BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 171, 23 December 1874, Page 4

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

LTTTELTON. A meeting of the Lyttelton Borough Council was held on Monday last. Present—His Worship the Mayor, and all the Councillors. The following letters were read :-- From Mr GirauJ, stating that the culvert placed by Mr W. Holmes to carry off the storm water from the Governor's Bay road had been again blocked up, and that the rain last week had washed away some of the soil from the garden of the Orphan Asylum and done considerable damage. After discussion, Cr Kenner moved, and Cr Young seconded—" That Mr Giraud's letter be referred to the works committee." Carried. From Captain Kiddy, resigning his office as fire inspector. Cr Grange moved, and Cr Chalmers seconded—" That he be requested to reconsider his resignation, and that the Council regretted he should have considered it necessary to send it in." Carried. From Captain Kiddy, in reference to the stoppage of the drain opposite the Empire Hotel, and askirjg that the same might be cleared.

Cr Kenner said the pipe was choked up with sand, and that caused the drain to overflow. The rain had been exceptionally heavy. He called the attention of the works committee to a small gutter by Mr Kich's which was choked up, and which he thought might be cleared out in an hour. These matters were referred to the works committee.

From Mr Neighbours in re culvert bricks ordered by the Council, and stating they would be ready in twenty-six or twenty-eight days. From the chairman of the Borough School committee, inviting Council to attend distribution of prizes to school children. From same, acknowledging the receipt of the £2O voted by the Council for the picnic and prizes for the school. The weekly pay-sheet, amounting to £BO 15s 7d was then passed for payment. The clerk stated that he had received during the week £lO lis. The chairman of the bathing committee said that in reference to the complaints about persons bathing without dresses in the prohibited hours, he had waited on the man in charge, who stated that when away at his meals, persons took advantage of his absence, and he could not be responsible for it. If the Council would give him some bricks to build a chimney for one of the outbuildings he would live on the premises and keep proper order. It would only cost a few shillings to do this. If anyone offended the police should be informed. The custodian had only received £4 15s in three weeks, and so they would see that he was poorly paid. He complained that as soon as his back was turned the boys made the place in a mess.

Cr Kenner said there was an iron funnel on the premises 6 or 8 feet long, and that a few bricks would be required to make this form a chimney. The matter was referred to the works committee, to act as they thought fit in the matter.

Cr Graham asked the Council to sanction the works committee having the thistles in the town eradicated.

Or Kenner having seconded this, the motion was carried. The letter from the town clerk of Auckland, re introduction of Gas Act, adjourned from last weekly meeting, was then discussed.

Cr Graham said he had moved the adjournment of this matter in consequence of its great importance, ;and to give Councillors time to reflect on it. When the Lyttelton Gas Company made application for their private bill, the Council had allowed the matter to pass passively, and therefore had not reserved the power in their hands to prevent a monopoly. A clause should have been inserted giving the Council the right to purchase. The only difficulty appeared to be the expense. His opinion was that the expense would be nothing; but if so, it would be divided amongst so many that it would be very light. He begged to move that a letter be written, stating that the Council would be happy to co-operate in the matter.

Cr Grange seconded this resolution with the addition " that the Council cannot pledge itself beyond its proportion of lights." Cr Graham objected to the addition to his resolution; he would rather leave the matter to their correspondents. Cr Hawkins thought a small community like Lyttelton should not be called upon to pay as much as such towns as Christchurch, Wellington, or Auckland. The Mayor said that if this Act cost as much as the Lyttelton Gas Company's private Bill it was a matter for consideration. Cr Chalmers was sorry there was not a purchasing clause in the Lyttelton Gas Act. It would have done no harm to the company, and would be a check against monopoly. The Mayor asked if anyone would second Cr Graham's motion ? Cr Chalmers did so for the sake of discussion.

Cr Grange's amendment was reconded by Cr Murray, with some slight alteration, the amendment now standing as follows : " That the Council co-operate with the city of Auckland for the introduction of au Act for the purpose, and express willingness to undertake payment in proportion to the rateable property of the borough."

Cr Graham objected Lo the amendment. He said it was as though the Council looked upon their neighbours with suspicion, and was not at all a liberal way of treating the matter.

Cr Hawkins could not see the injustice of the amendment, or why it should offend Auckland. After some discussion the amendment was then put and carried, only Cr Graham dissenting.

Cr Grange asked if anyone had thought of getting a plan of the drains of the town. There were many councillors who knew little of the drains talked about, and a plan would be a great help. The Mayor thought the plan might be arranged to be put on the new block plan of the town.

Cr Hawkins suggested, while they were speaking of drains, that the Government should be written to respecting the drain in Salt's Gully, which last season they had partly arranged to do before the dry season. Cr Chalmers was happy to second what had fallen from Cr Hawk'ns.

His Worship said that as soou as the school ground work was done, the prisoners would be employed in making good the foundation* lor the casual ward, and that afiuw.mh

they would most probably be sent to Salt's Gully. It was arranged that the Mayor communicate with the Government on the subject. Cr Chalmers asked if the Mayor had notified to the Colonial Secretary his election. The Mayor stated that he would do so at once. Cr Grange asked if the works' committee had done anything in the matter of stink traps. Cr Graham reported on a drain in London street, and, after some discussion, the works' committee were instructed to secure the entrance of the drain. These matters having beeu disposed of, Cr Grange moved " That a competent surveyor be appointed to make a complete block plan of the sewers." He thought the cost should not exceed £lO. Cr Kenner seconded the proposition pro for vx a, Cr Buist did not think it could be done for £lO. Cr Chalmers thought the matter might be done by Mr Willcox, with the assistance of the foreman. Cr Hawkins said there were difficulties in the way of their present system of drainage by each separate gully. Before long it would be found necessary to carry all their drainage to the eastward of Officers' Point, as the accumulations in the harbor were very great and would be a great nuisance. There would have to be a great cross drain along Norwich Quay. Crs Graham and Kenner having also spoken, Cr Grange replied. The motion on being put was lost, but the Mayor undertook to make inquiries in the matter. The Council then adjourned.