BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 820, 7 February 1877, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

LYTTELTON. Monday, February 5. Present—His Worship the Mayor, Crs Hawkins, McDonald, Holmes, Willcox, Parsons, Allwright, Cunningham, and F. Graham. The clerk stated that £4O Is 101 had been received since last meeting. Correspondence was read from town clerk, Nelson, stating that they bad no bye-laws re water supply. From Mrs Moynehan, drawing attention to the bad state of the footpath in front of the Crown Hotel. From the Colonial Secretary, stating that all moneys collected on behalf of the borough should be paid in to a certain Bank, accord ing to section 106 of Municipal Corporations Act, and in addition to publicly notifying name of such Bank, that the Treasury Department at Wellington be informed of such fact. From Talbot and McGlatchie, calling attention to the defective state of the drain • age of the roadway between Hargreaves’. Forbes’, and their store. From Canterbury Railways, stating that total amount of money collected for water supply to shipping during year 1876 was £485 8s 2d, From Mr Charles H. Soutcr, applying for situation asengine-driver for the waterworks, Heathcote Valley. From Mr John B. Carroll, secretary of Oddfellows’ Hall committee, applying for a license for the Oddfellows’ Hall, under clause 323 of Municipal Corporations Act, From Mr C. H. Williams, stating that the Council could not have Mr Donkin’s services as consulting engineer whilst that gentleman was in Government employ, but that be would shortly be open for employment. From Sergeant Major O’Qrady, staling that on January 25th Mr R. Wood obstructed the footpaths in Norwich Quay and Dublin street by allowing a building which he was removing to remain on the paths, and tnat when spoken to he had stated ho had done so with the Borough Council’s permission. Regard ing Mrs Moynehan’s request, it was resolved that the works committee should be requested to attend to tne matter. Cr Allwrigbt, chairman of the works committee, explained that there was great difficulty in procuring fine gravel for footpaths in Lyttelton, Cr Cunningham moved—" That the clerk be instructed to write to Mr J. L. Wilson, of Christchurch, asking him at what rate he will supply the fine screenings from the stone breaking machine at the Lyttelton station, and that the works committee be authorised to procure a sufficient quantity for present purposes should the price be reasonable.” Seconded by Or McDonald, and carried. Regarding the letter from Mr Cooper, Colonial Secretary’s office, it was resolved—" That it be notified that the Council’s Bank is the Bank of New Zealand, and that Government be informed of the same.” Respecting Messrs Talbot and McClatchie’s request, Cr Allwright pointed out that their store being on ihe reclaimed land the Council had no power in the matter. Mr Carroll’s application was next considered, and it wrs resolved—“ That Mr Sowdeu be appointed a surveyor to report on halls and assembly rooms in Lyttelton.” Regardin' Sergeant Major O’ Grady’s letter, the chairman of the works committee explained that lie had given permission to Mr Wood to remove the buildings, and that it had always been the custom of the Council that the chairman of works should have the power. It was resolved—- " That Sergeant Major O’Grady’s letter be answered informing him what had been done in the matter.” Me the culvert through Mr Hill’s property, a report from the works committee was road. The works committee have consulted several times since the last meeting of the Council with the contractors, Mr Hill, and the solicitor of the Council. In view of Mr Hill’s departure for England, they, on hearing the only terms on which the solicitor for Mr Hill vvouldagrecto the culvert being constructed, presented an ultimatum to him embodying everything that should leasonably be required and drawn up by the solicitor of the Council. This was refused by Mr Hill, and the works committee requested the solicitor of the Council to close the correspondence. The committee will explain to the Council ether information on the subj ect. The borough solicitor, explained the matter, stating that he had embodied what Mr Hill required in an agreement which he refused to sffin. He had made final application t..-.at day before Mr Hill left per Taiaroa, but he had finally refused. The chairman of the works committee further explained that every means possible had been taken to moot Mr Hill’s views, but finding that he required more than he had at first stated, they had told the solicitor to close the question. Or F. Graham moved, and Cr Holmes seconded —" That the action of the borough solicitor and works committee on this matter be approved of by the Council, and that the works committee bo empowered to take full action in the matter.” The following report of the works committee was then read : « We have the honor to report in reference to Mr Graham’s application that a culvert should be constructed through his section of land, No 160. The committee are of opinion, considering the largo expenditure the Council has made in the neighbourhood, that has had the effect of considerably enhancing Mr Graham’s property, and that the only nuisance that can possibly arise is either from Mr Graham’s tenants or from persons from whom he has received the enhanced price of the land, it would not he fair to the ratepayers for the Council to expend money to make a culvert in bia property. Xbe

