BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 393, 15 September 1875, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

LYTTELTON. The usual meeting was held on Mondaynight last. Present His Worship the Mayor, Crs Chalmers, Buist, W. Graham, Murray, Alhvright, F. Graham, P. Cunningham, and Hawkins. The new members having signed the declaration, the minutes were read, and the clerk stated he had received during the week £59 16s. The following correspondence was read — From the Provincial Treasurer, stating that £IOO was lying at the Treasury to the credit of the Council. In reference to the bridle path, the Mayor said the first business w r as the matter of the bridle path. He believed Mr Stinson’s offer was still open, and it was for the members to declare what should be done. The matter had been deferred till the new members took their seats. He would read the following report from the works committee on the matter —“We beg to report as to best means of forming and maintaining bridle path. Ist. Wo would suggest that the .present line of track be altered and taken about 40ft up Jackson’s road, and a sideling road cut in the bank skirting the corner of Mr Grange’s shop, and come out by the corner of Mr McLellan’s fence, removing all the clay close to his boundary ; it would involve the removing all the clay, about 616 yards, at a cost of about £35 18s 9d, and to metal the same with 12 yards to the chain would cost about £2B 16s. The clay could be deposited on the tunnel reserve, which the Government would probably not object to; the road thus made would be 20 feet wide in the narrowest part. “ 2nd. Should Mr Stinson fence in his property the road could be made available for cart traffic by removing about 200 yards of clay between Mr Grange’s shop and Mr McLcllan’s house, which would be sufficient for all present requirements; the cost of removing clay and metalling the old track would be about £22 16a Bd.’ ’

Cr W. Graham moved that the report be received. This was seconded by Cr Buist, and carried.

Cr Cunningham said that he would not exorcise his vote in this matter, as he was directly interested. He had spoken in fun at the election about looking after the Bridle path, but he should always endeavor whilst sit ting in the Council to avoid voting in any matter in which he was concerned. He thought they should get the work done as cheaply as possible. Cr Cunningham retired during the rest of this discussion.

Or Allwright said if could be done for £64 13s 9d he would support it, but he thought it would cost nearly £l5O to make it a serviceable road. He threw no discredit on the works committee, but from what he had heard he thought the matter was underrated. If there were 600 yards to move they could see that it would cost more. He thought as the road had answered for so many years it would answer still, and they should buy the property of Mr ..Stinson for £4O. Mr Stinson fence tomorrow if the land was not bought. He would move that Mr Stinson’s land be bought at a price of £4O. Cr W. Graham rose to explain the report of the works committee. A large quantity of clay would be used on the spot. He would guarantee jthat the work should be done (he did not want to press the matter) for the sum mentioned.

Gr Murray seconded Cr Allwright’s proposition. Cr Hawkins said that last week he had said the most economical way was the best, and was still 'of the same opinion ; and he thought the purchase of the land would be the cheapest. It took £2B 16s to metal the new road, and would cost the same for the present one. In |spite of the report being carefully drawn up, he was of opinion that the sum mentioned would be exceeded by at least £3O. He would therefore support the motion of Cr Allwright. Cr Chalmers said he had never heard how «uuch land would be sold to them. [“ Hear,” from Cr Allwright.] He had heard that some of the land had been sold by Mr Stinson, and before the Council purchased they should certainly know what they were going to buy. There was a question of principle in

