BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 304, 3 June 1875, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

LYTTELTON, Monday, May 31. The usual weekly meeting was held on Monday night last. Present—His Worship the Mayor, and Ors Hawkins, Buist, Graham, Grange and Murray. The minutes having been read and confirmed, the clerk stated that he had received since last meeting £25 I4s 6d. Correspondence was read from Mr H. R. Webb, relative to the disgraceful state of that portion of Canterbury street to the north of Winchester street, owing to the side channels not being kept clean, and the quantity of soapsuds and refuse vegetable matter deposited on the west side of the street. The Mayor said there was no side channel on that part of the street between Winchester street and Exeter street on IScott’s side, and the people threw refuse into the street. The matter should be placed in the hands of the works committee, and the street put in proper repair. Mr Webb had good cause for complaint. Cr Buist concurred in the remarks made by the Mayor, and it was determined that the matter should be left in the hands of the works committee.

From Messrs Wales, Dunkerton, Snoswell, Lance, and others, inhabitants of Kipon street, calling attention to the disgraceful state of the roads and footpaths leading to and in that immediate neighborhood, rendering it almost impassable for loaded carts.

It was determined to leave the matter in the hands of the works committee.

A report was read from the superintendent of the fire brigade running as follows :—“ I beg to report that since my last quarterly report the fire brigade has been called out on two occasions for actual service, once at Mr O’Brien’s, Oxford street, apd once at the Orphanage, when they mustered in good force, and did good service. I again beg to lay before the Council the necessity of getting new hose, as that we have now in use is in a very bad state, and at the late fire at the Orphanage we were obliged to bind the defective parts with canvas in order to convey any force of water on the fire. I have seen Mr Harris on the subject of procuring new hose, and he recommends getting it direct from the Council he would get it out free of commission for you. It is also necessary that two American axes be procured and placed on the engine, as it sometimes causes serious delay procuring those things at a fire. Mr Harris has informed nie that the railway engineer has been in communication with him about forming a fire brigade on the railway. „If he should succeed in doing so he contemplates coming through to Lyttelton' at least once a month with the railway steam fire engine to practice with the Lyttelton brigade, which would be a great boon to the town. There has been an average attendance of twelve at each monthly practiceduring the last quarter.— j. Bowden, Inspector L. F. B.” The May* said that in reference to forming a railway fire brigade there was one thing that should be.done, and that was with regard to night telegraphic communication, no doubt if a steam fire engine were placed on a truck ap<jl could be brought on at once, it would be a great benefit. He thought that on the occasion of the late fire, attempts had been made to communicate with Christchurch, but they had been ineffectual. This required to be remedied. Some one should certainly be stationed at the Christchurch office in case of any alarm.

Or Buist said lie had heard that since the great fire in Lyttelton some one had been in the Christchurch office all night in case of an accident.

The Mayor said that with regard to discussion on the report, it appeared to him that the great thing was to procure hose. Mr Sowden might ccymmunicate with Mr Harris on the-subject, and let the Council know what the expense would be.

Cr Grange said that there was some hose at Mr Anderson’s, in Christchurch, that he thought was suitable. He would move—- “ That the report of' the superintendent of the fire brigade be. received, and that he be requested to obtain what information he can as to dimensions and cost of hose in the province, and also what would be the expense of suitable hose in London.” This was seconded by Cr Murray, and carried.

' From Messrs Sutton and Weastall, with regard to extension of lease for their premises in Oxford street. Referred to estates committee.

From Mr J. A. Plimmer, stating that he was not liable for rates, as he had left his residence in Lyttelton before the rate was struck. Resolved—“ That Mr Plimmer be written to, asking when he left the house in question.” From Mr Robison, of the Bank of New South Wales, stating they had no interest in rural section No 1615.

1 It was resolved that the clerk get particulars from the assessor, and write Mr Robison on the subject.

His Worship said that he had not yet heard from Messrs Joynt and O’Neill in reference to Mr Mark’s claims. He had not received any formal answer from the Government with reference to the culverts in Winchester street, but had seen Mr Thornton, who had said that he would give his services as soon as he received instructions from the Government, and that the Government were anxious the work should be carried out.

In reference to the nuisance in Dublin street, the foreman stated he had had the place cleaned as well as he could, but the people must throw their water into the road, or else cause a nuisance at the back of the houses.

After long discussion, it was resolved that the matter should be attended to as soon as the Council could go into the matter of drainage. Accounts were passed amounting to £46 5s lid.

The report of the works committee was then read.

Cr Graham moved, and Cr Buist seconded, the adoption of the report. Carried. Cr Grange asked if anything new had turned up with regard to the water supply. He hoped that the money would not be frittered away in experiments. The Mayor made a statement with regard to what had been done in the matter, and after some further remarks, the Council adjourned.