CITY COUNCIL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 702, 23 August 1870, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

*. Monday, Aug. 22. The Council met for the transaction of their weekly business at the usual hour. His Worship the Mayor presided, and all the councillors were present. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Town Clerk reported, per balance sheet that he bad received since last meeting: from rates, 1868, £2 10s; ditto, 1869, £9 10s ; ditto, 1870, £91 10s; scavengering, £17 Is8d; licences, £5; rent of shop, Market-place, 7s ; total, £125 8s 8d; and that the overdraft at the Bank was £334 6s. Accounts amounting to £54 12s were passed for payment. His Worship particularised the action which he had taken during the week respecting the burgess list for the city; a'so in explanation of his interview with the Provincial Executive respecting the unemployed. He had been invited to meet the Executive, with a view to seeing what the City Council could do to relieve the alleged distress. He told the Government that, in consequence of the large overdraft the Council had at the bank, they would not be able to employ any of the men; but he had since learned that the men had been offered employment in Hagley Park and the Domain. Messrs Kennaway and Ollivier had an interview with the Council respecting the Ferry Road drain ; a legal opinion upon which, it was their desire, on behalf of the Drain Committee, the Council should contribute towards obtaining. Mr Kennaway, adverting to the previous refusal of the Council, said the expression of their willingness to aid in covering in or improving the condition of the drain was some admission of liability, and there being considerable uncertainty as to the legal status of the drain, the first step to take was assuredly to decide that point. The Council might think that the committee wished them to contribute a large proportion of the cost of the proposed opinion, but this was not the case. The committee only desired a fair quota of the amount ; Bay, for instance, £10 ; and that the Heathcote and Spreydon Road Boards should contribute in a like manner. Mr Ollivier briefly reviewed the history of the drain, showing that it was originally made in opposition to the then Provincial Solicitor's (MrGresson) advice, for the avowed purpose of carrying off the surface water from the city, but that latterly it had become the receptacle for liquid manure, street sweepings, and other refuse, until it had virtually become a main sewer, and the stench arising from it was most dangerous, not only to the health of residents along the line of it, but also to persons using the road. The desire of the committee was to ascertain whether or not it was a legal drain, and if it was found not to be so the committee naturally assumed that those who had established it would have to remove the cause of present complaint, and prevent the possibility of future annoyance accruing. This would at once take the matter but «f the hands of the Council or Road Boards, and the committee were anxious to push the matter forward at once, because the subject, after a legal opinion had been obtained, would have to be submitted to the Provincial Council, a short session of which would be held in a short time. If the committee could not obtain support in the course they proposed, it was just possible that some person might be public spirited enough to incur the responsibility of stopping the drain up entirely, and then he would ask what would become of the city drainage. For his own part he considered the evil so great that he should never cease to agitate the matter. In reply to Councillor Sawtell, Mr Kennaway said that the Heathcote Road

