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Globe, Volume V, Issue 519, 16 February 1876, Page 4

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LYTTELTON. weekly meeting was held on night last. Present—His Worship Hawkins, Chalmers, Buist, W. H. Allwright, F. Graham and Hpons. minutes of the previous meeting were and confirmed. clerk stated he had received £l3 12s mring the week. ■ Correspondence was read from Capt John calling attention to the wretched state of the drains on the Bridle path and Ticehurst road, and stating that he and two othar residents were willing to contribute towards the expense. From Dr H. Macdonald, asking permission to erect two horse posts at the outside edge of the footpath in London and Oxford streets. The Mayor asked what was to be done in the matter of Captain John Wood’s request. In reply to a question from Cr Hawkins, the foreman of works said the Bridle path was sufficiently formed to put in a concrete drain.

Cr W. Graham said a request had been made for a drain in St David street, and was needed quite as urgently. Or Chalmers advocated the putting down a concrete channel, it was preferable to putting down a pipe drain. Cr Allwright said the difference between the application from the ratepayers in St David street and those on Ticehurst road was that the latter were willing to bear a share of the expense. The matter was referred to the foreman of works to report 'as to the expense at next sitting of the Council. Dr McDonald’s request was then considered. Or W. Graham pointed out that the asphalte would be cut up a good deal by the horses stamping on the footpath. The Mayor proposed the clerk be instructed to write to Dr McDonald, informing him that the posts might be erected under the supervision of the foreman of works. The following report of the foreman of works was then read—“ I have examined all the maps in the office, and I can find no tracing of a road laid off on them leading to the property at the back of Joycetown, except the one between sections 289 and 291, and the gradient of that is much too steep for dray traffic. There is a road reserved by Mr Joyce on a part of section 283, half a chain wide, and a road running at the back of sections, 27 links wide, connecting with the road before mentioned, a part of which has been encroached on with a building, and the fences of several of the sections are also on the road. I estimate the cost of forming the road on section 283, and for 2J chains at the back to the boundary of section 286 at £2O, as there would be a great deal of carting. I have seen one of the residents, and he informed me that the residents that would be benefitted by the road would pay a part of the cost if called upon to do so, but I could not recommend the Council to do anything in the matter until the roads had been properly surveyed and handed over to the Council. The spars have been procured for the erection of the fire bell. I wish the Council to decide when they wish to have it erected. I have had a portion of the footpaths floated and repaired; I have still a portion of London and Canterbury streets to finish ; I have run short of sand, and there is great difficulty in procuring more, but I will endeavor to do so during the week. The men are now employed removing the boulders at the mouth of the Oxford street sewer,” The Mayor said that the first thing to consider was the road by Joyce town. Or F. Graham said that as it was private property, it appeared to him the owners could make a road if they liked. The Council had nothing to do with the matter till the road was handed over to them. Cr Allwright moved that the petitioners he written to, and informed that as soon as the road is surveyed and ready to be handed over to the Council, the Council would consider the matter, He argued these ratepayers had a certain right, as they had been paying rates for years, and some of them were willing to contribute towards the work. Or Hawkins seconded the resolution,which was carried unanimously. With regard to the erection of the fire bell, a discussion took place, Cr Allwright said the best place to erect it would be on the triangular piece of ground opposite the office window at the Council Chambers.

Cr F. Graham said be bad been deputed to obtain tjbe spars, and if the Council did not wish to use them be should be happy to take them himself.

Or Buist proposed, “ That the bell be put on the grounds adjoining the Council Chamber, in the place mentioned by Or Allwright.” Or Chalmers seconded the proposition, which was carried. The matter of the footpaths was left in the bands of the foreman of works. Or Parsons called attention to the state of the footpaths in Norwich Quay. He, of course, was aware that owing to the great traffic in that part of the town there was considerable difficulty in getting the asphalte to set properly. He had wondered that more sand had not been put down, as his property and that of others had suffered considerable damage through the tar. The foreman of works’ report, however, explained this in speaking of the scarcity of sand. Would it not be possible to use sea sand instead ? Accounts were passed for payment amounting to £l6 Is. Cr Allwright said the traps for the upper end of the culverts would cost, one £lO and the other £7, The Oxford street, being egg shaped, was the most expensive. A long discussion ensued as to the expense, but it was allowed on all sides that it wm necessary it should be done, as the ■tench from the culverts was very bad: The Mayor said that these culverts were not so hard to deal with as the gratings, but no doubt when the water supply came through, and they were flushed, the nuisance would be much abated. He might mention that low fever had broken out in the town in several localities. Or Parsons moved—“ That the Salt’s gully culvert be trapped at once.” Seconded by Cr Buist, and carried. The Mayor said a great deal was said last year about not sufficient notice being given to ratepayers with regard to their right to appeal against the assessment. Air was done, however, according to the law, as they would see by referring to the Act. He thought it would be much better if (say) one advertisement was inserted, and a number of placard! printed and posted in public places.

He had drawn up a notice, which he would submit to them. They would have to advertise in all the papers if they wished to let every one know by means of advertising, and this would cost much more than printing and circulating the bills. Or Allwright asked if the statement of the rate required had been prepared ? - The Mayor said that it had been estimated that £IOOO would be required.

His Worship read the notice he had prepared. Or Chalmers moved that notice be given of striking a rate of Is in the £ on February 21st.

Seconded by Cr F. Graham, and carried. The discussion re the placards was adjourned till Monday night next. Cr F. Graham again called attention to the fact of some of last years’ rates not being paid, and proposed that every effort should be used to recover them.

His Worship said that the annual election of assessors and auditors would tak§ place on March Ist,

Cr Allwright asked if, according to the Public Health Act, the medical men of a town were obliged to report to the local Board of Health in the case of any infectious disease appearing ? His Worship said that the Act did compel medical men to give this notice, but that physicians differed as to what infectious diseases were.

Cr Allwright said the reason he asked this was that children were reported to be attending the Borough school from houses where there was fever. He thought if the medical men reported cases of infectious disease much danger from contagion might be prevented. The Council then resolved itself into a local Board of Health, and Mr Allwright moved, and Mr Parsons seconded, “ That the medical men of Lyttelton be written to, calling their attention to the clause in the Public Health Act which provided for their reporting the existence of contagious disease in the borough to the local Board of Health.” Carried. A discussion ensued as to the various nuisances in the town, Cr Allwright speaking strongly on the necessity for great caution,

The Board of Health then resolved itself into the Borough Council, Cr Chalmers asked if the by-law with regard to pigs was being strictly kept.* The inspector of nuisances said tlfet no active steps had been taken lately.

Cr Chalmers said the reason he asked the question was that he had it thrown in his teeth last week that some people well allowed to infringe the law and others were forced to comply.

After a few further remarks the matter dropped, and the Council adjourned.