RICCARTON BOROUGH.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 700, 9 May 1916, Page 12

RICCARTON BOROUGH.

MEETING OF COUNCIL. QUESTION OF WAGES DISCUSSED. The fortnightly meeting of the Riccarton Borough Council was held last evening, when there were present: —The Mayor (Mr J. Brown), and Crs W. Dalley, A. Hampton, 11. Wise, T. J. Stokes, H. Gudscell, A. E. Steere, and A. D. Ford. The Works Committee reported that the second coat of asphalt had been laid on the footpaths in Kenilworth, Leamington, Stafford, and Warwick Streets, and the laying of the first coat in Princes Street was now in hand. The channelling in Clarence Street had been completed as far as possible, and the grading in this street, was now in hand. Two lamp-posts had been removed in the borough, and the committee recommended that the whole of the gas lamps on Riccarton Road be removed as soon as possible. The committee also recommended that an offer to purchase land fronting on Lincoln Road be accepted. " The recommendations were adopted, and the report as a whole was approved of. The Finance Committee reported that it had received notification from the North Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board stating that its levy on the borough for the year ending March 31, 1917, was £423 7/10. The committee recommended that the amount be paid in six equal instalments, payable every two months. The recommendation was adopted. At the request of the Paparua County Council, Cr Steere was appointed as a delegate from the Riccarton Borough to attend a conference to discuss the small birds nuisance. The Town Clerk read an anonymous letter which stated that at a meeting of the employees of the Riccarton Borough Council it had been decided that they could not comply with the council's resolution, as it was breaking down the agreement which took so long to get. All that the employees wanted was the 10 per cent, on the present wages, which was being paid all over the country. The letter was signed "The Employees." Cr Wise: I don't think we should waste our time receiving letters which are not signed. I should move that it be put into the waste paper basket, and then wait till we get a letter with a signature. Cr Dalley said there was nothing to be ashamed of in signing the letter, and as far as the council knew the letter might be from one man. Cr Stokes said that when a resolution

in connection witli the matter was passed at last meeting the council asked for an early reply, and it appeared to him that the letter in question was the reply, lie thought the council should have the courtesy to acknowledge it. In speaking on the letter itself, Cr Stokes said he thought the Riccarton Council should fall into line with other local bodies in this matter. He would move to that effect. Cr Wise contended that Cr Stokes could not move another motion until the motion passed at the last council meeting had been rescinded. The speaker said that some time ago Mr Howard wrote to the papers stating that the councillors had it in their minds to break away from the Arbitration Court award. The council had no idea of doing such a thing. It had even offered 2/2 an hour if the employees preferred to work another four hours. Cr Steere said that seeing that the letter could not be dealt with until the previous motion was rescinded, he would move that the letter be referred back to the Works Committee for consideration. Cr Ford seconded this. Cr Dalley said he thought the council had offered the employees very liberal terms. The motion was carried, Cr Stokes dissenting. Cr Ford drew attention to the condition of the Middle Park Eoad, and pointed out that as long as the Waimairi County Council had control of that road nothing would be done to it. He thought the Riccarton Council should do all in its power to see that the road was controlled by the Christchurch City Council. The Mayor said the matter would probably have to go before the commissioner, but there was nothing wrong in helping the City Council to obtain control of the road, and if that body found it necessary to write to the commissioner on the matter the Riccarton Council could back it up. Cr Ford then moved:—"That the Riccarton Council considers that the City Council should have sole control of the Middle Park Road. Tliis was carried. Accounts amounting to £l4O 9/3 were passed for payment.