BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 222, 24 February 1875, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

LYTTELTON. The usual meeting was held on Monday night. Present—His Worship the Mayor, Crs Chalmers. Hawkins, Buist, Graham, Kenner, and Grange. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The following correspondence was read : From town clerk to Mr H. N. Nalder, asking if it were necessary Mr Willcox's appointment as valuer should be stamped.' From Mr Nalder, stating that if the annual sum drawn from the Council by Mr Willcox were over £IOO, it would require stamping, but not otherwise. The Mayor said that Mr Willcox's appointment did not therefore require stamping. From Mr Huddlestone, C.E., re water supply, asking if the Borough Council were in a position to give the necessary data to intending competitors for plans for the distribution of water in Lyttelton, viz, levels of streets at main intersections, and longitudinal levels of streets themselves; block plan of town showing reserves, &cj; population of different blocks ; demand per head in gallons ; requirements for shipping and fire purposes, and particulars as to reservoir; and stating that collecting such data would cost more than the premium offered by the Council, and of course deter engineers at a distance from competing. The Mayor said that with regard to Mr Huddleston 's letter, he supposed there was some maps showing the levels. Cr Chalmers said there was a map showing the levels, but some of the information asked for was what the Council wanted themselves. Whenever the Council had had anything to do with Mr Huddlestone they

had found him inclined to quibble. Any boy could bring water down hill, and really the only reason they wanted an engineer at all was that they could not say to workmen " there are the pipes, lay them down," but must have some regular plan to go by. The Mayor said that it was better that the clerk should write to Mr Huddlestone, giving him every possible information that was easily procurable. From Mr H. N. Nalder, enclosing cheque from Captain Dunsford for amount due to them for rent of weighbridge office, £5 Bs. After discussion, it was proposed by Cr Kenner, seconded by Cr Graham, "That Mr Dunsford be written to informing him that no further repairs would be allowed except those oassed by the Council.

The'works committee report was then read It ran as follows :

" Sir, —We beg to report that we have inspected the drain complained of by Mr Warner last week, and we consider the best way would be to take a 9-inch drain pipe from the northern corner of Winche ter and Canterbury streets along Winchester street as far as the existing culvert across the street, connecting the different drains and cesspools into it, and provide for drains from Pearson's and the adjoining property, the cost of which would be with nine-inch pipes for a distance of 193 feet, £2B 10s. The cost of a new windlass on the well in Oxford street would be about £4, with a neat batten fence on the street side. " William Graham, " Chairman."

A discussion, in which Crs Graham, Kenner, and others took part, then ensued as to the advisableness of placing a gate to the well at the borough schools. Cr Graham moved the adoption of the report, and it was seconded by Cr Buist, and carried.

The Mayor said that the most important part of the report was that referring to the drain at the corner of Canterbury and Winchester streets.

Cr Buist asked if they thought the pipe was large enough. Cr Grange was of opinion that they should be more careful in this matter, and lay larger pipes. Cr Hawkins agreed with Cr Grange. Cr Kenner was of opinion that the drain should be brought down Canterbury street. and let into the main sewer at the intersection of London and Canterbury streets. This was far better than taking the sewerage into a watercourse not culverted.

Cr Chalmers said Cr Kenner's idea had been weU sifted by the works committee, and found untenable. The works committee were anxious to be as economical as possible, and that was the [reason they had proposed having a 9in pipe. Cr Hawkins moved, and Cr Grange seconded—" That a 12in pipe be substituted for the 9in pipe proposed." Cr Kenner again advocated the pipe being laid right down the street to the main sewer The motion was then put and carried. Cr Grange moved—" That the final consideration of the report stand over till next week."

Cr Kenner seconded the resolution, which was carried.

In reply to a question from Cr Graham, The clerk statad that the overdraft at the bank was £260.

The Mayor said they had tacitly agreed at last meeting that the Government should not be written to on this matter, but he thought they should now communicate with them as their overdraft was large. After some further discussion, it was resolved—" That application to the Government for the last instalment of the loan be made."

