CIVIC AFFAIRS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 2018, 3 August 1920, Page 2

CIVIC AFFAIRS.

THE CITY COUNCIL.

LAST NIGHT S MEETING.

The Chri-tchurch City Council met last evening, there being present, the Mavor (Pr 11. T. .1. Thaeker, M.P.). Crs" J. W. Beanland, P. G. Sullivan, MP. F. R. Cooke. 11. T. Armstrong, F. Burgovne, E. E. Laugley, J. A. Flesher. .1 O. Jameson. A. McKellar, C. P. Agar. A. William-. K. 11. Andrews, 11. Hunter, and 11. F. Herbert. TRAM \V A V PROG R ESS. Regarding the alterations to the layout of tramlines in the city, the Works and Sanitary Committee reported: "A deputation consisting of the chairman of the Works and Sanitary Committee, the chairman of the By-laws Committee and the City Engineer -waited upon the Tramway Board's Works and Traffic Committee, and it -was decided that a conference of representatives of both parties be held to go into the question further. The board has appointed Ihe chairman (Hon. John Barr. M.L.C.L the deputy-chairman (Mr S. A. Staple' - ) and the general manager with, if required, the engineer, to act as it s representatives. The committee requests the council to appoint delegates to the conference.'' Cr Beanland, one of the council's representatives, said that the Tramway Board had agiced that it would accede to the council's wishes regarding tramlines at the corners of streets. It was decided to leave the, Manchester Street line to a future conference, and it asked that the council's objection to the Bcalev Avenue. Shirley Road, and Broadway's Corner lay-outs be lifted. He moved accordingly. Cr Flesher suggested that the objection regarding Broadway's Corner be reserved, because, unless the Manchester Street scheme were carried out, this work would be unnecessary. The line, as proposed at the corner, was dangerous and unsuitable. He mentioned that if the proposal to bring the Riccartou trams in by way of Lichfield and Colombo Streets were adopted, it •would enable them to observe the rule of the road, anil would reduce the tram traffic in Oxford Terrace by half. It •was also suggested that the Oxford Terrace track be moved into the centre of the road. The Mavor suggested that the matter should be' dealt With in a more comprehensive way than that proposed by Cr Beanland.' He thought that Cr Flesher should be appointed a delegate to give evidence before the Local Bills Committee of the House of Representatives, when the Christ church Tramway Bill came upT' This was agreed to. and Cr Sullivan •was appointed a second delegate. Crs Beanland and Flesher were, appointed delegates to keep in touch with the Tramway Board's committee, in terms of the committee's report. STREET WORKS.

The Works and Sanitary Committee reported that since April 1, a total of 176 chains of water-bound and 56 chains of tar-bound macadam streets nad been metalled, and 159* chains of streets and 17. j chains of footpaths had been tarred.

SANITARY SERVICE. The Works ami Sanitary Committee recommended that the military contractor bo authorised to pay his men £6 a week, instead of £5. owing to the . difficulty of obtaining suitable men for S" the. work. The total expenditure involved was estimated at £9BB per annum, to meet which a charge of 25/per pan would be required over all the districts interested. ELECTRIC VEHICLES. The Electricity Committee reported that several trial lead battery vehicles were being maintained for different owners at the council's garage. It was known that more than one firm in town contemplated selling such vehicles, presumably with the intention of leaving the buyers to arrange for their subsequent charging anil maintenance. The committee was of opinion that, as the available space in the garage would be fully required by Edison battery vehicles now on order, and in view of the much greater care and attention required in the maintenance of lead batteries, the council should intimate that it did not propose to undertake the maintenance and charging of such vehicles. The report was adopted. WARD POPULATION.

lii compliance with instructions issued nt the council's last meeting, the Town Clerk presented the following return showing the population of the various wards (according to the Government Statistician's estimate): —Central Ward. Hi. 14"): Linwood, 11,595; St. Allans. 10.116: Sydenham. 17,245. The Town clerk pointed out that under proportional representation the wards would Le abolished. LI.K'TKHTTY. The following return of electrieal work di since the last fortnightly report was presented ley the Electricity Committee:—Applications for current, connection, SO: meters tested. 131; «-'omr.ected during the period, 69.480; meters installed (including 27 where previously bridged). Ill; re connections, 69; disconnections. SO: meters tested. 131; complaints and troubles investigated, 271. FINANCE. The financial statement showed receipts for the fortnight ended July 28 to be £1.1.696 18/4, and amounts authorised for payment. £30,081 2/5. It was decided, on (he recommendation of the By-laws and Finance Committee, to hold a special meeting on August !> to consider the estimates, which the committee stated that it had prepared. NORTH 1.1 XWOOD LOAN*. The Town Clerk submitted n form of rosoluti.cn to !>0 passed defining the special rating area for the proposed

North Liuwood and Avonside Water Supply Loan of £17.000, anil authorising the preparation of the necessary special roll. He reported that the roll was already completed and was ready to be opened tor inspection. —The resolution was passed.

MUNICIPAL BATHS. The Baths and Entertainments Committee reported that it had given instructions for some small repairs to be made to the baths, and for the roof to be repainted. It had decided that during the work of painting the roof the baths should be closed to ladies, except on the evenings of Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The committee also reported that it had had to make a charge of 2d for the use of a towel and Id for soap, in addition to the charge of rid for the use of a private hot bath. Bathers, however, might bring theif own soap and towels if they desired. The takings at the baths for the month of dune were £76 9/7, as compared with £52 4/- for June, 1919. HAWKERS VERSUS SHOPS. A letter was received from a number of hawkers of perishable goods, stating that they were of opinion that the prohibited area should be abolished, and asking the council to receive a deputation at its next meeting to allow the hawkers to place their views on the subject before it. The council decided that, as it had received a deputation from the retail fruiterers on the subject of hawkers, it was only fair to do the same with the latter. It was resolved to receive the deputation at the next ordinary meeting. PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION Following its decision of a fortnight ago, the council, at a special meeting, passed a resolution making a special order bringing in proportional representation. This resolution will come up for confirmation at another special meeting on August 30. BUILDING REGULATIONS. A letter from the Board of Trade stated that the reference to dwellings and essential farm works contained in a former circular regarding the administration of the building regulations was. intended to cover repairs, additions and alterations to such buildings. It was also stated that, in order to avoid undue inconvenience being caused to local authorities, in connection with the construction and repair of urgent works, it had been decided that a permit should be issued to all local bodies to proceed with works other than buildings involving the use of material up to £IOO for each work. The board's letter -was to act in lieu of a formal permit. The letter was received. MISCELLANEOUS. On the recommendation of the Bylaws and Finance Committee, it was decided to exempt the western side of the eastern end of Cornwall Street from the operation of Section 117 of the Public Works Act, 1908. The resolution to raise a £IO,OOO loan for housing was formally confirmed. The By-laws and Finance Committee reported- that the effect of the recent agreement with the Clerks' Union in the Conciliation Council would be to increase the council's salary list by £767 per annum, but, as the agreement did not come into force till August 1, the amount for' the current vear would be £sll 6/10.