BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 192, 20 January 1875, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

LYTTELTON. A meeting of the Council took place on Monday evening. Present —His Worship the Mayor, Crs Chalmers; Murray, Young, Grange, Graham, Hawkins, and Kenner. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The clerk stated he had received during the past fortnight, £6l Is. The following correspondence was read:— To the Secretary of Public Works, stating satisfaction with building of morgue. To the same, asking that the Provincial Engineer might make plans for reservoir and mains for water supply. From the Secretary for Public Works, stating that the Provincial Engineer was so busy that he regretted to state that that gentleman’s services could not be spared to make plans for reservoir, mains, &c. From the Lyttelton Borough school committee, asking the Council to attend at the picnic and opening of the new schools. From the secretary of the fire brigade, stating that Mr Sowden had been unanimously recommended for the office of chief fire inspector. The Mayor stated he had sanctioned the appointment. The report of the fire brigade was then read. It ran as follows: * “ Since my last report there has been only one alarm of fire, and that occurred to the cottages owned by Mr Merson. The brigade mustered in full force, and rendered all the assistance that was possible, but for the want of water the engine was of little or no I use. The brigade meets monthly for practice, and the attendance is generally good. A few have been struck off the roll and their

accoutrements called in for non-attendance. I beg to tell the Council of a dangerous practice wbi' h is carried on in different parts of the town, viz, lighting fires in the open air for the purpose of boiling water on washing days, and sometimes for the purpose of cooking. If such practices are not put a stop to, I fear the result will be a serious fire from this cause. If notice was given in the daily papers, or the police communicated with, to make an example of one or two cases, I think it may be the means of putting a stop to it. There is also another source of danger which requires looking into, and that is where stoves are used with pipes, it should be compulsory that the building where such stoves are used should be lined with sheet-iron or some other suitable material for a certain distance round the stove, to prevent the wood from igniting, which those buildings are generally lined with, and the pipes from such stoves should be carried to a specified height above the building, especially within the building block. “ John Sowden, Foreman of Brigade.” From the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency, complaining of the falling off in the supply of water from the tunnel mouth. The Mayor said that he regretted the Provincial Engineer was unable to furnish them with plans for mains, &c., for the Lyttelton water supply. It devolved to take immediate action, and it was thought wise to offer a prize for the best plans for the distribution of the water from the tunnel mouth. Cr Chalmers asked if the water was only to be delivered at the tunnel mouth, or taken some distance up the hill, as mentioned in Mr Higginson’s plan. The Mayor said it was his impression that it was only to be delivered at the tunnel mouth, but that now there was ap opportunity for the Council getting some distinct information from the Government. Or Chalmers said he would try and explain why he asked the question before anything was done. No gentleman could make any plan till it was ascertained where the water would be delivered. The town could not afford to wait. Cr Grange said he should like to see Mr Higgenson’s plan (plan produced). It seemed to him that Mr Higgenson’s plan was definite, he thought Lyttelton was so well known that the best site could easily be ascertained, there would be no danger to the town from the reservoir, as there would be generally little water in it, but it should be made strong enough to hold a week’s supply. His Worship said it must be also made strong in case of a fire. Cr Kenner said he understood from the letter that the surveyor, though not at present able to do the work, would do it by and bye. He thought they should wait for the Government’s time.

