BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 435, 4 November 1875, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

LYTTELTON. The Council met punctually at 7.30 p.m. on Monday night. Present—His Worship the Mayor, Crs Hawkins, Cunningham, Buist, F. Graham, VY. Graham, Parsons, Allwright, and Chalmers. Correspondence was read from, Mr S. Hewling, chief surveyor, in answer to letter of 20th, informing Council that no reserve of the land described in letter exists, all that not covered by town sections on office map being public highway. From Mr Wynn Williams stating that a dividend of 10s in the £ would be payable at his office in Hammond’s estate on the 3rd, From Mr W. Hedgeman asking permission to retain his pigs, as they were no nuisance to anybody, and he had ten acres of back ground to keep them on. From Mr Mutton, asking leave to erect a verandah to Mr Preece’s shop in London street. From Mr Wm. Bailey asking permission to keep his pigs. It was arranged the clerk should call at Mr Williams’ office for the dividend in Hammond’s estate. In reference to Mr Hedgeman’s letter, it was determined that his letter should be acknowledged.

With respect to Mr Mutton’s request to erect a verandah in front of Mr Preece’s shops in London street, Cr Allwright moved, and Cr Buist seconded, that the request be granted, subject to the usual conditions. Carried.

It was determined to acknowledge Mr Bailey’s letter.

With reference to the water supply, the Mayor said the site had been selected, the tanks bought, and the foreman was proceeding with the staging. The chosen site was between Mr Cunningham’s shed and Mr Wood’s coalyards.

With reference to the bathing committee, Or Hawkins said he had seen the gentlemen who were the most frequent visitors to that establishment, but they seemed to object to take charge of the shed, so he thought that some one should be appointed to take charge during the summer. Those few who indulged in bathing through the winter would have to

do without. He advised that one of the Council men should be employed to keep the baths open from six to eight in the morning; this man could clean out the place when required. Some of the bathers had also requested that the baths should be kept open till nine o’clock on Sunday morning. He disagreed with this. He would move—- “ That a man be employed to attend at the bathing house every morning from 6 to 8 a.m, charging the bathers Is per head, receiving the money collected for his remuneration.”

Cr F. Graham, after a long discussion, proposed—“ That the baths should be thrown open free from six till eight, and that one of the Councilmen should be told off for this purpose.” Cr Cunningham seconded the amendment. Cr Hawkins having withdrawn the resolution, the amendment became the substantive motion, and.was carried. Accounts, amounting to £B2 6s 2d, were passed for payment. Cr Cunningham asked when the financial statement would be made. The Mayor proposed that the finance committee should meet on Friday night, to receive the clerk’s report and draw up a balance sheet. Tir.'rL i i. „

With regard to the new rate, Cr Chalmers said that if the town was to be newly assessed, the sooner they set to work the better. Cr Allwright said he did not think the town wanted re-assessing for two or three years to come. Or W. Graham said that he thought people should be allowed to appeal after they received the notice paper. He thought more publicity should be given. The Mayor advocated that posters should be put up in conspicuous places, as well as advertisements inserted. Cr Hawkins said there were few appeals last year, though the general opinion throughout the town was that the rating was excessive. Cr Chalmers advocated leaving the matter to a committee of the Council. He thought they would be capable of ascertaining if any portion of the town required re-assessment, and an expert might be employed after to value s ich portions. His Worship proposed that Cr Chalmers’

Cr Allwright said he did not think the town wanted re-assessing for two or three years to come.

Cr W. Graham said that he thought people should be allowed to appeal after they received the notice paper. He thought more publicity should be given. The Mayor advocated that posters should be put up in conspicuous places, as well as advertisements inserted.

Cr Hawkins said there were few appeals last year, though the general opinion throughout the town was that the rating was excessive.

Cr Chalmers advocated leaving the matter to a committee of the Council. He thought they would be capable of ascertaining if any portion of the town required re-assessment, and an expert might be employed after to value s ich portions. His Worship proposed that Cr Chalmers’ name be added to the finance committee, for the arrangement of the rate.

This was seconded by Cr Hawkins, and carried, *

Cr W. Graham stated that to put the Council Chamber in thorough repair would cost £l7O or £IBO. It might be let on a repairing lease for £3O or £35, or if let repaired might fetch £6O or £65 per annum. It was no credit to the town in its present state, and should be' at any rate repaired. He asked what the Council thought the land opposite should be let for. His Worship said that he might say an offer had been made for a portion of the building. Cr Allwright asked why the committee appointed had brought u p no report to the Council about Mr Hester’s letter to the Council. It was the duty of such committees to bring the matter before the Council, and he asked when they were going to do so. He was surprised to hear that they had held the meeting when they did, as he had been told it would not take place at that date. If he had known, although he was unwell at the time, he would have been present, even if he had had to be carried down, The Mayor said it was certainly au oversight not to have reported the matter at last meeting. Cr Allwright must remember that the committee consisted of the whole Council, so most of them knew all about it. He would explain what had been done. Mr Hester had been present, and they had determined to remit a portion of the debt he owed the Council, the other portion, £lO, he had paid. 1 Cr Allwright asked if anything had been said about Cr W, Graham’s share in the matter ?

