CITY COUNCIL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7179, 2 June 1891, Page 1

CITY COUNCIL.

The fortnightly meeting of the Council > was held last evening ; present — His Worship the Mayor, and Councillors Prudhoe, Eowe, Thompson, Cochrane, J. T. Smith, i Bonnington, Humphreys, E. Smith, Wood, Cooper, Gobs, Swarm and Gapes. FINANCE. It was reported that the debit balance ; was £6632 12s 9d. Eeceipts since last • meeting— General account, £7^ 6s 7dj i cemetery account, J£4 6a 6d; suspense account, -811 7s 9d ; interest account £9 : Is 3d. Payments — General account, JJS6O i 12s 6d; cemetery account, 6s 8d; t suspense account, 18 s ; interest account, 6s. THE ELECTRIC LIGHT. The Mayor said, a& some doubts had been expressed as to the legal aspect of entering into any fresh contract for lighting the city, a letter would be read from Mr T. W. Stringer, the solicitor who drew up the contract with the Gas Company. He (the Mayor) had also received a letter from Mr de Castro, of the Electric Lighting Company, which would be read to the Council. Mr Stringer's letter was to the following effect :— i In my opinion the sfcepg contemplated by the Council in no way contravene the provisions of the agreement of Feb. 17, 1890, entered into between the Council and the Christchurch Gas Company. The words in the agreement that the Council " shall not at any time during the period of three years from Feb. 1, 1890, adopt a system of electric lighting for the streets of Christchurch" are merely equivalent to saying that during the period mentioned no system of electric lighting shall be used. The contract provides that the Council shall not for a period of seven years, from Feb. 1, 1890, " promote " any gas works in the city of Christchurch, but with this exception the Council ia left perfectly free to make such preliminary arrangements for the lighting of the city after the expiration of the contract period as it may think proper. The letter from the Chairman of the Electric Lighting Company expressed pleasure at the manner in which the proposal for the introduction of the electric light had been received. He contended that lighting by electricity would be both cheaper and better than was the case with gas. The Mayor, continuing his remarks, said they nil knew that he had been a strong advocate for the introduction of the electric light. He had had prepared a statement showing the cost of lighting the city during the past six years : — In 1885-36 the coat was £2049; 1886-87, £2129; 1857-88, £2134; 1888-89, when certain reductions were obtained, £1987 ; 1889-90. £1887, and 1890 91, £1630. When the electric light was first mooted, about three years ago, they had called for tenders, and the lowest was something like £4300. So much progress had since been. made in the direction of cheapening the light, that they could now get it introduced for £2100, with reductions. He had given tho matter very careful consideration, and although Councillors must nob think his views had changed one iota in regard to the desirability of the electric light, he thought they were under a moral obligation to complete the contract they had entered into with the Gas Company. He did nof; think that the Council would at all suffer by postponing the matter. Councillor bonnington moved that the consideration of the question of lighting be postponed until the completion of the contract with the Gas Company. Councillor Gosa seconded the motion 2>ro forma. Councillor J. T. Smith moved as an amendment — " That the Council cannot see its way at present to entertain the proposals of the Electric Light Company to light the city." After some discussion Councillor Bonnington asked leave to withdraw his motion, and Councillor Smith's resolution was carried. CITY SURVEYOR'S KEPORT. The City Surveyor submitted a drawing for a bridge at the east belt. The report said : — I have studied to make it as plain and as cheap as possible, consistent with strength and durability. The foundations on tue north side must be piled, as the ground is bad for a depth of fourteen feet. The part above the foundations will be partly in dresaed stone and partly in concrete. Tho girders will be of wrought iron. I estimate the cosfc of the bridge to be £3511. Councillor Swarm moved— " That the report bo referred to tho Works and Finance Committee for further report." Councillor Prudhoe moved as an amendment — " That no etepß be taken in the matter." The amendment was carried. QTJKSTIONS. Councillor Bonnington asked on whoße authority the lamps of the Council were being disfigured with advertisements. I Councillor Prudhoe said the Lighting Committee had granted permission. The advertiser paid 2s Gd per lamp, except in the case whore he painted the name of the street on the globe. At a later stage, on Councillor Bonnington'a motion, a report was ordered to be brought up, Bhowing the nature of the contract. NEW BBIGHTON TEAM LEASE. The Mayor said that, 6ince the lease with the New Brighton Tram Company had been prepared, the Company had objected to the clause gAying the Council power of re-entry in the event cf tho Company going into liquidation. It was contended that the lease was a valuable as3et to the Company in the way of raising money, but that the inclusion of the clause would make it valueless. The Council's solicitor stated that the clause was material, and, as a matter of prudence, should remain. Councillor Swarm moved — "That the words objected to by the Company be struck out." A long discussion ensued, the majority cf the Councillors thinking it would be unwise to alter tha lease as drawn up. A motion wa3 eventually carried authorising the Mayor and Councillor Prudhoe to sign and Eeal the lease without alteration. THE WELLINGTON CONFEUEXCE. Councillor Cooper was elected alternative representative to the Wellington Municipal Conference. After the disposal of some routine busineES the Council adjourned.