EXPENDITURE FOR SAME PERIOD.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 696, 16 August 1870, Page 2

EXPENDITURE FOR SAME PERIOD.

Councillor Jameson Inoved the adoption of the report. He thought, on the whole, the course recommended to be pursu?d was the best, for if the amount required by the Board of Conservators was taken out of the ordinary rates of the city, it would greatly inconvenience the Council and cause many things to he left undone which were absolutely necessary. Another reason also was, that the independent collection of the rate under the Rivers Act, affects the citizens in such a different manner to what would be the case if the amount was paid to the Board out of the ordinary rates. The Rivers Act provided that, except in cases where occupiers have a purchasing clauie, or an interest in ft lease for five yean next ensuing, the rate levied under it shall be paid by the owner whereas the ordinary rates of the city are principally borne by occupiers without reference to any such conditions. This clause had been omitted in the new Act, and therefore the matter will stand differently next year. Councillor Anderson seconded the motion. He said the Finance Committee had very carefully considered the subject referred to them, and could not conscientiously come to any other decision than that set forth in the report. They had desired, if by any means possible, to pay the rate to the Board out of N the ordinary rates of the City, but could not their way to doing so, for if they did, it would simply absorb all funds at disposal for general city purposes, and thus compel the Council to resort to borrowing *or suspend their operations for the present year. There was consequently no other course open but that recommended, and the committee believed that the rate would be collected as reasonably as in any other way. They hoped, therefore, that the Council would adopt the report, put the collection in hand at once, and pay over the money to the Board without unnecessary delay. His Worship said he desired that all possible publicity should be given to the fact that clause 8 of the Canterbury Rivers Act provides that the occupier for the time shall pay the rate, but he can deduct it from his rent, provided he has not a right to purchase the property, or has not a lease covering the five years next ensuing; also, that clause 23 enacts that the rates, if not paid within 14 days after the date of application, a warrant may be issued for their recovery, together with all expenses connected therewith; and further, that the succeeding clause provides that any number of names may be included in the warrant. The Clerk was directed to invite, by public advertisement, offers for collecting the rates, and to write to the Board of Conservators in acknowledgment of their letter, covering the precepts, informing them that the collect tion of the rate would be proceeded with immediately on receipt of a copy of the roll. The omission of the clauses embodying the provision referred to by Councillor Jameson from the New Rivers Act was discussed, and the Council being of opinion that such omission was very undesirable, his Worship was requested to wait upon the Chairman of the Board of Conservators and take measures for having the clauses inserted. The Rate Collector reported upon the application from — Roach for remission of rates on account of poverty, and the Council, acting upon the information thus afforded them, decided that they could not accede to the application. The - Clerk was accordingly instructed to give notice that the rates must be paid at once. The Inspector of Nuisances reported that he had served notices upon Mr G. Facke, Mr 1\ Pearce, as agents and Miss Barnard as owner, to fill up certain hollow places': on ground where stagnant water collected. Petroleum licenses were granted to Messrs Gillespie and Martin, Thomas Lee, and Thomas Delamare. His Worship remarked that the. time for which Volunteer Fire Police were enrolled would expire on the 20th inst, and he purposed attending at the Council Chamber, at half-past three o'clock on Friday next, to re-enrol the members for the ensuing twelvemonths. The Clerk was instructed to advertise to this effect. The Council then adjourned.

£ S. Lighting ... ... ... 400 0 Salaries ... ... ... 600 0 Solicitors and Auditor's fees ... 60 0 Valuation, &c. ... ... 50 0 Advertising and office expenses... 100 0 Fire Brigade ... ... 350 0 Keep of horses ... ... 45 0 Insurance ... ... ... 22 10 Tanks, 2at £200 ... ... 400 0 Fire prevention (new engine house) ... ... 200 0 About 1500 yards of stone from quarry, at 6s 6d ... 500 0 Labour ajt £22 per waek „. 789 0 Contiageacies . -«. ~* W • Contracts— Eire*, £30 1 $elte, £30 ; Lane's lane, £20 ... 80 0 Overdraft ... ... 500 0 £4171 10