BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 525, 23 February 1876, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

* LYTTELTON. The usual weekly meeting was held on Monday night last. Present—His Worship the Mayor,'Crs Hawkins, Chalmers, Buist, W. Graham, H. Allwright, F. Graham and Parsons. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The clerk stated he had received £l3 10s during the week. Correspondence was from the Secretary for Public Works, enclosing report of Provincial Engineer in charge of Lyttelton Water Supply Works, relating to well recently sunk at the Heathcote Valley ; further, stating that Mr Higgenson had informed the Government that the yield of water was fully up to his expectations, and ample for the requirements of the town, and that he believed when used the supply would be yet larger. The drawings for the reservoir and engines would be ready for contract in a week or two. The expenditure on this works had been up Ito date £3644 6s 2d, including £1928 8s 3d paid for cost and freight of pipes sent from England, and this left an unexpended balance of £7605 13s lOd to meet outstanding engagements and complete the works. The amount paid for wages in sinking the Heathcote brick well had been £B2O.

The following is the engineer’s report “ I have the honor to report for your information, that this well has now been successfully completed, and an excellent supply of water obtained. lam sorry to say that the expenditure incurred has been considerably more than was anticipated, but this has been through the precarious nature of the work, and I am sorry to say has been further caused by the negligence of a former clerk of works (Mr Snowball) to a great extent. “ The consulting engineer is now preparing contracts for the erection of engine house and engine, the formation of a reservoir, and the laying of the pipes. The yield is now about 160 gallons per minute, or nearly double what it was at the first trial, caused no doubt by the pipe having got rid of a lot of rubbish in the meantime. (Signed) Edwin Guthbert,"

From Mr George Agar, re drain in St David street, reminding the Council of the promise made to him in reference to a drain in front of his house, and stating that he, well as the inhabitants ofTicehurst road, was willing to pay a portion of the expense. From Mr John Maurice Fitzgerald, making application to lease for 21 years about 50ft, more or less, fronting Oxford street and London street, and stating it was his in ten* tion, if the lease were granted, to erect busi« ness premises at a cost of £6OO to £BOO. From James Alexander Cunningham, chairman of the Ashley Boad Board, submitting for the consideration of the Council resolutions passed at a meeting of that Boad Board relative to the constitutional changes rendered necessarj by the abolition of the provinces and the best means of securing local administration. From Mr Wm, Bailey, in reference to keep* iog pigs within the borough, stating that he

had gone to considerable expense in building stye, &c, and that he was willing to conform to all the rules laid down.

From Dr Hugh McDonald, acknowledging receipt of circular re clause of Public Health Act, 1872. With regard to the information about the water supply, the Mayor said he had seen Mr Donkin, who was coming in the next day to take levels, &c, and that that gentleman was of opinion that there would be no difficulty in ordering all the necessary plant from England by telegram, as all the piping, &c, required was kept in stock. By this means a great deal of time would be fiSiVcdi Or F. Graham asked if it would not be possible to dispense for the present with the Lyttelton reservoir. He was not an engineer, but he thought that if there was a sufficiently large reservoir on the Heathcote side, one in Lyttelton was not absolutely necessary for a time, and in the present state of their finances it was their duty to be as economical as possible. Cr Allwright said the question to be settled now was how to get the pipes as speedily as possible; they could consider the matter of the reservoir subsequently. He thought a committee should be appointed at once to arrange about the matter, so that the required plant might be telegraphed for at once. They should lose no time in getting the water into the town. He thought that the work in the Heathcote Talley had been considering all things, done at a very moderate rate, congratulated the Council on the success of the scheme, and hoped that before the Mayor’s time of office had expired Lyttelton would be blessed with a plentiful supply of water. The Mayor said it was necessary to take steps at once to raise the money required. Cr F. Graham asked if the ships would be supplied by the Government with water. The Mayor and Cr Chalmers both said that it was distinctly understood that supplying the ships would be a source of revenue to the town, and the former gentleman also stated that on a former occasion Cr Cunningham had poihted out that it was possible that the water might be utilised for hydraulic purposes on the wharves, Cr Chalmers said that though theoretically water rose to its own level, yet in reality it would not do so in this case, owing to the friction it would have to overcome in the long pipes through which it passed, by which it would lose a considerable part of its force, rendering a reservoir on this side of the hill a necessity. His Worship was of the same opinion. Cr Hawkins asked if Mr C, Donkin could not be instructed to lay the pipes so that reservoirs could be added afterwards. The expense of these latter would be great, and in the present state of their finances it was their duty to be very careful, Cr Buist said that a committee should be formed at once, to arrange the matter in coni unction with the engineer, Cr F. Graham hoped that as large a reservoir as possible would be constructed on the Heathcote aide, Cr Hawkins said that the reservoir there would hold XOOjOOOgallons, and was 200 f thigh; as the plans had already been determined on, he did not think that a larger one would be made. Cr Allwright moved—“ That the Mayor,Crs Hawkins, Chalmers, and F. Graham be appointed a committee to confer with the surveyor.” A telegram might be sent even before meeting if thought advisable. Cr Hawkins said that there was great risk in sending a telegram; as it had to pass through so many hands errors were likely to creep in, and they might not get what they ordered.

