CITY COUNCIL HOLDS MEETING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17831, 27 April 1926, Page 10

CITY COUNCIL HOLDS MEETING.

There were present at the meeting of the City Council last night:—The Arayor (Alt* J. K. Archer), and Councillors E. H. Andrews, O. W. B. Anderson, W. E. Leadley. A. W. Beaven, A. Al’Kellar. C. T. Aschman, A. F. Carey, J. N. Du Feu, W. J. Sim. A. D. Ford, T. H. Butterfield, C. L. Carr. Elizabeth R. M’Combs and D. G. Sullivan, AI.P. Apologies for absence were received from Councillors C. P. Agar and F. R.. Cooke. The Department of Internal Affairs wrote advising that, in view of the special circumstances, the Alinister had approved of the insertion of a clquse in the Local Legislation Bill next session validating the payment made by the counqil towards the erection of the Bridge of Remembrance. It was decided to take steps to secure the passage of the. necessary legislation. A petition from George Irvine and twenty-one others, ratepayers in North Richmond, was received, protesting against being included in the Richmond Recreation Ground special rating area, and pointing out that it was distinctly unfair and inequitable seeing that they had the Richmond Domain- within a few hundred yards of their properties. The Town Clerk explained that the special roll, comprising the names of all persons entitled to vote in the special rating area was open for inspection from Alarch 17 to 25, and any person whose name appeared on the roll had the opportunity of objecting until April 9. Tt was decided to reply that the petition had arrived too late to be dealt with. The Christchurch Tramway Board wrote forwarding a petition signed by forty-nine residents in Bealey Avenue protesting against the laying of the proposed tramway track on the south side of Bealey Avenue. The letter was referred to the Works Committee. A petition was received from J. L. Benfell and others, residents and ratepayers of Westenra Street, protesting against changing the name of the street. Being the first Westenra Street to be named in Christchurch, they claim the right to keep it against all comers. The petitioners also protested against the general state of the road and path, which they considered a disgrace to Christchurch. The petition was referred to the committees concerned. ABATTOIR AND RESERVES COMMITTEE. The Abattoir and Reserves Committee reported that it had had under consideration t.he question of augmenting the water supply at tho abattoir,, and t.he city engineer had presented a report outlining two alternative schemes, both of which would cost over £3OOO. In view of the suggested' erection of new abattoirs the committee was of opinion that t.he outlay of such a large sum of money was not warranted at present, and had referred the report back to the engineer for re-consideration, with a recommendation that' he investigate the question of taking steps to obtain a higher pressure from the existing supply. Air L. B. lies, whose tender for the lease of Victoria Park was recently accepted, had intimated that, owing to family reasons, he was unable to take up the lease. The committee recommended that Air lies be released from his obligations in the matter and that the tender of the former lessee, Air G. M’Cullough, at £7O per annum, be accepted. The committee had authorised the removal of the concrete cricket pitch at the Spreydon Domain, and the ploughing, levelling and sowing down with fine grass of the flat area of the domain. A new path to the bridge was. to be formed at the Spreydon Domain at right angles to the main street in order to keep the public*, from crossing the playing area. The fencing of Woolston Park would be put in hand this week. Provision would be made in the

estimates for a new set of gates for the park. The replanting of the flower plots in the city reserves with spring flowering plants would be commenced this The report was adopted and the recommendations approved. TENDERS ACCEPTED. On the recommendation of the Electricity Committee, the tender of Briscoe and Co. for the supply of lOcwt of marline for the lines department was accepted. The price was £63 ss. In connection with the tenders received for 25,000 yards of 7.04 1-600 megohm grade hard drawn copper cable, required for extensions and alterations to overhead lines, the Electricity Committee reported that the lowest tender of £531 5s was for a Continental article, the makers of which the department had no knowledge, and no experience of their cable. The next lowest tender was for a well-known make, of which the department already had large quantities in use. The small difference In price, coupled with the experience obtained with the one and the lack of experience with the other, warranted preference being given to the British article. The committee therefore recommended the acceptance of Messrs Turnbull and Jones’s tender of £5 87 10s. This recommendation was approved. EXPERIMENTAL POLES. The Electricity Committee reported that it had received an offer from Air J. Deans, of Homebuah, to supply some larch poles, with a view to the department testing their suitability for electric line purposes. The trees from which the poles were to bo cut had been inspected, and arrangements made with Air Deans to supply some poles after they had been seasoned. When erected they would be kept under observation and their suitability thus tested. The committee desired to express its appreciation of Air Deans's interestin the jnatter. CITY’S WATER SUPPLY. The Water Supply Committee reported that tho new pump for the St Albans district had arrived and had been unpacked and assembled. Arrangements were being made to make the trial runs of this pump next xveek, and If these were satisfactory steps would be taken to transfer the present pump there back to its old position at the Beckenham pumping station. In connection with the North Richmond reticulation, the streets yet to be done and being done

were as follows:—Slater Street (portion of). Dudley Street, Sheen Street, Banks Street,. River Road (Medway Street), Stapletons Road (short length). Weather being favourable, the whole of the work should be completed by the end of this month, when the St Albans reticulation would bo started. The committee considered, that in order to improve the reticulation system the Sydenham and city reticulation should be connected up across AJoorhouse Avenue in eight places as follows:—Park Road, Selwyn Street. Antigua Street, Alontreal Street, Durham Street., Waltham Road, Falsgrave Street, Wilsons Road; estimated cost. £424. Th© committee asked that authority be given to proceed with this work. The report was adopted. BUCKLEY'S ROAD. The Works Committee reported with regard to the condition of Buckley's Road, concerning which the Linwood Burgesses’ Association had complained. The engineer stated that tho road was divided by a double tram track, leaving a wide strip ou the north-west side and a narrow strip, which was not used to anj'’ great extent, on the southeast side. To scarify and lightly metal the wider side was estimated to cost approximately £350, and the oomraitte© recommended that the work be put In hand and provision for payment made on the estimates. The report was adopts^.