BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 57, 5 August 1874, Page 4

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

LYTTELTON.

The usual meeting of this Council was held on Monday evening last. Present—His Worship the Mayor, and Crs Kenner, Hawkins, Buist, Graham, Allwright, and Young. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.

The following correspondence was then read :

From the New Zealand Produce Company, asking leave to sublet a portion of their premises in Oxford street (which they rent from the Council) to the Provincial Government.

From the Secretary for Public Works, asking for draft of rules relative to licensing porters in the borough of Lyttelton. From Mr March, immigration officer, stating that he had arranged for the accommodation of eight married men selected from the immigrants by the foreman of works (for working for the Council) in the building recently occupied by Messrs Cuff and Graham, belonging to Mr Savage. From Mr E. Giraud, master of the Orphanage, stating that water running from the Governor's Bay road threatened to injure his property. The report relative to licensing porters in Lyttelton, prepared by the committee appointed for the purpose, of which Cr Graham was chairman, was read. The report of the works committee from July 18th was then read by the Mayor. It ran as follows :

" NorwicfyQuay—Asphalting from Mitre to Union Bank, 0 chains 73 yards, at 2s 6d per yard, £81; kerbing same, wo recommend concrete—say 2s per yard, £l9 10s; repairs to other parts. £l2; total, £ll2 10s. Dampier's Bay road —Making footpath from Miles' corner round the Bays, about £3O. Salt's Gully and suburbs, about £2O. Dublin street, from Norwich Quay up—We recommend the crown of the road to be raised so as to throw the storm water into the side channels; cost, about £3O. Canterbury street, from Norwich Quay upwards—We estimate the cost of putting the street in proper condition at £IOO. Oxford street— To put this in repair same cost as Canterbury street, viz, £IOO. St David's street—We estimate the cost of metalling this road and trimming bank at about £4O ; fence on back of school ground, nine chains (substantial totara fence), cost, about £3O 14s. Loudon street—Forming road and metalling same, and repairs on footpath, £OO. Winchester street —Raising crown of road, metalling on same, £SO. Exeter street, from Dublin street to St David's street, repairs necessary, £3O. Eoad from Exeter street to Oldfield, distance half- mile, £4O. Kitton street open gully, recommended to be done by committee, so as to form the road, as there are numerous buildings being erected, cost about £IOO, if done by prisoners. Continuation of Oxford street to cemetery, about £4O. Brenchly Farm road—Repairing road fromßippon street up, £4O; 3000 feet of timber for Council's use, say £8 10s. Total expenditure recommended, ,£832. J. Kennee, Chairman of Works Committee." The question of asphalting Norwich Quay was first considered, and after considerable discussion, adjourned. Cr Allwright moved that a footpath should be made round Dampier's Bay road. It was muddy, and very bad for ladies. It was eventually moved and carried—- " That the works committee be asked to report on the possibility of making a footpath round Dampier's Bay." Cr Kenncr hoped that councillors would meet him there to arrange about road. In reference to Salt's gully it was moved and carried that £2O be expended on it. In reference to Ripon street and continuation of Oxford street, it was determined, after a lengthy discussion, to adjourn the matter.

Mr Naldcr waited on the Council to ask permission to transfer property held by the New Zealand Produce Company from J. W. Mcllroy to Messrs W. H. Mein and Watt. Granted.

The Mayor then rose to move "That a premium be offered for a design for a new Town Hall and offices at Lyttelton." He thought the time was coming when such buildings would be required, and it was an opportune time to make enquiiies as to the cost of such buildings. They should soon require a larger place for public entertainments, as the Colonists' Hall was too small. He was a warm friend to the Colonists' Society, and would not dream of doing anything hostile to their interests, but he thought the erection of such a hall would be serviceable to all. The Colonists Society had met adverse circumstances bravely, and could support itself without the money drawn from their hall. If the building they were now in were put in proper repair, it would fetch at least £1 per week as a dwelling house. He brought forward the motion to learn the opinion of the Council upon the subject. Cr Allwright seconded the motion pro forma. He thought they did not possess enough money to offer £2O or £3O for a premium for designs. They had already plenty of waste paper in the office without adding to it, and could not afford to pay so much for a picture. At some period they might afford it, but the motion was premature.

Cr Kenner then moved as an amendment, " That the matter be deferred to this night six months."

The amendment was then put and carried.

Cr Buist asked how the bathing-place was being conducted. It was an odd time of the year to make the enquiry, but he had heard complaints. Cr Allwright stated that it was conducted principally by the wife o'f the man who held it.

Cr Graham said that next Monday night he should introduce the subject of having a public crier properly appointed by the Council. The Mayor called attention to the fact that a special meeting would be held on Thursday re applications for the office of town clerk. He had made enquiries, and found that Mr Perrin, when elected clerk, had Pgiven no sureties. Now it was clear, by looking at clausa IG2 of the Municipal Corporations Act, that securities were needed, and yet the Council had required none. He thought that the Council of the day were much to blame for the course they had pursued in this case, and he believed the gentleman who was Mayor at the time was responsible for the amount missing. Too many councillors were satisfied with a merely honorary discharge of their duties. The Mayor moved—" That this Council consider that Cr Allwright, as Mayor, grossly neglected the public interest in omitting to take sureties from Mr Perrin when he was appointed as town clerk, as required by clause 162 of the Act." There being no seconder the motion lapsed. Cr Kenner moved—" That a certain omission in Property Roll relative to section 137 be filled in with the name of H. Slater." Carried. Accounts to the amount of £4B 14s 4d were passed for payment during the meeting. The Council adjourned at a quarter to 9.