CITY COUNCIL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4872, 11 December 1883, Page 4

CITY COUNCIL.

A speoial meeting of the City Council was held last night ; present— His Worship the Mayor (in the ohair), and Councillors Ayers, Vincent, Louisson, Bowman, Hocking, Crooks, Prudhoe, Beese, Ever, Lambert. : The Mayor laid the object of the meeting was to confirm a resolution to take oxer Princes street. She formal resolution was proposed, seconded, and carried unanimously, and the other necessary forms were duly followed. The Counoil then held an ordinary meet* ing, at whioh the same members were present. JINANOB. The oredit balance was reported as £8349 7s lid. The reoeipts sinoe last meeting were £644 3s Id, in addition to £209 10s on suspense account, and £109 10s. Tha bills paid and to be paid amounted to £1792 17s 4d, in addition to £285 9j 2d on suspense acoount. OOBBBSPONDBNOB. The following was read :— From Mr G. L. Lee, announcing that Mr Charles Partridge Hulbert had been duly elected Mayor. From Mr T. S; Weston, submitting that his fee of three guineas in the o.ise brought by the polioe againßb Mr Angus, for alleged breaoh of bylaws, should be paid by the Corporation. The Mayor explained that ho had been on the Benoh at the hearing of the case, in whioh the Magiotrate had allowed the costs, turning to the other Justices of the Peace on the Benoh for their opinion. He (the Mayor) had said that he saw no objection. He had given this assent as a Justice of the Peace, Mr Walker, the Clerk of the Court, having said that a similar course had been pursued in a former case. On coming to the Counoil Chambers he found that no such precedent had been established. Coußcillor Louisson moved—" That the letter bo laid on the table." The Mayor had evidently aoted correctly. Ihe only claim Mr Weston could have would be as a matter of grace. That gentleman had some weeks ago made a violent aiuok upon the Counoil, which waß quite uncalled for. Putting that aside, however, the question was whether it would be good policy to pay the fee. He thought not, as it would encourage people to rush into litigation with the City Council, and would be holding out an inducement to certain meujbsratsf the legal profession to take up oases on the system of no cure no pay. Councillor Vincent agreed with what Councillor Louisson had said. Were suoh claimß to be paid, the Council would have to be consulted before the polios took any action in the matter of by-laws, whioh he did not think Inspector Pender would submit to. . The resolution was agreed to. (At this stage Councillor Jenkins took his seat at the table.) From Messrs Shaw and Tidd, proprietors of the Antigua boatsheds, applying for 30ft more frontage on the river for enlarging their boatshads near the Hospital. Councilor Kiver moved that the letter be referred to the Works Committee, with power to aot. Councillor Ayers seconded the motion. Councillor Beese thought the matter should be referred to the Boserves Committee. Councillor Jenkins moved that the application be referred to the Reserves Committee to report upon. Councillor Prudhoe seconded the amendment,' whioh was carried, Councillor Kiver having withdrawn hiß motion. CITY BUETBXOB'S BEBOBT. The following waß read :— " 1. Armagh street Bridgo is now finished, with the ezoeption of painting the railing ana laying down a kevbine to the footpath. The painting oannot be done until all tho dustcreating work of making up the approaches is completed, and the kerb cannot be laid until the ground ia properly settled. The approaches to the bridge will bs finished to-day, so that the bridge can be thrown open to the publio to-morrow. 2. I have had prepared a large scale plun of cemetery reserve, also a plan showing different roads from Uhristchurch to tiro reserve. I bava surveyed all the available roads, and I find tho one most suitable would be down CaaWel street to canal reserve, and acroaa Mr Attwood's land to reserve No. 810; this route is ooloured red on the plan. The approximate cost of road and tramway (as good as that already laid in Ghrißtohuroh) would be as follows :— Forming road from Olliyier's road to City Counoil reserve, 67 chains at £3, £201 ; shingling road, 67 ohainß at £3, £201 ; 181 chains of tramway, inolnding material and laying, at £23 per ohain, £4163 ; fenoing one side of reserve, 47 chains at £3, £141 ; total, £4706. 