CITY COUNCIL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3359, 14 January 1879, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

+ An adjourned special meeting of the City Council was held at a quarter to seven o'clock last evening ; present — His Worship the Mayor, and Councillors Jenkins, Tremayue, Aycrs, Clifford, Lezard, Gapes, Wilson, Cass, and Binstead. The Mayor announced that this was a special meeting for the confirmation of By-law No. 4, Hackney Carriage and Borough Stage Carriages. Printed copies of the by-law were liicl on the table. DEPUTATION. Two cabmen (James Lamb and William Jackson) waited \ipon the Council to call attention to clauses No. 7 and No. 9, schedule F. The deputation thought that the right given therein would lead to confusion and annoyance. It read,'. " A cab hailed from any stand to take up a fare at any distance not exceeding a quarter of a mile, to make no charge for going such distance. If detained waiting for their fare for more than five minutes, Is." Tbe deputation wished this to be re-considered, and also the question of charging only half fares for return journeys, as they considered themselves hardly dealt with. If they went— say to Papanui— and waited there five or ten minutes, it did not pay them unless they got full fare back. They had better return empty. In connection with clause 7, they wished to be empowered to charge Gd for going a quarter of a mile to take up a fare. The Mayor haying promised that the Council would consider the matter, the deputation withdrew. Councillor Jenkins thought that a slight alteration of clause 7 would meet the difficulty, the clause being made to read " and detained waiting." In reply to a question, the Mayor explained that the cabmen desired to be allowed to charge Gd for going the quarter mile, even if not kept waiting. Councillor Wilson held that cabmen were now more numerous that tbe city required, and thus wanted to be enabled to make greater profits. It was a curious fact that if a handsome horse were for sale, a cabman was sure to be found who would give £60 or £70 for it. He had been called the champion of the cabmen, but he would maintain that they were seeking to get larger powers from the Council than they were entitled to. Councillor Lezard moved — "That in the opinion of this Council, the deputation have not adduced any equitable reasons for altering the by-law as it now etands." Councillor Wilson seconded the resolution. " Councillor Ayers moved, as an amendment — " Cabs hailed from any stand to take up a fare at any distance exceeding five chains to charge Gd, and exceeding a quarter of a mile Is." Councillor Gapes would second the resolution if the first distance were altered to ten chains. Councillor Ayers accepted the suggestion, and his amendment was then formally seconded by Councillor Gapes. Councillor Cass would support the amendment, as justly meeting the case, but thought the amount mentioned for detention excessive. Councillor Ayers said he had not touched this point at all. The Mayor remarked that the amendment, if earned, would be substituted for clause 7. Councillor Lezard spoke in reply, urging that no new reason had. been brought forward by, or on behalf of the cabmen, for the alteration of the by-law as agreed to last week. It would be unwise, he thought, for the Council to stultify its own proceedings, and further, he held it to be high time for the Council to protect the public from the cabmen. The amendment was now put, and declared to be carried, six voting for it and two against Clause 9 of schedule F was next referred to, dealing with the charge to be made for return fares. Councillors Jenkins and Ayers thought the clause should specify within what distance the rule of charging half fare for the return journey should apply. The Mayor having read clause 10, also dealing with return fares, Councillor Jenkins moved — " That clause 9 be expunged." Councillor Ayers seconded the motion, which was carried. Councillor Gapes would inquire now if j>rovision had been made for the tramway cars to run up in front of the railway, as otherwise an alteration would be required at a future time. Councillor Ayers, in reply, said that as there was at present no tramway, and no sign of one, it was not for them to consider the question. Councillor Cass concurred in this view. The Mayor said he had not heard of a proposal to lay a tramway along any part of the South Belt. Councillor Cass trusted that they would not at some future time be put to the trouble to refix the sites of cab standß. He would be glad to know Avhat the Tramway Company proposed to do in the neighbourhood of the railway station. The Mayor replied that he was not in possession of any information on the subject. He had just been informed by the Surveyor that the tramway scheme was laid down before the present railway station was built. Councillor Gapes had heard that the Tramway Company had been granted the privilege of going right up to the front of the station, and he thought, therefore, that the special meeting should be adjourned to allow of inquiry being made. Councillor Clifford had been told