CHRISTCHURCH CITY COUNCIL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 256, 9 March 1869, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH CITY COUNCIL.

Monday, Makcii 8. The usual weekly meeting was held at seven o'clock. Present— His Worship the Mayor, and all the councillors. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. The Clerk reported that £63 ls lOd had been received from various sources during the week, and that a credit balance of £241 168 5d existed at the bank. Accounts amounting to £125 7s 8d were passed and ordered to be paid. _ The Surveyor's report was read and considered. It stated that the contractors for the Worcester street bridge expected to be able to commence work in about a week. During the past month Peterborough, Salisbury, Kilmore, Montreal, Colombo, and Durham streets, and Cambridge Terrace had been repaired with shingle," per Hadfleld's contract, and the streets in the eastern portion of the city, south of the river, were being similarly dealt with. In addition to the channelling in High street, sanctioned by the Council, the Works Committee had authorised the laying of a short length in Tuam street from High street, to opposite* Messrs Cobb and Sawtell's office. The labour gang had been employed during the week on the stone channelling in High and | Tuam streets ; painting the fence in Oxford Terrace, completing fence on the Ferry Road, placing sluice-gate in the south drain at Madras street, repairing footpath in Lichfield street, making flag-pole for Council Chamber, clearing out side-drains in different pc.rts of the city, and in repairing streets with shingle. The report was approved without discussion. The following correspondence was read and considered. Letter from the Dunedin City Council, calling attention to an advertisement in the Dunedin papeis, offering their hand fire engine for sale. The clerk was instructed to acknowledge i receipt of the letter, but state that the Counj cil were not in want of such an engine at present. Letter from the Heathcote Road Board, calling attention to a considerable quantity of objectionable matter being drained into the South drain, and thence into the Ferry Road drain, from the breweries in the city, and requesting that eteps should be taken for putting a stop to such proceedings in future. The clerk was ordered to reply that the Council would attend to the matter, and the Sanitary Committee were requested to report thereon. Letter from the Governors of Christ'b College, calling attention to the bad state of Gloucester street, between the river and the College, and pointing out the necessity of immediately metalling the roadway. Referred to the Works Committee, with instruction to effect the desired improvement as early as possible. In reply to Councillor Sawtell, the Mayor stated that he had conferred with members of the Cathedral Commission respecting the Square, and a new fence was being erected, but he did not think they would be likely to obtain further improvements, or come to a better understanding than hitherto upon the subject. /Vetter from Mr G. Booth, Lichfield street, requesting on lehalf of the trustees and congregation of St Asaph street Chapel, that the Council would consider the proprietj^of erecting a lamp near that plnce of 'worship. V A lengthened discussion ensued, Councillors Jameson and 1-juncan opposing compliance on the ground that no more funds were available for lighting purposes, the former stating that the expenditure on that

account already exceeded .£SOO per annum. The Council being desirous of further particulars on the matter, it was ultimately referred to the Works' Corriinittee, with a request to report fully upon it. Permission was given to Mr Thomas Williams, of Tuam street, to move his house to the opposite side of the road, subject to the approval of the Surveyor. Letter from the Chief Engineer of the Fire Brigade, tendering his resignation on the ground that he had originally accepted office as a servant of the Council, but that the! resolution passed on the Ist inst., had materially altered his position by placing him under the sole control of Captain Wilson. The Mayor having stated that Mr Haworth had expressed his willingness to nominally fulfil hia duties until such time as his successor was appointed, it was resolved to accept the resignation, some regret being, however, evinced at Mr Haworth adopting such a course from what the Council deemed a misconception of the resolution referred to. Councillor Calvert subsequently called attention to the very unsatisfactory position of the lire Brigade, referring to the large number of resignations recently teudered by members, and being of opinion that there was something radically wrongs moved that the Fire Committee be requested to report upon the cause of disaffection. Councillor Jameson replied that a deputation had, but a short time back, been received from the Brigade, and tbat- the Council had decided to let Captain Wilson adopt his own measures for conducting the men under him until such time as he showed inability to fulfil the duties of his office. The Council should therefore give him a fair trial before seeking to interfere again, especially as he had expressed himself much more confident of promoting the efficiency of the Brigade at the present time. After a varm discussion, the motion fell through for want of a seconder, and it was resolved instead to advertise for a competent person to fill tbe post vacated by Mr Haworth. A fortnight's extension of time was granted to Messrs Tribe and Haakinf*, the contractors for compiling the new rate list. A driver's license was granted to William McCardle, Colombo street. Reports on the recent flre near the White Hart Hotel were submitted from the Chief Fire Inspector and Mr West, captain of .the Liverpool, London, and Globe Brigade. Councillor Jameson remarked in eulogistic terms on the great promptness displayed by the Fire Brigade at the late flre, and the valuable aid rendered by the flre police and general public, concluding by moving a vote of thanks to them for their services, which was carried. Councillor Duncan said he had been informed that Mr A. J. White, High street, had offered the use of a shed for storing a flre engine, and suggested the advisability of the fire committee considering the propriety of placing the hand engine there. He considered it would be better to have the engines distributed in such a manner about the city than all located at one spot. Councillor Jameson said the committee had already had the matter under their notice, and the only difficulty which presented itself to them in connection with the removal of the hand engine was deciding upon the new site to he accepted. The matter would be brought fully before tlie Council at an early date. V'fhe Nuisance Inspector- reported that complaints having been made of the manner in which Mr D. L. Mundy, Oxford Terrace, disposes of his house slops, he bad called upon that gentleman and had since received a letter from him intimating that he did not intend spending a fraction in providing better drainage, but stating that the landlord ought to be urged to do*Bou| It was necessary that the surface-water lm land in the vicinity of Montreal street should be drained at once. The delay hitherto existing had been caused by Mr Paddy refusing to pay any portion of the expense or to permit an open ditch to be cut through his land. In reference to the first clause, the Inspector was authorised to compel Mr Mundy to abate the nuisance at once, and the second Was referred to the Surveyor to estimate cost of underground drainage, the Inspector then to ascertain whether the residents will contribute the cost. The Mayor, referring to the expected visit of H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh, said, since the meeting held on Thursday last, he had come to the determination of himself giving tbe dejeuner decided upon. He had done so because he thought it would place the Council and citizens in a much better position ; but he would, at the same time, have it to be understood, that he had no desire to set aside the Reception Committee, whose services he would, on the contrary, require as much as before in arranging the details. *» On the motion of Councillor Sheppard, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to his Worship. The Council then adjourned.