CIIRISTCHUIiCH CITY COUNCIL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 268, 23 March 1869, Page 2

CIIRISTCHUIiCH CITY COUNCIL.

Monday, Maucii 22

The weekly meeting -was held at the usual hour. Present — His Worship the Mayor, and «11 the Councillors.

The minutes of last, meeting were read and confirmed.

In reply to Councillor Saw tell, the Mayor said that the City reserves had not been properly conveyed to the , Council by deed, as some hitch existed in connection with the~ 'bill, and. to a further question, replied that he did not know whether anew bill was to be i obtained or not, but would get the information.

In reply to another question, the Mayor said that the site for the new cattle market had not been legally conveyed to the Council, the understanding with the Government being tkat the Council might use it until such time as it was required for other purposes. The Government did not think it would be right to make the land over permanently to the city, when they might require it for other purposes at a future date.

Councillor Ruddenklau expressed his astonishment at 6uch a proceeding, and at not having beard of it before. Under such circumstances it certainly would not be wise for the Council to accept it or undertake any expense whatever in connection therewith.

The Mayor said he ought to have explained the conditions before) and the subject then dropped without motion, . the Council however agreeing with Councillor Buddenklau's remarks.

The weekly balance-sheet was read, show-

ing the receipt since last meeting of £75 18s, and a credit at the bank of £190.

Accounts amounting to £47 8s were passed and ordered to be paid.

The tenders of John Dodd for shingling Salisbury street from Durham street to Colombo street, a distance of 12 chains, and Peterborough atreet from Colombo street to Manchester street, also a distance of 12 chains, at 3s lOd per yard, was accepted, being the only one received.

The Surveyor's report was read and considered. It Btated that Hoft had completed his contract for . the formation of Peterborough street from Manchester street to Madras street, and that the timber for the Worcester street bridge is being landed at Lyttelton, an accident having prevented the craft from coming up the river. The cost of tarring and painting the fllre alarm was estimated at about £4, and the labour gang had been employed during the week in repairing Gloucester, Kilmore, and Peterborough streets; erecting flag poles afc the Council Chamber; putting in culverts in St Asaph' and Peterborough streets; clearing out side drains in Durham, Armagh, Peterborough,; Cashel, and Salisbury streets, and Ferry Road, and repairing several streets with shingle.

The fire alarm was ordered to be painted and tarred, and the remainder of the report was approved.

Councillor Tombs, on behalf of the Works Committee, stated in answer to a question, that it was not intended to put any further street contracts in hand until after the visit of H.K.H. the Duke of Edinburgh.

A letter from residents in St. Asaph street, complaining of the south footpath between Durham street and Colombo street, was referred to the Works Committee.

A letter was read from Dr Foster, stating that a conference between himself and the legal adviser of the Gas Company had taken place, and that nearly all the amendments he had proposed to the provisions of the Act had been accepted.

The Mayor also made some remarks bearing upon the matter, and it appeared therefrom that the questions at issue between the Council and the Company had been satisfactorily decided. : XThe Fire Brigade Committee reported upon tire application for the office of chief engineer, and alter a short conversation the appointment was conferred upon Mr George Croll, engineer at the Canterbury Foundry. The Sanitary Committee reported on the complaint made by the Heatticote Road Board, of a stench in the Ferry Road drain, said to arise from breweries in the city, draining into the south dr tin. They had carefully examined the locality twice, and recommended that the south drain should be cleared as soon as the cold weather sets in, and that a man should afterwards be engaged to examine and clear it once a week. This they thought would remove all cause of complaint, as the breweries were clean and well kept, and the water drained away not of an objectionable nature.

In a short discussion which ensued, the statement respecting the brewery drainage was disputed, but Councillor Culvert asserted that the water, being almost pure artesian, was rather an improvement to the drain than otherwise, and the report was ultimately adopted ; instructions also being given to the Works Committee to carry out the recommendations contained therein.

The Rate Collector reported that the compilation of the new roll had been completed, and that the street watering rate was nearly all collected, three persons only having refused to pay it.

The report was approved, and instructions issued for the rate to be enforced in the cases referred to.

The new roll, us completed by the assessor, waß laid on the table, together with a letter stating that it had been found necessary to make considerable reductions on last year's assessment of cottages and outlying" properties.

The Clerk staled that the total amount of the assessment was £83,699, against £84,674 last year.

Some conversation took place as to the rate to be levied, but the roll was eventually referred to the Finance Committee with instructions to report upon it at next meeting.

The Nuisance Inspector reported that Mr Moore, of the Phoenix Brewery had promised to diminish the smoke from the chimney at the works.

.The report was approved. [ /(Councillor Sheppard called attention to the increased risk of fire which would accrue from the illuminations intended to be made in honour of the visit of H.tt.H. the Duke of Edinburgh, and asked what measures the fire committee intended to take to meet any emergency which might arise. The Council would remember that eight years ago the Insurance companies suspended their policies during similar proceedings^land he believed that those represented fiT"rhe city were now oh the eve of holding a meeting to consider what they should do in the present instance. He thought it very probable that the Council by adopting extra measures for protecting property, might prevent the companies taking a similar course to that referred to. The hours of illumination might be limited to say, between seven and ten o'clock, and the brigade] during that time might be ready to turn out at a moment's notice.

Councillor Ruddenklau on behalf of the Fire Brigade Committee, acknowledged the value of these suggestions, and promised that they should receive full consideration, but the Mayor pointed out that the Council could not dictate the hours of illumination but could recommend the citizens to adopt them.

XCouncillor Angus called attention to the practice of tethering.cattle and fastening boats to trees on the banks of the river, and it was resolved on his motion, that the Inspector of Police should be requested to adopt measures for putting a stop to it. It was resolved to hold a special meeting on Wednesday next, for the purpose of discussing the new by-laws.

Councillor Duncan referred to a very general desire prevalent in the city for the Galatea to visit Lyttelton, and on his motion it was decided that the assistance of the Governor and Executive Council should be obtained in the matter.

The Council went into committee for the purpose of considering the draft address prepared by the Reception Committee for presentation to H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh, which being approved without discussion, was ordered to be engrossed, and the Council resumed.

In reply to Councillor Angus, the Mayor said that not having ;been communicated with in the matter, no provision had been made for the presentation of addresses by benevolent and other societies.

His Worship then gave particulars of the route agreed to be taken by the procession, and other matters connected with the preparations for the Royal visit.

The Council then adjourned