Board had resolved to subscribe £5 towards procuring the Attorney-General's opinion, but that no answer had been received from the Spreydon Board. Several Councillors expressed their opinion that they would not be justified in spending the funds of the city in the manner desired by the deputation, nor had they heard anything to induce them to alter the resolution previously passed. His Worship informed the deputation that the Council would discuss the matter dispassionately, and give their decision conscientiously. If they should not see reason to rescind the resolution they had already passed, he might state that several Councillors who had property in the district would be ready to subscribe privately towards forwarding the views of the committee. Mr Kennaway asked if the Council should decide not to contribute towards obtaining the Attorney-General's opinion as to the legality of the drain, whether they would consider what assistance they would be prepared to give towards improving the drain. His Worship said that the subject would be carefully discussed. The deputation then withdrew. The Surveyor reported that during the week the labour gang had been employed in carting stone from Fisher's quarry to the Manchester-street railway gates ; carting shingle for the footpaths in Montreal, Barbadoes, and St. Asaph streets ; stone kerbing in Lichfield street ' and wood kerbing on the Papanui Road ; filling swamp at the junction of Peterborough street and Cambridge Terrace ; repairing the East town belt, Madras, Antigua, and Montreal streets, and the Papanui Road ; clearing out the south drain and side drains in Cashel street, Papanui Road, and Montreal street. The report was approved. In reply to Councillor Goss, Councillor Jameson said the atone from the new quarry had been laid down at the Manchester-street railway gates. Councillor Hart said since this had been done he had several times looked at the stone and the opinion he had formed was that it would answer remarkably well in every respect. Councillor Jameson said the Works Committee were still collecting particulars as to the cost of breaking the stone, and would report at the earliest opportunity. He believed the stone could be broken at a much less cost than at first calculated. His Worship said the Government had evinced every desire to aid the Council in thoroughly testing the stone. They had gratuitously placed trucks at the disposal of the Works Committee in order that a portion of the stone might be taken down to the machine at the Heathcote, and broken for the streets. The following correspondence was read and considered. Letter from the Commissioner of Police acknowledging receipt of resolution bearing upon the trespass of goats on the East Belt, and stating that the Police would pay every attention to it. Letter from Mr Cowlishaw acknowledging resolution respecting the unsafe condition of the Theatre, and asking on behalf of the Music Hall Company what further improvement the Council were desirous should be carried out. The Clerk was instructed to inform Mr Cowlishaw that the Inspector of Buildings had given in his report on the Theatre, and to forward a copy of such report to that gentleman. Letter from the- Rev. J. Aldred asking permission to place drain pipes under the footpaths to carry off surplus water from two artesian wells he had sunk in Durham street and the Market Place. — granted. The following tenders for collecting the the rate levied by the Board of Conservators for the South Waimakariri District, and fulfilling: all clerical work connected therewith, were opened and considered : — John Grierson, 8 per cent on the amount collected ; Henry Alison, 5 per cent on the whole rate ; — Lavender, 5 per cent on the whole rate ; H. Adams, 4f per cent ; — Haskins, 7 per cent ; C R. Johnstone, £43, or at the rate of 6 per cent upon the whole rate. On the motion of Councillor Hart, the tender of Henry Allison was accepted; the tender of H. Adams not being entertained, because it did not state whether the per centage was on the gross amount of the rate or on the amount actually collected. The subject of affording accommodation for farmers' horses and carts on market days — as adjourned from last meeting — was discussed, and it was ultimately decided that the triangular block in front of the Fire Engine-house should be set apart for the purpose required. The Inspector of Nuisances reported that danger to horses was likely to arise from the practice of drying the gaol clothes on the fence in Oxford Terrace, south of Victoria bridge; and that Mr P. Pearce, as agent for Mr Kowe, had complied with a notice to fill up hollow places on a property in the Whately Road. The report was approved. A draft copy from Dr Fo9ter of a bylaw for regulating certain miscellaneous matter, not otherwise specially provided for, was submitted. Councillor Hart said he hoped that before the by-law was adopted a clause would be introduced for compelling all drivers of private vehicles to carry lights when in the city after dark. The danger from private traps was scarcely less than from cabs, and he observed that in Dunedin and' other populous parts of the colony, they were compelled to carry lights. After a brief conversation it was deemed advisable to refer the by-la w_ back to the bylaw committee, with instructions to generally examine it and report at next meeting. Councillor Calvert gave notice that on Monday next, he would move the insertion of a clause for putting into effect the suggestion made by Councillor Hart. : ;

Petroleum licences were grant*! to Weir Brothers, J. E. Jacombs, T. D. Jones, and H. Cox. A stage carriage license was granted to W. Hartnall. A hawker's license was granted to W. Mountford, Addington. The Council went into committee to discuss the solicited subscription towards obtaining the Attorney General's opinion on the legality of the Ferry Road drain. The question immediately at issue was whether the resolution passed a fortnightago, in which the Council declined to give a subscription, should be rescinded or not. After a lengthened discussion, it was decided that the resolution should remain intact. The Council then adjourned.