CITY COUNCIL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4927, 17 April 1894, Page 1

CITY COUNCIL.

ORDINARY MEETING. An ordinary meeting of the Christohuteh City Council waß held last evening} present— the Mayor and Councillors Gray, Cooper, J. T. Smith, Prudhoe, E. Smith, Thomson, Swarm, Widdowson, Calder, Bunting, Cohnal, Wood and Anderson. FINANCIAL. The debit balance was stated to be .£4685 9s. Out of a total amount of <£8993 4s 7d of rateson the roll, the sum of .£8671 16s Id had been collected to date, leaving £326 8a 6d outstanding. The sum of £887 2s 2d had been collected for the fortnight'/ Among the payments was an amount of £214> 7s Id, for interest upon No. 1 account (transfer). Solicitors' costs came to £78 19s 6d. MAYOB'B STATEMENT. The Mayor said that the Chairman of the Hospital Board had requested him and the councillors to attend at the laying of the foundation stono of the Nurses' Home on Thursday. He thought that the entire Council should attend and witness the ceremony. The Mayor went on to say (Councillor Anderson not then being present) that Councillor Anderson intended to retire from the Council, on account of his proposed trip to England. He was sure that the Council recognised that Councillor Anderson had been a very useful member, having sound judgment, and being very practical. Personally, he (the Mayor) regretted the departure of Councillor Anderson, and he thought that every councillor concurred with him in that, and that they heartily wished the retiring Councillor bon voyage. It would be necessary for a meeting of the Reserves Committee to be held shortly for the purpose of putting in train necessary winter work and looking after the welfare of the various reserves. Meetings in connection with the unemployed in Christchurch had been held, and councillors were aware, from the reports is the newspapers, of what, had been done. As was known, he had pointed out the impossibility of the Council*undertaking to do anything in aid of the unfortunate men out of work. It contributed towards the Charitable Aid Board's funds, and itfl finances would not admit of it doing anything more. NOTICES OP MOTION. The following notices of motion for next meeting were given :— Councillor Cooper to move — " That the Council take steps to erect a new bridge over the river Avon at the East Belt before the coming winter." Councillor Gray to move — "That the Council take steps to erect a substantial bridge over the Avon in a line with Colombo Street." Councillor Thomson to move— "That a good bridge be put across the river at Cashel Street." THE BAND BOTTJNDA. Mr W. H. Dacombe wrote requesting the permission of the Council to use the band rotunda in Latimer Square, for the .purpose of giving a public address on the unemployed question. On the motion of Councillor Cooper the permission asked for was granted. CITY SUBVSTOE's BEPOBT. Tne report of the City Surveyor was as followa: — "In consequence of the fire in the ground at the nightßoil reserve (which has been burning for some years past) haying become dangerous and also a nuisance from the smell which is emitted from the burning rubbish, the Sanitary Committee invited tenders for a deep well, and it now recommends the Council to accept the tender of Messrs Taylor and Oakley, as a water supply is found to be the only means of extinguishing the fire." The price of the well, it was stated, would be £27 10s. Councillor Gray said that he was not certain whether the fire was a benefit or otherwise. He did not think that it was a nuisance, but considered that it did good, inasmuch as it reduced the bulk of the rubbish. In all probability the wet weather would extinguish the fire, and he moved — "That the matter stand over for a fortnight, to allow consideration of the question whether or not the fire is dangerous." Councillor Cooper said that the surveyor had told him that the fire might break out and destroy the trollies and horses. Coucillor Thompson thought a well should be put down. Councillor Gray's motion was carried. FIBS BRIGADE BEPORT. The report of the Fire Brigade Committee stated that the superintendent had recommended the connection by telephone of the stations, and the superintendent's house with Lieutenant Smith's house. The cost was estimated at £20, and £1 per year for maintenance. The Committee recommended that the work should be carried on!-. The report was adopted. BALIBBTJRY STREET DRAIN. In connection with the complaints made by the residents of Salisbury Street regarding the drains there, Councillor Widdowson moved—" That the matter of the Salisbury Street drains be referred to the Works Committee with instructions to see that the work is immediately carried out." The motion was agreed to. A CA3E FOB ASSISTANCE. At the request of Councillor Widdowson, the Town Clerk read an application for assistance from a Council labourer, whose letter enclosed certificates from two doctors, stating that he had suffered from pleurisy and pneumonia, contracted, they thought, while engaged on the Council's work. Councillor Widdowßon said he knew the man, and could certify to what he Btated. He would not be able to be about for a couple of months, and was in very straitened circumstances. The trouble had been oau?ed by a blow or a heavy lift, which had torn a lung. The matter was referred to the Works Commibtee to do what it thought right. VALEDICTORY. Councillor Anderson eaid that his departure for the Old Country necessitated his resigning his position as a Councillor. He did so with very great regret, and he would like to say that he deeply felt the great courtesy he had received from every member of the Council. They had treated him with every possible courtesy, and it had been a very great pleasure to him to work with men of that kind. Several Councillors spoke in eulogistic termß of the services of Councillor Anderson to the Council. CAB LICENSES. A former cab-driver, a license to whom had been refused, on the ground that his habits were intemperate, was g.anted an interview with the Council, and asked that his case should be reconsidered. He would abstain from drink in future, and was willing to accept a month's permit on trial, A month's permit was granted. The meeting then terminated.