BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 180, 6 January 1875, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

LYTTELTON. The weekly meeting of the Oonncil was held on Monday. Present—His Worship the Mayor and Crs Chalmers, Buist, Graham, Young, and Grange. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. The clerk stated he bad received during the week £l3 17s fid. There was no outward correspondence. Inward correspondence was then read from Mr J. S. Wilcox, asking for valuation roll of last year, stating that it would be of -great assistance to him in his assessment of the borough to ascertain the Christian names of ratepayers, and that he would make the valuation entirely independently of it. The clerk stated he strongly objected to the valuation roll going out of the office, and wished the Council to assnme the responsibility if it did so. The Council agreed to let him have the rate roll during office hours in the office.

From the Sooth British Insurance Com* pany re insurance of buildings belonging to the Council in Oxford street, and it was decided after discussion to reinsure the buildings. From the Colonial Secretary’s office, acknowledging receipt of letter stating that Or Bouse had been elected Mayor. From the Secretary for Public Works re culrert in Salt's gully, and stating a reply would shortly be forwarded to the Council on the matter.

From the Police department, stating that cattle impounded had on several occasions succeeded in getting out of the pound. The Mayor said he had spoken to the foreman of works, who bad made the pound secure.

Lis Worship also stated that in regard to Captain kiddy’s resignation, he had received letter from Mr- Bowden seating it wa< necessary to appoint a fire inspector at once, as if a fire occurred they would have no one to command tli m. Not being 'used to the matter, he thought ft would be better for some one who knew more of the matter than he did to speak to the point. Cr Buist said he thought it would be better for the brigade to choose their own superintendent, as they would most likely serve best a man selected by themselves. Cr'Chalmers pointed out that it was the Mayor’s prerogative to appoint the fire inspector, It did not follow that a fire inspector need he necessarily a member of the force. Or Grange agreed with Or Bnist’s idea of the brigade selecting its own head. Mr Sowden explained that the fire brigade at a regular meeting had elected two foremen. •• ’ : ■- »»

The matter was left till next Monday that thd‘might arfange it. >' * *,! V 5 ; The Mayor read a letter from Mr Willcox offering to make block plan cf town sewers for £2O. Cr Orange said he would support it. The price was not exorbitant, and that gentleman knew all about thy drains and their inclinations, &c. It would be of great benefit to the Council- Without further preface, he would move—“ That Mr Willcox’a offer be accepted.”.; yj y j f ,»i .-rj / qcr« Cr Buist said that he would second pro

forma , but before supporting it he thought they should ascertain what assistance Mr Willpox wanted from the Council. Cr Gtange flaid the assistance wanted was that a man should be allowed him to break ground when necessary, and that the Council wdold give him ahy verbal assistance.’ Tne iffotion—“ That MpJr ST Willcox should prepare a block plan of the sewers of

Lyttelton, for the sura of ;£2o”ly?M\ theffi put and passed, Crs Chalmers and Young Toting against the .motion. ; -V'( / ; ; 1 ];; Accounts amounting to £56 12s 7d were passed for payment., v t ? M Cr Chalmers spoke in’ regard to‘ the auditors being paid. He said, thsMhey had no right to any remuneration : as they had been elected officers. In Christchurch the auditors of. one of i the schools bad been refused payment on this account. Cr Graham,>tUougl)t )th9y ,njust be paid, as they were engaged by the Council. Cr Chalmers pointed out, they were not engaged, but’ elected. After some;further discussion the item was passed. i - ,/: *'*'•■* ;;iv - s Cr Graham suggested that posts and rails should bfetihiainedjfai the purpose of fencing in Oxford street, just above the cutting being msdd Hr the Ikbor gang, stating that he was afraid some one would be injured were jjMppjot? -dqne* £een j told - by; a Councillor now absent that there was a large hole in Dublin, street. - On examination he found that the hole was small; he had had it repaired*. , _ „ , f The Mayor ■ said they' had better Battle about the posts and rails first. Cr Grdiige Asked ,if saWn timber had not better be used than split. He thought sawn timber better, «nd was pheaperjin.the, end, though the first cost was a little more. Cr Buist agreed, and said he had had some experience, and it was cheaper to put up sawn timber thaq spli|, looked Cr Chalmers said this wa« h'B own opinion, and he had proved it by’ practice. Cr Grange moved thatthe works committee ■ nse their judgment id the matter. With regard to insurance, Cr Graham said it wotjld to h»ve a*vfifh- id*, surance receipts kept and laid on the title of the Council at them weekly meetings. ; fie only*asked the ‘clerk to lay oh the table an account of the various .instances. Cr Buist said they 1 had 11 a number of tenants, and there was no certainty any of them were insured. Cr Chalmers said_they should not do things till they hi-cte sure j the clerk could carry it out. Every lease had a clause '-as to insurance, ,<As..to-whethef the lea es were complied With or rfot hfe" could not say, hut it was very desirable they should. It was mooted thaftßß clerk be instructed to place on the table at a state- ~ meat of the itfsufjtnbea tdkeh bat on properties owned by the Council. Carried unaoimopsly.^Q, 7 The Mayor said, as chairman of the estates committee, he—desired to speak to

them no »the subject .of ,the re* ; qmfed by <me of the wttigea that was formerly a part of the old Magistrate’s Court. One had beea adafc «nd«ippliefl vVfth a tank, and it was only natural the other tenant would require the same. He thought it better to settle the difference amicably by giving them another-.tank. '■ < ni.; Cr Chalmers begged to move—“ That the egtgteß committee provide A UWC and; spouting for this purpose.” After spWpAiwuasjqtt tbis .was agreed to* to the-, jrept due from Captain for-officem Oxford street. After a lengthy discussion;.it was resolved reference<to^hermatter, and submit the-same to the' Cburicirat their next meeting.” In the matter of the water supply,,, Cr, Grangc asked his. Worship if he knew what steps, bad - been by the. Government towards the' permanent supply of Water for the town.

His Worship said be bad seen the Superintendent and Mr Maude on the matter. flVe artesian wells had been sunk on a triangular piece of ground, situated between the old.and pew lines pf railway, and there a good flow of water; a reservoir was to be made on the side of the hill, the machinery had been ordered from England, and on its arrival, the works would be pushed on with all spfeed: ■ j,v- A Cr Buist said they ought tq begin to see about having a reservoir on this side, to receive the . water. . ; f ~ ~, . cr Grafigc said that hie spoke to call atten tion to that fact , It wap quite time they were making preparations, and- made the following proposition bearing on the subject, which was seconded by Cr G/ahajn, and carried, 4 viz That the Government be applied to for the use of the Provincial BnGinecr, to prepare plans for the distribution of the water, and state cost of maintaining town water works when brought into town.” It Uas Agreed' that a' few sheets of gal*▼anised iron be procured for repairing the roof of the hiit at the Wathing place. 4 Cr Grange again asked if anything had been dohe'm regard'to tht stink traps for the town, afid submitted a rough plan of a con Crete trap, furnished him by Mr Henwood The -plan was examined, and after som<general discussion, :Cr Grange moved, and Cr Boi*t seconded—“ That a.trap as per plan

be constructed under the supervision of the sanitary and works committees.” Carried, Cr Graham mentioned that the morgue was completed and was a most creditable building, and hoped the casual ward would be as well carried out. He thought they could not do less than express their thanks to the Government for their liberality in the matter.

His Worship the Mayor also spoke in high terms of the building audits suitability for the purpose. He had had to perform the unpleasant duty of a post mortem examination there, and the appliances were excellent. Or Grange also spoke well of the building, and of the activity of the present Executive. The meeting tten adjourned.