CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 239, 16 March 1875, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

Monday, March 15. The usual weekly meeting was held in the Council Chamber. Present—His Worship, the Mayor, and Crs Bishop, Jones, Gapes, Raphael, Ick, Hart, and Calvert. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The town clerk reported receipts for the week to be as follows;—From rate collector, account general city rates, 1874, £94 Is; Waimakariri do, £ls 13s 6d; fines from R. M. Court, £3 10s; owners and drivers’ licenses, £7; kerosene license, £1; fourth instalmpnt of grant to municipalities, £750; builders’ license, ss; rent from market place, 7s; total receipts, £B7l IGs 6d. Overdraft at bank, £1429 12s lid; drainage account (cr), £6289 5s 3d; drainage rate account (cr), £1736 0s 6d; wages, &c, to be paid on general account, £B3 12s 3d; on drainage account, £219 19s. The Mayor said he wished to make a few remarks having reference to the report in the Press of Saturday's issue, of certain statements reported to have been made by Messrs Dodd and Sexton, at a meeting of the Cabmen’s Protection Society. In doing so, it would perhaps be as well to give a slight sketch of all that had occurred since newciations had been attempted to bring about an amicable settlement of a dispute between the City Council and the cabmen. The first attempt on his part to obtain a peaceful settlement of this question was on a Monday evening, at the City Hotel, after leaving the City Council; he was in company with some councillors there, and was invited to go into another room where the cabmen wereholdinga meeting. Atthat meeting (which he told them he could not attend as Mayor) but as a private citizen, believing the cabmen to be very ill-advised to fight the constituted authorities, he strongly impressed on them that their policy should be to try the new scale of fares for a short time, and then, if found unsatisfactory, to apply to the Council to amend it, This was what every member of

the Council had agreed to do, on reasonable evidence being shown to the effect that it did not pay them. He purposely referred to this meeting because that was the only occasion on which he had had conversations with cabmen in presence of witnesses, except perhaps in Hr Foster’s office. Some time since Mr Dodd told him “ that the cabmen had agreed to charge the shilling fare from the cabstands to the belts.” He replied that was practically all the Council desired, and hence there was no reason why an amicable settlement could not be arrived at. The only other questions in dispute being the shilling fare from the railway to the Carlton or North town belt, and the question of time lost by stoppages en route from the place where the cab was engaged and the place where the person hiring the cab wished to go—to both of the latter questions he said he quite agreed, and would at any future time vote for their being amended, and again repeated that, seeing the alteration could only be effected by making a new bye-law, the cabmen must try the present scale for a short time, and produce evidence before the Council could incur the expense in making the new bye-law. This was followed by many conversations . with cabmen, and the question had been argued by him from every point of view, but on no occasion whatever had he stated as Mayor that he would give the cabmen permission to charge their own scale of fares, or that he thought the Council would do so. He always adhered to the statement that the Council would expect them to try the scale of fares for a short time before they could amend it. With reference to the statements of Dodd and Sexton, respecting the letter he expected from them, he must say they were both untrue. He (the Mayor) had seen both Dodd and Sexton on the Friday before the special meeting on Saturday, and told them of the difficulty that existed about the Resident Magistrate being obliged to enforce the fines, and that the only way out of it was for the Council te agree through their solicitor prejudice) for the writs of prohibition to be issued by the Judge to prevent the fines being levied, and further that he did not think the Council would agree to such a step being taken, unless the committee of the cabmen’s society wrote and requested the Council to do so, and also undertaking to withdraw the guarantee from the solicitors as an evidence of good faith. On this occasion Dodd did not mention anything about the “condition that they should charge their own scale of fares,” and perfectly agreed with sending a letter to the effect named, and Sexton also agreed to it, the meeting of the guarantors being all that was necessary to agree to withdraw the guarantee. As a proof that Dodd and Sexton agreed to the letter, he addressed the following question to Dodd on the stand before the City Hotel at half-past six last Monday night. He said—“l suppose you perfectly understand the necessity for writing that letter (of which Sexton had a copy on the previous Saturday night). It is simply the question of paying the fines or writing the letter.” In reply, Dodd stated, “ I perfectly understand Sexton has written the letter. The letter not coming last Monday as agreed, of course no faith could be placed in the oft-repeated statement that they (the cabmen) wished for an amicable settlement. He must say he thought it was a pity that there should exist such bad citizens in Christchurch, who could advise litigation leading to a waste of public money on such technical grounds, and also that men should embark their capital in a business which they know in all cities of the world is placed under the control of the municipal authorities, and then refuse to work under such authority. If they wish to be independent, why not follow some other occupation, or else “ seek fresh fields and pastures new ” to carry on their business as cabmen. He trusted the public of Christchurch would attach the blame to the proper parties. He could only look upon the late pretence of coming to an amicable settlement as a stratagem to get the cab stands opened, which he was sorry to say was successful. Cr Gapes thought there was not room for discussion on this matter, but was glad to find that his Worship had contradicted the statement made by the cabmen. He felt very glad that the Mayor was in a position to contradict those statements. The subject then dropped. The Mayor desired to say that from a reference to the Registrar-General’s return on the vital statistics, the death rate of Christchurch for the month of February was more favorable than those of Auckland, Wellington, Nelson, or Dunedin. The surveyor reported—- “ 1. The works committee recommend that the channelling in Colombo street, by Vincent’s Brewery, should be undertaken on the