that four wheel cabs were used to carry corpses to the cemetery, and he understood that by one Borough Council this had been prohibited. As the practice was calculated to the spread of any contagious disease, he thought it right to mention the matter. Councillor Gapes moved — "That the special meeting be adjourned for a fortnight." The motion was seconded by Councillor Wilson and agreed to, it being understood that the by-law committee would not lose sight of Councillor Clifford's remarks. The minutes of the adjourned special meeting were now read and confirmed. The ordinary meeting of the Council was commenced at 8 o'clock, his Worship the Mayor and all the Councillors being present;. FINANCIAL The following; matters of finance were reported : — Credit balanco at the Bank, £1912 4a Id ; receipts for the fortnight, £978 5s sd ; bills paid, £359 12s 3d ; bills to be paid, £512 7s Id. Drainage rate account, credit balance, £1177 10s B£d, and receipts, £161 5s 7id ; total, £1641 16s 4d ; bills paid, sinking fund account, £15 9s Id, sinking fund account, credit balance, £27 15s ; drainage rate account transfer. £15 Is 9d : total, £43 4s Id. The accounts as read were passed for payment. Councillor Cass, on behalf of the Finance Committee, presented an account for overtime done in the office in connection with the preparation of the roll, the total being £14 4s 3d. The Mayor was under the impression that when the salaries of the officers were raised lust, it was understood that small accounts of this kind were not again to be put in. Councillor Lezard semnded the motion of Councillor Cass that The accounts be paid, and urged that the salaries of the officers did nob include payment for overtime. In work requiring so much care, and which had been so well done, lie thought the payment should be l'eadily made. Councillor Ayers and Binstead supported the resolution. The Mayor would suggest that the paym nt should not be permitted to form a precedent. Councillor Cass wished the resolution to b«

turned up showing that the salaries were raised with the view of doing away with payment for overtime. The Mayor replied that the reason would not appear in the resolution. The resolution was carried. THE SIDE CHANNELS. Councillor Lezard called attention to a paragraph which had appeared in the Press with reference to the condition of the side channels. He agreed with the views expressed. The Mayor reminded Councillor Lezard that there was a Sanitary Committee. Councillor Wilson, as chairman of that committee, desired to give an emphatic denial to the allegations, and ventured to assert that Councillor Lezard had based his remarks upon a mistaken paragraph. The Mayor cheeked the irregular discussion which was arising. Councillor Lezard apologised for anything he might have said offensive to the Sanitary Committee, and then specified portions of the channelling which were oifeneive. The matter was allowed to drop. FIRE BELL. Councillor Cas3 inquired if any action had been taken for the erection of a fire bell at the east end of the city, and for the construction of a tank. The Mayor replied that the question of erecting a bell had not been followed up, and that the construction of the tank remained in abeyance pending the report of the Watersupply Committee. OBSTRUCTION. Councillor Cass desired to know why a lamp-post was allowed to remain on the footpath in front of Mr Ingle's premises in Cashel street. The matter was referred to the Works Committee. TELEGEAPII POSTS. Councillor Cass complained that numbers of telegraph posts wero being erected, and that they were highly objectionable, and a source of annoyance to pedestrians. The Mayor replied, describing the action taken in this matter some time since, and stating that the Government claimed the right to put in telegraph posts wherever they pleased. ASPHALTING. Councillor Wilson inquired why the asphalte had not been repaired in front of Messrs Beath's premises and the Al Hotel, although a peremptory order was given. He threatened that if the work were not done at once, he would at the nest meeting reflect strongly upon the City Surveyor. The Mayor said that the matter would doubtless be at once attended to by the Surveyor. PIKE PREVENTION. The following letter from Mr Lemon, General Manager of the Telegraph Depart-\ ment was read, under date Jan. 8 : — " I am directed by the Hou the Telegraph Commissioner, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of Dec. 31, and in reply, to inform you that the work of connecting the Fire Brigade stations by telegrauh is now being proceeded with." Reverting to the erection of telegraph posts, the Mayor read clause 8, subsection 4, of the Telegraph Act, and other clauses of the Act, showing the power given to the Commissioner. So far as he was concerned, he would like to get the best advico obtainable on the matter. If the Council would authorise him to take legal advice he would do so, and report to the next meeting. The minutes referring to previous action in connection with this subject were here read, and a considerable amount of discussion ensued. Councillor Cass moved that the Town Clerk