the matter, as it was allowed that parties on the other side had encroached; were they to give the land to those parties ? Well, at least they should be called on to contribute. [Hear, hear.] He had ascertained that by moving 160 yards of clay—the foreman said 200 —they could get a road suitable for present requirements. There was an argument in favor of diversion, as the clay removed could be used on the bridle path. He thought a simple widening of the road would answer all purposes. If the fence was up the foreman was of opinion that removing 200 yards was sufficient. The metalling ought not to |be calculated, as it was required in either case. Or Hawkins asked if any one knew where the section went to that Mr Stinson proposed to sell the Council. The exact position of the laud must be ascertained before any purchase would be made. The Mayor said that there was a great deal of truth in what Or Chalmers had said, and he was certainly of his opinion. Cr Allwright agreed that if it were the most economical plan it should be done. Cr W. Graham said the estimate had been carefully prepared. Cr Chalmers moved as an amendment — “ That the second alternative in the report be adopted.” He should like a clause that the expense should not be exceeded, and he did not wish the metal put on now, but merely the shifting of the 200 yards of clay done. It was more than a question of expense. It was a question of right, Cr Buist seconded the amendment. Cr Allwright said—How, if the work could not be done for the price, what were they to do ? Were they to leave the work half done ? He did not see how they could be guaranteed from any greater sum being expended than the £22 16s 8d named. The Mayor' agreed with the amendment in the present financial position of the town, Cr Chalmers advocated the depositing the clay in Simeon Quay. Cr Allwright said he would withdraw his resolution, as he thought that after the explanation made it would be cheaper not to buy the land. The resolution was withdrawn, and the amendmentbecame the only resolution before the Council. The motion was then put and carried unanimously, Mr Cunningham not voting on the matter. With regard to the plans for the proposed culverts, his Worship said he had seen those prepared by Mr Thornton, and been informed that the Government intended to form twenty chains with the money voted, ten in each gully. He had advised the Government not to do this, but to make ten chains in one gully, five in Oxford street, and the other five through the bank section from Norwich Quay up to London street. Messis Peacock and Thornton had acquiesced, and Mr Bull was now taking the levels. He thought it would be of great advantage to the town to have the culvert made at once through the bank section. With regard to the progress of the water supply, the foreman of works had made inquiries from the men there, and ascertained that the quicksands were troublesome. The well was 27 feet down, and it was expected they would soon reach the clay. Accounts were passed for payment amounting to £5. Cr Allwright moved the appointment of a finance committee. He would move that his Worship and Crs Cunningham and F. Graham form this committee, to report in a fortnight. He moved this as a loan of at least £IO,OOO was, he considered, necessary. Cr Chalmers seconded the motion, which was then put and carried. The Council were proceeding to elect a works committee, when Cr W. Graham asked that the appointment of the committee should stand over till next Monday, as after what had been given forth to the public he thought they should appoint a committee to investigate the charges made against the works committee, and the chairman in particular. He could not allow the slur cast upon the works committee to remain.

Cr Chalmers said he hoped the matter would not be pressed by Cr Graham. He said let bygones be bygones. The Mayor hoped that Cr Graham would agree. There had been reports circulated, not sustained by facts. He hoped a new era was to commence, and there would be peace and quietness in future. Cr Graham withdrew his motion.

The following committees were then appointed :—Works committee —The old works committee were proposed, but Crs Chalmers and Buist declined to act, though earnestly requested by several councillors to do so. In reference to this committee, Cr Allwright said that as there were no funds lo spend, he thought his Worship might undertake the duties for the present. Agreed to. Sanitary committee The Mayor (chairman), Crs Chalmers and P. Graham. Bathing committee—Cr Hawkins (chairman), Murray, and Allwright. Lighting committee—Crs Cunningham (chairman), Hawkins, and Buist. Estates committee—His Worship the Mayor (chairman), CrsW. Graham and Buist. Fire Brigade Committee—Crs F. Graham (chairman), Allwright, and P. Cunningham. Cr Allwright said that in that night’s Star there was an article that required explanation. It was affirmed that a name had been added to the rate roll. Now, even supposing that this was true, it would not invalidate the election, as such a contingency was provided for in the 117th clause of the Act. [Read.J Even if Cr Buist’s name was not on the burgess roll it could not matter, as the election was quite legal, and no benefit could possibly have been gained by doing such a thing. He hoped the clerk would be able to explain how Cr Buist’s name was inserted in such a carious manner.

The clerk said that Mr Buist’s name was not inserted on the roll at first, but that it was placed there before the assessor signed it finally and that accounted for its being marked 53a. The name was inserted before the roll was sanctioned, and it was an utter falsehood that it had been placed there during the election, Mr Woledge, the returning officer, would bear him out in this he believed.

His Worship said that when he heard the rumour, he at once went to Mr Rogers, who showed him the burgess list and explained the matter. As to what had appeared in the paper mentioned, he paid no attention to it whatever, as false statements were frequently made in it.

Cr Chalmers wondered people, when they were nominated, did not take the precaution of looking through the roll, to see their nominators were on it. He was glad he had not had anything to do with the election. After a few further remarks from the Mayor, the meeting adiourued.