CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 148, 24 November 1874, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

Monday, November 23. The usual weekly meeting was held at the Council Chambers. Present—His Worship the Mayor, and Crs Calvert, Ick, Farr, Bishop, Jones, Gapes, Raphael, and Hobbs. The minutes of the last special and weekly meetings were read and confirmed. The town clerk reported receipts for the week to be as follows ;—From rate collectors’ account, G. 0. rates, 1874, £162 4s ; Waimakariri, do £27 Os 8d ; fines from R. M. court, £4 15s; subscriptions for Park Terrace, £1 Is ; rent, Market place, 7s ; total, £195 7s Bd. Credit at bank on general account, £670 11s 9d. Drainage account credit, £3948 6s lid. Drainage rate account, credit, £1250 18s. Wages, &c, to be paid oa general account, £B3 10s 3d. Wages oa account drainage, £26 ss. The Registrar’s report on the vital statistics for the month of October, was laid on the table, showing the number of births in Christchurch for that moath to have been 50, and deaths, 18; the latter being a per centage of 1.75 to 1000 of population. The Mayor thought that the RegistrarGeneral’s report on the vital statistics for the last month was matter for congratulation when read with other provinces, and an exceptionally favorable month to Christchurch. While on this subject he would 1 lie to draw the attention of the Council to a leading article which appeared in last Monday evening’s Star, as it was a matter which required their earnest attention, He referred to the non-deodor-isation of the night soil at the handbills. A little drop of water here or there was nothing to the evil that might arise from the nine years accumulation of this soil if it remained non-deodorised, and he thought that as they no « had a qualified chemist in Christchurch, professor Bickeiton’s opinion should be obtained. The paper he had referred to belt the opinion that sand did not deodorist the night soil, and if this were so the noxioui vapours arising would constantly be blowr over the city by the winds that prevailed here. If this premise were correct, he fel that action should be taken at once, as th<

result might be most serious. He thought the first step that should be taken was lo apply to the Government, asking permission for Professor Bickerton to report, aid if he was of the opinion that sand did not act as a deodorising agent, to then suggest the best plan by which the night soil could be deodorised. Or Farr observed that Professor Bickerton was not under the Government, but the College authorities. It seemed to him a remarkable fact, and one that should not be lost sight of, that so many people should live in that quarter and make no complaint. Or Jones thought that before any action was taken the sanitary committee should go over there, inspect the place, and report to the Council.

Cr Gapes would only like to mention that it was generally known that the idea held by the Star was also held by the Mayor, and possibly before it appeared in print, information might have been obtained from a certain quarter, Cr Bishop said that whatever might be Professor Bickerton’s opiuion, he would still have faith in sand as a deodoriser. On one occasion a complaint had been made from the Sandhills, and when inquired into it was found that some person had buried a horse, •which bad only been lightly covered, and the first high wind had bared the rotten carcase. A repetition of this had been provided against at the time. He considered that if the sanitary committee looked into it a great deal of good would be done. Twelve months ago he had suggested that trees should be planted on the southwest side of the enclosure, as they would check the north-east winds. He would first have to know that proper attention to the work had been paid by the contractor, with an unsatisfactory result, before he could think that sand was not a good deodorising agent. Cr Jones moved—“ That the sanitary committee inspect the place and bring up a report,” Cr Bishop seconded the motion, which was agreed to. The following resolution was brought up from the conference recently held between the City Council and the Heathcote Road Board :—“ That, with reference to the drainage of the storm wa*er from Jackson’s creek inte the land drain, the Heathcote Road Board shall pay »o the City Council the annual sum of £3O for the use of the said drain, for the teim of three years.”

On the motion of Cr Farr the resolution ■was adopted. Cr Bishop moved—“ That a copy of the resolution be sent to the Heathcote Road Board, requesting their acknowledgment of the same, and for them to state whether or not they agree to it; and that they also withdraw the question of the alleged obstructions on the main drain.” The resolution was seconded and agreed to.

The city surveyor reported : “ 1, I have engaged about a dozen men to carry on the work at the North Belt. “2, I have had the stone-crushing machine moved to another part of the quarry, where harder and better stone can be procured, and I hope to have it in working order by Wednesday or Thursday next. “3. I submit to the works committee a sketch plan of what can be substituted for the present Colombo bridge at an expense of £3OO, and giving sft additional driving way. “ 4, Home stone for concrete channelling is ordered from Stace, and I hope we shall be in a position next week to furnish a quantity from the Council’s quarry.” Paragraph 1 and 2 of the report were approved. On paragraph No 3 being considered, Cr Bishop moved—“ That the Council devote a sum of £3OO towards the work, and as much more as the public will subscribe for this object.” Cr Farr seconded the motion.

Cr Jones moved as an amendment —“ That this Council are willing to vote a sum of money between the amounts of £l5O and £BOO, for the purpose of erecting a new bridge over the Avon at Colombo street, on condition that the general public subscribe a like amount towards lhat object.” Cr Calvert seconded the amendment. After some discussion the resolution was carried.

