BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 246, 24 March 1875, Page 4

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

LYTTELTON. Monday, March 22,

Present—His Worship the Mayor, Crs Hawkins, Buist, Graham, Murray, Kenner Grange, and Chalmers. The clerk stated he had received during the past week £2BO 17s 4d. The following report of the Local Board of Heath, a copy of which had been forwarded to the Central Board during the week, was read ; “ The Board regret to state that there exists at present in Lyttelton an epidemic of fever of the typhoid type, distributed pretty generally thoughout the town, irrespective of position or local influences. They cannot doubt that this fever, if not actually originated, is, to a very great extent, propagated by the want of proper means for conveying off filth and refuse from the dwellings of the inhabitants. The difficulty in drainage is doubtless partly due to the original plan of the town, the natural watercourses running through private property instead of being throughout their length

under the control of the local authorities. In those portions of these gullies which have already been culverted evils have arisen from the want of water to flush them, filth accumulating in the lower portions and generating gases, vdiich are, unfortunately, too evident to the senses at all openings into them from the streets, and from their upper open extremities. In those parts of the town, which are at all thickly populated, there is unfortunately great neglect of ordinary cleanliness, there being few opportunities of carrying off the household waste and filth into the natural outlets. It is consequently allowed to rot upon the surface or in the side channels. The want of anything like general cottage garden cultivation precludes one very advantageous way of disposing of house sewage. To remedy these evils it will be necessary that funds are available to extend the present main culverts as far as the exigencies of the town require, and to lead into them a proper system of branch drains, into which all private individuals must be compelled to lead their sewage. All openings into these culverts and branch drains will require to be properly trapped, and the entire system to be periodically flushed with water. Within the last two years the Borough Council has expended in drainage the sum of £533 6s 9d, and they have to the best of their ability enforced cleanliness in flagrant cases, but itwill be evident that although the powers entrusted to them as a local board of health are extensive, the means at their disposal are not augmented by the Public Health Act, and that the carrying out of the system spoken of above would entail a far larger expenditure than the ordinary revenue of the town would admit of. A resolution has been passed in the Council favoring the borrowing of a sura of money on security of a portion of the municipal income, but unless this should be liberally supplemented by Government aid, the remedy will be but a very imperfect one. It will also be a matter of absolute necessity that the entire sewage of the town should be conveyed outside the basin which will be formed by the breakwaters, and this necessity will be aggravated when the supply of artesian water allows of the use of water closets throughout the town. Another fertile cause of the spread of fever is the scarcity of house accommodation for the large number of men employed upon the various works going on in the town, many small cottages being crowded to an extent scarcely credible. It would be well if an amendment of the Health Act were made to give the local Boards the supervision of boarding and lodging houses; and it would also be an advantage were there laid down distinctly a list of the diseases which are to be regarded as ‘ highly infectious,’ contagious, and dangerous to the people. In conclusion, the local Board of Health of Lyttelton trust that the central Board will use its influence in the proper quarter to assist in obtaining for the town a grant sufficient to complete its drainage in a manner that will be calculated as far as possible to prevent the spread of disease among the inhabitants.” Correspondence was read—

From H. Dunsford, asking that repairs should be done to the office in his occupation, known as the weighbridge office. Cr Grange moved, and Cr Murray seconded —“That the works committee inspect the weighbridge office, and report on repairs required.”

Cr Buist moved an amendment to the effect that if Mr Dunsford is not satisfied with the office in its present state the Council will look out for another tenant. The amendment, on being put, was lost, and the original motion carried. From Mr John Sowden, inspector of nuisances, with reference to the closets attached to Government Buildings in Lyttelton, and requiring to be instructed in the matter.

Tiie clerk stated that every possible means had been taken to abate the nuisance, but entirely without avail. It appeared that they were used by all the Government officials, and also by the men at work at the new Government Buildings. Cr Chalmers said that when'they began to enforce the Public Health Act the first persons against whom they proceeded would think that they were hardly treated. They would never have a better opportunity than now, when they could proceed against the General Government. He would move—- “ That in this instance the provisions of the Public Health Act be enforced.”

Cr Grange seconded the resolution, which was passed unanimously. It was also resolved that the scavenger be paid for cleansing out the closets referred to. From the New Zealand Shipping Company, asking to have the footpath in front of their premises, formerly in the possession of Messrs Miles and Co, asphalted on the usual terms. Referred to the works committee.

The Mayor said that that day, on visiting a sick person in London street, he had smelt a terrible stench, and was told it proceeded from a drain in a right of way next to the house, the stench was sufficient to breed a fever in a fortnight. Mr Sowden said that he had spoken to Mr Salt, who was the owner of the property in question, on the subject. The Mayor said he had spoken to Mr Thornton, the engineer, that day, and he had informed him that an engineer would be sent in on the following day to commence the work in connection with the culvert in Salt’s Gully. [Hear, hear.] His Worship referred to Madame Winter’s concert, and told councillors that those intending to attend should notify same to Madame Winter, who would reserve seats for them next to those occupied by the Christchurch City Council. Cr Buist said that as next Monday was Easter Monday, they had better defer their meeting till Tuesday. Agreed to. Cr Hawkins pointed out that where the new road had been made at Dampier’s Bay. near the bathing premises, the fence was very low, and he thought dangerous, and he feared the Council would be responsible if accidents occurred. Referred to the works committee. Accounts were passed amounting to £42 14s 7d for payment. The following notice of motion for Tuesday, 30th of March, was then laid on the table :—“ That the Mayor be empowered to open negociations for a loan of one thousand pounds (£1000) for drainage purposes, repayable by instalments and secured as a first charge on the Council’s rent roll.” (A Chalmers.)

The chairman of the works committee stated that the committee would bring up at the next meeting of the Council an account of the works completed, and in course of completion, and an estimate of the amount required for further works. The Council then adjourned,