BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 932, 20 June 1877, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

LYTTELTON. A special meeting to consider the by-laws for the appointment of licensed porters in Lyttelton was held on Monday night. Present—His Worship the Mayor and all the Councillors. The by-laws, as advertised, were read and'passed with some few alterations, the principal one being' that the hours be from B aim. to 8 p.m.j and that before and lifter that time double fees could be charged. Tile by-laws; as amended, were Ordered to be printed. 1 The meeting for their filial confirmation 1 being appointed'for ' Mohday, July ' '' 1 ' ’.I. The ordinary meeting was then field. The clerk ’stated he had received £324 15s 6d since last meeting. Correspondence was read from the Borough Engineer (Mr Donkin) rgrilling as follows : ’ On visiting the pumping engine at the Valley to-day I found that there are no five-inch sluice valves in stock. I tjrigk very necessary that

one should be placed at the Valley end of the tunnel, and at least two in the tunnel. This, I am satisfied, ought to be done for the safety of the traffic, as, with the present arrangements, should a pipe burst at the port end of the tunnel a man must go to the reservoir to shut off the supply. The water under high pressure in the meantime probably washing the ballast from under the sleepers, you may imagine the consequences should a train pass at the time. The loss of water would also be very large. This itself would be serious when every drop has, at considerable cost, to be forced by steam power into the reservoir. I believe five-inch valves may be obtained at Dunedin, and by proper management they can all be fixed in one night. If there are none at Dunedin, I am sure there are plenty in Melbourne. The Mayor stated he had forwarded this letter to the Q-overnment. From Mr Phillips, head gaoler, Lyttelton, stating that the visiting justices approved of the hard labor gang at present employed on the Governor’s Bay road doing work in the vicinity of the gaol on Saturday forenoon and wet days, provided they were not employed in the main thoroughfare. From the same, stating that in consequence of gaol extensions, it was necessary that a branch culvert running from Mr Jacobson’s house through the police yard should be lowered, and asking authority to do this. A rough plan was enclosed showing levels and proposed alteration. From the same, enclosing plan of piece of land required from St David street for gaol purposes. From the Chairman of the Gas Company, running as follows :—“ The directors of this Company, at a meeting held on Juno Ist, instructed me to write and express their surprise that no reply had been received to the offer having reference to the disposal of the company s works.” From Mr Hardecke, of Oxford street, complaining of the bad smells from the defective drainage near his boarding house. From Captain Sproul, asking the Council to improve the footpaths in the vicinity of his residence. From Mr Cathro, St David street, complaining of the manner in which the contractor hsad left his garden after putting in St David street culvert extension. From Mr John Wishart, asking permission to place his carts on the vacant piece of land at the end of Matheson’s Agency, till he could find a suitable piece of ground on which to put up a shed. From the Rev. J. D. Fcrgusson, complaining of the insufficient width of the road over the new culvert near Ids house, Dampicr’s Bay. From Mr J. L. W ilson, offering to supply screenings at 10s per cubic yard at Christchurch station. From Messrs Harman and Stevens, asking for particulars re the property in Oxford street recently purchased from the Council by Mr W. Graham. From Mr John Knowles, Under Secretary for Public Works, running as follows : Sir,—J am directed by the Hon. the Minister for Public Works to inform you that he has received a report from the Engineer-in-Chief in which he points out that, while the works in connection with the Lyttelton water supply are sufficient for railway purposes, it will be necessary to construct a reservoir at an estimated cost of =£2500 before there will be an