the City Council was held last evening; present—Sir John Hall (Mayor), and Councillors W. H. Cooper, T. Gapes, T. N. Horsley, C. Allison, B. P. Manhire, W. J. Neate, J. Orchard, H. J. Otley, H. H. Loughnan, G. Payling. 8. Hurst Seager, G. B. Chick, J. Hadfield and G. \V. J. Parsons. The financial statement showed that the receipts since the previous meeting had amounted to £4758 5s lOd, and the accounts presented for payment amounted to £9581 15s sd. There was a debit balance at the bank of £9454 9s 9d. and temporary loans amounting to £28,241 15s Id brought the total up to 4s lOd. THE CANAL SCHEME, ADVICE FROM ENGLAND. A circular was read from the Lyttelton Harbour Board, covering its engineer’s proposals in regard to the construction of a. canal and asking for information as to the ratable value. Councillor Hadfield moved that the letter should be received and the information supplied, and that it was desirable that the Board should obtain expert advice from Messrs Coodo, Son and Matthews, as proposed. It_wae absolutely necessary to place the best expert knowledge before the Board. Councillor Orchard seconded the motion, which was supported by Councillor Gapes, who said that the citizens of Christchurch ought to support the Board. Councillor Allison said that there wore engineers in the colony who wore quite competent to give the advice required at the present stage. He specially mentioned Mr Gocdall. He moved that a committee should he set up to consider the subjects dealt with in the Board’s letter, and report. Councillor Loughnan seconded the amendment. The Mayor said that the scheme should be repo’rted upon by the most competent experts in the Kingdom, and he dissented from Councillor Allison's contention, that it was not necessary to go beyond the colony for advice. The amendment was lost and the motion was carried. SKY-SIGNS. A deputation, neaded by Mr Kaye, waited on the Council in to the use of sky-signs. Mr, Kaye said that the Beautifying Association, which the deputation represented, felt that the use of that means of advertising should bfo , Stopped. The signs were likely to become exceedingly numerous. There were many merchants who were forced by competition into the erection of the signs, and would be glad to pull them down if their competitors were prevented from using them. It seemed that the only ivay to deal with the niatter was to absolutely prohibit sky-signs. Decision was held over until next meeting. - ; THE SEDDON MEMORIAL. The Mayor announced that a meeting of representatives of local bodies would be held at 8 p.m. on Friday, to consider suggestions made with regard to the establishment of a memorial to the late Mr Seddon. MISCELLANEOUS. Councillor Allison moved:—“That the attention of the members for Christchurch be drawn to the decision of the Court of Appeal in Palmer’s case, as reported in the 1 New Zealand Law Reports ’ of August 29, 1903, interpreting the provisions of the Public Works Act referring to owners of land abutting on narrow streets selling the same in allotments. Under this decision, district land registrars now require owners selling in accordance with a plan showing allotments, to widen streets less than 66ft wide/ on which the allotments abut, while owners selling allotments without reference to a plan are permitted to' do so without widening such streets.” , , Councillor Manhire seconded the motion, which was lost by five votes to seven. < , , Au application from tho proprietor or the Imperial Hotel, Barbadoes Street, for permission to erect a marquee, for accommodating people at Exhibition time, was referred to the By-law Committee for a report. Mr R. 0. Duncan, secretary of the Fisherton Land Company, wrote objecting to the company’s estate being taken into Christchurch with Beckenham, as proposed in a petition by Beckenham residents. Tiro letter was received. • The Abattoir Committee was authorised to accept tenders for slaughtering for the following year. The St Albans Burgesses’ Association wrote asking for the general receipts and expenditure for the St Albans Ward for the year ending March 31 Councillor Otley said he thought that the application should not be granted, as it would only foster , paroehiah feeling. ' Ho moved that the letter should bo received. The motion was seconded by Councillor Chick and carried. An application from the Australian Automatic Weighing Machine Company to erect two more machines in the city was refused. The Political Labour League wrote urging the establishment of municipal markets for the sal© of fish and produce generally. Tlio'Mayor said that the proposal bad been practically adopted at the Municipal Conference. It was decided, on the motion of Councillor Loughnan. seconded by Councillor Chick, -that the League should be informed that the conference had already passed a resolution in favour of the establishment of markets, hut until effect was given to the resolution by legislation the Council had no power to act. A 'special order was passed relating to a by-law affecting water-works and water-supply. It was decided that Mr C. H. Bridge Khould.be engaged to make surveys in connection with the Waimakariri scheme. A vote of thanks was passed to Councillors Loughnan and Hadfield for attending the Municipal Conference. The Works Committee reported that Mr H. J. Beswick, on behalf cl the Church Property Trustees, had written offering to dedicate, without compensation, the land required for widening Innes’s Road from Papanui Road to Brett’s Road, a distance of twenty-two chains, and would pay the Council half the cost of formation, metalling, channelling and asphalting, provided th© Council undertook to carry out the work. The , committee recommended that the offer should be - accepted. Pipes for street watering should bo placed down in Madras Street, from Moorhoua© Avenue to Hereford Street, and in Manchester Street, from Moorhens© Avenue to Hereford Street. The committee recommended that Mr J. 0. ■Scott, of Gore,' should be appointed electrical engineer. . The report was adopted.