CITY COUNCIL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3597, 21 October 1879, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

A special meeting of the City Council was convened for a quarter to seven o'clock last evening, for the purpose of confirming a resolution relative to the street watering lato. On account of an alarm of Ore, however, the proceedings were not commenced until 7 o'clock ; present — His Worship the Mayor, and Councillors King, Vincent, Tajlor, Cuff, England, Ajers, Hulbert, Bishop, and Gapes. Councillor King moved— "That this Council hereby confirms the resolution agreed to on the 13th day of September last, Minute No. — , to make a sep irate rate of lfd in the £ for watering certain portions of the streets m the city referred to in the said petition," Councillor Ayers seconded the resolution, which was agreed to. On the motion of Councillor King, seconded by Councillor Ayers, it was resolved—" That the rate-book be signed in conformity with clause 41 of the Eating Act, 1876." The rate-book was then signed, and the business of the ordinary meeting proceeded with. ORDINARY MEETING^ The minuted of the special meeting were confirmed. Councillor Wyatt here entered the room. COLLEGE BRIDGE, Councillor King asked that a deputation might now be received relative to the footbridge over the river at Armagh street. Permission having been granted, Mr Mitchell referred to what was done las>t year by the Sports Committee in strengthening the bridge in question. The structure had that day been exnnined, and it had been eslinmtcd that from £60 to £70 would be required to widen the bridge and put it into proper order. Some repairs would be absolutely necessary, the eides being in a dangerous condition. The SporLs Committee purposed to give £25 towards the object in view, a sum which they thought must be considered liberal for one day's use, and the members trusted that the Council would aid them in such a necessary work. The Domain Board had been applied to, but apparentlj had no funds available. The Mayor having spoken in favour of the object of tho deputation, . Councillor Bishop moved, and Councillor King seconded,— " That a sum of £25 bo granted towards strengthening and widening the bridge. Councillor Taylor asked that the matter might be postponed until a later stage, pending some remarks to be made on behalf of tho Finance Committee. Mr Mitchell again called attention to tho present state of the bridge a3 being decidedly dangerous, and urged that the Council must of necessity make the structure safe for foot passengers. Councillor Gapes considered that the adjoining district or authority might bo called upon to contribute. In answer to a question, tho Surveyor stated that the proposed repairs, &c, to tho bridge would render tho structure safe for two or three years. Tho motion was unanimously agreed to, and tho deputation retired. FINANCIAL Tho following items of finance were reported :— Debit balance at bank, £1950 17s 2d ; receipts for the week, £327 16s lOd ; Drainage Board rate, 1879, £57 lGs 2d ; drainage rate account, £16 10s 4d; - bills to bo paid, £931 17s 7d ; creditor bakneo on drainage rate account, £605 Is lOd. The accounts, as read, were passed for payment. QUESTIONS. Councillor Gapes inquired if thero had been any reply from tho Avon Eoad Board relative to channelling on the north belt. Tho Town Clerk replied that tho matter was to be brought before the Board at its next meeting. Councillor Taylor inquired what extra expenditure, if any, wa3 being incurred by the Council, on account of the breaking up of tho streets by tho Drainage Board. The Surveyor was not at present able to give the information desired. Koplying to a question, Councillor Gapes said that only portions of the north belt wore to be shingled at present, and that tho whole of 1500 yards of Bhinglo ordered woidd bo spread on tho bolt a3 it camo in. Keplying to Councillor Ayera, tho Mayor gave some information relative to tho maintenance of the Lincoln road. PROPOSED CONFERENCE. Tho Clerk to tho Sydcnham Borough Council wrote, under date Oct. 16, asking if the City Council would be so good as to take part in a conference of tho two Councils re the South Town Belt question, to consider tho question of coats of came, and the boundary. Tho Mayor stated what he had gathered from the newspapers relative to the wishes of tho Sydenham Council, and briefly sketched tho position of affairs. Tho Council had thought that the dividing lino should bo pufc on the railway. If that could bo done tho additional rate 3 coming in might perhaps repay tho cost of forming and keeping in order tho south sido of the belt. Councillor Ayers did not think any harm could be done by tho new Council meeting the Borough Council nnd ondoavouring to effect somo amicable arrangement. Ho would move — "That this Council ngrecs to meet tho Sydcnham Borough Council in the proposed conference." Tho motion was seconded by Councillor England and agreed to, it being left with tho Borough