BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 240, 17 March 1875, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

LYTTELTON.

Monday, March 15. Present—His Worship the Mayor, Crs Chalmers, Hawkins, Buist, Graham, Murray, Young, Kenner, and Grange. The clerk stated he had received £ll 14s during the past week, and that he had also procured the Government grant of £250, but had received it too late to bank it. Correspondence was read— From Madame Winter, asking for the patronage of the Lyttelton Borough Council for her ensuing annual concert. From the Secretary for Public Works, stating that a voucher had been, passed for the fourth instalment of the Government grant of £IOOO. From the same, stating that Mr W. Packard had been appointed to the Kailway Department, and asking the Council to arrange if possible, to release Mr Packard at an early date. From Mr W. Packard, resigning his appointment as town clerk, and offering to carry on the work as town clerk until his successor was appointed. His Worship said he had seen Mr Maude a few days ago, who said he hoped the Council would meet the wishes of the Government in this matter. However much the Council regretted losing him, there was no councillor there that would stand in the way of Mr Packard’s improving his position. Ur Grange agreed with his Worship the Mayor, and begged to propose that Mr Packard’s resignation be accepted in terms proffered by him. Cr Graham seconded the resolution, The councillors expressed their regret at losing Mr Packard’s services, but would not stand in the way of his promotion. Cr Grange moved—“ That the office of town clerk be declared vacant, and that one be advertised for ; applications and testimonials to be sent in on or before the 29th instant, salary £2OO per annum.” The motion was seconded and carried. The report of the inspector of nuisances was then read ; it ran as follows ; “ I beg to report that I have inspected most of the thickly populated portion of the town last week, and am sorry to say that I cannot report very favourably of some of them. I have served notices on several places in Oxford street, Jackson’s road, Norwich Quay, stating in the notices I shall be compelled to summon them. Several have already complied, and others have instructed the scavenger to clear their closets and rubbish from their yards. “ I have also served notices on several parties who have cesspools on their premises to have them filled up within three days from service of notice. “ With regard to Dampier s Bay, or that part better known as Monkey Town, it would be necessary to have a proper system of underground drainage to lead on to the beach. It would be rather an expensive drain, as it would be necessary to lay 12-inch pipes for a distance of about twelve chains. “ Pipes alone would cost about £l6O. It is almost an impossibility to keep the place clean in its present state, as all the drainage has to come out on to the road in front of the lower houses. I had a man out one night this week to clear it up, but now it is almost as bad as ever. “ The property in Dublin street, between London street and Norwich Q >ay, is just as bad as Dampier’s Bay. It also requires a drain put down to lead across Norwich Quay, in front of the first row of houses, or to go down at the back through the corner of Mr Cotton’s garden, but from the lay of the ground 1 think the front would be the best. “ There is also a great nuisance caused by the Dublin street drain where it empties itself into the open gully. Ido net see that it can be remedied until the main gully is culverted, as all the drainage is now concentrated in one place. “ The gully between the gaol and Exeter street is also getting into a very dirty state. “Your obedient servant, “J. SOWDEN, “ Inspector of Nuisances. “ March 15th, 1875.” The Mayor said this was a report they could all have anticipated, and they could make use of it in preparing their report for the Central Board of Health. The two places, Monkey Town and Dublin street were m a disgraceful condition, and required immediate drainage. It was a great difficulty and expense; it would cost £l6O, and this would only make the main drain, after that they had to make the people drain into it. The place was in a disgraceful state, and it was a wonder the fever was not worse there; however, it was there, and would no doubt spread. The part between Dublin street and Mr Hawkins’ was frightful, black filth oozing out from the channelling and creating a frightfully offensive stench. Cr Kenner said it was called Dublin terrace, not Dublin street. The Mayor said they should commence to carry out the Act by making each resident clear out his own drain, and if he refused, let the Board of Health do it at his expense. He asked the Council whether Wednesday would not do for a general meeting of the Local Board of Health to draw up a report to submit to the Central Board. After some discussion it was resolved that the matter be left in the hands of the sanitary committee. The motion was then put and carried. Acc< unts were passed for payment amounting to £47 19s 3d, The Mayor said that he had seen Mr Maude that day, and he had informed him that Mr Higgenson, not pleased with the flow from the artesian wells, had had a 6ft well sunk. Government tenders for that, and also for the reservoir on the side of the hill, had been issued,

Cr Chalmers then moved —“ That this Council recognise the necessity of anticipating revenue in such manner and amount as may be hereafter decided on, for the purpose of meeting the pressing requirements of the town for extension of drainage.” If it was determined to proceed with the work, they must recognise the necessity of getting a special vote from the Provincial Council, and they could go with more grace for it if they could show that they had done something towards the work themselves. If the Council granted the necessity they were under of finding a portion of the money for the drainage, they would next have to consider how the money was to bo procured. The raising of special rates he thought should be reserved for emergencies, and the best plan therefore would be to raise the money on the security of rents received for the Council property. They might raise £IOOO by this means, and pay it off at the rate of £2OO per annum. It was true that they should only get £IOOO, and expend £I2OO when interest was allowed for, but he argued that the expenditure of that £IOOO would so raise the value of property that in the course of six years they would be amply repaid by the increase in the rates. By the report of the inspector of nuisances that had been read that evening, it appeared that there was a crying necessity for the immediate expenditure of £2OO in Monkey Town, and in Dublin street affairs appeared to be just as pressing. In St David street little bits of work had been done, but the expenditure of at least another £l5O was urgently required. In Oxford street, also, the improvement in one portion of the street necessitated improvement in others. Salt’s Gully had escaped that evening its usual evil notoriety of being the worst place in Lyttelton, but still improvement there was most urgently needed. He held that the Government promise as to the work promised by them to be carried out in that gully, was entirely independent of any future grant for the drainage of the town—[Hear, hear, from his Worship] —but even when the Government had done what they intended, the Council would have to complete the works by carrying them out higher up. The fresh works in Winchester street would also necessitate further work. In one year £SOO had been spent in drainage, and another £IOOO or £ISOO at most, to be recouped in five, six, or seven years by means of mortgaging a portion of their rents, would be well spent, and show the Provincial Government the great wish the Council had to complete the drainage of the borough. If the Council passed his resolution • he would pledge himself to bring forward a definite plan to raise the money. Cr Graham seconded the motion, and agreed with the mover as to the absolute necessity of going on with the drainage works. Cr Kenner thought the uncleanness of the smaller drains was the occasion of fever. Cr Buist, while agreeing with the former speakers, thought the principal thing they had to do was to get the water into the town so that the drains might be flushed. Cr Hawkins supported the motion. They must proceed with their drainage work or destroy what was already done. At present they had merely concentrated filth in certain localities. The Mayor was also of opinion that they must destroy the work already done or else go on to complete their drains. He agreed with what had fallen from former speakers as to the filthy condition of several parts of the town, and that the Provincial Council was likely to aid them if they showed a willingness to help themselves, Cr Grange thought as they would have to borrow for the water supply, the two schemes might be combined. He understood from a report laid before the works committee a short time ago that the drainage of the town would cost £SOOO. The Mayor pointed out that this was an extreme estimate, the calculation being based on the culverts being full size. Cr Chalmers replied at some length, pointing out that if the town subscribed £I2OO or £ 1500 they might expect a total of £4OOO or £SOOO to carry out the works. He thought they should seize the present opportunity for improving the health of the town. The motion was then put and carried unanimously. Cr Grange proposed—“ That an account of the sums expended on drainage during the past two years be laid on the table at the next meeting.” Carried. The Council then adjourned.