BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 216, 17 February 1875, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

LYTTELTON. Monday, February 15. The weekly meeting was held, as usual, at 7 p.m. Present—His Worship the Mayor, Crs Chalmers, Buist, Graham, Murray, Young, Kenner, Grange, and Hawkins. The minutes of the former meeting were read and confirmed. tfis Worship, in a few words, explained the necessity of his absence at the previous meeting. The following correspondence was read— Mr Neighbours, in reference to bricks. From the town clerk, Christchurch, forwarding copy of Wellington Wharf regulations. From G. Warne, drawing attention to a wooden box drain outfalling into his portion of section 56, at the corner of Winchester and Canterbury streets, and asking to have the same removed, as he wished to improve the property. The matter was referred to the works committee to report upon. From the Registrar General, asking to be furnished with the different heads of information set forth in an enclosed form, for statistics for the year 1874. The clerk was instructed to supply the information. From Mr J. E, K. Saunders, asking to have the footpaths in front of the Mitre Hotel asphalted, and offering to contribute onehalf the cost of the same. The matter was referred to the works committee. His Worship the Mayor said the next business was the report of the estates committee in regard to the various leases. He then read the report, and moved its adoption, which was seconded by Cr Chalmers, and carried unanimously. The repoit of the works committee"in reference to the drainage of the town was then read by the Mayor. It ran as follows : for main gullies in Lyttelton:—

The Mayor asked the chairman of the works committee if he did not think that some portion of the culverts might not be of smaller size. It was evident they would not require such large drains high up the town as near the beach. The chairman of the works committee said he thought the report should lie on the table for the consideration of the Council for some weeks, and it should then be decided if the necessary sum should be procured by loan or from the Provincial Council. There was no immediate hurry, and it was a matter for very serious deliberation. The Council approved of the suggestion. Accounts were then passed for payment, amounting to £146 13s 2d. The clerk stated he had received £8 6s during the week, and that when the accounts just passed were paid there would be an overdraft at the bank of £230; and in reply to his Worship, stated that the Government grant was now overdue. The Mayor then stated that the next business was the reconsideration of the motion standing in his name—" 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 to the Borough Council office on or before the 31st of February, 1875." He believed that Cr Grange had moved the adjournment of the former discussion, and it was therefore his privilege to re-open the question. Cr Grange said he was quite in favor of the original motion as it stood. The Mayor said that at a former meeting, Cr Hawkins had proposed that a further sum be offered for the best system for the drainage of the town. He was still of opinion that it was their first duty to dispose of the water question. No doubt the drainage was of great importance, but let them dispose of the other first. Cr Hawluns said he was of opinion that it would be better to settle the water question before having anything to do with the drainage, and his reason was that the ex-

pense would be more than could be met. He was of opinion that the water question must be met at once, as it was of immediate and paramount importance. It must be patent to anyone that Lyttelton as a townwasquite unable to afford such a sum as would be required for its drainage, and he would therefore acquiesce in leaving the matter of drainage for further consideration. Cr Chalmers said that though not present at the last meetings wheu the matter was discussed, he had gathered from the papers what had been said, and he must contend against associating the two schemes, that of the distribution of the water and of drainage. In the matter of the drainage they would have to employ a man of a higher and different class of ability to that required for the distribution of the water, which could be planned by an ordinary man. It had been hinted at a previous meeting, that the Mayor had no right to introduce a discussion, but was merely there for the purpose of seeing things carried on properly. He. must warmly protest against such an idea. Their numbers were so small that they could not afford to set one of their nine councillors apart, like the Speaker of the House of Commons.

Or Buist supported the Mayor's motion. Cr Hawkins had stated that he thought it possible to get money from the Provincial Council for their drainage, but he thought it better to get the water supply question definitely settled first. Cr Graham said that in the resolution they nerely offered a bonus for the best plan. It was a question whether that was sufficient. Would it not be also better to state who was to decide ? He questioned much if it were wise for the Council to select the plan. A professional man capable of judging should do so. [The Mayor—Mr Higgenson.] He would support the motion, but thought they should first well consider who was to decide the matter.

His Worship said that now Cr Hawkins had withdrawn his addition to the resolution there was little to reply to. Perhaps the bonus offered was too small, but then there was the probability that the successful man would have the work to carry out, which would reimburse him well for his trouble. He had certainly not thought previously of what Cr Graham had advanced, but he had not a doubt that Mr Higgenson would look over the plans. In fact, if they remembered that gentleman had expressed a desire to see them. He (the Mayor) would undertake that the plans should be sent to the Public Works office, and he would also write on the subject. He was of opinion that they were right in leaving the drainage question for discussion at another time. He hoped that when the water pipes were laid down the gas pipes might be also placed, as it would make the matter easier both for the Council and Gas Company. Cr Grange was of opinion that the Council should not entirely delegate its powers to any one in the matter of the plans. Cr Young was of opinion that the Council were quite incompetent to decide in such a matter.