usual terms—viz, that the block from St Asaph street to the belt be done on the owners of the property paying one-fourth of the cost. “ 2. Messrs Montgomery have promised that for the future the timber supplied for channelling shall be more uniform in thickness. “ 3. The channel work in Tuara-street not being in strict accordance with the contract, or so well finished as it ought to be, I have been obliged to refuse to certify for any more money on account of it, “4. Antigua street drain—lt would be useless fencing only a part of this drain, and if the entire length were done it would cost £42.” On the first paragraph of the report being considered, Or Jones said that some of the inhabitants of that neighbourhood objected to the waste water from Messrs Vincent’s brewery being allowed to flow past their premises. He would like the consideration of this clause postponed for one week, to give these persons an opportunity of taking steps if they desired to do so. Cr Bishop felt that Messrs Vincent having their establishment there, it would be necessary for them to have some means of getting rid of their waste water, though if objectionable liquid were drained from their premises, action could then be taken under the bye-law. It was resolved “ to postpone the consideration of the paragraph for a week.” No 2 paragraph was approved. With reference to No 3 paragraph, Cr Bishop, as chairman of the works committee, said that this work was being carried out in a most unsatisfactory manner, and the instructions given by the surveyor were altogether ignored. The surveyor was called in, and detailed the manner in which the work was being carried out. Or Raphael moved—“ That a letter be written to the contractors, informing them that unless this work is carried out in accordance with the specification and as directed

