CITY COUNCIL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10297, 31 October 1911, Page 1

CITY COUNCIL.

LAST NIGHT'S MEETING,

The Christchureh City Council met last evening; present—the Mayor (Mr J. J. Dougall), and Councillors W. H. Cooper, T. Gapes, H. D. Aeland, E. Smith, W. R, Smith, H. Hunter, A. D. Hart, W. Millar, F. Burgoyne, A. S. Taylor, A. Williams, H. Holland and H. 13. Sorensen. Tho financial statement showed that tho receipts since the previous meeting had been £6054 16s lid, and that of tho 1911-12 general rate £42,216 7s lOd was outstanding. Accounts for £12,955 'is 2d wore authorised for payment. COLOMBO STREET BRIDGE. The Tramway Board wrote regarding the proposed track over the Colombo Street bridge, asking the Cquncil to reconsider its decision to oppose tho Board's proposal to place an interlaced double track over the bridge. The Works and Traffic Committee had stated that the clearance for vehicular traffic would in no way be diminished by such a track. Councillor Hollaud moved that the proposal should be agreed to. Councillors Miller, Hart and Hunter opposed the motion, urging that the Works Committee's previous decision that the bridge should be widened before the Board's proposal should bo agreed to should be upheld. Councillor Aeland urged that the Council should not consent to anything that would increase the dangers oi tram traffic, which were sufficiently great already. Council [or Burgoyne said that while ho thought the tramways should be under the Council's direct control ho considered tho Board should be met if possible, so as to avoid friction. Councillor W T . 11. Smith said that the Council had offered to meet the Board but thrj Board had declined the proposal. The bridge should be widened. Councillor Taylor said that tho Council had not sufficient money to widen tho bridge. The Mayor, in explaining the Board's proposal, said the idea was that two sets of rails should be run across the bridge, but the second set should be only Din outside the present line. There could be only one car on tire bridge at one time, and the proposal could be carried out without making the bridge dangerous. Councillor Holland said that with only one line, as at present, the danger of collision would be as great. The motion was lost, the Mayor, and Councillors Cooper, Burgoyne," Taylor, Williams and Holland voting for it. WORKS COMMITTEE. . The Works Committee reported that the Fire Board had again brought upthe question of repairs to Cheater Street Station, and offered to contribute the sum of £4O if the Council could .see its way to do the necessary work, but in view of the fact tTiat the Board was occupying tho station rent free the committee had replied that it could not see its way to recommend the Council to carry out the repairs. The report was adopted. DRIVERS' WAGES. The Works Committee recommended that the following hours should be observed by drivers employed by the Council:—A week's irorK to bo fortynine hours for a driver driving and attending to, one horse, and fifty-one hours for a driver driving and attending to two horses. A one-horse driver to receive not less than £2 9s per week, and a two-horse driver not less than £2 lis per week. Mayor stated that tho adoption of the report would mean that single men would receive the same increase as that previously given to married men only. It was a distinct breach of faith by the Labour members. The recommendation -was adopted. MISCELLANEOUS.

With regard to previous correspondence concerning the placing of flame arc _ lamps on the tramway poles, the Christchureh Tramway Board wrote, stating that it had received a communication from the Public Works Department to the effect that there was nothing in tho Board's Qrders-in-Cbun-cil to prevent tho poles in the streets mentioned being used lor the purpose, provided that the proposal would be Covered by the provisions of the City Council's license, 1908. Tho matter was under consideration by the Works and Traffio Committee of the Board. The letter was received.

The Drainage Board wrote, statiug that it could not see its way to depart from its previous decision not to cover the outfall drain between Ollivier's and Aldwin's Roads. The letter was received.

Tlje Labour Representation Committee wrote, asking permission for a band to bo allowed to march along High Street from tlio East Belt, down Colombo Street to the Victoria Square rotunda, and for another band to march from Brougham Street along Colombo Street to Victoria Square, where a popular band concert would bo held in aid of -the Labour Party's funds. The date of the concert would probably be November 4.

On the motion of Councillor Cooper, it was decided to grant permission for the parade, and permission was given to take up a collection. Permission was given to the Sunday Schools and Band of Hope Union to hold a procession on the Saturday afternoon preceding election day, and to erect four platforms in Cranmer Square.

A letter from the Beautifying Association, expressing regret that nothing had been done in tlie direction of beautifying the tramway shelter, was received.

Ihe By-laws and Finance Committee reported that the loan of .£SOOO raised in February had been expended, and the committee recommended that u further loan of £IO,OOO, making £25,000 in all, should be raised under the Christehurch City Sanitation Empowering Act, 'I9OB.

The report was adopted. The Council decided to instruct the Abattoirs Committee to consider tho advisability of establishing a cool storage and better means of transport for meat between the abattoirs and the city.

Councillor Hunter moved that the "Works Committee should report on the advisability of acquiring the quarry on the Morten Estate under the Public Works Act. He said that the Council had decided to acquire tho quarry but a company had stepped in before the municipality and purchased the property. Councillor Burgoync seconded the motion, which was adopted. Councillor Hunter moved that all the Council's regular employees should be paid for ten public holidays in each year. The motion was carried. On the. motion of Councillor Holland the Council decided to subsidise pound for pound up to £'ooo any donations from individual citizens for the purpose of beautifying the city. Tho Council went into committee to discuss a proposed agreement with Messrs Hayward's Enterprises, Ltd. in regard to tho uso of the municipal organ, and on resuming the Mayor announced that the Council had approved of an agreement in terms of the Rands and Organ Committee's report. The Council then rose.