be requested to communicate with the Government upon the undesirableness of allowing private individuals to . erect telegraph posts within the City boundaries, without the permission of the City Council. Councillor Wilson seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Councillor Cass moved that the Mayor be authorised to take legal advice in the matter. The motion was seconded by Councillor Wilson and carried unanimously. surveyor's report. The City Surveyor reported as follows : — " 1. The right-of-way leading from Kilmore street, nearly opposite Ward's brewery, I have visited (in compliance with instructions from the Council), and find that it is cut through sand, and must be a very great nuisance to the inhabitants, particularly when a nor'-wester is blowing. The Works Committee visited the locality with me, and quite concur in that opinion. | " 2. The Works Committee requested me to •; draw the attention of the Council to the fact that a bill from the Gas Company was passed this morning for £43 11s for repairs to lamps during the past six months. " 3. The Works Committeo concur with me in the opinion that Lyttelton street should be asphalted in preference to any other method, but consider that the asphalte should be only 15 feet wide. "4. The Works Committee and I have visi'ed Queen street, and I have received instructions from them to estimate the cost of forming it and furnishing it with concrete channels and asphalto footpaths. " 5. The following building licenses have been granted : — Mr Andrews, Barbadoes street ; Mr Carniichael, North Belt ; Mr Webber, Armagh street ; Mr Richardson, Hereford street ; Mr Johnston, Town Reserve No. 5 ; Mr Allen and Son, Chester street. " G. Last week's report is annexed hereto." The appended report referred to an interview with the Chief Survejor re the survey of the city, and on the motion of Councillor Gapes, seconded by Councillor Cass, it was resolved that the system of laying down the datum stones by the Chief Surveyor for determining the centre line of each street in the city is hereby adopted, • • In connection with a further clause of the Surveyor's report of last week, Councillor Wilson moved the resolution of which he had given notice, for widening the Colombo street bridge. Councillor Jenkins seconded the resolution. Councillor Cass inquired if a footpath on one side only of the bridge would not for the present meet the requirements of the case. After all it could only be a temporary measure, for the Council would have to build a wide and substantial bridge at the earliest opportunity. In reply to a question from Councillor Gapes, the Surveyor said it would be a very expensive process to widen tbe roadway of the bridge, especially on account of the difficulty of securing a good foundation. Some of the existing piles wero placed on special stone foundations. Councillor Gapes desired that consideration of the matter should be deferred until the residents in the neighbourhood had been afforded an opportunity of contributing to the cost of permanently widening the bi'idge. He would have no objection to undertake ascertaining the feeling of persons residing in the locality. Councillor Tremayne deprecated any delay, on the ground that many of the residents were leaseholders, and therefore would not be likely to contribute. The properties were more immediately held by the Church Property Trustees, nnd they were what was termed a " hard nail." The Surveyor explained to the Council that he purposed adding to the existing bridge a footpath of three feet wide on either side, the whole of the existing width being thus made a cart way. Councillor Wilson's resolution was unanimously agreed to, and the Works Committee was authorised to prepare specifications and call for tenders. The Surveyor's last report was now taken up. In connection with clause 1, the Works Committee suggested that the matter bo referred to the Inspector of Nuisances to take action, and this course was agreed to. On the damage done to gas lamps there was a general discussion. Councillor Tremayne thought the time had arrived when a special constable should be appointed l>y the City Council. Councillor Cass moved — "That this Council draw the attention of the Commissioner of Police to the amount of damage done ■to public property, a copy of the account being attached, and the Commissioner be respectfully requested to bring the matter forcibly under the notice of the Resident Magistrate." The motion was seconded by Councillor Gapes, and carried. Clause 3 was referred to the Works Committee to carry out. Clause 4 was approved, and the report, as a whole, adopted. INSPECTOR OF NUI3ANCKS. The Inspector of Nuisances presented a report, which was adopted. MUNICIPAL OFFICES. On the subject of the erection of new municipal offices, the following report was read: — " Your Committee beg to report that they