adequate supply for the requirements of the shipping and town. Under these circumstances, tho_ Minister proposes that the railway authorities should take charge of the water works machinery, and when the reservoir is completed, supply the town and shipping with the surplus water not required tor the railway. That the cost of maintenance be divided between the railway, the Corporation, and the Harbor Board in proportion to the water used by each of them, and that the cost of the reservoir be borne by the Corporation and Harbor Board in such proportion as may be agreed upon between them. The Minister has directed a similar letter to this to bo sent to the Harbor Board, and he will be obliged by an early intimation from the Chairman of the Harbor Board and yourself as to the acceptance of these proposals and of the proportion in which the cost of the reservoir has been mutually agreed to be borne by the Harbor Board and Corporation. On receiving the above intimation the Minister will direct the necessary steps for building a reservoir to be at once proceeded with. The Mayor read the following rough draft of a letter be intended to send in reply, if the Council approved: — To the Hon. the Minister for Public Works. Sir,—ln reply to your letter received on the 16th, I beg to state that I have, with the watersupply committee, had an interview with the chairman of the Lyttelton Harbor Board, whose opinion coincides with ours, viz,, that the letter in question must have been written under a misapprehension of the circumstances of the case. The works were constructed from a vote of the late Provincial Council for a water supply for the Borough of Lyttelton, and the vote was given in place of an endowment to the town from the provincial chest; consequently, they are hona fide the property of the borough. I should be'glad to know when the Government will be prepared to hand over the water works to the Council.—J. T. House, Mayor. Or. Alßmght said before the wqrks were taken over he should like to hear the opinion of an independent engineer regarding these works, as he believed they had been very badly executed. The Mayor’s reply was then approved by the Council and ordered to be forwarded. From Mr James Payne, stating lip was not entitled to pay rates on the house lately occupied by him, owned by Mr Merson, as he had given up possession on March 7th before the rate was struck. The matter was ordered to stand over for the present. From Mr W. H. Wynn Williams, rc damage done to Mr Josling’s property in Oxford street by construction of road. From the Colonial Treasurer, asking for statement of assets and liabilities of the borough on the 30th of June. From Mr William Gcmmoll, making an application to lease piece of ground in Oxford street, twenty-four feet frontage and thirty feet deep for putting up a cooperage. From Mr Thomas Bacon, asking the Council to assist in raising his house to the present level of the road, as it had been formerly erected above the levels given by the then Municipal Council. Respecting Mr Phillips’ application for lowering the culvert running through the property occupied bv Mr Jacobsen, it was resolved that Mr Phillips be written to, informing him that the Council have no objection, providing the consent of the agent for the property (Mr Nalder) be obtained. Respecting Mr Phillips’ letter tc ground at back of gaol, the Mayor read the following report of the estates committee: — Your comm ittee report that, having examined the proposed hnc of the portion of &t. David street applied for for gaol purposes, they consider that the alteration will be an improvement to the street, and that there will be no loss to the public entailed by acceding to the request made. They consider that if a concrete wall be built, a substantial fence erected, and steps formed, the Council will do well to allow the making over of the ground, without making any demand for the purchase. It was resolved that the consideration of the letter be deferred till next Monday night, to allow the Councillors to inspect the land in question. lie the letter from the chairman of the Gas Company, the following report from the committee appointed was read: —

