BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 808, 24 January 1877, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

LYTTELTON.

Monday, January 22, Present—His Worship the Mayor, Cra Holmes, Wlllcox, Parsons, Allwright, Cunningham, and Hawkins. The clerk stated he had received £35 12s 6d since last meet iag. Correspondence was read f om the Kegistrar General asking for statistics tor year 1576. From Mr Edward J. Lee, stating he would give early intimation regarding date at which he would hold an Assessment Court at Lytteltpn. From Mr Flockton, re valuation of the Borough and acknowledg ing a cheque from the Council. From Mr 0, H. Williams, stating that the se.. vices of the Engineering Staff of the late p ovincial department would be dispensed with at the end of the month, when they would be open for engagements by the Borough Council; but that until that time their service? I could not be spared to carry out th'> distribution of water throughouc Lyttelton. I From Mr 0, H, Williams, re Council obtain-

ing endowment of land under section 350 o Municipal Corporations Act, 1876, informing Council that probably the best course tpursue would be to address application fo such endowment to the Colonial Secretary From Mr G. A. Buck, applying to be em ployed in preparing the electoral roll for tin borough of Lyttelton for the years 1877 78 From Mr Massey, town clerk, Dunedin, Inwarding bye laws regarding water supply. From Mr W, Hester, town clerk, Wellington forwarding Wellington Waterworks Ac;. 1871. From Mr 'V. H, Wynn Williams stating that Mr Hill did not wish to fc.obstructive, but could not consent to any mode of proceeding which might compro raise his position with the Council. From Mr S, B. Webb, complaining of the bad state of the road through Brenchley Farm, Iron; Mr W, Graham’s to Mr G, Marshall’s gate and also of bridge leading to same road : further stating he would hold the Oounci* liable for any damage sustained by him through same. From Mr W, Graham, re culverts to his houses in Ripon street. With regard to Messrs Flock f on and Sharped letter, the Mayor stated that he heard of a technical objection being taken to the valuation list, on the ground that only one of the valuators’ names, instead of both, had beer placed on each page of same. Respecting the letter from Mr Williams, regarding engagement of engineers, the Mayor stated that the appointment of an engineer must take place before the committee appointed could draw up bye-laws for water supply, as technical knowledge was required. It was determined that the letters from the town clerks of Wellington and Dunedin be acknowledged with thanks, and that Mr Buck be written to declining his services Respecting Mr W. H. Wynn Williams’ letter, regarding the culvert through Mr Hill’s property, there was much discussion, the matter being eventually left in the hands of the Borough solicitor. Mr 8. R. Webb’s letter re state of Brenchley Farm road, war next considered, and the matter was referred to the works committee for their consideration. Mr W. Graham’s letter'was referred to the works committee. The report of the foreman of works was then read, it ran a t follows; —“I beg to report thstthe length of culvert in Salt’s Gully, contracted for by Dix and Collier, is now completed, and the Council’s laborers are employed in filling up the road where the bridges stood. The contractor has not commenced the Canterbury street sewer, as I have received instruction; from the works committee not to have the ground opened until satisfactory arrangements have been made between Mr Hill ami the Council. A survey has been made for a sewer from the end of Mr Grubb’s atone culvert to Exeter street, through Mr Mouldey’s section, but the plans have not yet be ;u sent in. The whole of the water plant has been landed and stacked in front of Matheaon's store, with the exception of a few small castings and the pig lead. The men have been engaged in breaking metal for the footpaths on Sumner road a id Oxford street, and repairing damage caused by storm water ; also, in carrying out other small works about the town.” The foJlowingJreporfc of the subcommittee appointed to bring up bye-laws regarding the water supply was then read, It ran as follows—“ Your committee find that the appointment of an engineer by whose advice and assistance alone they wouldbe able to draft bye-laws suited for the borough, is absolutely necessary. In the meantime, they ask that the clerk should be instructed, from the rate roll of last year, to inform them of the names of occupiers and yearly rating of all properties within one hundred yards (100 yards) of the pipes, as laid down in 3Vlr Donkin’s plan. That the clerk write to Mr Bradley and obtain from h m an account of water supplied to shipping during the year, and telegraph to Nelson for the water bye-haws in force there. J. T, Rouse, Chairman.” The Mayor said he was happy to say that Mr Cuthbert informe 1 him the reservoir at the Heathcote would be ready to receive the water in about a week’s time. The report was received and adopted. The Mayor was authorised to obtain the services of a consulting engineer. The Mayor said a resident in'St David’s street'hnd complained to him regarding footpath opposite his house. Referred to works committee. Cr Hawkins called attention to the fact that Mr Stinson’s men in procuring ballast were in the habit of blasting clay on Simeon Quay, and as this practice, was highly dangerous without proper precautions being taken, he thought it his duty to speak on the matter. Horses were very likely to be frightened by the explosions. and accidents take place. Cr Holmes said that not only clay but stone also was blasted, and was of opinion that it was very dangerous. After further discussion, it was resolved—" That a letter be written to Mr Stinson informing him that complaints have reached the Council with regard to the dangerous manner in which blasting is being carried on on bis property in the Dampier’s Bay road, and if further complaints are made the Council will have to remove the tramway across the road.” The Mayor said he had frequently referred to the difficulty of procuring a propei 1 trap for the heads of the culverts when they were completed. He begged to lay before them a plan of a proposed trap, which he thought would be well adapted for preventing anynoxious gases enerp ing. Theplanof the proposed trap was handed to the several councillors for inspection, and after discussion the matter dropped. In reference to the proposed work in Grubb’f gully, the chairman of the works committee said the works committee had visi-ed the spot, and recommended that in the event oi Mr Mouldey contributing £2O, or bricks to i that amount, the work should be tendered for. This was agreed to. A report of the expenditure for fire prevention for 1876 was read; it amounted to £137 12a sd. Ci Holmes called attention to the state of the pathway down to the railway in wet weather The Mayor called attention to the fact that the part of the road complained of belonged to the Government. It was resolved that the foreman of works should see what could be done in the matter; but as it was pointed out by several councillors that in all proba bility the station would soon be removed, it w.a not thought advisable to go to any expense in th,e matter. Accounts amounting to £233 I7s 8d were passed for payment. Or Holmes again called attention to tin state of tqe drain in .Joyce town, which he said was in a filthy condition, He moved that (.he works committee be requested to visit the locality, and that thei, report re the said drain be again brought up next meeting, Agreed to. Or Cunningham moved—" That the works committee b-. authorised to procure day labour to lay tlu water pipes from the junction of the reclaimer land up Canterbury street to the come. o( Exeter street, It was determined that