have considered the question of Municipal Offices remitted to them by the Council, and have come to the conclusion that there are only two sites available at all suitable for the purpose, viz., the two on which the present offices stand and the Council Yard. "Your Committee inspected the ground, with the City Surveyor, and have inspected two ground plans from which they have satisfied themselves that the area of either of the pieces afford the requisite space for a building, giving tho necessary office and other accommodation, aud tliev recommend the area used as a Council Yard. * "The Committee believe that the present buildings when available will readily let, and yield a rental which would go towards paying the interest on money borrowed to eVcct more suitable buildings. . —^ " Your Committee thinks that no further delay should take place in providing a suitable building to conduct the business of the city, and therefore recommend the Council to call for competitive designs to be sent in by next meeting for Municipal Ofltces, awarding Ist and 2nd premiums to the best, and 2nd°best designs, of £50 and £20 respectively. " Your Committee also recommend that the Government be applied to for authority to use as much land adjoining the Council property as would give the required area for the erection of a Town Hall and a Magistrate's Court." Councillor Wilson addressed tho Council in support of the recommendations embodied in the report. One point which had occurred to the Committee was, that the solicitors would be only too glad to pay a good rental for rooms in the existing building, for tho sake of being ne ir the Resident Magistrate's Court. He would move the adoption of the report. In reply to a question, the Mayor said that the area of the ground was a chain square, and Councillor Gapes explained that there wus more ground enclosed than actually belonged to the Council. Councillor Cass had much pleasure in seconding the resolution, his idea being that the work should be carried out with all reasonable speed. He thought it highly desirable that the Government should be requested to grant the additional land. Indeed, he felt that it was offering too much to the Government to tillow them to occupy a Magistrate's Conrfc rent free for ever, and would rather that this portion of the repoit should bo expunged. The Speaker held that Government was responsible for the provision and maintenance of a proper building for a law Court. ■> Councillor Gapes urged that the site of the present Post Office was the best in the city for a Town Hall, and if the deeds specified that the ground was to be used for some other purpose, ho took it that tho Government would have no hesitation whatever in altering the grant. He altogether deprecated the idea of placing a fine new building upon the bank of the river in an out-of-the-way place, and would much prefer that the matter should sland over, so that designs for a structure to be erected in the Market, Place could be obtained. From a financial point of view the Market Place site was by far the best, for shops, &c, could be included, and the rental therefrom would bo of great importance in providing interest and sinking fund. Councillor Binstead upheld the recommendation of the site recommended by the Committee, especially for the quietude which, would be secured. The Mayor felt a largo amount of interest in this question, but had not the amount of faith which Councillor Gapes possessed as to the chance of securing the Post-Oflice site for any other purpose than a marketplace. There were members in both Houses, leading politicians, possessing great wealth and influence, who would bitterly oppose tho course suggested by Councillor Gapes. The recommendation of the Committee he held to bo a very good one, and if they built on that site the rest of the ground would be of very little use to the Government, so that the Council might probably be enabled to obtain tho whole space. He hoped no more time would be wasted in looking after shadows, but that the Municipal buildings wouhl bo pushed forward. They could not go on longer in the present place, for all their oflicers were hampered for want of space. / Councillor Jenkins inquired if the Cnnnit- : tec recommended that Municipal Buildings, i Magistrate's Court, and Town Hall should be Under one roof. f Tho Mayor explained that the idea was to goon with the Municipal buildings first, and subsequently to put up the Town Hall alongside. As to the relative position of the hall and buildings, it was to be remembered that competitive designs were to bo called for. \ Councillor Aycrs could not approve of either site for a Town Hall, however good the recommendation of the Committee might be as for municipal purposes. The Mayor pointed out that, by adopting the report, they did not pledge themselves to a site for a Town Hall. He wished Councillors distinctly to understand that they proposed at present to invite designs for municipal offices only. After further discussion, in which Councillor Gapes expressed the opinion that tho public would not agree to give the money unless the post-office site was obtained, and Councillor Tremayne characterised the postoffice site as one of the grandest in the city, the motion for the adoption of tho report was put and carried, Councillors Gapes and Tremayne dissenting. TIIE MARKET PLACE BOAD. Councillor Tremayne was called upon