Council to name the time for the conference. NOTICE OF MOTION. Councillor Taylor gave notice of the following motion: — "That tho Surveyor be instructed to prepare a statement, Bhowing the difference of tho cost of maintaining tho streets of Christchurch since tho operations of tho Drainage Board, and previous to that time. The report to bo submitted to the Council at its next meeting." subveyor's eeport. The City Surveyor reported as follows : — "1. A sketch of tho proposed bell-tower will be laid before the Council. Tho tower will be in front of tho main building in Lienfield street, and attached to it. The lower portion will form tho entrance to the Fire Brigade Station, and over the entrance will bo a small store-room. Tho present tower will be romoved, and the roof made good. Tho height of the proposed tower is 58! t. The portion coloured distinguishes the tower from the old building. " 2. Somo of the men have been discharged from lower High elieet work, and the remainder will have to leave this week as tho work will bo finished. "3. I am quito at a loss now where to put the sweepings of the streets and channels. "4. Tho roan horso was sold on Saturday for £30." ' Upon clause 3 of the report some little conversation took place, the matter being eventually left with the Surveyor to report further. - Tho Surveyor's report a 9 a wholo was approved. BUILDING BY-LAW. Councillor Bishop reported having waited upon tho solicitor, and obtained an opinion from them that any shifting of a building

must be regarded as equivalent to fche erection oi a new building.

FINANCE. Councillor Taylor reported that the probable deficit at the end of the financial year would be £0000, and the Finance Committee, without desiring to coerce the Works Committeo, thought that the utmost economy must be practised, ao that not one shilling might bo spent boyond what was absolutely necessary. Further, the Surveyor, and everyono connected with the expenditure of money must ba asked to practise tho utmost economy. Councillor Taylor's statement was as follows : —Estimated expenditure to end of March 1880, tcing six months, including tho present overdraft, £16,212 5s 4d; estimated receipts for the same period, £11,212 Si 7d ; deficiency, £5000 la 9d. Councillor Cuff endorsed what had fallen from Councillor Taylor, and pointed out various items in which ho thought economy might he exercised. Tho Mayor remarked that this was always the worst timo of tho year with regard to the financial aspect of the Council, the winter works having just been got through. He thought— replying to Councillor Humbert's question— that tho Council had been in quite as bad a position on a former occasion. Members of the Finance Committee explained that they had made due allowance for all incoming rateß. Tho Mayor said that £6000 subsidy was counted upon instead of £4000, and that the financial year was begun badly on account of liabilities arising out of previous contracts. The Mayor thought that Councillors must not take the same gloomy financial view as "the Treasurer up North" was doing. The Council had all along been looking forward to another loan, and in consequence the drainage rate was indebted to tho ordinary rato about £2000 for the permanent channelling which had been done. Councillor Gapes thought that the proposed work on the north belt was so urgently needed that it Bhould be gone on with at once, the adjoining 'Road Board being called upon to contribute. As Councillor King had stated, there were places where a horso and cart would go right in. The subject was permitted to drop for the present. MAYORAL ALLOWANCB. Councillor Cuff moved, in accordance with notice of motion, — " That in future the sum paid to tho Mayor for official expenditure during his term of office should be any sum, payable from time to timo in such amounts as may be voted by the Council." Councillor Cuff thought that economy might — in some ycara at least — be practised in this direction, and that an imprest account might be presented by the Mayor for necessary expenses. With regard to what had been eaid to the effect that this course would tend to throw the mayoralty into the hands of rich men, he thought it would be a good thing if somo of the leading citizens were induced to come forward. Councillor Cuff was proceeding to refer to the claims of candidates for the mayoralty, when he was called to order. Councillor Gapes would second tho motion. Ho knew from experience that when tho Mayor was known to have £100 to give away, he was called upon to contribute to everything, from a stitching machine to a church, and he daro not rof use. As a result, he found at tho end of the year, that he was- a long way out of pocket beyond the £100, If the Mayor bore his own expense throughout, ho could in all cases exercise his own discretion. Councillor Taylor opposed the motion. Ho thought th« subject should drop altogether, but if necessary he' would be prepared to move tho amendment. Councillor Ayers characterised the arguments used by Councillor Cuff, as being utterly hollow, and as a candidate feeling somo diflldence in speaking, he could not allow tho subject to pass. It was proposed to favour a certain class to the ontire exclat eion of other classes. As opposed to this, he. (Councillor Ayora) considered that any, honour tho Council had tointtfcd^&hottidobt^ given to men who had done work for tho city. Tho honorarium.