committee are aware that by not constructing the culvert they are rendering the Council liable for a considerable amount of damage that may arise through the stoppage of the present culvert in Mr Graham’s land. They append a note respecting that Lability damage which requires the gravest considii tion of the Council. Note—‘To the Chauman of the Works Committee —Hir, —ln gning round to examine the culver’s o’. Friday night last, when the rain came on. I found the culvert at the lop of Oxford stie* t in Mr Graham's property stopped up in such a way that it could nob possibly have been done by accident. I have every reason to believe that the obstruction was placed there maliciously by some person. Had a heavy rain occurred, as we sometimes have, there is no doubt it would have caused a great deal of damage to properties iu the lower part of the town. I also would recommend, for the safety of the town, that the old piece of culvert abutting on to the stone culvert ou the same property should be removed. I would aiso recommend that tenders be called for 200 yards of'Sticking Point stone, broken for metal and delivered in Canterbury street, or other streets below that line. John Sowden, Foreman of Works.’ The works committee have inspected the road near Mr Fisher’s property as requested. They are of opinion that a footpath would prove a great convenience, but they are also of opinion that there are other parts of the borough where there is is considerably more traffic, and in a much worse condition. The committee have inspected the footpath indicated by Mr Graham, near his house (recently purchased from the Council). They consider that both there and in the other parts of Oxford street the channelling should be done as soon as practicable. The kerbing already laid down will soon be useless by being undermined by the storm water. The committee have inspected the bridge at the junction of Brenchley farm and College land, and recommend that instead of abridge a culvert should be constructed about 20ft iu length. The cost would be about £2O, but they remind the Council that the work will be on private property. The committee have inspected the road through Brenchley Farm and College land, in accordance with instructions in reference to a letter from Mr Webb. A great part of the road is in a good condition, and it would not be a large expenditure to repair the remainder, but it would be useless to do it during the dry summer weather. The committee have inspected Simeon Quay at the place indicated as doing damage to the lessees of Peacock’s Wharf, and they decline to recommend any plan, but suggest two, of which the foreman of works has given an estimate, appended.” Or Allwright said that he had been informed in relation to this matter, that the mouth of a culvert on Mr Graham’s land had evidently been stopped up by somebody purposely. In the event of any heavy rain falling serious damage might have ensued. It was determined the matter should be left to the foreman of works. The chairman of works committee said that with regard to the drainage of Simeon Quay, they requested the Council to vote a certain sum to go ou with the work at once, but that no definite plan be adopted till they had been further consulted. He moved that a sum of £SO be placed at the disposal of the works committee for this object, Messrs Cunningham and Co contributing £ls. Seconded by Or Holmes and carried. It was arranged that the necessary repairs to the west side of Oxford street, above Winchester street, be attended to. Resolved—* 1 That tenders be called for 20ft of culvert on the Brenchley Farm road.” Cr Hawkins said that he had beau desired to call attention to the very bad state of the footpath in Winchester street, and desire the Council to thoroughly repair the north side. On Sunday most of the residents in Lyttelton visited this street to attend the various places of worship, and no later than the previous day he knew that many ladies and children had wetted thei? feet going to church. He would move that the works committee be requested to report on the cost of repairing the footpath. Seconded by Cr Parsons, and carried. His Worship said that the water supply com mi tree had not yet been able to form byelaws, but bad been in communication with the Government re the services of aa engineer. They had heard that Mr Donkin could be engaged. Both Cr Hawkins and himself were of opinion that it was of great importance Mr Donkin’s services should be procured, aa he had ordered the plant. Mr Donkin had promised to write stating his terms. The Mayor was authorised to call a special meeting to consider Mr Donkin’s proposals when received, A report on the drainage of Joycetown was next read andconsidered, Cr Holmes said that the place was iu a very bad state, the concrete channel at the bottom of Joycetown was always smelling badly, and was a great annoyance not only to residents but to passers by. He would move—- “ That a pipe drain or brick culvert be laid under the road.” After furth r discussion he withdrew his resolution, and Or Cunningham moved —That the works committee be requested to devise a scheme for the drainage of Joycetown, at a cost not exceeding £150.” This was seconded by Cr Holmes, and carried. Cr Holmes called attention to the bad state of the Governor’s Bay road. The matter was left to the works committee. Cr Willcox said the lighting committee had attended to the replacing of lamps, and lighting same on dark nights, and also that gas had been laid on to the lamps on Dampier’s Bay road. A discussion ensued regarding the lighting of the town clock, Or Holmes being theprincipal speaker. The clerk was instructed to write to Mr Gunderson Accounts amounting to £lO3 3s 3d were passed for payment, Tenders were opened for the construction of Grubb’s Gully sewer, and Messrs Dix and Collier’s accepted. Mr H. J. Y. Rogers, the town clerk, was elected treasurer to the Council. A resolution was passed by which all the Councillors were authorised to sign cheques. Cr F, Graham said he was unable to attend the Council regularly owing to hia residing in town. He was quite willing to place hia resignation in their hands, in fact, had come that evening with the intention of resigning his seat, but it had been pointed out to him that he had better continue iu the Council till next September, to save another election. Ho placed the matter entirely in their hands; let them ask him !o give up his scat at once if they wished him to do so, "’r Larsons asked what had been done with regard to the road through Joyce Town. Or Allwright said he would like the committee appointed to visit the road and inspect same. This was agreed to, Or Parsons farther called attention to the dangerous practice of letting off Chinese crackers in the street. It was determined to call the attention of the police to the matter,