Cr Chalmers said that he believed when bodies like the Council selected plans they usually chose what looked like the prettiest picture. [Laughter.] The Mayor would move an addition to the resolution to the effect —".That such plans be subject to the approval of Mr Higgenson." This was seconded by Cr Chalmers and carried. Cr Buist thought that to the last day of February would be too short a time to give, and proposed that the time be extended to the 31st of March. This was seconded by Cr Hawkins, and carried. The resolution as amended ran as follows —"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,' and that such plans be sub ject to the approval of Mr Higgenson or his appointee ; plans to be sent in to the Borough Council Office on or before the 31st of March, 1875." The motion on being put, was carried unanimously. Cr Grange was in favor of advertising the resolution in the Dunedin and Wellington as well as the Canterbury papers. Cr Chalmers was of opinion this would cause unnecessary delay. They were suffering much from disease, and the sooner the water was distributed the better. Cr Grange said that the matter had been on the tapis f'jr fifteen or sixteen years; what could a week or two matter? His Worship said that fever was far worse in the town now than it had been since 1860. They had never had so many deaths from this cause as during the last month. Cr Grange moved that the resolution be advertised in the Dunedin as well as Canterbury papers. Cr Graham seconded the proposition pro forma. After a few more remarks from several Councillors, the motion was put and lost. The Mayor said he had another matter to bring before the Council. They were aware that a dwarf wall was being erected in front of the borough school buildings, this wall enclosed one of the Council's wells, and was very shabby. He would ask the Council to erect a handsomer windlass. The chairman of the works committee undertook to report on the matter. The Mayor said that there was another matter of vital importance, and that was bringing into force the Public Health Act, which was in abeyance, not having been proclaimed in Lyttelton. The Act was a j very deficient one, but if it were in force they could make the inhabitants of the borough pay more attention to the cleanliness of their dwellings. There was more fever now in the place than there had been for fifteen years. He did not think any amount of drainage would quite save them from this scourge, but it might be limited by great care. The autumn of 1874 had been a fever season in other parts of the world, and had visited not only those towns deficient in drainage, but also others celebrated for their sanitary efficiency. He had not traced the fever in Lyttelton to local causes. Often people were attacked in the cleanest and best managed houses, but he thought the cause was the escape of noxious gases from the upper openings of the culverts. He remembered a conversation he had held with Mr Dobson, the engineer, years when that gentleman had stated they had no business to have culverts in Lyttelton at all. Had the streets been terraced, and the original water-courses used for drainage, these having been previously cleared out to have a level floor, he did not think there would have been half the danger from malaria, In Valparaiso, where the

people were far dirtier than here, fever was almost unknown, and this was no doubt due to the fact that the streets were in terraces, and the drainage was sent down the natural watercourses, which were open. The sun in this case acted as a powerful disinfectant, drying up noxious matters. They were now, however, committed to the culvert system; but he thought they would have to close these drains, not at the bottom but at the top. Far more mischief proceeded from the upper open ends than from the gratings down below. He would propose that the Act be laid on the table next Monday, and the clauses considered seriatim. In Christchurch the merlical men gave reports as to the contagious diseases prevalent. The Act was rather indefinite on this point. It says cholera, smallpox, and other infectious diseases. Now what were infectious diseases was a disputed point. He thought what should be done was for Dr McDonald and himself to point out particular localities. He would ask the Council to look about and see if it was necessary to take action. It was decided that the Act should be discussed at the next meeting. Cr Buist drew attention to the fact that the casual ward was within the building block, and yet was not built in accordance with the Act. The clerk said the contractor had called to ask if the building was within the block, and he had pointed out to him it was. After further remarks from Crs Hawkins and Buist, Cr Chalmers said that the Government set their bye-laws at defiance, both in the railway station buildings and the morgue They had made application, and the clerk had forwarded them full information, and then they had put on an iron roof, but wooden sides to the morgue. He did not think it right for the Government to treat them in this manner. Mr J. S. Willcox brought his new map of the borough, and asked if it was necessary that his appointment as assessor be sealed with the Council seal. His Worship, in reply, said the appointment must be sealed. A letter had been received from Mr R. C. Hammerton, acting secretary of the Stamp office, that all appointments of municipal officers must be stamped. Mr Willcox asked that he might havo the use of the rate roll for 1874, and after discussion it was decided that he be allowed the use of the rate roll and Council Chamber, but that the roll must not be removed. Cr Chalmers referred to the appointment of a chairman at the last meeting, stating that it was not in accordance with the Ordinance. His Worship said he had asked Cr Grange to take the chair, which he had done according to tne unanimous wish of those present. The Council then adjourned.

£ s. d. "Measurement from Norwich quay to lower boundary of Dale's fence in Salt's gully, 500 yards, at £3 15s per yard ••• 1878 ir> 0 " Measurement from Norwich quay to the north side of Exeter street through bank section, 276 yards, at £3 15s per yard 1035 0 0 " Measurement from Albion Hotel to the back of Mr H. B. Webb's house, 297 yards, at £3 15s per yard 1113 15 0 " Measurement from Winchester street to town boundary, Oxford street, 272 yards, at £3 15s per yard 1020 0 0 " Measurement from Gaol yard to north side of Exeter street, 110 yards, at £3 15s per yard 412 10 0 Total £5460 0 0