CHRISTCHURCH CITY COUNCIL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 474, 23 November 1869, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH CITY COUNCIL.

Monday, Nov. 22. The weekly meeting Avas held at 7 p.m. Present: His Worship the Mayor, and all the Councillors, except Councillors Tombs and Sawtell, the former of Avhom was absent on leave. The minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed. The clerk intimated that during the week he had receiA-ed from city rates, 1868, £2 10s; do, 1869, £80 Is ; refund from rate collector, on account of advance made for expenses in the Resident Magistrate's Court, £6 19s 6d ; scavenging, £31 17s 9d ; Market place rents, 12s ; and licenses, 10s ; total £112 10s 3d. The credit balance at the Bank was reported to be £117 78 7d. Accounts amounting to £20 3s 3d were passed, and ordered to be paid. The Surveyor reported for the week as follows : — A rougb estimate had been prepared for the suggested public baths. The Avails of the excavation to be composed of bricks cemented on the inside, the bottom of concrete, and the wooden building to be of the same dimensions as given last week, would cost £588 4s, but rubble stone Avails instead of brick Avould cost about £50, more. It was recommended that the 500 yards of broken metal obtained by Mr W. Wilson, on a motion in the Provincial Council, should be applied for. The stone channelling from the Crystal Palace Buildings to Armagh street, had been completed, and the Works Committee advised that the next length to be done, should be in Cashel street from its junction Avith High street to near the Press office. The labour gang had been employed during the week in Avatering the streets ; carting side drain scrapings ; stone channelling in Colombo street ; putting down culverts at the junction of Manchester and Gloucester streets, and the junction of Durham and Lichfield streets *, clearing outside drains; mowing weeds in various parts of the city, and making openings in the fence of the plantation on the North town belt. On the suggestion of Councillor Hart, the matter of Public Baths was deferred until the financial arrangements for next year are taken into consideration. The Towu Clerk was directed to make, application for the broken metal. The suggested stone channelling in Cashel street was ordered to be taken in hand at once. The remainder of the report was approved. Councillor Calvert, on behalf of the Sanitary Committee, called attention to pools of stagnant water collecting, during wet weather, between the Drill -bed -and the river. In hot Aveather they would necessarily create a serious nuisance, and it might be easily obviated by clearing an existing drain and carrying it through the rubble wall of the river bank, near Lane's Miil. A very large proportion of the land belonged to the Corporation, and the expense would not be large.

After some conversation, the matter was

referred to the Works Committee, with instructions to pay immediate attention to it. jffiis Worship intimated the possibility of OTertures being made to the Council at an early date, for the erection of a bridge across the river, in continuation of Cashel Btreet. Several residents in the vicinity had expressed their desire for such a work to be carried out; so that the open land between the river, and the Drill shed might be brought into use It was also thought that the Council should adopt some neAv style for the structure, as compared with the bridges already erected in the city, and it would be as well for Councillors, in the meantime, to give the subject some consideratiqnj The following correspondence was read: — Letter from the Right Rev the Primate of NeAV Zealand, enclosing a copy of the resolution passed by the Synod, in reference to the Cathedral Square question. Councillors Hart and Jameson, remarking upon the inability of the Council to proceed any further in the matter at present, urged however, that it ought not to be allowed to pass quietly into oblivion, but that it should be constantly kept in view, and brought forward again whenever a favourable opportunity offered. Councillor Duncan also expressed a hope that when such time did arrive the outside public would support the Council by taking the question up in a warmer manner than had been the case so far. Letter from the Inspector of Weights and Measures, stating that he had examined the Corporation Weighbridge, and enumerating certain repairs which it is necessary should be effected. The Works Committee were instructed to have the work attended to at once. A balance-sheet of the Corporation receipts and disbursements for the past financial year was laid on the table, and the appointment of auditors to examine the accounts was left to bis Worship the Mayor. The following licenses Avere granted: — Hansom cab, Henry Dodd; Hawker, Daniel Manhire. Councillor Hart asked the Fire Brigade •Committee if they could give any reason for the brigade discontinuing their practice lately. He referred more particularly to the engine at the White Hart, but he believed •that the other hand-engine was permitted to remain similarly inactive. Councillor Jameson said the matter solely rested with the Superintendent of the brigade, •who was necessarily allowed large discretionary powers. Councillor Calvert said he believed the non-activity of the White Hart detachment was due to a misunderstanding with the Superintendent. They were not numerous enough to Avork the engine themselves, and had endeavoured in various ways, to procure additional assistance. They had written a letter, setting forth this view to the Council, hut their Superintendent to Avhom it was officially submitted, declined to forward it, and thus the subject was set aside. He would like to know whether Mr Harris had power to withhold such documents, or whether it was not imperative on him to transmit tbem tOthfiOcninc.il. In a brief conversation which ensued, the Council were of opinion that no letter intended for the Council should be withheld, and the Fire Brigade Committee were instructed to enquire into the subject. Councillor Hart, with a view to obviating the unsightly appearance of the Council's yard, moved that the drain pipes, night-soil pans, and other such materials should be removed to the rear of the Council buildings, and the yard generally put into more presentable order. Councillor Pratt seconded the motion, and Councillor Calvert supported it. Councillors Jameson and Duncan opposed, , and on the suggestion of the latter the motion was withdrawn with a view to the Works Committee bringing up suggestions for effecting some improvement in the appearance of the yard. The Council then adjourned.