Accounts were passed amounting to £6O 13s Bd. The clerk slated that he had received since last meeting £29 3s. The rate roll and map, as prepared by Mr Willcox, were laid before the Mayor and Council, and accepted. A deputation, consisting of Messrs Burnip, Packard, and Jacobsen, members of the Lyttelton Volunteer Fire Police, waited on the Council, and submitted the rules for the approval of the Mayor and Council. They were sanctioned and signed by the Mayor. His Worship then read portions of the Public Health Act, making remarks upon each clause as he proceeded. He remarked that with regard to infectious diseases it was particularly vague and unsatisfactory, as was such great difference of opinion even amongst the highest authorities as to whether certain complaints were or were not infectious. Many eminent medical men in England stated that the typhoid fever, now unfortunately so prevalent in Lyttelton, was not infeitious, and Sir Thomas Watson, a very high authority, in giving a lecture ou this subject, had stated that typhoid fever could not be produced by foul gases or poisonous exhalations, but must be communicated by germs from the excreta, &c, of some one affected. He (Dr Rouse) could prove that this idea was not correct. Five cases of this fever occurred in one family in a new house, where there had previously been no illness, and the house itself was situated in one of the healthiest positions in Lyttelton. One hot summer afternoon the occupant, assisted by his children, set to work to deepen a drain at the back of the house, aud within a few days five of them were struck down with typhoid fever. He thought this proved that the fever frequently proceeded from foul exhalations. In the Act it was laid clown positively that after June Ist all houses should be provided with earth closets or water closets, and if the latter, with proper drains communicating with a main drain, and that if no system of drainage and water supply existed, the local Board should make provision for supplying occupiers of houses with earth for nse in earth closets, and also for removing the same. Cr Kenner asked if there had been any complaint of a drain in Jackson's road. The foreman explained the matter. Cr Hawkins spoke of the filthy state of certain houses in Dubliu street, and said there was no doubt that it was an urgent necessity that this part of the Act should be carried out. He thought the introduction of earth closets would do away with much sickness.

The Mayor said no doubt there was more illness caused by the dirtiness of private sewers than by public ones. Cr Chalmers referred to the little knowledge possessed by some in putting in stink traps, Sec. Hia Worship was then called out upon urgent business, and on the motion of Cr Chalmers, seconded by Cr Hawkins, Cr Grange was installed as chairman in the Mayor's absence.

Cr Kenner asked why the footpath was cut away leading into Josling's land.

Cr Graham said that Or Kenuer was anxious to have that part of the town improved, and it could not be done without obstructions were removed.

The chairman called the councillors to order, remindingHhem that the Public Health Act was still under'consideration. Cr Hawkins moveayand Cr Buist seconded —" That the further consideration of the Public Health Act be adjourned till next meeting."—Carried. s^ Cr Hawkins said he thought tnfe-jjew map of the borough should be frametkand varnished, and hung in the Council The clerk had pointed out to him that this was necessary.

Cr Buist seconded the motion, which was carried.

Cr Graham said he had been asked by a persou living in St David street to ask the Council if they would allow him to drain into the sewer, subject to the usual conditions, and while he was on this Biibject he might state .that there were a number of boulders that had been taken out of the culvert in St David street, that he wished the Council would give him for a retaining wall. They were of no use to the Council.

Cr Hawkins moved—" Thai all the boulders in St David's street, of no use to the Council, be handed over to Cr Graham."

Cr Buist seconded the motion, which was carried.

It was resolved—" That Mr Tregear's application mentioned by Cr Graham, to drain into the main sewer in St David street be granted," The Mayor then returned.

Cr Chalmers rose and moved—" That a committee, consisting of the Mayor, Cr Hawkins, and the mover (his Worship, chairman), be appointed to prepare an estimate, in terms of clause No 208 of the Municipal Corporations Act." He said they were aware this was a pure formality. He was not a man given to compliments, but he must say they had had less bother with this valuation than with any former one, and it had been accomplished with less delay. Cr Grange seconded the motion, which was carried.

Cr Grange would ask the chairman of the works committee, through the Mayor, what would be the cost of the drain in St David street, and if the diameter of the pipes would be sufficient to carry off the storm water. He did not ask in any factious spirit, but it had been pointed out to him by some of the local people that the drain was too small. He was aware that a pipe would take more water off than an open drain. He thought this work should have been cairied out in its proper order. Cr Graham (chairman of the works committee) said the .reason the work was done out of its proper order was that the plant, necessary to carry out the other works, was being used by the hard labor gang; Another reason was that the bricks were lying there, and were likely to be stolen or broken if not used, and again, they hoped to have it ready for the prisoners to fill in before they had finished working in that part of the town. Cr Grange said the drain had turned out to be more expensive than was anticipated, he would have proposed that ventilation holes should be left, but, of course, if people drained into it, it would give the necessary vent.

The Mayor asked what was the diameter of the drain.

Cr Graham replied it was two feet

Or Chalmers said it was quite sufficient, and a smaller one would have clone on private property, but he was aware that a public drain was more likely to be abused. Two feet was beyond all bouuds ample. If of larger diameter they would have required another ring of bricks. Cr Keuner asked if the works committee had the power to let contracts without bringing them before the Council. It appeared that a contract had been let for the masonry work of the St David's street drain. Cr Chalmers explained that the men had merely been put on piece work instead of day work, as the foreman had been dissatisfied with the progress made. The Mayor said he certainly thought that when the Council had sanctioned a certain work the works committee had the power to carry it out as they thought best. After a few further remarks from Crs Keuner and Buist, the Council adjourned.