The Mayor said all they wanted was to ask the Government for information, to go to work themselves. Cr Hawkins said the Government had met the Council in a very favorable manner. They asked for the services of the Provincial Engineer, and they (the Government) told them that they could not afford to spare that gentleman. He never understood that any level was mentioned, or that the Government would raise the water to any given height. When the water was brought into the tunnel, the Government had given them a great deal. If they wanted it higher than the natural flow, the town must pay for it. Their principal idea in doing |the work was to supply the shipping. Cr Grange read an extract from Mr Higgenson’s plan, from which it was evident that the shipping was considered of secondary importance to the supply of the town. Cr Hawkins resumed —He said it was not the duty of this Council to trammel the Government but to assist them. If there was a surplus left after the works on the other side of the hill were finished, it might be spent in mains on this side. As to the Provincial Engineer’s services being refused, that was owing to the great stress of business. Cr Chalmers proposed—“ That the Government be requested to state definitely at an early date the point at which it is proposed to deliver the water from the Heathcote Valley.” Hethought as to the shipping supply, that it was questionable if the revenue of the town would be added to from that source. If the water was delivered at the tunnel mouth, it was necessary to know to what height the water could be raised as a reservoir must be up the hill. Engineers must know this before they could plan a site for a reservoir. If Government abide by Mr Higgeuson’s plan, there was no difficulty in giving information the Council asked for, Cr Hawkins would second Cr Chalmer’s resolution.

Cr Grange did not quite agree with the wording of the resolution, it should be the height, if the water as anticipated by several councillors were delivered on Norwich Quay, it would issue from the pipe with a pressure near to 901bs on the square inch. If the Government stuck to Mr Higgenson’s No 3 plan, it was clear it had to have an elevation of 200 feet on the Heathcote side. Cr Graham said they should press on the Government whether they were only to get the water on Norwich Quay, or higher. It was most important they should do so, to be prepared for the water when it arrived. The Mayor read a letter from the Government, stating that they intended to carry out Mr Higgenson’s plan. The resolution was then put and carried. With reference to the letter from the Lyttelton Borough School committee, it was resolved that their invitation should be accepted. The Mayor read portions of fire brigade report, referring to making fires in the open air, and unguarded stove pipes. Cr Graham moved—” That the insurance companies be written to, inclosing latter portion of the report.” He thought the insurance offices would be thankful for the information.

Or Grange seconded the resolution. Or ChSltners said it was provided that all buildings should be closely on the ground. In London street an addition had been made, and this rule violated in two cases, and in one of these places there was a stove pipe. In case of fire these places were very draughty. The resolution was put and carried. Mr F. Crowley’s letter was next considered. The chairman of the works committee said he and Cr Buist had visited the place, and the foreman had since been there; The pipe must be defective, as no other parties had complained of a failure in the supply. He would suggest that the pipes should be taken up. The foreman said he thought the pipe was corroded. The matter was referred to the works committee.

Accounts to the amount of £136 19s were passed for payment. Or Kenner moved—•“ That an account of all monies expended on Ripon street, and on Dampier’s Bay road, since July 13th, 1874, be laid on the table next Monday night.” This was seconded by Cr Graham, and passed. His Worship said since last meeting he had received private letter with regard to use of rate-roll from Mr Willcox. The large map he was now making was very awkward, and he wished that he might have the use of the rate roll out of the office. Or Kenner moved that the rate roll should not be removed out of the office. If he had his way, the valuator should not be allowed to have a chance of looking at the former rate roll. ** Or Chalmers seconded, but merely that he might say that there would be danger in allowing it to go out of the office. All ratepayers had a right to see the book, and Ihe danger would be that when it was away other cantankerous ratepayers might come and demand to see it. The motion was then put and carried. In reference to Captain Dunsford, the clerk read that the office had been let to Captain Dunsford for three shillings per week, separate from the weighbridge, and that he had paid rent up to a certain date. The Mayor said Captain Dunsford had stated he was willing to pay if it could be proved he legally owed the money. Cr Kenner said that the rent had been paid up to a certain date. Cr Grange moved—“ That a copy of the minute be forwarded to the borough solicitor, to be by -him forwarded to Captain Dunsford.” Cr Hawkins seconded the resolution, which was carried. Cr Grange moved —“ That a brass plate be placed on the water tank by Miles’ store, bearing the name of the late mayor.” The motion was lost. The Mayor said that he gave notice of moving, at their next meeting, the following resolution —“That a prize of £2O be offered for the best plan, with accompanying estimate, for the storing and distribution through the town of the water to be supplied under the system known as Higgenson’s. Plans to be sent in to the Borough Council office on or before of February.” After an animated discussion the Council adjourned.