Cr Buist seconded the resolution, which was carried, the Mayor and other Councillors seeming to think that Or Hawkins was right in the matter of the telegrams, and it was better to send by mail, which would only make thirty days’ difference. With regard to Mr Agar’s letter, the Mayor said there seemed to be some misapprehension on that gentleman’s part, as he appeared to think they wished to shelve the matter of the drain in 8t David’s street. They did not want to do this at all, and would make both drains when they had the necessary funds. Cr Allwright moved—“ That the foreman of works be requested to report next Monday night on the cost. of the drain in St David street.” He wished both drains made, and Mr Agar had quite misinterpreted his meaning in thinking that he was not quite as anxious to benefit that part of the town as the Ticehurst road.

Seconded by Cr Buist and carried. Mr Fitzgerald’s application was referred to the estates committee. Or F; Graham moved that Mr James Alexander Cunningham’s ’ letter be acknow-

,ledged. With regard to Mr Bailey’s application, the foreman said that Mr Bailey did not keep his pigs on a twenty-acre section, as laid down by the Borough Council bye-laws. It was resolved—“ That Mr Bailey be written to informing him that the Council had no option except to carry out the byelaw strictly. The report. of the foreman of works was then read as follows “ I have examined the drain, in Ticehurst road, and I estimate the cost Of a concrete channel to the junction with bridle path, at £2l 9s, and my former estimate for the bridle path to the grating by the Union Bank, at £26 15s 4d, making a total for the whole work of £4B 4s 4d. I have had a grating fixed at the mouth of the Salt’s Gully and Oxford street sewers, and removed the large boulders.”

The Mayor said that those inhabitants who had stated their willingness to contribute should be written to, asking what Bum they were prepared to give. It was resolved that the ratepayers willing to contribute be written, asking them this question. i Accounts were passed, amounting to £3G Leave of absence was granted to Cr Cunningham. , .... . Along discussion ensued as to the town clock, which, it was stated, was on its way from England. . , Cr Chalmers moved—" That a rate of Is in the £ be struck for the eight months ending October 31st.” • , This was seconded by Cr Parsons, and carried. _ The Mayor asked the opinion of the Council as to making public, by means of placard, the fact that the rate roll had been prepared, and might be inspected, and that all appeals must be in before March 21st t to be heard before March 28th. Cr Parsons advocatf d that not less than fifty posters be procured for this purpose. Cr Built seconded this.

Cr Allwright moved, as an amendme^ — “ That the bills be not procured.” He was of opinion that it would only bring ihe Council into contempt to do such a thing ; they might as well paste their laws on the walls. Let them advertise as hitherto. The amendment was not seconded, and the original resolution was carried. The Mayor stated that Messrs Geo. Mackay and J. G. Fyfe had been appointed assessors, and that there were three candidates for the post of auditor. The Council resolved itself into a Local Board of Health.

The Mayor reported several cases of illness. He spoke at length on the unwarrantable falsehoods circulated regarding illness in the town. Persons had been reported dead who were now alive. One of these persons had only been confined two days. One woman heard that her grandchild was dead, and so on. It was a most reprehensible practice, and calculated to do a great deal of harm, and with nervous people to frighten them into a condition to take disease. The town was tolerably clean, and the sewers had been flushed during the week. There was not more typhoid fever than usual in Lyttelton at that time of the year. Cr W. Graham called attention to the necessity of great care being exercised in the matter of children attending school.

Or Allwright spoke of the immigrants being landed the day of arrival, and advocated that they should at least be detained a day or two at the quarantine station, to thoroughly cleanse their clothes. The Mayor explained that it was impossible to do this with the means at present at their command. The Council then adjourned.