Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-12-03
THE CITY'S FIRE LIMITS.
THE COUNCIL URGED TO Tx
TEND THE FRAME DISTRICT.

Petition for Modification of the Pres
ent Fire Ordinsncs-The Proposed
Limits-The Artesian Wen Project
Abandoned Until Next Ysar-Lsst
Nights Work of the Aldermen.
The City Council met in open session
ut a quarter to 10 O'Clock last night, hav-
Ing been in caucus for nearly two hours.
The only matters of interest brought up
were the proposition to extend the nfe
limits and the question OF an artesisn
water supply. The matter OF extending
the fire limits was brought before the
Council last summer through petition
signed bv a large number Of property
owners. The petition was referred to a
special committee, OF which Alderman
O'Connor is chairman. No re-
mort has ever been made.
The petition presented last night
asks that the committee submit report
favOring a modification Of the ordinance,
so as 10 permit the erection OF fame
buildings east of the middle OF Haber-
sham street from South Broad street To
the extended limits, west OF the middle o.
Montgomery street TO Jones street, aud
south Of CASTOR street lane.
The petitioners believe that beneficial
results will follow such a measure.
First-A number OF citizens who pur-
chased lots before the change in the ordi-
nance two years ago Will be able 10 carry
out their original intention OF building
homes
second-A number Of citizens who are
unable 10 build brick houses Will be en-
ahled to buy lots in the extended wooden
districts.
Tnhd. The number Of lots upon which
frame houses may be built will be largely
increased, and the number 10 select from
will be larger.
Fourth. The revenues Of the city will
Re increased; the impetus given TO build
ing Will benefit resident mechanics and
Undue others to come here; lots that have
been vacant for years because In the brick
district, by being put IN the wooden dis
trict Will be built upon at once, and
sthe greatest good will be accomplished
10 the greatest number"
The petition was signed by large num-
Der Of leading citizens and property
owners.
There was at first difference Of opin-
Son as to how to dispose Of the petition.
Alderman Duncan finally moved its re-
ference to the special committee ap-
pointed to report upon the petition pre-
scented last summer.
Alderman Thomas suggested that the
committee might sit on this petition as
long as it did on the first. A vote was
taken aud the matter was turned over to
the committee.
In regard 10 the artesian well matter
Alderman Wells, Chairman of the Com
lnittee On Wafer Works, referred TO the
authority, given the committee III Sep
TENDER to purchase machinery for the
purpose Of sinking a series of wells on the
water works tract with a view to securing
q new water supply for the city. 1. was
roughly estimated at that time that the
cost of the work would not exceed
500, or $500 at the most. After a
further investigation Of the matter and
consultation with artesian well cOntrac-
tors it was found that 1t would
cost probably not less than $4,000. In
view OF the outlay it would involve the
committee deemed best not to undertake
the work at present.
Alderman Mills moved that the author
ity granted to the committee TO proceed
with the work be revoked, aud that the
project be abandoned for the present.
1t is understood that this step was
TAX in order TO delay the work until the
budget for next year is made up, when it
will be taken up again. Several PROPOSE
tons are understood to have been made
10 the committee by artesian well con-
tractors, but by advice of the Council it
was deemed best TO abandon the scheme
altogether until next year. The matter
was fully discussed and informally dis
posed OF in caucus. The Council is en-
deaVOring 20 cut down expenses, and to
delay all works Of improvement except
such as are absolutely necessary until
next wear,