^hOnld, of course, be used entirely for mayora'F^&rposes. Eeplying to a questionable Mayor said that the salary for the current year could not be altored. "" '" Councillor King would^oppose the resolution, even on the score ' of .economy. They^ might get off with £200 <3ti'o year, and-fcr called upon to contribute £1000 Jjhe next. - . After some further discussion", Ijjie motion, was negatived, the votes for ft^TJelb'g— Councillors Gapes, Bishop, and Cuff. PRIVATE STREETS, AC. Pursuant to notice of motion, Councillor England moved— "That hereafter, before any privdto street, court or alley, laid off after this date, shall be built upon, and before tho City Surveyor shall give authority to any person to build on any land abutting upon such private streets, courts, or alleys, tho original owner layiog off the' same for building sites, Bhall first have tho eaid private streets, courts, or alleys formed and shingled as the Council shall direct, and in accordance with tho Municipal Councils Act and amendments. The Council shall take over all Biich private streets, courts, or alleys, on the City Surveyor certifying that tho provisions of the Eaid Act and amendments have been oomplicd with, and that all resolutions bearing on tho subject on tho minutes of tho Council bo revoked." The motion was seconded pro forma, and the Surveyor and Councillor Gapes explained tho existing requirements. The Mayor called attention to a special resolution passed about two joars since, requiring that streets before being taken over should be formed, shingled, and channelled, and the footpaths half asphalted. The Council had for ycara past been very chary in taking over streets. At tho same time, if people could bo forced to lay out privato streets properly, it would bo a very good thing. Councillor England agreed to introduce the words " and channelling " in his resolution. On tho motion of Councillor Hulbort, i seconded by Councillor Ayers, the matter was referred to the Works Committee, to be reported upon at tho next meeting. During the discussion, Councillor Lambert, for whose absence an apology had been made, entered and took his scat. TIIE EAST BELT BRIDGE. In accordanco with notice given, Councillor Cuff moved — " That two independent persons bo appointed, one by the Council and one by the Contractor, to report to this Council on the value of tho work and material of the bridge, with a view to a final settlement being made. And that the resolution of the Council of August 26 bo revoked." Councillor Gapos seconded tho motion, at tho same timo suggesting that provision should be made for the appointment of a third person, if necessary, by tho valuators Tho suggestion was agroed to, and the matter was discussed at considerable length. • Councillor Taylor moved, as an amendment — " That two disinterested persons be appointed to consider the whole question in connection with the East Bolt bridge, with a view to settlement, to report to tho Council this day fortnight ; ono to bo named by tho contractor, and ono by tho Council. In case the two arbitrators cannot agrco, an umpire to bo called in." Councillor Wyatt seconded the amendment. Eventually it was reßolved, on the suggestion of Councillor Bishop—" That tho Council arc willing to submit tho dispute befcween tho Council and the contractor for the East Belt Bridge to arbitration, without hampering conditions. The arbitrators to be appointed in tho usual manner." OOHSE FENCES. Councillor King moved—" That notice bo given to owmrs of property having gorse hedges on the samo within the limits of (ho city, calling their attention to section xiv. No. 3 of the Canterbury Gorso Ordinanco, and of our intention to enforce tho penalty upon the infringement of the saidgordinance, after due notice has been given by the Council." The motion was seconded by Councillor Bishop, and carried, Councillors Cuff and England dissenting. BUILDING BY-LAW. Councillor England moved — "That a Commission bo appointed to consider and revise the present building by-law. Said Commission to consist of tho members of tho By-law Committee, two architects, and two builders. Tho Commission to report to the Council as early as possible." Councillor England expressed his willingness to render all the assistance he could. Councillor Ayers ssconded the motion, which was carriod unanimously. COST OF STREETS. Councillor Taylor moved the motion of which notice had been givoa earlier in tho evening, asking for a comparative statement of the cost of streets. Tho motion was at once agreed to. After somo discussion relative to proposed purchases of shingle, the Council adjourned.