His Worship replied that Cr W. Graham had stated before them all that he had never

mentioned the matter of the remission of a portion of the sum owed to Mr Hester in his capacity as foreman of the works committee, though of course he might have spoken to him about it privately. Or W. Graham asked in reference to unlet properties, what rental should be charged for sections 35 and 36. The matter was referred to the estates committee, and the Council adjourned. KAIAPOI. The fortnightly meeting of this Council for the despatch of ordinary business was held on Tuesday evening. Present —The Mayor, Crs Blackwell, Porter, Milsom, Ellen, and Smethurst. A letter was read from the Public Works office, October 29th, acknowledging receipt of Council’s letter, October 21st, enclosing return of’drainage expenditure, and stating a voucher was passed for second instalment of provincial grant to the borough. The Mayor reported he had issued notices of the vacancy caused by the retirement of Or McDonald, and Messrs G. H. Wearing and B. Monk had been nominated. Mr Monk’s nomination paper, handed in by Cr Smethurst, was, however, informal, being dated for an election on October 27th, when the election was advertised for November 11th, and one of the signatures, John Bennington, was not to be found on the burgees list. Therefore, at the proper time, Mr Wearing would be declared elected. Cr Porter enquired who was responsible for the error in the burgess list. He understood that Bennington’s name was inserted as “ William,” instead of John. The Mayor drew attention to the fact that the roll was open for inspection and correction at a proper time, and persons had themselves to blame if their names were not correctly inserted on it. Or Blackwell presented a petition signed by sixty-one ratepayers on the south side, asking to have a separate rate of 6d in the pound levied as a contribution towards the Government grant towards the protective works.

On the motion of Cr Porter, seconded by Cr Milsom, the petition was received. On the motion of Cr Blackwell, leave of absence was granted to Cr Parnham. Cr Blackwell, in the absence of the chairman of works committee, reported that the foreman and a man had been steadily employed improving the drainage of Peraki street.

The balance, sheet showed receipts to be from rates, £2O 18s; Court fines, £3 10s; credit balance, £3O 15s 3d. On the motion of Cr Ellen, seconded by Or Blackwell, the following accounts were passed:—o. E. Dudley, £6 6s 8d; R. W. Smith, £lO 6s 6d ; labor, £3 12s ; foreman, £4 10s ; Birch and Co, £1 19s 3d ; carting, £5 Is 9d ; total, £3l 15s 2d. Cr Milsom, chairman finance committee, applied for time to report. Granted. Cr Ellen moved—“ That the clerk write to the Provincial Government, urging it to complete the survey, agree to the plans, and push on the protective works.” He said the Council had long been prepared to do its part, it had waited a reasonable time, and as the property was in jeopardy of floods, it was time the work was carried out. Cr Smethurst seconded the motion, which was agreed to. The sanitary committee’s report was considered by the Ccu cil in committee. On resuming, Cr Blackwell moved, Cr Ellen seconded —“ That all persons having artesian wells flowing into the side channel of Peraki street be served wilh notice to stop the same, and that a tap be placed cn the public well. That the clerk write to all the persons named in the report, as having filthy closets, to abate the nuisances or they would be proceeded against.” Considerable discussion took place, on the recommendation of the committee, that closet pits should be Bft in depth, but which it was agreed would be impracticable. In future the inspector of nuisances, it was understood, should make a periodical inspection of the cesspits and closers, and proceedings be taken against persons offending against the bye laws,- Carried. Cr Ellen moved —“ That all new or special works undertaken by the Council exceeding £5 in amount be let by public tender.” The motion was not meant to apply to ordinary works, and was proposed by him on the score of economy, as well as to allow competition for each work. Cr Porter, seconding the motion, spoke strongly against it. There was a resolution already standing with reference to letting works by tender, and the Council need not go further. It would be a great mistake to fetter the Council. Were those in favor of the motion afraid of the works committee, or were they afraid of the contractors, or were they afraid of themselves, That such a motion was requisite? Any councillor pro posing such a motion might reflect whether if it was passed he ought to come into the Council again. He opposed the motion, for the simple reason that if a work amounted to £4 19s it would be let privately, whilst a work costing £5 Is would have to be advertised for;

All the CounciPors opposed it, Cr Smethurst on the ground that it would increase the cost of advertising works ; Cr Blackwell on account of its ambiguity, and the Mayor for the reason that the Council would be stultifying itself, as certain works, to which be referred, had been carried out cheaper by day labor than by contract. Cr Ellen replied that he did not cast the slightest want of confidence on the works committee, and- hoped Cr Porter would not repeat the remarks which he had made. He asked leave to withdraw the motion. Leave to withdraw the motion was refused. It was then negatived. Cr Smethurst moved—“ That a committee be appointed to report upon the advisability of providing a water supply for fire purposes in Peraki street,” pointing out the danger of fire, and the number of hay stacks near buildings. Cr Blackwell directed the mover’s attention to the bye-law regarding stacks near buildings. Cr Milsom seconded the motion pro forma. The Mayor considered the persons to be benefited oughfro have sent in a petition, and offered to contribute a moiety of the cost, before the Council took any action.

The motion was carried, Cr Blackwell moved brigade committee be elected a committee to carry out the foregoing motion.” The Mayor (chairman of fire brigade committee) said the committee would not recognise the matter.

Cr Ellen moved, Cr Milsom seconded—- “ That Crs Porter, Milsom, and Smethurst (chairman) be a committee to ca*ry out the foregoing resolution.” Agreed to, Council then adjoined*