CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 26, 30 June 1874, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

Monday, June 29. The usual weekly meeting was held in the Council Chambers. Present—His Worship the Mayor, and Crs Bishop, Jones, Lane, Ick, Hobbs, Calvert, Farr, and Gapes. The minutes of the preceding meeting were read and confirmed. The Mayor stated that a plan of the new Government buildings in 'Cathedral square had been placed before the members of the Council on Friday last. The members of the Council had met on that day for that purpose, as Sir F, Dillon Bell, one of the commissioners, was then in Christchurch, and it had been felt that if the plan was approved of iby the Council, it would give greater weight to to the work of the commissioners. The present plan proposed by the commission was much better than the first one, and he (the Mayor) personally approved of it. Though all the members of the Council were present on Friday, it would still be necessary for them now to approve of the plan by resolution. Cr Lane moved, “ That the plan submitted by the commission for the Government buildings in Cathedral square, be approved of by the Council.” Cr Calvert seconded the resolution, which was agreed to. The town clerk reported receipts for the week as follow:—From rate collector account general city rates, 1873, £l7 Gs lOd ; Waimakariri, £3 9s 2d ; fines from Resident Magistrate’s Court, £5 15s; carriers’ licenses, £3; refund account stone breaking, £4; deposit on contract forfeited, £2 Is ; building license, 5s ; rent from market place, 7s ; total receipts, £36 3s ; overdraft at bank, £1239 Is 2d; drainage account Dr, £606 6s 4d; drainage rate account Or £219 Is 6d ; wages and contract, £216 13s 6d ; wages account drainage, £6 3s. The following report was read : “In the absence of a surveyor, the works committeo beg to report as follows : “1, That pending the appointment of a surveyor his Worship the Mayor be invited to undertake the supervision of all authorised works in that department, 2. “ That in consequence of the dangerous state of the culvert crossing the Ferry road near the East belt, the services of a surveyor be at once employed to take the levels from that part to the outfall drain, and the committee to proceed with the brick culvert for a distance one and a half chain on the road under a plan to be furnished.

3. “ The works committee recommend the Council to purchase another tip cart, 4. “ The question referred to the works committee last week as to the state of the roadway in Peterborough street cast, beg to report that the necessity of its being remetalled is not < so urgent as in some other parts of the city, and the supply of metal is but small. 5. “ The committee request leave to advertise for, and engage a foreman of works at a fixed sum per diem, payable weekly. 6. “ The committee suggest the advisability of lessening the number of trees on Oxford terrace west, by cutting down some of the poplars, and removing or trimming some of the others as may be deemed best.” No. 1 paragraph of the report was agreed to.

On No. 2 paragraph being considered, Cr Jones moved that the work be carried out as suggested. Agreed to. It was resolved that two tip carts bo obtained, instead of one, as recommended in paragraph 3. Resolved that the question referred to in No. 4 paragraph stand over. No. 5 paragraph was agreed to. No. 6 paragraph was also agreed to, A letter was read from the Chief Postmaster, requesting that steps might be taken to secure the ceiling of the Post-office, as it is in a very dangerous state, one piece having broken away and fallen the previous day. Referred to the works committee.

A letter was read from Mr C. Bennington and others, calling attention to the necessity for the asphalte crossings being constantly swept daring the wet weather, as in their present state they were of very little value for the purpose for which they had been formed. Resolved that this matter will be attended tOi A letter was read from Mr C. E. Briggs, calling attention to the state of the footpaths on the south side of Cashel street from Miss Thompson’s school to the Provincial Hotel, and on the western side of Barbadoes ptreet from the Provincial Hotel southward.

Referred to the works committee, with power to act. A letter was read,signed by several ratepayers iu St Asaph street, between Durham and Montreal streets, asking that the footpath fronting their premises might be formed so as to permit of the storm water running off. Referred to the works committee.

Cr Gapes mentioned Dial the works committee had determined that morning to keep two carts constantly on to attend to footpaths alone. A letter was read from Messrs Saunders and Henderson, acknowledging receipt of letter from the Council’s of 18th inst, and stating that its contents had been carefully noted. The letter from the Council had referred to some windows in the new building of Messrs Saunders and Henderson overlooking the Council’s ground, and which might at some time be built up to by that body. A petition was read from several ratepayers in St Asaph street cast, from the Ferry road to the East Town belt, requesting that* the footpath on the north side of St Asaph street might be shingled, and that a lamp be placed at the junction of Barbadoes street and St Asaph street. Resolved that the footpath be attended to as soon as possible, and the matter of placing a lamp as requested stand over for the present.

Cr Ick observed that he was going to call a meeting of the lighting committee during the present week, with a view of increasing the present number of lamps by twenty or thirty. Cr Bishop would desire that the Gas Company be written to, asking whether it would bo convenient for them to light the lamp at the junction of Manchester and Gloucester streets, as there was a very large traffic there at night time, and it would be appreciated by those persons who were leaving the theatre, the lamp at present being only lit with kerosene; and also the lamp at the corner of St Luke’s Church. The town clerk mentioned that the latter lamp was to bo lighted. Cr Ick asked whether the Gas Company intended to reduce the price of gas when the mains were carried out, as promised, Cr Lane replied that the Board had held a meeting that day, and, though not speaking authoritatively, he was nearly sure a substantial reduction would be made iu the price about the beginning of the year. An application for certificate of registration was received from T. G. Venncll and Samuel Patou for the old Oddfellows’ Hall, Lichfield street, as a place to hold public meetings. Granted. A report was read from the rate collector with reference to an application from a person who had applied to the Council to have his rates remitted.

Resolved that the rates alluded to be remitted for this year. The weekly report of the inspector of nuisances was read and approved.

The Council then resolved itself into committee.