3. A number of tenders for horse work were received, and tho Works Committee have the subject under consideration." The report wns considered olause by olause. Clauses 1 and 2 were approved without discussion. (At this stage Councillor Brioe took hiß seat). On olause 3, Councillor Ayers eaid a number of tenders had been received, whioh led to the belief that a considerable saving would be effected, but the Committee wished to obtain some additional information. As the Counoil would not hold an ordinary meeting for a month, he asked that the Committee might have power to aeoept a tender, provided that there was evidently a substantial saving to be effected. The exact amount of the saving had not yet been ascertained, and until it was the Committee did not wish to commit themEoIVSS. ' The Major suggested that Councillor Ayers should move a resolution. Councillor Ay era would move — " Ihafthe Works Committee hare power to aooept tenders for hiring^ horses, &0., for doing the Council's work, at a less cost than -at present." Councillor Kivsr scoondod this. Councillor Bowman opposed the resolution. He would like the responsibility of the aotion to ba on the Council's shoulders, and not the Committee's. If the City property wbb to bo thrown away, let the responsibility be on the (Jounoil. Councillor Beose explained that the tenders showed that full value would be given for the Oity proporty, none of whioh would be thrown away. The contraotors would not like to let their fcondera lie over for another month. Councillor Jenkins opposed the motion. He could not see the object of delegating such powers to the Works Oommittoe. He moved as an amendment — " That the Works Committee bring up a full report, and that such report be submitted to a special meeting to be called for the purpose." Councillor Louieson seconded this. Councillor Ayers withdrew his resolution, and Councillor Jenkins 1 was carried. The report, as amended, was adopted. SPECIAL MBETING. It was agreed that a speoial meeting of the Counoil for the above purpose should be held at 3 o'clock on Friday afternoon. QTJBBTIOMB. Councillor Ajers asked if the boat sheds on the Avon wero rated. The Mayor replied in the negative. Councillor Ayers suggested' that the Assessor should value them. The Mayor did not think it usual to rate tenants of the Counoil. Any rate would have to be allowed from tho rent. GBANT TO FOPTJIAB BPOBTS. Councillor Crooks moved — "That the usual grant of £25 be made to the Popular Sports Committee." Councillor Frudhoe seconded the motion. Councillor Jenkins asked for how many years this grant had been voted. The Mayor replied that he thought it had been for ten or twelve years. He was very glad the sports on Anniversary Day were not going to be allowed to lapse. ACCOUNTS 0? BXBBNDITUBH. Councillor Hosking moved for a return of the expenditure on eaoh Ward during the past three years. The Mayor said that hitherto separate ucoounts for each Ward had not been kept

Wherever work wu required, it was done impartially. If Councillor Hosking wished the %coounte kept separate he could move a resoitttion to that effect. Oooaoillor Ayers seconded Counoillor Hosking's motion pro formd. The question had been thought out some time ago, when it was considered that such aotion would lead to heart burnings. If some Wards got no more than they contributed they would not get as much as they had reoeived. The North-Eaßt Ward had been better treated than the North-West Ward. One or two large works in that Ward had swallowed up all the Ward had contributed. If the return sought for were given, other Wards would find themselves entitled to a re-fund of money spent in the North-Bast Ward. Counoillor Lambert referred to the Bast Belt bridge, the Barbadoes street, the Manchester street, and the Colombo street bridges, and other works in the North-Haßt Counoillor Vincent thought matters had better be left as they were. Councillor Crooks reminded the Oounoil of the lowering of Saliebury street and other worts done in tho Horth-Kast Ward. As a ratepoyor of many years' standing he oould find no reason to oomplain of the treatment the Horth-Kaßt Watd had received. Counoillor Beese said a few words on behalf of his Ward. He thought Councillor Hocking had discovered a mare's nest. Oounoillor Hoiking replied. He