the work should be proceeded with as speedily as possible, Cr Cunningham called attention to the fact of the removal of the lamps. He proposed—" That the lamps be lit at the discretion of the chairman of the lighting committee. This was seconded by Or Allwright, and carried. Cr Hawkins said (bat ho thought as tiiegas was now carried round Dampier’s Bay road, it would be ad vis able to lay on gas to the four lamps round the bay, and it was resolved—“ That the chair man of the lighting committee bring up a report regarding the cost of converting the oil lam,>s on S : meon Quay into gar lamps ” Or Cunningham called attention to the nuisance of the drainage of stormwater by Peacock’s wharf. It was resolved that the clerk be instructed to bring up the report on the matter next meeting, and that the works committee should visit the spot in the interim. The Mayor here vacated the chair, which was taken by Cr Hawkins, and Or Cunningham then rose to propose the notice of motion standing in his name—“ That as the next meeting he would move a resolution regarding the payment of the Mayor,” Cr Cunningham said that according to the 53th clausa of the Municipal Act they could vote a certain sum yearly for the Mayor’s use. He should like to give such a sum to the Mayor as would give them the right to speak if the business were badly conducted. They were all aware that the gentleman who occupied the position of Mayor had to give up a great deal of his time, and it was but fair he should receive some remuneration. Simply to test the feeling of the Council, he would move—" That the Mayor be paid such a salary as might now be decided on.” Cr Allwright said he had much pleasure in seconding the resolution, He believed himself bound by a prior conversation on the subject. He should have opposed the resolution had the Conncil elected their own Mayor ; but now that the ratepayers elected their own Mayor, he was of opinion that the Council did right in granting the money. Ora Wilcox and Holmes both signified their assent. It was then decided that the Mayor’s salary be £IOO. The GV-nncil then resolved itself into a local Board of Health. Dr Rouse reported several mild casss of diphtheria, which were all progressing favorably. The Board then adjourned.