CIVIC AFFAIRS

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 617, 1 February 1916, Page 2

CIVIC AFFAIRS

THE CITY COUNCIL LAST NIGHT'S MEETING. j | The Christchurch City Council . met fast evening. Present: The] Mayor (Mr H. Holland), Crs G. Scott,: A. Williams, J. W. Bcanland, A. S. Taylor, F. Burgoyrte, W. Millar, J. j McCullough, E. Peek, J. MeCombs, M.P., D. G. Sullivan, H. F. Herbert, J. R. Hayward, W. 11. Cooper, .!. Reynolds, and .1. 0. Jameson. THE NATIONAL REGISTER. The Greymouth Borough Council | asked the council to support a reso-.j jlution in which it stated that it ! viewed with astonishment the number of persons disclosed by the National Register who were not pre-j pared to act in any capacity in con-: nection with the war, and urged the j Government to publish the names' and addresses of those men, or, if j that could not be done because of j the register being a confidential one, that the numbers of such men in each city and borough be published. The council refused to entertain the proposal, and merely "received" 'the letter. MUNICIPAL BATHS. The Baths and Entertainments Committee reported that the takings for the nine months ended December 31, 1015, amounted to £759 1/10, be- | ing an increase of £lO 0/10 over the takings for the same period last year. The City Council Section of the j Public Service Group of the Queen 'Election had had difficulty in obtaining a suitable gift for a prize | in the art union which is being projmoted in aid of the Canterbury Patriotic Fund. It had been suggested that the council might give as a donation a live years' complimentary ticket to the baths, and the committee recommended the council to comply with the request. The report was adopted. BY-LAWS AND FINANCE. The By-laws and Finance Committee also recommended that the size of the red reflector which must be attached to all motor cycles, bicycles, or tricycles in accordance with section 245 of the Christchurch By-law No. 1 be not less than lain in diameter. The Waltham Library Committee had applied for an additional grant of £6O for the purpose of enlarging the library buildings, etc., and had offered to repay the amount on the same conditions under which the £3OO was granted—namely, 7 per cent, per annum. The committee recommended that the request be granted. As Aldwin's Road has already been widened 10ft on the west side, the committee recommended the council to pass a resolution exempting that side of the road from the provisions of section 117 of "The Public Works Act, 1908." The Superintendent of Police had been requested to instruct the police to enforce the provisions of section 12 of the Christchurch By-law No. 6, relating to persons obtaining a certificate of ability to drive a private motor car or motor cycle; and also to enforce the regulation regarding identification marks on motors. It was also reported that 108 applications had been received for the position of assistant inspector of nuisances, and the committee had appointed Mr Albert George Fischer, who was a discharged soldier, a plumber by trade, and had passed the practical test for registration under the Plumbers Registration Act. The committee recommended that the usual resolution be passed authorising the additional charge of 10 per cent, on rates and other charges liable to the same not paid at the expiration of six months and 14 days from the demand thereof.

In reply to the Mayor, who slated that red reflectors are unprocurable in Christ-church at present, the chairman of the committee said that it was not intended to put the bylaw mentioned in the first clause quoted above into effect at present. The size of the reflector had not been mentioned in the by-law, and the committee therefore made the addition now. Cr Sullivan moved: —"That the clause in the report relating to Aidwin's Road be referred back to the committee. He pointed out lhal it is a.boundary, road forming an important artery between Woolston and certain parts of the city, and in time it probably would have tramlines laid down in it. Widening the road by 10ft was not sufficient." Cr Taylor, in seconding this motion, said that one time the council had declined to agree to such exemptions, but the present council was far too free and easy in such matters. Cr Sullivan's motion was carried. The other clauses of the report were adopted. ELECTRIC LIGHT AND POWER. In the course of its report, the Electric Light and Power Committee slated that it bad approved of a proposal to sell motors on the lime-pay-ment system, instalments to be paid monthly or quarterly, plus interest at (> per cent. The committee reported that the I rise in the price of copper continued, wire and cable having advanced another 20 per cent. Since Ihe last previous report of the committee was made, lit) applications for light and power had been received and 127 connections had been made. Eighteen new installations had been completed, and therewere 23 in hand. WORKS AND SANITATION. The Works and Sanitation Committee reported that the work of constructing channelling in North Richmond was proceeding satisfactorily.

! The owners of land adjoining ' Cooper's Road, St. Albans, had offered to give land for widening the road, but the committee considered the work was not urgent, and it had no funds for the purpose. The Canterbury Engine-drivers and Firemen's Union had put forward proposals for a new award, but the committee decided that if other employers were interested it would take no action in the matter. The committee had given .instructions that a channel and footpath is to be formed at the north end of Tonbridge Street, St. Albans. The cost will be defrayed out of the St. Albans £23,000 channelling and asphalt loan. The report was adopted, except that clause relating to Cooper's Road, which was referred back to the committee.