BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 309, 9 June 1875, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

LYTTELTON. Monday, June 7.

The usual weekly meeting was held at this date. Present—His Worship the Mayor, Crs Chalmers, Buist, Graham, Young, Grange, and Hawkins.

The clerk stated he had reeeived during the week £65 3s.

The following correspondence was read:— From the Secretary for Public Works, stating that he was informed by the Provincial Engineer that it would take that gentleman a month to perform the work the Borough Council wanted done, and that it would be impossible for the Government to spare that genl leman from his ordinary duties for such a space of time. Cr Graham said that the works committee report that night would again urge upon the Government the necessity of their taking this matter in hand It was of the utmost importanoe, and he was surprised to hear that the Government had arrived at such a decision.

From the foreman of works, running as follows : —" I beg to lay before the Council the necessity of laying a brick sewer, of 18in diameter, from the corner of the old Resident Magistrate's Court House into the main sewer crossing London street, as the pipe drain now laid down of 9in pipes is quite unable to carry the water from Oxford street and the Sumner road on the occasion of heavy rains such as occurred on Saturdaylast, and it has been the means of cutting up Ihe streets at the crossings. I have seen Mr Harris, as requested at the last meeting, and he has informed me he can get 500 ft of best canvas hose, with hose reel and couplings complete, delivered in Lyttelton at a cost of about £6O, and that if entrusted with the order he could procure it free of commission. It would take about five months from the time it was ordered till it arrived here.—J* SOWDEN,"

With regard to the flow of water, it was resolved that the matter should be left to the works committee. With reference to the £2500 voted by the Provincial Council, the Mayor said that the money should be spent on those portions of the town where the drainage was absolutely needed. It was the duty of the Council to see that it should be spent in the districts required. Cr Buist said that the whole sum should be spent on the main culverts. Cr Grange asked if the £2500 was supposed to be sufficient for the drainage of Lyttelton.

The Mayor said he thought that it was not the idea of the Government that the £2500 was sufficient, but that that was the largest sum they could afford at present. Or Grange again pointed out that the sum was not sufficient. With reference to the hose for the fire engine, Or Grange moved—" That the order be entrusted to Mr Harris." Or Chalmers seconded the resolution, which was carried.

From Rev W. B. Dudley, stating he had no property either in Voelas road or Winchester street, Lyitelton, both properties* having been conveyed to the Church Property Trustees. Cr Grange said that it was evident the assessor had done his best to rate all the properties in the borough. He would move " That all the disputed claims be referred to the valuator."

This was seconded by Cr Buist and carried

From Mr J. A. Plimmer, stating he had ceased to occupy the house in St David street he was rated for. Referred to the valuator.

From Mrs W. Godfrey, stating she was too poor to pay her rates, which had been raised from £1 to 255.

Cr Hawkins moved that Mrs Godfrey's application be not entertained. Seconded by Cr Young, and carried. From Mrs Roberts, stating she did not occupy the house she was rated for. Referred to valuator.

From Mr Templar, of the Bank of New South Wales, stating the property for which the bank was rated belonged to Major Hornbrook's estate.

From Mr P. Cain, stating that Mr Robert Groton was liable for the rates of the house in London street lately occupied by him. The Mayor said that, with regard to the Winchester street culvert, he would investigate the matter thoroughly. Accounts were passed amounting to £75 13s lid.

The following report of the works committee was then read :—" We beg to report that the damage done by the late heavy rain is considerable, but by no means so great as might have been expected. Had the same quantity of rain fallen in the night time it would certainly have done a considerable amount of damage, as more of the timber gave way that covers the culvert in Mrs Pearson's yard, joining the bad culvert before reported on across Winchester street, and had not our foreman, Mr Sowden, with some men, been on the spot just in time, it is more than probable serious damage would have been done. We fear the Government are not sufficiently acquainted with the necessity for immediate action in the matter of drainage for the storm water from the hills at the back of the town. Again we say we feel sure that if not attended to (now that part of the gullies are covered) damages to the amount of several thousand pounds will probably be done to the lower part of the town and the railway. Your committee would also again press on this Council the necessity of the Government granting the £IOO each to the Sumner and Governor's Bay roads. We have inspected the Sumner road to the top of the zigzag, and there are two large slips, from 200 to 300 yards in each to be removed, besides smaller ones. Three or four wood or stone culverts will also be required, and the wall on the zigzag will have to be repaired. The men have been employed to render the Sumner road passable; the Governor's Bay road we will see to to-morrow. We also beg to state that when we have made these roads passable we cannot recommend any more outlay from the town rates for these roads, Wm. Geaham, chairman." The report was adopted. Cr Grange moved—" That an application be made for acres." He spoke at great length on the subject of the rights of municipalities. Cr Chalmers said that in seconding this he was of opinion that if it was right to endow one thing it was right to endow another. The Provincial Council had endowed several institutions, and had therefore recognised the principle. It was as easy to get 5000 acres of land as £SOOO in cash, and he hoped the Government would concur in their view of the subject.

Cr Hawkins said the whole Council must be of opinion that if anything was to be obtained they should try to get it : but he thought they should ask for a larger sum. Or Grange, in reply, said that regarding provincialism as being a thing of the past, he had remarked what had fallen from the Government members both in Otago and this province, and it appeared to him that once their provincial institutions were swept away, the land became the common property of the colony. They had had a grant in land, but that had been taken from them in depressed times. Crs Young and Graham both spoke in favor of a larger area being asked for, and the latter said that it appeared those on the other side of the hill did not know how expensive work was in Lyttelton. He thought 10,000 acres would be only a reasonable grant, and hoped Cr Grange would alter his motion to that effect.

Cr Buist seconded the amendment, which on being put, was lost. Cr Grange asked leave to amend his motion to 6000 acres.

This having been granted, the resolution wa.4 P u t as amended, and carried unanimously. Cr Young asked if any steps had been taken afl to the state of the urinal at the Railway Hotel; it was a great nuisance. The Mayor said the matter had been put very strongly to Mr McQuilkin at the meeting of the Licensing Court. If the nuisance were not abated at once, active steps should be taken.

The inspector of nuisances was requested to see Mr McQuilkin on the subject. Cr Chalmers said that it was evident there was an intention to amend the Municipal Corporations Act. Now he thought that at least they might point out to Mr H. R. Webb anything in the A ct that they had felt as an inconvenience, and he could lay it before the proper authorities, though those authorities had not had the courtesy to ask their advice. The Council then adjourned,