BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 673, 16 August 1876, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

LYTTELTON. Monday, August 14. Present—His Worship the Mayor, Ors Cunningham, Allwright, Hawkins, W. Graham, F. Graham, T. A, W. Parsons, W. Holmes, and H. McDonald. The Clerk stated he had received £6l 9s 4d since last meeting. Correspondence was read from Mr John Forester, stating Messrs Morton and White were anxious to know if they were to take Mr Farr’s or Mr Pavitt’s survey as the boundary line of the’ botanical reserve. From Mr Edward Teague, asking permission to erect a business sign about 10ft above the footpath at his premises in London street. From the Secretary for Public Works, informing the Council that, on the recommendation of the Provincial Government a special supplementary municipal grant of £2368 had been authorised to be paid to them for the current six months, and that the balance of the ordinary grant would be paid next month ; stating further that it was a condition that a portion of the sum granted should be expended in the distribution of water throughout the town. His Worship the Mayor said he had telegraphed to the member for Lyttelton rc erection of town clock in public buildings, and had received reply stating that the matter would shortly be attended to.

A discussion ensued as to Mr Forester’s letter, and it was resolved—“ That the clerk be instructed to write to Mr Forester, telling him that the Council only recognise the boundaries as given by Mr Farr.”

Regarding Mr Teague’s application to erect a sign board, it was determined he should be written to, informing him the Council could not grant their consent. It was determined that the lettgr from the Secretary for Public Works be replied to, informing the Government that the Council would be willing to expend a portion of the grant in the distribution of water in Lyttelton;

The report of the foreman of works was then read. He stated he had examined ground at back of Sumner road, and recommended laying two drains to carry off storm water—viz, an open drain two-thirds of the distance through Mr Nalders’ section, the remainder to' be a 12in pipe drain, and one through the Freemasons’ section, to branch off both ways, taking both from back of sections in St David street, and from northern boundary of Mr Nalder’s section ; these would drain the reserve as far as Mr Hill’s property. The Yoelas road bridge had broken down, and he had had the fence from the side removed to prevent accidents. The bridge could be temporarily repaired, but he recommended that a culvert be placed there as the road was very narrow. Mr Buckley’s contract for keeping clear side channels on Sumner road had expired, and he recommended he be granted another contract for a year, as he had done the work well. The foreman of works was instructed to prepare an approximate estimate of coat, with specifications, in order th&t tenders might be called for the drains mentioned in his report. Regarding the Yoelas road bridge the foreman was instructed to take the necessary steps to make it safe for the present, and to prepare estimate of cost of culvert both there and at bridge in Dampier’s Bay road, opposite Rev J. D. Fergusson’s. Buckley’s offer to keeptheside channels clear on the Sumner road for another year at the previous rate was accepted. Accounts amounting to £62 13s 2d were passed for payment. Tenders were opened for painting Dampier’s Bay fence, and the Mayor was instructed to accept the lowest. Or F. Graham read a letter from the hon secretary Lyttelton fire brigade to Superintendent Sowdeu, stating that the brigade wished to be supplied with a suitable uniform, and had made enquiries, by which it appeared they would cost about £4 each. The brigade numbered fourteen members, all of which were of opinion that uniforms would greatly add to the strength and efficiency of the corps, and requested the superintendent to lay the matter before the fire committee of the Council. Ho (Or F. Graham) thought they all agreed that the fire brigade had done much for the town, and hoped that the proposition would be entertained, and moved a resolution to that effect. Or Parsons seconded the resolution. The Mayor thoroughly endorsed all that had fallen from Or Graham, and said that the brigade had done much good for the town, After further discussion, Mr Sowden said that he would make some further inquiries into the matter, and lay it before the Conucil next week. On this understanding the matter was deferred till next Monday. Or Cunningham rose and proposed that the £2368, as soon as it should be received from the Government, be invested at fourteen days’ call at 7 per cent, and be expended in the distribution of water in Lyttelton. He thought it should be invested, as it might not be required for six months, and the interest would amount to a considerable sum. He noticed they had £I6OO besides

thia grant to carry them through the present financial year, and he thought that was ample. It was his opinion that the money could not be better spent than in this manner. Or F. Graham supported the investment of the money, but did not think it should all be spent in the water distribution ; the money was for the town generally, and only a portion of the ratepayers would be benefitted by the water supply. Or Hawkins and Or Parsons supported Or Cunningham’s resolution. Cr Allwright thought that what Cr F. Graham had said was very true ; he quite agreed that a considerable portion of the grant should be spent in the distribution of water, but thought some should be expended in that part of the town which the water would not reach. He had no doubt Cr Cunningham would accept Cr Graham’s amendment. Or Cunningham refused to accept Or F. Graham’s amendment; he thought the money should all be spent in the water distribution. As to saying only some would benefit, that was incorrect; all would derive good from it, either directly or indirectly. If a special rate were raised for it all would have to pay their share, if benefitted or not. Cr F. Graham said if it were a case of a special rate or spending this money in that way he would support Cr Cunningham’s resolution, but he thought they were going to raise a loan for the purpose, the interest to be paid by those who actually used the water. By this means they would have the money to spend for the general good. He moved, as an amendment, “ That the money be invested, at fourteen days’ call, at 7 per cent.” This was seconded by Or Allwright. The amendment on being put was lost. A further amendment, “ That the matter be deferred till this day week,” was moved by Or Allwright, and seconded by Cr P. Graham. This amendment was also lost, and the original resolution was then put and carried. Cr Allwright called attention to the fact that some of the oil lamps in the town went out very early. The foreman of works stated that he had given instructions to remedy this. Cr Cunningham moved—“ That 10s per week be added to the foreman of works’ salaiy.” He, and in fact every Councillor, expressed their sense of Mr Sowden’s great energy and utility, and the resolution was agreed to unanimously. Resolved—“ That the clerk be instructed to write to the Borough solicitor, asking what steps he had taken in the matter of Fitzgerald’s lease.”

Resolved—“ That tenders be advertised for for Calo’s property in Oxford street, to be in by August 28th.” The matter of having fortnightly sittings of the Council was referred to by Or Cunningham at some length. Or W. Graham thought that as there would be several new members in the Council next month, the matter had better be deferred.

His Worship the Mayor and other Councillors expressed themselves in favor of fortnightly meetings, and after discussion, the matter dropped. The Council then adjourned.