CITY COUNCIL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4868, 6 February 1894, Page 1

CITY COUNCIL.

An ordinary meeting of the Christchurch City Council was held at 7.30 last evening ; present— His Worship the Major (Mr T. Gapeß) and Councillors Bonnington, E. I Smith, Swarm, Widdowson, Gray, Connal, Banting Calder, J. T. Smith, Payling, Anderson, Thomson and Wood. An apology for absence was received from Councillor Cooper. FINANCE. The Mayor reported that the debit balance was .£3983 7a Id. The receipts since last meeting had amounted to .£852 9a 3d, the principal items being rates £569 12s 4d ; charitable aid, £104, lla 4d ; local bodies, £44 7s 6d; dust and refuse, £39 4s; auctioneers' licenses, £40; asphalting, £14 12s 2d; doc; tax, £12. The expenditure amounted to £1477 15 a 3d. COEEKBPONDBNCK. Letters were read : — From Mr H, Thomson, expressing hia high appreciation of the mark of confidence the Council had placed in him in appointing him returning-officer for the city. From the Sydenham Borough Council stating that it would terminate its present arrangement for the use of the City Council's fire-engine three months after the expiration of the current quarter. From Mr A. Bleach, secretary of the ; Bawhiti Assembly, stating that a large number of contractor's carts were being -driven by boys who ought to be at school, and asking the Council to give the matter its consideration. The letter was received. From Mr H. G. Ell, secretary of the Canterbury Progressive Liberal Association, conveying a resolution passed at a meeting of the Association. The reHoM-; tion stated that owing to the low wages that are being paid to wage-earners through carrying out works on the contract system, the Association deeired to suggest to the Council that all tenders received for works Bhould state the rate of wages the tenderer intends to pay, and asking the Council not to accept any tender unless the tenderer undertakes to pay fair wages. The letter waa received. From Mr H. E. Minchin, asking the Council to consider the question of framing a by-law making it compulsory for all persons to keep proteotors on their horses' throats as a guard against the bot-fly. The Mayor said the letter could be referred to the Society for the Prevention, of Cruelty to Animals. From a married man with a wife and nine children, asking the Council if it could give him any work. He had been twenty-three years in the colony, and this was the first time he had applied for work. It -was decided to recommend the man to apply to the Labour Bureau. From Mr Jabez Lukey, asking the Council to allow him to stand with • his vehicle at the corner of Colombo and Cashel Streets. The application wa3 refused. subveior's kbpobt. The report of the City Surveyor was as follows :— " 1. In compliance with the motion of Councillor Cooper with reference to asphalting footpaths in Cranmer and Latimer Squares, I beg to report that the cost would be £168 15s ; that is. 1326 lineal feet of path 10ft wide and 1839 lineal feet of path 6ft wide, which, together, equal 2700 superficial yards at Is 3d— £l6B 15a. 2. The letter from JTr William Wilson regarding clock tower, which was referred to the Works Committee, has been duly considered, and the committee is unable at present to make any recommendation on the matter." The report was received. BY-iATV COMMITTEE'S 1 mtfORT. The By-law Committee reported as follows :— " Your Committee begs to recommend the Council to grant the following licenses :— Drivers— X>. Howard, L.Howard, F. Allen, W. Irvine, ft. Verran, E. Brown and P. Kelly. Pablic buildings — The Theatre Royal, on alterations being completed; Tuam Street Hall, the Lyceum and Oddfellows' Hall, when alterations are. effected. The report was adoptedr THE MARKET RESERVE. Councillor Gray, pursuant to notice, moved — " That the brokon metal bo cleared away from the Market Reserve, and that the reserve be fenced in and laid down in grass." Councillor B. Smith seconded tha motion, which was supported by Councillors Wood and Paylinif and carried. THE NORTH AND EAST BELTS. The Mayor reported that the wo«k of widening the North Belt waa progressing satiefactorily. He suggested that a belt of trees Bhould, be planted in the centre of the road, in order to cave the Council the cost of metalling the whole of the road. The trees would be an ornament to the city, and, if planted in the centre of the road, would form a very pleasant drive. If the Council decided not to plant the treeß, he thought it would be better to make a solid road. He would ccc that the matter was taken in hand if the Council fell in with his suggestion. In reply to Councillor Swarm, the Mayor said it was his inten ion to plant trees on the South and Eaat Belts a3 well as the Nortb Belt. Councillor Widdowson suggested that the City Surveyor should; bring up an estimate of the probable cost. Councillor Wood thought that owing to the large amount of traffic on the South Bolt it would not be desirable to plant it with trees. The Mayor said the cost of planting the North, South and East Belts would be about £300. In reply to Councillor Widdowson, the Mayor said it would probably cost £87 to plant trees from line corner of CasheJ 1 Street on the Ea3t Belt to the corner of : Colombo Street, on tbe North Belt. This amount would not include the coat of fencing, &c. Councillor Swarm said it would be useless to plant the trees without fencing them in. Councillor Gray moved' — "That the newly-foinaed portiono of the North and East Belts be planted with trees." Co-anaiUor Widd^wsoa seconded the motion, which waß carried. After some minor matters had been , (fcijjoaoi l . of the meeting closed.