CITY COUNCIL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 1947, 2 June 1874, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

Monday, June 1. The Council met at the usual hour. Present — His Worship tho Mayor, and Councillors Joncs > lok, Calvert, Bishop, Gapes, Lane, »nd Hobbs. The Town Clerk reported that tho overdraft at the bank amounted £699 10s 6d. Receipts during the week :— City rates, 1873, £25 I (is ; Waimakariri ditto, £4 6s ; fines from Resident Magistrate's Court, £6 15s; from Dr Coward, for labour at drain, £2 12s 6d ; kerosine license, £1 ; rent from Market Place, 7s ; totpl, £40 16s 6d. Wages, contracts, &c, £207 16s ; ditto, drainage account, £307. Councillor Bishop expressed the regret tho Council had felt at the recent severe indisposition of the Mayor, but trusted that his health would continue to improve, so that he woyld be ablo to be present at all meetings of the Council. (Hear, hear.) tyhe Mayor thanked the Council for their fcjnd expression of feeling towards himself. It waß a source of regret to himself that he had been unable to attend the meetings of the Council latterly, but he hoped that his health ■would continuo to improve, so that he might be able to attend all future meetings of the Council during tho term of his mayoralty. (Hear, hear.) The Major complained of tho slowness with which, the rates were being collected. Resolutions had been passed by the Council on the subject, and he thought that tho Council was feeing m,adp a mere catspaw through tho neglect of; the Inspector to carry out their instructions. Councillor Lane thought it would be as veil to tell tho Collector at once that unless all persons were summoned before Monday next, stops would be taken to appoint a successor. It was high time that all old rates were collected, and he begged to move — " That tho Collector bo informed that unless all parties who have not paid their rates for 1873 bo not summoned beforo next Monday, itepa will be taken to appoint another Collector." Councillor Ick seconded the motion, which waß carried unanimously. The City Surveyor reported that ho had inspected tho locality complained of by Mr Bowio lagt week, and found that a natural spring rose on Mr J. Honwood's premises, which flowed at tho bottom of Mr Bowie's section causing damago (as ho was informed) to his and adjoining properties. The overflow of water seemed to be the ground of complaint, and thin could easily be done by diverting the present wateroourse, and carrying it to the side drain of the South town belt. Ho believed that Mr Honwood, upon certain conditions, would be willing to allow the side drain along his private road to be continued to the Antigua Btreet drain. Tho Works Committee recommend that a culvert from tho south-west corner of Durham and Worcester streets be placed by tho Council upon the GJub paying half the cost. (The. Cfluuql adopted tho suggestion of the W6rks ' Committoo' re ■ tho drainage f roni tho new. Club in Worcester afreet. ' ■ ' With reforenco to a letter received from Mr Laing, carrier, asking the Council for some pompenßation for damage sustained in consequence pf a broken culvert, tho Council regpjyqd to. grant tho applioant tho suin of £'-i. 4- letter was read from the Assistant ProYincial Secretary, informing the Council that the Commissioner of Police had been instructed to remove the Inspector of Weights and Measures from the building referred to, so as to allow tho City Council to take possession. The Town Clerk was instructed to acknowledge tho receipt of the letter, with thanks. fi. letter was read from the Hoathcoto Road Board, (wiling attention to the complaint made by Mtf W. Jamiosori 'with' reference 1 to' the' bad state, of tho 'drainage of his property fronting £he East; town belt, opposito Lichfield street. Referred to the ty ol 'ks Coinmittee, on the motion of Councillor Jones, seconded by Councillor Calvevt. A letter was read from Mr Win, John Fisher, requesting leave to sink a grating in front of his shop in High street, for the puvpqsea of ventilation and light for his cellars, Hpfowed to tho Woi'ks Committee A Jotter was received from tho Chicf-Post-jnaster, stating, by direction of fcho PostmasterGeneral, that tho advisability of carrying out the proposal of permitting nowspapers to be posted at certain receiving houses had been entrusted to the Inspector of Post-offices, who would visit Ohristchurch in the course of a few weeks. A letter waß read from Mr H, Crooks, on

bulialf of the officers and members of the Widows and Orphans Fund of the Ancient Order of Foresters, soliciting the patronage and presence of the Mayor and City Council at the Theatre Eoyal, on Thursday, June 18, 187-1, for the benefit of the fund. On the motion of Councillor Jones, seconded by Councillor Hobbs, the request was grunted. A letter was read from the Town Cleric, Nelson, requesting copies of Hackney Carriage by-laws, &c. The Town Clerk was instructed to supply all information in his power, as requested. A letter was read from Mr S. Paget, St Aeaph street, stating that the night-aoil had not been romoved from his yard for three weeks, and the nuisance was becoming rather serious. In connection with the foregoing, the Inspector of Nuisances reported that Mr Pagot was a weekly tenant, that the contractor had applied to him, and also to Mr Eitchie, the owner, but had nob yet been paid during the period the house had been occupied by Mr Pagetj that the contractor was prepared to continue on the matter being BDttled, and he (the Inspector) had requested him to attend to the matter that night. It was resolved — "That the inspector be empowered to take out a summons to enforce payment of the amount due." The rate book was signed, and on the motion of Councillor Bishop, it was resolved, that the seal of the Council be attached to the same. The weekly diary of the Inspector of Nuisances was read and approved. It was resolved — "That the inspector be instructed to carry out the former resolution of the Council with reference to the gorse fence of Messrs Dalgety and Co., High street." A kerosene license was granted to Thomas Preece j a carrier's license to James Badden ; ditto to William H. Howard ; ditto to Samuel Dowdall ; and a hawkor's license to W. Jenner Brooker. The Council then went into committee on the by-law with reference to the driving of vehicles and ridiog of horses round corners, &c. On resuming, the following resolutions were passed : — " That the by-law be referred back to the By-law Committee to amend it in accordance with the suggestions of the Council." Movod by Councillor Jones, seconded by Councillor Hobba— "That Dr Foster bo requested to draft a bill, asking the General Assembly to legalise the Hackney Carriage By-law as passed by the Municipal Council of the City of Christohurch on the 29th December, 1873." For — Councillors Hobbs, Calvert, Jones, and Gapes. Against — Councillors Lane and Bishop. The Council then adjourned.