was quite satisfied at the explanations given on the other aide, and i£ the Ward had obtained more than its share of expenditure, he, in the name of his oonstituenoy, thanked the Counoil for it. He would withdraw his motion. NBW BUSINESS. It was resolved— "That the Press newspaper be the official paper for the year 1884.' TOTB O? THANKS TO THE HAYOB. Counoillor Ayers moved a formal vote of thanks to his Worship the Mayor for the able, courteous, and kind manner in whioh he had filled the position of Mayor for the past two years. It would take him a very long tine to express all he felt. He felt sure that the Council had appreciated his Worship's efforts, and would not easily forget the manner in whioh bis Worship had exeroised the duties ofbisoffioe. Ho (Councillor Ayers) had not expected to move the, resolution at that meeting, and w.aß therefore taken by surprise, as he had been under the impression that the proper time for doing so was at the installation of the new Mayor. Counoillor Lambert had great pleasure in seconding. the motion. ..The Mayor had sustained the dignity, of his office with oredit to himself and with pleasure to the oitizens. He (Councillor Lambert) hoped the succeeding Mayor would follow in his footsteps. Oounoillor Vincent supported the resolution. Any words that might be said would not adequately express the Council's feeling?. (Hear.) He was sure that all would regret losing his Worship, aad would join with him in hoping to see bis Worship in the ohair again. (Hear.) Oounoillor Kiver endorsed all that; had been said. Ojunoillor Louisson was sure all felt respect and friendship towards the Mayor. Towards the present oooupanh of the ohair the Councillors . had a feeling of, private friendship, not usually accorded to publio men. It was a great satisfaction to know that outside the Council the Mayor was as popular as he was within the Chamber. The office had been raised to euoh a dignity that only the best men would oompete for it. He hoped his Worship would again ocoupy the ohair at no distant date. Oounoillor Beese spoke feelingly of the kindly manner always shown by the Mayor, who had gained the reßpeot, esteem, and affection of all the Councillors. Oounoillor Bowman quite agreed with all that had been said. Oounoillor Prudhoe had been a strong opponent of the Mayer when a candidate, but had found him like a father to the Counoil. (Hear) He hoped his Worship would enjoy health and prosperity. Oounoillor Brioe agreed with all that had been said, and hoped the next Mayor would be as good as the present. Oounoillor Jenkins supported the resolution, expressing regret at the separation of the Mayor from the Counoil. Oounoillor Hosking, though a young member of the Oounoil, oould say that as an outsider he had thoroughly appreciated the Mayor's good qualities. Oounoillor Orooks quite coincided with the good withes expressed, and with the feelings oi regret at the Mayor's retirement. The motion was put by the Town Clerk, and carried by acclamation. His Worship thanked the Oounoil. He felt it diffioult to find wordß to acknowledge the kiad expressions made use of. The duties of hiß position had been very heavy, but he had been well supported by the Counoil. His desira had been to cultivate good feeling in the body, and he oould Bay that there had been no ill will, but that every question had received fair consideration in the bent interests of the citizens. He hoped they would excuse more ■on this occasion, as he would have several opportunities of addressing them on the same subject. He felt regret at parting, but would not ceaso to watoh with interest the proceedings of the Counoil. He could pay much more, but had not been prepared for the vote. He had many friends in the Council, and might possibly, should he have health, endeavour to sit amongst them again. He had to thank the Counoil for their assistance, and with them the officers of the Oounci), to whom he was indebted for much of his success. He had aoted firmly, and been determined that the ratepayers should be treated properly. During his term of office no complaints had been made by the ratepayers. He would not say good bye, as he would have an opportunity of meeting them again, but would thank them again heartily for their kindness. XIOBNSBS. After granting a license for a oarrier, the Connoil adjourned.