to move the resolution of which ho had given | notice, as follows : — "That, in the opinion of this Council it is very desirable that the road marked on the City Surveyor's plan, of the Market-place, situate between Colombo street j bridge and Victoria bridge, should be at once shingled and thrown open for public traffic." Councillor Tremayne desired to have the resolution of August 12, staying the forma- I tion of the road, rescinded. -- i Leave was granted by the Council. j Councillor Tremayne then moved his resolution, which was seconded by Councillor Gapes and carried unanimously. Councillor Wilson had desired, before the resolution was carried, to regret that Councillor Tremayne had not been able to express himself with greater clearness and intelligence. (Laughter.) WATER STTI'PIiV. In accordance with notice of motion, Councillor Ayers moved — " That the Council be asked to vote the Water Supply Committee a further sum of money, not exceeding £250, for the purposes of experiments." Councillor Wilson seconded the motion, which he warmly supported, and gave some details of tho experiment to be tried. (Particulars have already appeared in our columns.) Councillor Jenkins opposed the resolution, looking upon the experiment as a further waste of time and money. Councillor Tremayne inquired if tho Holly scheme had been abandoned. He understood that certain information was expected from Superintendent Harris. Councillor Caes explained that tho Holly scheme was simply a special pumping apparatus. The grand consideration in the estimation of the Committee was a scheme which would answer all purposes and be within the reach of the Council. The mode of pumping was quite a secondary matter. The Mayor supported the motion, tho sum asked fov being a mere bagatelle in comparison with the issue at stake. If tho experiment were successful, water would bo obtained by natural gravitation, and all tho expenses of pumping would bo saved. Councillor Clifford supported the motion. The Committee had taken the beat advice that could be got, and their plan deserved a trial. Councillor Gapes feared that even if successful they would fail in getting the public to vote the money for carrying out the scheme, He epitomised the three courses which the Council could adopt, and said that he had not that amount of faith in tho Waimakariri scheme which the other members of the Committee appeared to feel. At the same time he had ny intention of opposing tho resolution. Councillor Cass spoke at length in favour of the experiment, and Councillor Ayers having replied to objections aud questions, tho resotion was carried by seven votes to three, Councillors Jenkins, Trcmayno, and Lezard dissenting, LENGTH OV SPEECHES. Councillor Clifford rose to move the resolution of which he had given notice, aa follows, — "That in tho opinion of this Council it. is more than desirable that each Councillor from ilub date shall not take up the time of this Council more than 10 minutes either in t lie moving »f, or replying to any resolution, except by permission of His Worship the Mayor." The Mayor regretted that he could not accept the resolution, there being no power to limit the speeches of Counculore. The

question was one which must be left to the good taste of members. Councillor Clifford having referred to the quiet patience of some Councillors as compared with others, Councillor Wilson hinted that incompetence* perhaps kept some men quiet. Eventually the matter was allowed to drop. ASriIALTE CEOSSINa. Councillor Ayers moved— "That immediate steps bo taken to comply with the request of ratepayers resident in Manchester street, both on the east and west side?, ta have the footpaths asphalted on the terms and iv accordance with the wißh of the persons guaranteeing one-half the cost, according to the previous resolution of the Council, upon half the amount being paid in. The resolution was carried. DOS TAX. Councillor Gapes moved — " That some per- ( son be engaged to collect the dog tax on com\mission." He believed the adoption of this yplan would prove highly remunerative to the pouncil. \ Councillor Jenkins eeconded the motion, desiring that the duty and power of impounding cattle should be given to the same peir- • eon. Councillor Binstcad thought that the police should be deßired to look sharply after the matter, and that any collecting should h& done by the sub-collector. The Mayor considered that the impounding of cattle within the city boundaries was the more important subject of the two. It was suggested that the official in question might also look after the property of tho Council, especially the street lamps. Eventually Councillor Gapes obtained leaver to hold over his notice of motion until th# next meeting. STHEBT LAMPS. Councillor Wilson moved that the lamp in front of Mr Duncan's office be moved to th& corner of Bedford Bow. The motion was carried. Councillor \* ilson moved that a new lamp be placed at, the end of Bedford row, toward* St Paul's Church. After couTcrsation, the motion was withdrawn. DRIVKItS 1 MCENSEB. Applications for drivers' licenses were considered, after which the Council adjourned.