CIVIC AFFAIRS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 2030, 17 August 1920, Page 2

CIVIC AFFAIRS.

THE CITY COUNCIL. LAST NIGHT'S MEETING. A meeting of the Christchurch City Council was hold last evening, there being present: The Mayor (Dr H. T. J. Thacker, M.P.), Crs R H. Andrews, P. R. Cooke, H. P. Herbert, H. Hunter, E. E. Langley, H. T. Armstrong, F. Burgoyne, J. O. Jameson, A. McKellar, E. P. Stead, C. S. Harper, C. P. Agar, J. A. Flesher, and A. Williams. FINANCE. The financial statement showed that the receipts were £37,411 17/11. These included temporary loans £20,375, electrical maintenance £4336 19/4, and amounts under the Linwood Public Works Loan £10,500. Account* authorised for payment totalled £16,963 9/10. To date,'the general rate levied was £73,761 18/-, and the estimated collection £73,02.5 4/S, leaving outstanding £736 13/4. The report was adopted. TECHNICAL EDUCATION. The Nelson City Council wrote asking for support for the following resolution: "That the Minister of Education be informed that the council does not consider it is in the province of local bodies to provide funds for technical education, and trmt, owing to this being a matter of national importance, the Government, should undertake the whole of the expense of education, on a liberal' scale.'' Cr Flesher moved that the letter be received and endorsed. He pointed out that, the council had arrived at a very similar decision at its last meeting. Cr Herbert, in seconding the motion, said that it was time that the Government should cease to make large demauds upon local bodies for the support of technical education. The carrying on of educational work was not the duty of local bodies, but if the local technical college got into difficulties he was sure the council would assist it. • . The motion was adopted. ( ' RE-VALUATION OF CITY. With reference to the request that steps should immediately be taken to arrange for a re-valuation of the City of Christchurch, the Prime Minister' (Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey) wrote that he would take an early opportunity of discussing the request with the Hon. Sir Francis Bell (Minister in.Charge of the Valuation Department). Cr Flesher remarked that, at present, a number of hostels for pupils of various schools and colleges were exempt from fates, while they were in competition with boardihghouses'\yhich had to pay city rates. He thought that a question should be iusked on the subject in the House. The Mayor said that he would ask a question. Cr Burgoyne suggested that the matter be deferred. ' The Mayor: There is a possibility that the Valuation of Land Act will be amended, so we should act at once. Cr Jameson opposed any action in the matter, on the ground that the country boys and girls who came to study in town wouhl be penalised. The letter was received. ' LOAN MATTERS. On the recommendation of the Bylaws and Finance Committee's report, it was decided, that the Town Clerk be authorised to announce particulars of a loan of £17,000, to be raised over the North Linwood and Avonside water supply loan special rating area. I |A motion striking a rate as security for the recently-obtained' housing loan of £IO,OOO was adopted. It was reported by the Finance Committee that the Government Advances Department had stated that the Minister of Finance had approved of an increase to oi per cent, .per annum in the rate of interest payable in respect of recent loans. The report was adopted. HOSPITAL BOARD'S FINANCE. The secretary of the North Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board wrote stating that it had received a letter from the Government indicating that amended legislation would be placed before the House during the current Session, with a view to overcoming the differences which at present exist with regard to the question of hospital boards raising money for capital purposes. At no time had there been any doubt about the Government's granting subsidies ou levies raised for repayment of loans. ■The matter was referred to tho Finance Committee. MISCELLANEOUS. A letter was received from the secretary of the Board of Trade, stating that, in connection with the administration of the building regulations, thesf, were intended to cover repairs, addi-

lions and alterations to such buildings. It had been decided that permission should be given to all local authorities to proceed with works other than buildings, involving the use of material up to £IOO for each work. ; The By-laws and Finance Committee recommended that, subject to certain conditions, Warwick Street be exempted from Section 117 of the Publics Works Act. —The recommendation was