BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 144, 18 November 1874, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

LYTTELTON. The usual weekly meeting was held on Monday night. Present —His Worship the Mayor, Crs Buist, Graham, Murray, Young, and Grange. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed.

The following correspondence was then read:-~

From Mr W. Holmes, asking permission to remove the bathing house purchased by him from the Council.

His Worship pointed out that it was a proper request, and permission was granted, subject to the usual conditions. A letter was then read from Mr Joshua Little, of the New Zealand Shipping Company, stating that his health was suffering from an offensive steach proceeding from a sewer running under the Company's office, and asking the Council to take immediate steps to abate the nuisance, and suggesting that the drain should be flushed with salt water carted from the bay. His Worship said that the nuisance was a very bad one, and something must be done immediately to remedy it; one life had been already lost through it, and the health of many others seriously affected. Cr Buist said that the stench was bad.

Cr Young asked if stink traps were not efficacious in these causes, and whether it was not possible for the Council to procure some.

Cr Graham thought that the stench was owing to improper substances being introduced into the drains.

The Foreman, Mr Sowden, said that the waste water from Beverley's Lavatory ran into it, but that was all, nothing from Belgrave's closet went into the sewer. The Mayor asked if some of the stench did not proceed from the drain on Norwich Quay. Cr Buist stated that there was a good deal of-stagnant water in Mrs Beverley's cellar. After some further discussion, Cr Grange moved that one of the usual stink traps be procured and placed in the spot in question.

This was seconded by Cr Buist, and car ried.

Account sales of the building known as the residence of the custodian of baths, Dampier's Bay road, was read, from which it appeared that the buildiug realised £3O 10s, or a net sum of £32 lis Gd.

The Mayor apologised for the absence of Crs Hawkins and Rouse. His Worship then read the following report from the estates committee : " Your committee are of opinion that the conditions of the various leases are being carried out except in the following cases : John Forester, reserve 101, has not yet erected boundary fence, but assigns a reasonable cause for delay—viz, a dispute as to the correct line ; and Joseph Illingworth, reserve 68, who has seriously failed to do the works he covenanted to do on the second year of his lease. His Worship s'ated that there was a real difficulty in Forrester's case. He thought that the matter had better be adjourned for a week as several councillors were absent. Cr Young moved, and Cr Buist seconded —" That the discussion be adjourned till next week." Mr Mcllroy's lease of store in Oxford street was fully discussed. The clerk stated he had received £5 8s during the week. Accounts were passedfor payment, amounting to £22 18s lid and £5 imprest for petty cash.

Cr Graham called the attention of the Council to the necessity for procuring a heavier roller as the present one was too light. After some discussion, the matter was left over till next week. Cr Grange said that something ought to be done about the water supply. He believed that £IO,OOO or £12,000 had been voted by the Provincial Government for this purpose, and yet it appeared no active steps were being taken in the matter. There had been and would be great suffering in Lyttleton from want of water ; the Government had plenty of engineering talent at its disposal, and the country could nfford the expense, and yet nothing was done. He would propose that the Government be written to, asking them to take prompt steps in the matter. Cr Graham would second the motion. He thought the attention of the Government should be at once drawn to the matter. Cr Murray proposed that, to meet the necessity, the Council should purchase ten or twenty tanks, and ask the Government to keep them filled with water sent through by the railway. The tanks were now to be purchased of the New Zealand Shipping Company at £3 10a each, a moderate price, at which they could always be resold. He thought the matter a very urgent one. He begged to propose that the Council buy ten tanks and erect them in a convenient place for the benefit of the town. Crs Grange and Graham also spoke strongly on the necessity of some immediate steps being taken of carrying out the water supply and eventually it was moved and carried —" That the works committee obtain five tanks for the immediate supply of the town.

Or Grange asked if the Council intended contributing towards the children's treat on the opening of the new Borough School. Cr Buist said a considerable sum had already been collected in the town. Cr Graham asked if the treat was for all the children in the town or only a section 7 Cr Grange said it was for all. Cr Buist asked when it was probable the schools would be opened, and Cr Grange replied in about a month's time. Cr Graham moved that £lO be granted for the purpose. Cr Buist seconded the motion. Cr Grange did not consider £lO would ba sufficient; they had voted more last year for prizes and all. He "would move aa au amendment that £2O be given. Cr Murray seconded the motion. He was of opinion that in such matters as these the Council should show their liberality.^ Cr Graham then withdrew his motion, and Cr Grange's amendment becoming the resolution was put and carried. The Council then adjourned.