BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 369, 18 August 1875, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

LYTTELTON. The Council met on Monday night at the usual hour. Present His Worship the Mayor, and Crs Hawkins, Buist, Graham, Murray, Allwright, and Grange. The clerk stated he had received since last meeting £l9 4s. Correspondence was read from the Secretary for Public Works, stating that they oould not allow the hard labor gang to be removed from the work upon which they were engaged, as all the necessary plant for the performance of that work being on the ground, it would be very inconvenient, besides delaying the work at least a month, which would be a convenience to a large number of persons. From the Colonial Secretary with reference to the election of Mayor. In reference to the letter, His Worship the Mayor said he had received a letter from Mr H. R. Webb as to the opinion of the Council respecting the election of Mayor, he had immediately telegraphed to Mr Webb the resolution they had passed with regard to the election of Mayor. The letter from Mr H. R. Webb said that the Government were in favor of having the Mayor elected either by the people or by the Council. Accounts were passed amounting to £44 2s sd. The following report from the fire inspector was read: —" Sir,— Knowing the very weak appliances we have to cope with fire in Lyttelton, I beg to offer a few suggestions for your consideration. 1. As to a steam (ire engine, I would suggest that the different insurance offices be communicated with to know to what amount they would supplement the Government grant, and should their answer be satisfactory, I would further suggest that owners of property, and those that have a large stake within blocks I, 2,3, and 4, as shown in rough plan annexed, be canvassed to make up the necessary balance for the purchase. A steam fire engine would be of great benefit to all, as it would have the effect of reducing insurance premiums, I should say, at least one-third. It may be said that we do not require a steam fire engine, as we are going to have the water supply laid on with a high pressure, when by means of fire plugs we may hope to cope with any fire; but should the water supply prove a success, it will be at least two years before the plugs can be

laid down and the water available in case of fire, and in the meantime it is necessary to do something, as, with the present appliances, the brigade are unable to cope with a large fire, and at least one hour must elapse (if it occurred at night) before aid could be got from Christchurch. When the water supply is successfully laid on the engine could bo disposed of in such a way that the insurance companies and townspeople who had subscribed might not be losers, as other towns that are now springing up in other parts of the province would no doubt require and purchase it, and the money subscribed by the town might be refunded, whilst the insurance companies might give their share to the municipality purchasing the engine, whilst the Government grant might become the property of the town, and be used for fire extinction purposes in Lyttelton, as there will always be hose and other appliances wanted for the efficient working of the brigade. Regarding storing water for the use of the engine, I would suggest that tanks be placed at the intersections of streets that would store at least 20,000 gallons each, to be supplied by means of the rain water from the stone side channels, conveyed in with 4-inch iron pipes, with stop cocks to shut the water off when full, the first three of these tanks to be placed at the intersection of Oxford and London streets, Canteibury and London streets, and London and Dublin streets. With these tanks we might command the whole of the block to Winchester street, and when the water supply is laid on these tanks could be used for storing water to supply the town in case the mains should want any temporary repairs. The cost of these tanks would be about £l4O, and as the municipalities are likely to have extended powers to levy special rates, I would suggest that the cost should be defrayed by special rate levied on the blocks benefitted. I find that a rate of 3d in the £ over the four blocks would amount to £ll6 18s 6d. I have merely made these remarks as suggestions, and hope the Council will not think me presumptuous in so doing. John Sowden, fire inspector. " P.S.—The depth of the tanks would be 20ft with a diameter of 14ft."

Cr Allwright moved —" That the clerk be instructed to write to the Insurance Association, asking them to grant a sum of money to supplement the grant for a steam fire engine for Lyttelton." Cr Grange seconded the motion. The resolution was put and carried. After some remarks from a councillor re the election of Mayor, The Mayoi said that Mr Webb had sent him a copy of the proposed amendments in the Municipal Corporations Act, and had asked the Council to give their opinion on the matter and then return it. He would read through the various clauses. The Act was then read, the Council agreeing with all the alterations with the exception of clause No 2, which repealed the clause in the present Act, that provides that if a councillor resigns or his seat becomes vacant through his absence, he cannot be elected for a period of six months. The proposed alteration is that a councillor is eligible for re-election at once. It was not approved of, on the ground that a councillor might put the ratepayers to unnecessary expense by resigning when displeased, knowing that he could be at once re-elected. The Mayor stated that he had had an interview with Mr Coster, who had stated with regard to the proposed loan for drainage, there was no doubt that the Bank would come to terms with the Council. After a little further conversation, during which both the Mayor and Cr Grange stated that they objected to a Mayor being elected who was not a member of the Council, his Worship pointed out that by approving of the proposed amendment of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1875, they had virtually passed a resolution agreeing to let the ratepayers have the right of electing a mayor. The Council then adjourned.