BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 555, 29 March 1876, Page 4

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

LYTTELTON, A special meeting of the Lyttelton Borough Council to consider appeals against the assessment was held at the Council Chambers at 6 p.m. on Monday night. Present His Worship the Mayor, Crs Buist, W. Graham, Parsons, Allwright, and Cunningham. Captain Gibson's objections were heard, and his valuation reduced from £9O to £3O per annum. Mr H. R. Webb's was reduced from £lO5 to £9O ; Captain Sproul's from £2O to £7 ; Mr S. R. Webb's from £4O to £35. An application from Dr McDonald to reduce his valuation from £l7O per annum was not allowed. The ordinary meeting was then held at the usual hour. Present His Worship the Mayor, Crs W. Graham, T. A. W. Parsons, H. Allwright, P. Cunningham, H. Hawkins, and Buist The clerk stated he had received since last meeting £2 18s. Correspondence was read— From the trustees in Hammond's estate, Btating that a final dividend of 7s OJd in the pound was now payable. From Mr J. D. Macpherson, bringing under the notice of the Town Council the damage done to the lower part of the orchard attached to the Ngaios, fronting on the extension of Oxford street. The foreman was instructed to see to the matter. From Mr W. Savage, stating that the British Hotel, Lyttelton, was insured in the National Insurance Company for £I2OO, From Mr Adam Chalmers resigning his office as Councillor for the Borough of Lyttelton. From Mr J. A. Graham, asking permission to have his name placed on the rate roll in the place of Mr W. Graham, for rural sectbn 193.

From Mr J. S. Willcox, as attorney for Mr John Hill, requesting further information on the subject of the culvert through the Albion property, and an answer to several questions asked in a letter sent to the Council on March 6th.

After discussion, it was resolved that he be written to informing him that it was the intention of the Council to p"t a fifteen inch drain pipe in the gully to the Albion property, but that until the proposed diversion of the gully takes place, the wcrk cannot be gone on with. It was determined that the name of Mr James A. Graham be placed on the rate roll in the place of Mr W. Graham, for rural section 193.

With regard to Mr A. Chalmers' resignation, the Mayor said he was sorry that Mr Chalmers had resigned his post as councillor, as he was well acquainted with the Act, and had done great service to the town. Cr W. Graham moved—" That Cr Chalmers be requested to reconsider his determination with regard to his resignation." He was a most valuable member, and he hoped they should not lose him.

This resolution was seconded by Cr Buist and carried. In reference to the insurances,

Cr Cunningham said that they should certainly ascertain that they (the Council) should not incur a loss in the event of a fire. It was necessary, not only for the buildings to be insured, but to be insured for their full value.

Frow the Secretary for Public Works, Stating that the Government intended to erect the public buildings and R. M. Court Oii the piece of land in Salt's Gully, next to the Union Bank.

The Mayor 3aid he hoped the Council would send in a memorial requesting the Government to reconsider their determination in the matter. The bench of magistrates would also send in a similar petition.

Cr Allwright said he thought a memorial would be no good without the Council pro posed some other site. He thought it would be better to form a deputation to wait on the Superintendent re this matter. There was a better site at the corner on the Sumner road, which they might make over to the Government in consideration that they erected municipal offices there. Cr Hawkins said he believed the change had been resolved on through the incessant applications sent in from the police for better accommodation. He thought the place where Hargreaves' store was erected on Norwich Quay was by far the most suitable Bite in Lyttelton for such a purpose. Cr Cunningham said that Cr Allwright must first gain the consent of the Council with regard to the land on the Sumner road, and they had shown their feeling in the matter by refusing it for a public purpose last week. Cr Allwright said that perhaps it would be better first to send a memorial to the Government asking them to reconsider their determination. The Mayor asked if it was the wish of the Council for them to receive a proposition from the Government re the site proposed by Cr Allwright. Cr Allwright moved—" That this Council is willing to receive a proposition from the Government with regard to the site on the Sumner road."

This was seconded by Cr Cunningham and carried.

With regard to the St David street drain, his Worship said that the sum required for finishing the work was £43, and be recommended that it should be carried out. Agreed to. It was resolved that the Government should be written to, asking thern to complete the culvert, the Council guaranteeing to pay the £43 asked by contractors for the additional wo/k.

A report of the foreman'of works was then read, running as follows : " I beg to report that I have examined the the drains in Dampier's Bay and JoycetowD, and I estimate the whole cost to lay a concrete channel from Mr Macintosh's to Mr Collins' corner, and up the road as far as the rightof-way at the back of the front sections, a distance of 108 yards,' at £lB 18s. It will then require thirty yards of nine-inch pipes to convey the drainage into the channel on the main road, the cost of which for pipes and labour would be £l3 ss. To lay a concrete channel along the main road as far as the box drain at the corner of Mr Cameron's section, a distance of 81 yards, would cost £l4 3s6d. This would give a total for the whole work of £46 6s 6d. I have seen the owners of property in front row of Joycetown, and they are quite willing to pay one-third of the cost of the channelling in front of their houses, but not along the main rond, or for the pipes mentioned. I have also examined the night soil shoot, and consider a great improvement coftld be made by cutting a road about a chain farther

arouud under the point, where by fixing a proper shoot, it could be thrown right into the sea. The bathing shed is now only used by a few in the mornings, and will not be much frequented during the winter months. T think some arrangements could be made amongst the bathers to have the use of ihe shed, and have it locked during the day without any further cost to the Council for his season." The Mayor said the important work in Joycetown did not seem to him of great magnitude, as it would only cost about £46, ar.d undoubtedly would be a great general benefit, not only to that part of the town, but to all burgesses, as all were interested in the thorough cleansing of such places, which else became a perfect hotbed of fever. Cr Allwright said that it was a work of the greatest importance, and should be proceeded with at once. That part of the town was notoriously unhealthy, and he agreed with the Mayor that the fever hotbeds should be cleansed as soon as possible. He moved —" That the work be proceeded with at once." Seconded by Cr Hawkins, and carried. In reference to the night soil shoot, Cr Hawkins urged that the alteration should be made after the Joycetown drainage was completed, as the health of the men on the breakwater was seriously affected by this cause. Cr Buist seconded the resolution, which was carried. The Mayor said that the Bank of New Zealand were prepared to give one-third of the cost of the culvert running through their section, on a statement of the total cost being made to them. With regard to the bathing shed, Cr Hawkins said that the key could be given to one of the regular attendants during the winter months, and the place might be swept out weekly by one of the men. Aocounts amounting to £ll 12s were passed for payment. Cr W. Graham called attention to the im» mediate importance of culverting the town. He moved—" That an estimate of the cost of completing the different culverts in the town be prepared by the foreman of works, to be brought before the Council next Monday night. Seconded by Cr Hawkins, and carried. Dr Rouse reported to the Local Board of Health that he had no further cases of scarletina to report, and that he was now only attending three cases of low fever. There being no further business, the Council adjourned.