BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 411, 6 October 1875, Page 4

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

LYTTELTON.

Monday, October 4. The Councillors met at the usual hour. Present—Crs Chalmers, Buist, F. Graham, W. Graham, and P. Cunningham. Cr Chalmers, in the absence of the Mayor, occupied the chair. The minutes having been read and confirmed, the clerk stated that he had received £204 6s during the week. His Worship the Mayor and Cr Allwnght here entered and took their seats. Correspondence was read — From the Secretary for Public Works, in reply to letter from Council re drainage grant for Lyttelton, and in reply stating that the Government was not prepared to pay £2500 over to the credit of the Borough Council at once, but was willing to place the sum of £625 at the disposal of the Borough Council, on the understanding that the Council will pay an equal sum to the contractors for the Lyttelton drainage works about to be undertaken by the Government, when requested to do so by the Government, and that on receiving a reply in the affirmative a voucher for payment of £625 would be iorwarded. From Messrs Gifford and D. Rae, asking to rent a house from the Council, situated on Reserve 35. From Messrs J. Robinson and Son, claiming a sum of £5 for rope used on occasion of the Mitre fire.

From Mr J. S. Jenkins, asking for correct level of section 51, Winchester street, as a hall was about to be erected there by the Oddfellows.

A telegram from Mr H. R. Webb was read, in reply to Council's instructions regarding new Municipal Loan Act. It ran as follows: —" Leading principle no limit to borrowing power. Ballance will agree to fifty years." His W rship said he supposed that all agreed to ke the £625 from the Government.

Agreed to. Cr Buist said that the main drain in Monkey Town should be laid down at once. The Mayor said the Government grant must be spent in the drainage. ... After discussion,

Bis Worship Baid that he would instruct the clerk to write at once to the Government, accepting the proposal of the Government. The applications for the house were referred to the estates committee. With reference to Mr Robinson's letter,

The Mayor asked the superintendent of the fire brigade what he thought of the matter. The superiutendent said they had used a large coil of Burope rope. The charge of £5 for damage done was a most moderate one ; the rope had not been taken away, but its sale was spoilt, as it had been cut. Cr P. Cunningham said that the first claim sent in by Messrs Robinson and Son to the Insurance Company had been such a large one that they refused to entertain it at all, but he thought that if the matter were left to him he could get the j 65 now asked for from the Insurance Company before the next Council meeting. The Council agreed to leave the matter in Cr Cunningham's hands. With reference to the request for the levels of Winchester Btreet, after discussion, Cr Chalmers moved—" That the request should be granted." This was seconded by Cr Buist, and carried.

The report of the estates committee on unoccupied properties belonging to the Council was adjourned for a week. Cr Cunningham said he had been requested to ask leave of absence for Cr Hawkins.

The Mayor said he had drawn a sum of £5 for petty cash for issuing summouses, and the clerk stated a further sum would be required for that purpose during the week. Accounts were passed amounting to £33 12s lid, including £5 petty cash for issuing summonses.

The Mayor, in reply to a question from Cr Buist, said he had arranged for Mr Packard's presence on the day of hearing the summonses issued for '74 rates. His Worship said that Mr Mitchell objected to one of the rates, saying he was rated twice in that instance. Cr Buist said that more attention should be drawn to the valuation of the borough, in order that objections from ratepayers might be heard. This would lessen the dissatisfaction.

His Worship agreed in thinking that greater publicity should be given ; at the same time all the provisions of the Act with regard to the matter had been strictly complied with. His Worship said that in the Gazette of 9th September a bye law for the borough of Timaru was published. The 24th clause in this bye law had been thrice refused to Lyttelton. He was surprised that this had been granted to Timaru and refused to Lyttelton. Cr Buist said he supposed that as it was a seaport town it was considered a necessity. Cr Allwright asked if the police had not authority in this matter. Cr Chalmers also spoke.

The Mayor said there were instances of young girls being inveigeled into these houses and losing both character and health. Cr Buist said he was surprised one law was not made for all municipalities. It was agreed the Mayor should see to this matter.

Cr Graham moved the notice of motion standing in his name re water supply for the ensuing summer. He said he had been pressed from outside to more this notice. Last year the Government said a good deal, but not enough. It bad been stated that 160,000 gallons were daily required in Lyttelton. As the Government scbeme was not yet complete, he thought they should at least ask the Government for a trolly to bring water through. Nine tanks should be placed in position to receive the supply on the reclaimed ground. As to the cost, he estimated that fixing three tanks on a trolly would cost about J 530. The tanks could be sold for almost as much at the end of iht seasor as they cost. The wells, ropes, and buckets, &c, would cost about £ls. Altogether £BO were required, and he hoped that Bum would be voted by the Council. But before this he would move—" That the Go vernment should be written to, asking if they would grant the Council a trolly to be fitted to carry water, and if they would convey it to and fro, allowing the Council to fix nine tanks on the reclaimed ground." On getting a reply from the Government, he would at another meeting follow the matter up. Cr Buist seconded the motion. Cr Graham said there was great write last

His Worship said that he thought the tanks might bo connected, and the comparatively small sum required for putting a large tap in one of them, be incurred. Cr Alhvright asked if it would be asking the Government too much if they were requested to incur all the expense with regard to bringing in water, the Council supplying tanks for the reception of it. He would move—" That the Government be requested to provide a trolly, fitted with tanks." Cr Chalmers seconded the amendment.

Cr Graham replied, and advocated independent action on the part of the Council. Cr Cunningham agreed with Cr W. Graham, he thought they should not fly to the Government for every little thing. The amendment was then put and lost, and the original motion was.carried. Cr Buist asked that the foreman should see that the gas mains were properly laid down. He went down Norwich Quay, and found they were laying the mains on top of one of the drains. We knew that if the works committee had been in existence they would have seen to this. The matter was referred to the foreman of works.

Cr Chalmers asked if any information had been conveyed to the fire brigade that they might procure helmets at the Council's expense. Cold water had been lately thrown upon the brigade by the insurance companies and others, and they required encouragement.

Cr Buist thought that there was danger of the brigade giving up if they were not more encouraged. Cr Chalmers moved, and Cr Buist seconded—" That the fire brigade be written to, authorising them to indent twenty helmets, the Council granting the money." Carried.

Cr Allwright asked if the clock for the Government buildings had arrived, and would be soon erected.

The Mayor said he believed the clock was on the way out from England. Cr Cunningham said that Captain McLellan had offered to put in a concrete drain opposite his residence on the bridle path on condition of his paying half the expense. Cr Chalmers said a footpath might be made up the bank.

It was resolved that the foreman should report on the matter. The Council then adjourned.