BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 357, 4 August 1875, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

LYTTiiLTON. Monday, August 2. The Council met at the usual hour. Present—His Worship the Mayor, Crs Buist, Graham, Chalmers, Young, and Grange. Correspondence was read from the Secretary for Public Works, in reference to the repairs to the Snmner road, stating that a voucher for £IOO had gone forward for payment as requested. From P. Cunningham and Co, offering to contribute £ls. townrds' carrying the storm water away from Peacock's wharf. After discussion, the matter was adjourned for a week. From Mr P. Cunningham drawing attention to the very bad state of the Bridle path between the New Zealand Shipping Company's office, and his house. The matter was referred to the works committee for temporary repairs till the question as to the position of the Bridle path was definitely settled. The following report with reference t<> the nuisance in Dublin street, was read from the foreman of works : ''l beg to report that I have taken the measurements for draining the property on the bank in Dublin street, and consider the best way is to lay a drain at the back of the houses facing on Dublin street, the drain to be taken through the yards of the property above mentioned, and the cesspools to be so placed that one should ait for two houses, the outlet of this main drain to be in Salt's Gully, through the corner of the bank garden, the drain from O'Neill'a

property to be so constructed as to empty itself in the main sewer at the back of the little brink house, and the drainage from Baker's property to run into the cesspool at the upper end of the main drain, and also the drain from Maddan's house to run into the same cesspool. I would recommend that not less than a six-inch pipe be used for the branch drains, and a nine-inch pipe for main drains. The total cost for the whole work would be £65." After some discussion the matter dropped. With regard to the election of the Mayor by the people, his Worship said that no communication had been received relative to the matter from their member. He thought the people should have the power of electing the Mayor, but certainly from the Council. Cr Graham agreed with his Worship, but thought the burgesses had made some great mistakes in the selection of their representatives in the Council, and might also do so in choosing a Mayor, if the whole power rested with them. The Council should have some share in the matter. Cr Chalmers, whilst agreeing in the main with the previous speakers, was of opinion that should the choice be confined to members of the existing Council, it would be too restricted. Surely they might go outside and choose some old councillor who was acquainted with the Act as well as themselves. Cr Grange thought the Mayor should certainly be elected from the Council. It would be a great misfortune and a great crime to elect any one for the office who was not one of the nine councillors. Cr Young agreed with the Mayor. The Mayor said that any past councillors who had served their time of office should be eligible. The Council might choose a certain number of councillors and ex councillors for the people to choose from. He would move—" That a letter be written to the Colonial Secretary, intimating the Council's approval of the principal of election of Mayor by the burgesses if candidate were a councillor of a year's standing or more, or an ex-councillor ; not more than three possessing such qualifications to be nominated every year by the Council for election." Cr Chalmers seconded the motion. Cr Grange said in nominating three the onus would fall on the Council. He thought it the better course for the burgesses to select from the nine councillors ; the public could select as their Mayor the one who had most zealously served them. The Mayor saw no objection to the elsction of ex-councillors. Many men might retire after three years' service, well fitted for the post of Mayor. The people had no means of judging but by the newspaper reports, and they were, to say the least of it, not always correct. Cr Grange moved as an amendment — " That the Mayor be selected from the nine existing councillors for the time being." The burgesses should have the whole responsibility of putting the right man in the right place. Cr Young seconded the amendment pro forma. Cr Chalmers spoke against the amendment, which on being put was lost. Cr Grange moved a further amendment — "That failing three of the existing councillors consenting to stand, ex-councillors should be eligible for election." This lapsed for want of a seconder, and the original motion was then put and carried. Cr Graham said that in reference to the appointment of a coroner, it was proved by recent events to be of the greatest importance. He would move—" That a letter be written to Dr Coward, asking him to appoint a deputy-coroner for Lyttelton." Cr Grange seconded the motion, which was carried. A tender was opened from H. Buckley offering to keep the side channels of the Sumner road clear for a twelvemonth for £l2. Cr Graham moved, " That the tender be accepted." This was seconded by Cr Grange and carried. Accounts having been passed amounting to £3B 6s lOd, the Council adjourned.