BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 327, 30 June 1875, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

LYTTELTON. The weekly meeting was held as usual on Monday evening last. Present—His Worship the Mayor, Crs Chalmers, Hawkins, Buist, Qriham, Murray. The clerk stated he had received since last meeting £sl 11s 3d. Correspondence was read from— Mr J. S. Willcox, foreman of the Lyttelton borough school works, applying for permission to lead a six inch drain pipe into the wooden culvert in Oxford street to carry off the storm water from the caretaker’s house. From the Secretary for Public Works, as follows: —“ Sir, —I have the honor, by direction of his Honor the Superintendent, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 17th instant, forwarding a copy of a letter from Mr Cowlin, of Governor’s Bay, stating that the road from Cass’ Bay to Port Lyttelton is unsafe. You add that the Council can accept no responsibility in the case of accident. The road, as I understand, is within the borough, and I am not aware of the grounds on which you refer Mr Gowlin’s letter to the Provincial Government, as the road is clearly under the control of the borough. The case appears to be one of pressing necessity, and to avoid public inconvenience, while they admit no responsibility, the Government will, w'th the consent of the visiting justice (Dr Donald) allow the hard labor gang now employed in Oxford street, to be employed on these repairs. At the same time I am to inform you that it has been determined, after

this temporary work, to withdraw the prison labor from the public thoroughfares. The available prison labor will be employed in the construction of the new road from the Orphanage, along the lower line to Governor’s Bay.” From Mr Samuel Edgar, asking the Council to remove a slip that had fallen on the Selwyn road, near his residence. It appeared from what fell from the works committee, that the road had been formed up to Edgar’s house by the Council. Cr Murray proposed, and Or Graham seconded, that the matter be left to the works committee.

From Mrs Meade, asking the Council to forgive her rates. His Worship stated that she had an invalid child, but she could pay tines at the Resident Magistrate’s Court, and he did not think she was deserving of being excused.

Cr Hawkins moved, and Cr Buist seconded —“That the proposal be not entertained.” Carried.

From James Scott asking that his rates might be forgiven. Cr Chalmers moved, Cr Hawkins seconded, and it was carried, that the matter be referred to his Worship the Mayor. From Mrs Jeffrey’s with a similar request, Referred to the Mayo - . From Mr Thomas Hough, stating he had not occupied the property in Jackson road north, for which he was rated, for three months, and asking if he was expected to pay both for that and his present residence in Exeter street.

Referred to the Mayor. From Mr W. Graham, asking permission to stack building materials in Oxford street, as he was going to build. Agreed to, subject to the usual conditions.

Tenders were opened from James Higgs, Richard Collier, and Joseph Illingworth, for supplying 500 cube yards of metal to the Council.

Cr Hawkins moved, aud Cr Buist seconded—“ That Mr Higg’s tender, at 5s 9d per yard, be accepted.” Carried. (The stone was a very superior sample). Accounts were passed amounting to £22 2s 7d.

The chairman of the works committee stated that in reference to a letter from Mr Hutchinson, Yoelas road, respecting a road at the back of his place, that it was a private road, and could not be interfered with. He begged to move that the clerk be instructed to write to Mr Hutchinson on the subject. Agreed to. The foreman of works said that Mr Cuff had been in port, and been shown what it was contemplated to do in Canterbury street, and full particulars would be laid before the Council at their next meeting. Cr Chalmers asked if the lighting committee were going to take any steps in reference to lighting the town with gas. Cr Hawkins said that if the lighting committee would give him particulars as to the number of posts required, he would furnish them with the cost of the posts both in England and here in Lyttelton. Cr Chalmers proposed, and Cr Buist seconded, that the lighting committee bring up a report as to lighting the town with gas. Carried.

Cr Chalmers said he wished to say something on the subject of the propored alterations in the Municipal Council Act; he had a resolution prepared on the subject, and would ask his Worship to decide if it should be discussed at once, or be made a notice, of motion for next week. He would read it, that he (the Mayor) might decide. It was as follows: —“That in view of the probability of the Municipal Corporation’s Act being amended in next session of the Assembly, a letter be addressed to Mr Webb, M.H.R., for his information, stating this Council’s opinion, that the Act admits of improvement in the matters undernoted. The present system of elective auditors to be set aside, and replaced by official auditors in the service of Government. Provision to be made for large powers to compel and regulate joint drainage in places exceptionally situated, such as Lyttelton, where the subdivisions of property often render drainage directly into sewers practically impossible. Provision to be made to render the authority unquestionable of bye-laws after they are finally passed. Suggesting that confirmation of bye-laws passed by boroughs should be by Acts of Assembly passed from time to time. Bye-laws to have no force until so confirmed, but thereafter to have the force of Colonial Statutes in the places to which they apply.” After some discussion,

The Mayor gave his opinion that it had better stand as a notice of motion for next week.

This being agreed to, the Council adjourned.