No 4 paragraph was approved. One tender for supply of timber, and six for the work of brick sewer, were referred to the works’ committee to report upon. A tender for the channelling of Tnam and St Asaph streets was accepted. A letter was read from the Secretary for Public Works, asking whether it is the intention of the City Council to construct a sewer down the South town belt, and if so, when the work will be commenced; and what arrangements could be made whereby the drainage of the Christchurch goods yard could be led into it. Referred to the works’ committee.

A second letter was read from the Secretary for Public Works acknowledging receipt of the Council’s letter with reference to repairs required at the bathing-place in Hagley Park, and stating that enquiries would be made as to what was necessary to be done. A letter was read from the Heathcote Road Board, stating that the Board will be prepared to pay half the cost of forming and metalling the East Town belt, on a tender for that work being accepted by the Council. It was resolved—“ That the surveyor be instructed to prepare plans and call for tenders,” A letter was read from Mr H. Wynn Williams, chairman of East Christchurch school committee, in reply, stating that he had not asked the Council to erect a bridge over the Avon, but to allow the city surveyor to make a report |as to the best site for a bridge, and the proportion of cost the public would have to pay; again pointing out that practically a large number of children will be shut out from school unless a bridge of some kind is built in continuation of the East Town belt, and asking the Council to permit the surveyor to report on the best site for a bridge, and also to obtain from him a plan of a foot-bridge and cartbridge combined, with the cost at present of the erection of the footbridge only. Cr Raphael moved—“’That the surveyor be instructed to prepare a plan as requested.” Cr Gapes seconded the motion. Cr Hobbs would support the resolution, and would have done so on the previous occasion but he had not properly understood the latter portion of the letter. The resolution was agreed to. A letter was read from Mr H. Patten, of Worcester street, bringing under the notice of the Council the circumstances that some wells have ceased to flow in the east of Christchurch, many more in that neighborhood barely supplying the wants of families.

while in other parts of the city much water is allowed to run to waste, and requesting the earnest consideration of the Council to this matter.

Gr Hobbs said that stopping the flow from the wells would simply mi an poisoning the town. He would move—“ Vhat a reply be sent to Mr Patten to lower his tap.” Gr Calvert seconded the motion, which was agreed to. A letter was read from Mess s Cuff and Graham, asking that the attention of the inspector of nuisances might be drawn to the annoyance caused in the neighborhood of their office by the stench emanating from Brightiug’s fish cart during the present hot weather.

Gr Farr moved that the attention of the police be called to the matter. Cr Bishop seconded the motion. Agreed to. A letter was read from Messrs Bradly and Watkins, stating that they have taken the quarry lately worked by Mr Sheriff, and would agree to supply the Council with stone kerbing at the same price as that person did, The town clerk was instructed to reply.

A letter was read from Mr M. Hart, drawing attention of the works committee to the present condition of the side drain on the western side of Colombo street north. Referred to the surveyor to take action.

A letter w r as read from Mr H. Crooks drawing attention to a nuisance arising from house slops being allowed to drain into Salisbury street creek from Colombo street to the bridge. Referred to the surveyor.

The town clerk submitted a statement of the receipts and expenditure for the past year, and a balance-sheet of the liabilities and assets of the Council.

Ordered to have them audited as required by clause 168 of the Municipal Corporations Act. 1867.

With reference to the application of Mr Henwood to have some private streets formed and metalled, and a special rate levied to pay this expense, and which was referred to the works committee, no decision was arrived at by them, and the matter was referred back to the Council.

After some discussion the following amend ment, moved by Cr Ick, was carried—“ That no street, private or otherwise, be made or taken over by the City Council of a leas width than forty feet, and that when applications are made by private persons to the Council to make or form such streets, the same shall only be done after the city surveyor has estimated the cost, and the money paid into the Council by the parties making the application or those interested in the same.”

