Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image

IN THE CITY.

MUNICIPAL WORKS IN 1916. The principal events in tho municipal history of tho city were repeated proposals to make a Greater Christchurcli and the actual expansion of tho city by tho inclusion of tho Opawa riding of tho Heathcote county. Many public meetings wero hold to discuss Greater Christcliurch schemes. It is expected (that, ns a result, of the growth of this idea, tho St Martin's and Avonside districts will join tho city in the coming y*?<*>■A petition is in circulation in liiccarton in favour of that borough also joining. Tho progress of a municipality is marked by the general advance in the prosperity and happiness of tho inhabitants. Figures do not supply an adequate idea of tho changes that take place year by year, but tho population statistics for Christchurcli, for what' they are worth, are very satisfactory. The census taken this year shows that tho city's population has increased by 9106 since tho previous census was taken five years ago, and by 21,121 during tho past decade. The City Ouncil has pushed forward with its arrangements to supply citizens with electrical current from the Government's works at Lake Coleridge. The council's Electricity Committee has decided to eroct permanent buildings for this department on the council's section at the corner of Manchester Street and Armagh Street. This will lead to greater economy in working. A now scheme has been adopted for water supply. By the use of hydro-eleotric power for motive, there will bo an increased supply, and, at tho same time, a saving of £I6OO a year. Modern methods havo been adopted for distilling tar and mixing tar-macadam by machinery. I>uring the eight months from April 1 to December 1, about & mile of tar-macadam has been laid down, and 3580 chains of footpaths and 278 chains of streets have been tar dressed. The proposal to erect a lown Hall did not make much progress during the year. It was felt that the time was not opportune. The proposal may be held in hand for some years, biuthe City Council's Town Hall Committee has inspected the Canterbury Hall property, which the council has offered fo buy for £20,000 if the ratepayers sanction the raising of a loan for that Consideration has "been given to schemes to improve the Avon. Definite proposals, which provide for tho construction of weirs, have been made, but conflicting interests and want of unanimity have prevonted practical steps being taken. Amongst other proposals considered were municipal markets and cool stores. Tho question of sending meat from the municipal abattoir to the butchers shops in a hygienic condition has received much attention. It has been so far advanced that a scheme may bo put into operation by the end of the financial vear. on March 31. The Mayor and Mrs Holland have had a Tory strenuous year, patriotic work "calling for a great deal of care and attention. "I sincerely hope, Mr Holland said, when discussing the year's events, "that, whoever may be Mayor next year will receive the same loyal support that it has been my privilege to enjoy during my term of office. I desire to express my thanks to the council's staff, from the town clerk down to the office boy. They hare devoted their best energies to the interest of the city, and without their loyal assistance it would have been almost impossible for me to carry out my duties. I appeal to the citizens to unite to end the war by rendering the State and the Empire nil the assistance in their power. With a united people, wo can face the future with confidence, notwithstanding occasional dark spots on the horizon caused by the war cloud. The war has called out the best that is in mankind. It is gratifying to realiso how much good there is in human nature, and how few may be classed as really bad.- The numerous appeals for both men and money have met with a generous response, and when the history of Christ church-is written in the future, the part played by its citizens, especially the women, will redound to their credit."

| FIRE BRIGADE. NO SERIOUS CONFLAGRATIONS. In summarising the work during th» past jyear of the Ohristichurch Fire Brigade, it can be happily claimed that the men were not called upon to deal with any serious fires. The total number of calls to fires or supposed fires was 172. Of these, thirty-one" were for false alarms from various causes, twenty-seven were for malicious false alarms, eleven were for chimney fires, fifteen were for grass and rubbish fires, ten were for fires outside the city area, and seventy-eight were for actual fires within the fire district. The estimated fire loss in the city for the year was £20,456, the insurances on property on which fires occurred were £219,635, and the estimated values of property where fires occurred were £283,350. The efficiency ','f the brigade's staff and plant has been kc-pt up to the required standard to meet- any case of emergency. Considerable discussions have taken place during the year regarding the question of the suburban districts amalgamating with the city, more particularly for fire prevention purposes, but the matter is little advanced beyond the incorporation ot the Opawa riding of the Heathcote county. This district has already felt the benefits derived from the brigade's services on two occasions during the past, month. One new " Dennis" motor turbine fire engine, 45-50 with a 300400 gallon pump, has been added to th<» plant during the year. This motor can attain a speed of thirty miles per hour on the level, and is capable or ascending a gradient of 1 in 6 with a full loa<* of four tons. The machine is < fitted with the latest improvement of air pumping and charging and can lift water from a depth of twenty-seven feet in twenty-five seconds. The machine was used with good results at the recent fire at the Metropolitan Trotting Club's grounds. Additions have been made to the St Albans station during the year, and accommodation is now provided for on-' net of married quarters, and housing fur live single men. Provision has also been made for housing additional plan* in the event of Fendalton and Papanui districts becoming part of the city at anv time. Outside of actual fires, the attendance of firemen at the picture theatre** has been the most prominent question Proceedings in the Court, and subsequently in the Supreme Court, in favour of tjie superintendent's contentions. PUBLIC LIBRARY BIG INCREASE IN HOME READING. The year was a very successful onq in all departments of the Public Library. In boH) the reference department and the circulating department core was exorcised in the selection of works, especially those thab deal with tho war, with the result that the public of Canterbury have had access to the best; books on the great struggle. These have been re-ad so eagerly that a marked increase has been noticeable in tho circulation of works o' the non-fiction class. During the year 1100 volumes were added to th<? circulating department and 800 of these von- fiction, Ihc following in bio shows the 71 umbers of

volumes in each class issued for home reading this ye;.r and in 1915: — 1910. 1915. Magazines , « » 18,100 16,130 Philosophy . » . 212 293 Religion . « . 2GO 252 Sociology , * n 1,030 910 Natural scienca , . 470 455 Useful arts . . 660 589 Fina aria , « „ -<SO 390 Literature . . » 1,1.10 1,371 History and biography . 7,800 .. 7,'271 Fiction . . • 69,500 59,152 Totals . . ■ 99,612 56.732 About 400 volumes were added to the reference department, and about 19,000 were consulted. This is slightlylower than the total for 1915. The fallin g-off is accounted for by the opening of the Canterbury College Library. The juvenile department, established a few years ago, continues to bo very well patronised by young people. More than 500 members have made use of the volumes in tho department, which number 2000, and the total issue of books for home reading was 10,000, 1890 more than in 1915. public appreciation of tho library is evidenced by the fact that many persons hfvr« paid for subscriptions as Chrismas and New Year gifts to friends. Mr E. J. Bell, the librarian, and the members of his staff, have been courteous and attentive to those who use the library.

This article text was automatically generated and may include errors. View the full page to see article in its original form.
Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TS19161229.2.63

Bibliographic details

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11892, 29 December 1916, Page 7

Word Count
1,384

IN THE CITY. Star (Christchurch), Issue 11892, 29 December 1916, Page 7

IN THE CITY. Star (Christchurch), Issue 11892, 29 December 1916, Page 7