BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 796, 10 January 1877, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

LYTTELTON.

Monday, January 8. There were present—His Worship the Mayor and Crs Hawkins, Willcox, Parsons, Allwright, Cunningham, McDonald, and Holmes. The clerk stated he had received £1305 12s 6d since last meeting. Or Allwright stated that he was not satisfied with the report in the papers regarding what he had said on Friday, 22nd December. It had appeared in the reports that Cr Cunningham had stated in reference to his complaints regarding the Burgess roll, that the mistake that had occurred was owing to the negligence of the Councillors themselves. He repudiated on his part any negligence, and refused to take any blame on his own shoulders. Cr Cunningham—" But you yourself was the first person to say 'Hear, hear,' when I made the remark." His Worship the Mayor—" Yes, I can confirm that." Cr Allwright—" If I did so it was under a mistaken idea. I still hold that it was not fair to take one clause of the Act without considering others bearing on the Bame point." Correspondence was read from Colonial Secretary's office, acknowledging receipt of letter notifying re-election of John Thomas House as Mayor. From Insurance Association, forwarding cheque for £4O, annual grant to Lyttelton Fire Brigade. From Mr C. H. Williams, assistant secretary of Public Works, informing the Council that a voucher had been passed for £1250, amount of Provincial grant for three months ending Dec 31st. From Mr C. Cuff, stating that he had put in the corner peg of Captain McLelland's section, as requested, and showed position of pegs to Captain McLellan and the foreman of works. From Miles, Hassal and Co, requesting that Mr H- P. Murray-Aynsley's name should be entered on the valuation list as occupier of the p r operties owned by the firm in Lyttelton. From Mr Flockton, forwarding valuation list for borough, and requesting payment of £75 on account. From Mr Mouldey, stating that the stench from drains on his property in Winchester street was very bad, and that he would willingly give 3500 bricks lying on his property if the Council would consent to put in a culvert there. After much discussion, Cr Cunningham moved—" That the works committee be requested to bring up a report next meeting relative to the drainage of the six or seven chains between Grubb's invert and Exeter street." Agreed to. With regard to Mr Flockton's letter, the Council, after considerable discussion, agreed to the payment of the £75 asked for. The clerk was instructed to write, asking what day the judge to the Assessment Court would select for having objections heard against the new valuation list. The report of the foreman of works was then read. The men had been employed in forming and metalling footpaths in Brittain terrace, Sumner road, and the upper end of Oxford street, and in asphalting footpath by the Mitre Hotel, also in forming road at back of Joyce Town, which latter cannot be completed till the fences are removed to their proper boundary and Mr Harkees'a house removed. As the residents in Joyce Town have refused to do this, I have had to stop the work for the present until the Council decide what is to be done in the matter. The sewer in Salt's Gully is being proceeded with satisfactorily, and will be completed next week if the weather is favourable. Tenders will be laid on the table this evening for the work in Canterbury street. After much discussion re Joyce Town road, Cr Cunningham moved—" That the Borough aolicitor take such steps as he may think necessary to compel Mr HarkeßS to remove that portion of his house that is an obstruction to the road in Joyce Town." This was seconded by Cr Hawkins and carried. Accounts amounting to £279 4s 7d were passed for payment. Tenders for the Canterbury street culvert were opened, and Messrs Dix and Collier's, for £345 14s, was accepted. Cr Allwright advocated the appointment of a clerk of the works to inspect works in Canterbury street, as it was impossible that the foreman of works could find time to supervise this important work as well as carry out his other duties. Cr Cunningham moved—" That the works committee be authorised to engage a clerk of works." This was seconded by Cr Parsons, and carried. Water Supply Cr Cunningham said that it was high time to do something with regard to the distribution of the water, the pipes were through the tunnel, and the plant for carrying the water through the town had arrived per the Valparaiso, which vessel would be berthed alongside the wharf that night. He thought that the Government should be at once applied to for the services of an engineer to carry out the work, as the water would be .ready in two months, This was agreed to. The Mayor pointed out that bye-laws would have to be framed with regard to the water supply. He thought a sub committee should be appointed to confer with the borough solicitor on this matter. Cr Cunningham moved—" That a subcommittee be appointed for this purpose, consisting of his Worship the Mayor and Cr Hawkins, to confer with the borough solicitor, and that the town clerk be instructed to write to the town clerks of Wellington and Dunedin asking them to

forward copies of their bye-laws relating to this matter. Seconded by Cr Willcox, and carried. The Mayor having called attention to clause 350 of the i.ew Act, Cr Cunningham moved—" That the Government be applied to, to make a grant to the Council under clause 350 of the Municipal Corporations Act," Agreed to. The Mayor spoke at length of clauses 323, 324, 325, 32G, and S2f, which referred to the licensing of buildings for public performances, dancing, and other amusements, and it was resolved that the first part of olause 323 should be advertised, which ran as follows :—" It is not lawful to use any building or enclosure within the borough for public meetings, or as assembly rooms, tec, except as licensed by the Council under provisions of the said Act." The Mayor further advocated the appointment of an inspector of weights and measures for the borough, saying he heard many complaints tu the town regarding short weights. After further discussion regarding this and other clauses, particularly the appointment of a treasurer, Cr Cunningham gave the following notice of motion—" That at the next meeting he would move a resolution regarding the payment, of the Mayor." The Council then adjourned at 10 p.m.