The weekly report of the inspector of nuisances was read and approved. Cr Gapes drew the attention of the chairman of the sanitary committee to bilge water being pumped out from the vicinity of the White Hart Hotel in the middle of the day, which emitted a very foul smell, and Cr Farr referred to the same thing being done that day at the back of the Royal Hotel. Cr Gapes moved—“ That this Council do endeavour to obtain the necessary powers for borrowing the sum of £50,000 at per cent per annum for the carrying out of the general works of the city ; the above amount to be borrowed by £20,000 the first year, and £lO 000 the three following years; each amount to he borrowed for a term of fifty years, and to be repaid with interest by special rates, to be levied from time to time, and the general rate to be lowered each year in proportion to the special rate levied, so that the special and general rates altogether do not exceed in each year Is in the pound.” He said—ln bringing a similar resolution to the one that I now propose forward upon two previous occasions, I did so with the confidence that the Council would adopt it, or bring something forward in some other shape that would answer the purpose, for the requirements of which not only this Council but every person living in and round about the city are well aware of, and anxious to see carded into effect. That is to say, for the completing the formation of all belts, streets, and paths within the city, as next to drainage this work is of the most vital importance. For the above and other works it is necessary for the Council to obtain a stone quarry of its own, also machinery and plant for working the same. As it is plain to every one that all our streets that have been shingled are worn through to the earth, and if something is not done upon a larger scale, and of a more permanent character, the streets and paths will become quite unpassable in the winter seasons, on account of the large increase of population, which means increase of traffic, and consequently wear and tear. And I contend that with the present means at, the disposal of the Council, it is utterly impossible to attempt t) carry on the works of the city to anything approaching its requirements. I have here prepared a rough estimate of the cost of some of the works that are necessary to be carried out in the shortest possible time : £ Necessary works—South belt ... 800 East belt, from South belt to river ... 800 East belt, from river to North belt... 300 Cambridge Terrace, from suspension bridge to Cashel street 500 Oxford Terrace, from Brick’s wharf to boat house _ 600 Madras and Barbadoes streets north 400 Salisbury street and east side Latimer square ... ... 350 Antigua street, from Hereford street to suspension bridge 90 Kilmore street, near church, with barrel drain 450 Complete formation North belt ... 350 For bridge work 5000 New Fire Brigade station, stables, &c, also to pay mortgage on the Lichfield street station 1300 Metalling newly formed streets, Park Terrace, North belt, Cranmer square, Worcester street east and west, and Chester street west ... 3000 Forming and metalling, also woodkerbing, about|four thousand chains of footpath at three pounds per chain 12,000 Purchase of quarry and plant ... 3000 About thirty miles of streets require to be repaired with broken metal 25,000 £53,590 In addition to the works that I have here enumerated, there are the annual ordinary expenses, and seeing the rapid growth of the city it will be found necessary to extend the fire prevention works upon a much larger scale than at present. We must also take into consideration that there are a great many streets that have been merely thrown up at the sides and shingled in the middle, that require to be altered to their proper level as our side channelling proceeds. This is saying nothing of works that are bound to

be done, such as public baths, city buildings, Sec. I think I have clea ly shown the Council that the city rrquir. s the amount I propose, in addition to the onliuary rev. one, in even much less time than I propose if ibe Council could seeits way clear 10 pro\ ide f>r ilia preparing for these worts 1 find lhat £IO,OOO the first year would be of little use, and lean see no reason why we should not borrow £20,000 the first year, and £IO,OOO each year the three following years. by so doing and taking into considerdion the increase of rateable property, after providing for interest and sinking fund we could spend in five years £loo,ooo with a general rate of one shilling in the pound, or even less. Considering that the berrowed money would be spent for making new works, of which our present rates go to patch for little or no use. As to drainage, the city will require afler our present borrowing power for £ll4 000 is exhausted, about £35,000 more to complete the present system of drainage for Christchurch. This, I contend, is the duty of the Provincial Council to provide the city with, seeing that the ratepayers are taxing themselves to the uttermost. If disease should break out in Christchurch it would most assuredly spread over the province. Cr Raphael seconded the motion.

Cr Hobbs moved as an amendment — “ That application he made to the General Assembly next session lo amend the Municipal Corporations Act, by giving extended powers for borrowing money, viz , by altering clause 239, to allow the City Council to borrow for a terra not exceeding fifty years, instead of fifteen as at present.” Cr Bishop seconded the amendment.

Cr Jones said that the remarks made by Crs Hobbs and Bishop were, he was sure, simnly for the purpose of hearing themselves talk. IP they continued to borrow', a petition to the General Assembly would certainly be got up to restram them from borrowing ; bes : des, he was sanguine that the action of the Provincial Council next March would prevent the necessity of their borrowing. If the Council did nothing for them, then he would advocate that Cr Gapes be sent home as a City Council Vogel, to see what be could raise there. [Laughter.] He considered the resolution was injudicious, and the amendment not much better.

Crs Farr and Ick supported the amendment.

Cr Gapes having replied, the resolution was lost by five to two, and the amendment declared carried. Cr Jones moved—“ That the Council at the close of this evening’s ordinary business propose a person to fill the office of Mayor for the ensuing year.” Cr Raphael seconded the motion.

Cr Gapes moved—“ That the office of Mayor for]next|year be offered to Cr Hobbs.”

Cr Calvert seconded the motion, and did so as in all previous years the position had had been taken in rotation by the senior councillors.

After a very great deal of time had been wasted without anything definite being done beyond it being understood that the position would be offered to Cr Hobbs, Cr Ick said that as he had been the only councillor who was in order, and had not spoken twice, he would move as an amendment, “ That as an understanding had been arrived at, the Council do now adjourn.” The amendment was seconded, and the Council adjourned.