Your committee have reconsidered the subject of the value-nTthe Gas, Coal, and Coke Company, and the amount that they would advise

the Council to offer. They are of opinion that the sum of £6 10s per issued share, clear, be offered for the whole interest of the Company, the purchasers taking over the assets and liabilities. Total cash for purchase, <£8450 ; liabilities, say, <£1500; total, £9050. — John S. Willcox, Chairman.

The foreman of works stated that the repairs asked for by Mr Hardecke were in progress. Captain Spread’s letter was referred to the works committee. It was resolved Mr Cathro be written to referring him to the contractor. Mr Wishart’s request was granted. The Eev. J. I). Fcrgusson’s letter was next considered, and the matter was cventiiallv left in the hands of the works committee witli power to act. It was resolved that a truck of the screenings offered by Mr J. L. Wilson be ordered ns a sample, to be delivered after reduced railway rates were commenced on July Ist. Messrs Harman and Stevens’ request was referred to the Borough Solicitor, that he might furnish the information required. Mr Gemniell’s request to rent piece of land for a cooperage was declined. Mr T. Bacon’s application was discussed, and it was resolved he be written to asking what proof he could give of the levels being given by the Council when the house was erected. An application was read from Mr G. M. Warne, to have rates remitted for the Cambridge Hotel, he having left that property before the rate was struck. The matter was left over for the present. A petition was presented by Cr. Holmes from a number of the residents in Dampier’s Bay and the neighborhood, requesting attention to the bad state of the footpaths on the Dampier’s Bay road, stating that they were unable to send their children to school in consequence. Five out of the ten signing the petition have no children. Cr Holmes, in support of the petition, moved his usual resolution, “That £4O be spent on the footpaths referred to. The motion on being put was lost, several Crs stating that the bad condition of the road was much exaggerated, there being nothing to prevent children attending school. The estates committee reported that the present wish of the Government with regard to the reserve for public recreation i ground on the Governor’s Bay road, is that the reserve in question should be kept as a public domain, and the management vested in a Board to he appointed by the Government, and in this suggestion the 'committee unanimously concurred. The estates committee also reported that the 300 acres of ground recommended by the Foreman of Works had been applied for at the Land Cilice, and that the application had been considered. The report of the Foreman of Works to the Mayor on this subject was also read, and the action taken approved of. Cr. Hawkins called attention to the dangerous state of the road between the Orphanage and the Recreation Ground, and moved —“ That the matter be placed in the hands of the works committee for immediate action.” Agreed to. The report of the committee appointed to confer with the Gas Company was next considered and, after a rather prolonged discussion, was received, and it was resolved — ,‘ That the offer be made to the directors of the Gas Company at the price named, contingent upon the Council being able to raise the necessary sum.” Accounts amounting to £474 wore passed for payment. The clerk was instructed to write to Mr Wynn Williams informing him that Mr Josling’s application would be taken into consideration by the Council at an early meeting. Cr. Allwright said that he thought the Government’s attention should be called to the water supply works, which should have been completed long ago. Had the water supply been through, he believed that the late lire woidd have been easily extinguished, and thousands of pounds saved. The Government were very dilatory in the matter, and they should be at, once communicated with. Had a sou’-wester been blowing on Sunday morning as it had that day, Lyttelton would have been destroyed. The Council were much to blame as well as the Government in the matter. They had applied for the large engine to be kept in Lyttelton instead of Christchurch. This request had been refused, and the matter had then been lost sight of. The shunter also had been asked for, and a house built for it; but, like everything else, it was ordered to be kept in Christchurch. He thought, it their duty to test at once the water supply works, which he was afraid were so faultily constructed as to be useless; for if the pipes burst when the hydrants were open, and there was no pressure, what would they do when submitted to the severe test of conveying the water to g height of 200 ft. in Lyttelton. He should like to sec a thoroughly competent engineer report on the works, as it was reported that not only were the pipes unfit for the work they had to dp, but that the engine \yas most unsuitable. It was also an extraordinary thing that there was no telegraphic communication with Christchurch during the night, as they had been promised long ago that a man should stop at the Christchurch office for that purpose. He would move—“ That the Government be written to requesting them to appoint a competent and independent engineer to report on that portion of the Lyttelton works that has been provided by the Government.” The matter was much discussed, and it was at last resolved—" That the Government be written to asking them to forward a, copy of the cnginecr-in-ehief’s report on the works in question.” Cr. Allwright’s resolution having been withdrawn, Cr. Allwright would further move—- “ That the steam fire engine bo kept at Lyttelton instead of at Christchurch.” They had applied for it once before but had been refused. The Lyttelton Fire Brigade could take charge of it, so that it would be no greater expense, and as the locomotives were all kept in Christchurch, it would be easy to send one through for it if it was required there, which would be seldom, as they had two other steam fire engines ; and he understood that the Government engine threw so much water that any tank in Christchurch only contained water enough to supply it for a very short period (eight minutes), whereas in Lyttelton they had the sea. Several councillors also spoke concurring with Cr. Allwright in the matter, Cr. Cunningham especially remarking on the absurdly inadequate appliances for the prevention of 'fire in Lyttelton, where' such a very large amount of Government property was situated. The motion was seconded by Cr. F. Graham, and carried, and the clerk was instructed to write, pointing out the urgent necessity there existed for telegraphic communication being kept, iqr to church at all hours, and the advisablcness of a shunter being kept in port in case of emergencies. The works committee were authorised to procure the metal required for the roads. Id VPply fp ft question from Cr. Allwright, hia Worship the Mayor stated that all expenses in connection with the late lire would be defrayed by the Government. The Council then adjourned.