CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 566, 11 April 1876, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

The usual weekly meeting of the City Council was held in the Council Chambers, at t o’clock yesterday. Present—His Worship the Mayor and Crs Jones, Ick, Schmidt, Turner, Hawkes, Bird, and Gapes. The Mayor reported that the deputation appointed at the last meeting had waited upon the Provincial Government and the insurance agents. They were well received, and would get in all probability an answer in a day or two. He thought the Government would place a sum of money on the estimates to assist them, and he was likewise of opinion that the insurance companies would give them considerable assistance, A meeting of the companies had been convened for the purpose of considering the matter. He had likewise telegraphed to Dunedin for information as to the payment of the medical officer of that city, when he learnt that they paid him £IOO a year. It was resolved to consider the question of the payment of Dr Deamer in committee. A deputation of insurance agents here waited upon the Council, and Mr Craig, who was the spokesman, stated that the insurance companies were willing to contribute £SOO, on condition that the Provincial Government contributed the same amount, and that not less than a thousand pounds was spent by the Council for the erection of a new fire brigade station, and the companies were of opinion that this was a very liberal offer on their part. The deputation then withdrew. The town clerk reported the following receipts : —From late collector : Rates, 1875, £122 ing, £5 6s 3d ; from rent of weighbridge, £6 16s 8J ; fines, B. M. Court, £6 15s ; rent of Market Place, 7s ; licenses, £3 ; deposit, £6 ; total, £l7O 18s 7d. Drainage loan account —Balance, £15,901 17s 6d ; credit interest, £7 2s 4d ; cr, £15,908 19j lOd. Bills to be paid—Wages, contracts, &c, £214 7s lOd ; drainage rate account, cr balance last week, £1747 18s 4d ; receipts, £SO 19s 2d ; drainage loan account, wages, .See, £4lB 12d lOd. Cr Jones moved a vote of thanks to the insurance companies’ agents for the promptitude they had displayed in the matter of the fire brigade station. Carried unanimously. Surveyor’s report, 10th April, 1876.—“ 1. Mr Armstrong, the Government gardener, has been communicated with, and he has returned answer that he has no shrubs or evergreens at his disposal, but that he has forest trees only, and the works committee think it inadvisable at present to plant any more forest trees in the city. 2. Tenders for broken stone will be laid before the Council this evening. 3. I find that the rata have excavated a tunnel at the side of the culvert where the accident occurred on Oxford terrace, and it apparently runs the entire length of the culvert, which, I think, will account for the subsidence of the earth mentioned in ray former report, and consequently for the accident. 4, Annexed hereto is an account for labor done for the Drainage Board since its establishment.— 0. Walkden, City Surveyor.” Cr Ick moved—“ That the Drainage Board take over the staff, consisting of two meo,” Agreed to. In the matter of the supply of broken stone, it was resolved to leave it to the works committee.

Mr Wynn Williams, on behalf of Messrs Vincent and Co, made application for a sum of £2O as compensation for damage done to a horse of theirs through the road giving way in Oxford terrace, and stating that unless the same were paid within seven days legal proceedings would be commenced. Cr Turner moved—“ That the matter be referred to Dr Foster, to examine into the whole facts of the case, and, if necessary, that he be instructed to defend the action.” Agreed to.

Letter from James Tuit, stating that ho could not complete his contract for the Hereford street bridge until he received a supply of iron. Another month was granted to Mr 'fait to complete his contract. Mr Campbell attended the Council and stated that it was impossible for him to carry out his contract for the supply of broken stone. He said it was impossible to break the stone with his machine unless he received the necessary supply himself.

Cr Turner moved —“ That the contract be closed by payment of a penalty of £100.” He afterwards substituted the words “deposit money,” viz, £(il for £IOO. Agreed to. Letter from the secretary of the East Christchurch school committee in reference to preventative measures being taken against the spread of scarlet fever. Cr Turner moved—“ That a rate of one shilling in the £ be struck on all rateable property within the city." Agreed to. Cr Ick moved—“ That the City Council offices be closed from Thursday evening next to the following Wednesday morning.” Agrcd to. Cr Ick moved—“ That the City Council combine with the Road Boards to purchase a steam roller.” He believed there was one for for sale in one of the neighouring provinces. The works commit* ee was requested to obtain all the necessary inforraa’ion.

The inspector’s report was read and approved of. Several licenses were granted to hawkers, carriers, and others. The Council then resolved itself into a Local Board of Health.

Three letters were read from medical men, stating that they were attending four cases of scarlet fever ; also from Dr Deamer, medical officer, in reference thereto, and stating that all the cases were doing well. Dr Deamer objected to the names of patients being published. Considerable discussion took place as to the advisability of the names of persons subject to scarlet fever being published. Or Turner moved—“ That in future the town clerk supply the newspapers with the reports of the Local Board of Health, so that it will be unnecessary for the reporters to attend,” Motion agreed to, The question of Dr Deamer’s salary was postponed. The Council then resumed, and adjourned for a fortnight.