CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 386, 7 September 1875, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

Monday. September 6. The Council met at 7 p.m, Present —The Mayor, Crs Calvert, Bishop, Ick, Gapes, Jones, Schmidt, Raphael, and Mart. The town clerk reported receipts for the week as follow: —General city rates, 1874, £7 Is; Waimakariri do, £1 3s 6d ; general cityrates, 1875, £219 11s; Waimakariri do, 1875, £36 11s lOd; watering rates, £3 17s 3d; fines from Resident Magistrate’s Court, £6 10s; rent for weighbridge, £6 ss; licenses, £3 17s; total, £284 16s 7d; overdraft at the Bank, £3496 5s 9d. Drainage account— Overdraft, £1428 7s 9d. Drainage rale account—Cr, £1269 16s. Wages, contracts, &c., on general account, amounting to £554 9s lOd; and on drainage account, £79 10s lOd, were passed and ordered to be paid. The city surveyor reported that by the kind permission of Professor Bickerton, he had cut a temporary drain through that gentleman’s property to Antigua street drain, so as to drain the offensive water away from the cottages at the back of the Lincoln road school. As the channelling of Worcester street was being proceeded with it would be . advisable to determine what was to be done to relieve Cathedral Square of surplus water. The tender of Messrs Clifford and Roper for Totara timber had been accepted by the works committee. Clause 1 was approved. With reference to clause 2 it was determined that the drainage of Cathedral Square be referred to the works committee to take necessary action. The remainder of the report was approved. A letter was read from Captain Mitchell, enclosing copies of the rules of the Fire Police for approval. The Council approved. A letter was read from the DeputySuperintendent, forwarding a memorial addressed to the chairman of the Board of Health by certain residents in Madras street, referring to the bad state of a portion of the street passing through Town Reserve No 125. It was decided to reply that the Council would have the sewe>' kept clean, and would divert the water as soon as possible.

A letter was read from the town clerk of Invercargill, asking what steps had been taken to give effect to clause 20 of the Public Health Act, 1872, relative to earth closets.

The town clerk was directed to send the necessary information. A letter was read from Mr Stephen Fisher, enclosing a letter from Mr J. T. Harrop, to the effect that the cost of forming the road to his quarry would be £268 10s. It was decided to reply Council recogn ses no liability to put the road io repair, but have sent some men to fill up the rn■ a caused by the recent traffic •luring uie winter,”

A letter was read from Mr J. Buggy, asking leave to erect a temporary verandah in front of his confectioner’s shop. Permission granted, subject to the approval of the city surveyor.

A letter was read from Mrs Webb, Tuam street, asking the Uouae.il to make correclions in the amount of rates levied on her property. The town clerk was instructed to reply that the Council regretted they had not the power to alter the assessment, A letter was read from six four wheeled ■tab proprietors, stating that it would be unfair to them if three passengers were allowed to be carried in a hansom cab. Referred to the bylaw committee. A lei ter was read from Mr W. Trumble, expressing his regret at the Council’s cision re Heasraan’s application on Monday evening last, and requesting that the same be reconsidered. Referred to the surveyor and works committee.

A letter was read from Mr R. Palairet (for Dr Brins), stating that it was scarcely possible now to get any person to cart earth, and asking to be allowed a longer time to fill up a hollow in his section in Colombo street. Referred to the sanitary committee, with power to act. A letter was read from owners of property on the East side of Durham street, from the junction of St Asaph street with the South town belt, requesting that the channelling and footpath might be made on the usual terms. The request was granted, on the usual terms being complied with. The financial condition of the Council was again considered. Cr Raphael said that three statements had been drawn up by the town clerk, the first set down the amount of the receipts from rates at £3OO, the second £250, and the third at £2OO per week. To night they were told for the first time that the amount collected for the week was £219 per week. He (Cr Raphael) was certain that no more than £2OO per week up to the end of the financial period could be got in. He believed it to be a perfect waste of time to go further into the matter.

The Mayor said that the amount of the rates to collect gave an average of nearly £l5O per week all the year round. He thought that with the employment of an additional collector they would get in £3OO per week up to November; certainly the estimate of £250 was not excessive. The main question which the Council had to decide, was how far the expenditure shonld be reduced. Or Bishop moved—“ That the weekly paysheet be reduced to £4O, besides £l4 per week for building Madras street bridge.” Cr Jones seconded the motion. Or Gapes opposed the motion, contending that greater activity should be shown in getting in the rates, rather than cutting down the labor-expenditure, and thus throwing men out of employment. Cr Ick supported the motion, and argued that the Council should adopt the same means which private persons did under similar circumstances, namely, reduce the expenditure. Cr Hart thought it would be far wiser to adopt the plan proposed by Cr Bishop, namely, reduce their expenditure, rather than enter upon a system of summonsing for non-payment of rates. He should support the motion. Cr Schmidt disapproved of cutting down the pay-sheet, which would have the effect of throwing men out of employment. He was in favor of increased activity in getting in the rates.

Cr Raphael having again spoken, and the Mayor having again stated what he had previously said at the special meeting on Friday, Gr Gapes moved as an amendment — “That balance-sheet No 3 be adopted.” The amendment was not seconded.

Or Bishop consented, at the suggestion of Or Hart, to amend his motion by inserting the words—“ That in consideration of the present financial condition of the Council.” The motion as amended was agreed to. The town clerk reported that he had received the sum of £67 10s towards the formation of Conference street, and that the balance would be forwarded shortly. The works committee were empowered to sell two horses.

Cr Jones moved —“ That the thanks of this Council be passed and recorded to Crs Bishop, Hart, and Calvert for their many years services rendered to this Council to the general interests of the ratepayers of the city, and that an illuminated copy of the resolution be forwarded to each of those gentlemen.” Cr Raphael seconded the motion. Or Ick suggested that no reference should be made to sending an illuminated address. Cr Gapes did not think Cr Hart’s name should have been in the resolution, as he was a candidate at the coming election, and they hoped to see him again at the Council. Cr Jones, with the consent of Cr Raphael, agreed that the name of Cr Hart should be left out of the resolution.

The Mayor paid a high compliment to the zeal, energy, and untiring industry which the retiring members had displayed during the time they had been in office. The motion was agreed to unanimously. The weekly report from the inspector of nuisances was read and approved. A hackney carriage license was granted to John Dalwood, and drivers’ licenses to James Baarar, Richard Marley, and William Edwards.

Crs Bishop and Calvert expressed their thanks to the Council for the vote of thanks which had been passed. The Council then adjourned.