by the surveyor, certificate for payment will be stopped." Cr Bishop seconded the resolution. Cr Hart considered that it was the duty of the surveyor to lay down the levels for the contractors to work to. The surveyor replied that he had alwayi < given the levels, unless where the work had to run into a stone channel already laid down. Cr Gapes had heard one of the contractors: say that he had worked to the levels give: by the surveyor. After some further discussion, the resolution was put and carried. It was resolved to allow the remaining paragraph of the report to stand over. In reply to Cr Hart, The surveyor said that the South town draii would be sufficiently complete in about a month to take a portion of the water from the Antigua street drain. In reply to Cr Jones, The surveyor said that the delay in the alterations to Victoria bridge was owing to the difficulty the contractor experienced in obtaining material. On the motion of Cr Jones, it was resolved to send a letter to the contractor urging him to progress with this contract as quickly as possible. In reply to Cr Hart, the surveyor said he had not passed any portion of the concrete channelling in Tuam street, as in the first place he could not do so until the contract was finished, and in the next, the work was being performed generally in an unsatisfactory manner. He bad pointed this out to the contractor’s men on several occasions, and had been insulted by them. He did not think it ac'visable to continue the second contract with the same contractors at the low price at which they had taken it, as the price was not sufficient to enable them to give the necessary care and attention to the work. Cr Gapes pointed out some defects in this work which the works committee had observed that morning. Cr Raphael again referred to the necessity of that portion of Cathedral square near the Music Hall school being channelled, A letter was received from Cr Farr tendering his resignation as a member of the Council. Cr Jones expressed his regret that Cr Fan should have taken this step. The resignation was accepted, and on the motion of Cr Raphael the town clerk was instructed to take the necessary steps in the matter. A letter was read from the Secretary for Public Works informing the Council that the fourth instalment of £750 of the grant te municipalities had been forwarded to the Treasury for payment. A letter was read from the Mayor of Timaru enclosing copy of resolution passed at a meeting of that Borough Council, requesting the member for Timaru in the Provincial Council to support any action the Christchurch Council may take in their endeavour to obtain license and other fees within the limit of which such fee is receivable, as an endowment to the municipality. Referred to the revenue committee. A letter was read from the jtown clerk at Nelson, asking for copies of any bye-laws passed under the Municipal Corporations Act, The town clerk was instructed to comply with the application. A letter was read from Mr H. H. Deßourbel, complaining that a builder had fenced off the whole of the footpath in Cathedral Square, compelling him and others to go through the mud to their offices. Referred to the surveyor. A letter was read from Messrs Vincent and Co, stating that when making application to have side channelling done fronting their premises they were not aware that it was compulsory to have a whole length done. They would, however, commujicate with other holders of property in the neighborhood, and endeavor to secure their cooperation in this matter. This letter had been considered in conjunction with the surveyor’s report. A letter was read from Mr H. Crooks, calling attention to the bad state of the drain in Salisbury street, from the corner of Madras street to Mr Mason’s house. Referred to the surveyor. A letter was read from Mr J. S, Hawley, asking the Council to allow him to have a quantity of night-soil delivered on his land at Opawa. If permitted, he would make such arrangements as would prevent any nuisance to his neighbors. Referred to the sanitary committee to take action. A letter was read from Captain Charlesworth. asking the Council to send a man to clear away the thistles from the estuary, as the seeds from them were becoming a nuisance to him. Referred to the works committee. A letter was read from Mr T. G. Smith, stating his intention, if sufficiently encouraged, of preparing a detailed map of the city, and asking the Council to grant him a bonus. The town clerk was instructed to reply that the Council regretted their limited funds would prevent them from complying with the request. A report from the Superintendent of the Fire Brigade was read, on the late fire in High street, and thanking the regular police and fire police for their assistance in keeping a clear space on that occasion for the brigade to work. Crs Jones and Raphael spoke in eulogistic terms of the efforts of the brigade on that occasion in confining the fire to the premises in which it originated. The report was approved. Cr Bishop moved That a vote of approbation be accorded to the Fire Brigade for the prompt and efficient services rendered on the occasion of the late fire in High street on the 11 th instant.” He had seen the fire at its commencement that evening, and he considered that;the greatest praise was due to the brigade for their efforts on that occasion, as it was nearly a miracle that the fire should have been confined to Hulbert’s premises. Or Raphael seconded the motion, which was unanimously agreed to. Some discussion took place relative to one of the horses purchased for the Market Place fire-engine, which was said to be addicted to jibbing. Or Jones moved—“ That the works committee be empowered to make such arrangements they deem necessary to horse the Market-place fire engine.” Cr Raphael seconded the motion. The motion was put and agreed to. The weekly report of the inspector of nuisances was read and approved. Or Jones had observed from a report of a meeting of the Cabmen’s Protection Society,

that a cabman named Hazard had stated that it was not, nor bad it been, his intention to work under the scale of fares in the new bye-law. It was explained to Cr Jones that if any cabman charged more than the bye-law scale of fares, or refused to post a copy in his cab, he could be proceeded against under the byelaw. The following applications for owners’ licenses under the new bye law were granted: —T. Qoodyer, sen, H. M. Goodyor, H. Clark, P. Wilcox, J. Hunter, D. Howard, L. Zouch, H. Jordan, W. Jordan, jun, C, Heggie, H. Jordan, J. Dalwood, S. Thomas, P. King, T. Hazard (2), B. Sharp, M. Hamilton, J. Dermott, J, Miller. J. Barlow (2), J. Harper (2), E. Dunn, J. Kearney (2), A. McTaggart, S. Stewart, W. Maly on. The application of W. Thomson was adjourned. An application from Messrs Millett and Saunders for an omnibus license was postponed for the inspector’s report. The following applications for drivers’ licenses were received and granted:—C. Heggie, L. Zouch, T. Goodyer, sen, W. Jordan, jun, H. M. Goodyer, H. Jordan, J. Hunter, G. Whincop J. Harper, jun, J. Harper, sen, H. Clark, S. Thomas, P. King, M. Hamilton. D. Howard, T. Hazard, E. Sharp, F. Chambers, A. Brown, W. Janaway, J. Miller, J. Heard, P. Wilcox, G. Webber, J. Dermott, A. McTaggart, W. Mai yon. The application of H. W. Fearon was adjourned for the usual report, and those of P. Hamilton, J. McVicor, and Eobcrt Falloon were postponed for a week.