BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 950, 11 July 1877, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

LYTTELTOIN". The fortnightly meeting was held on Monday ; present—His Worship the Mayor, Crs. Hawkins, Cunningham, Allwright, Parsons, Willcox, Holmes, and McDonald. The Clerk stated he had received £520 Os 6d since last meeting. Correspondence was read— From the Secretary of the Colonists' Society, asking the Council to refund rate £>aid for Colonists' Hall, on the ground that the reading room and reference library are of great benefit to the town generally, and were used by a number of people from whom the society derived no income. From the Under Secretary for Public Works, as follows : —" With reference to that portion of your letter of June 20th, calling the attention of tne G-overn-mcnt to the want of telegraphic communication between Lyttelton and Christchurch, in case of lire at night time, I am directed by the Hon the Minister for Public Works to inform you that instructions have been given to have an electric bell put up in the Christchurch office, and an officer directed to sleep there until the Lyttelton waterworks are in operation." Prom the Colonial Secretary's office, requesting to be furnished with a list of the officers employed by the Council, together with salaries paid to the Mayor and such officers. From same, stating that to legalise further collection and appropriation of poundage fees, the Council would have to publicly notify that they had established all existing pounds in the borough, appointed poundkeepers, and fixed scale of fees to be charged. From the Secretary Lyttelton Harbor Board replying to Council's letter of June 17th regarding Sunday work at the Eotorua, forwarding copy of resolution passed at last meeting of Harbor Board. From the Borough Engineer, suggesting the desirability of fixing self-acting valve on the line of pipes near the Custom House, so that, should any accident occur below that point, the pipes in the borough would not become empty : With this valve at the place mentioned, and the reservoir constructed in Exeter street, the outlet valve at such reservoir could be left open. and if a mishap should take place the valve at the Custom House would instantly close, and the supply to the town would be kept up from Exeter street without the interference of any one. The total cost of self-acting valve would not exceed ,£lO, including pattern. On the arrival of the pipes, lately ordered from England, two 4in pipes with 4in outlets will be required. I shall, without further remuneration, prepare , plans and the necessary instructions if you | authorise me to do so. 1 would also recommend : that f .]). ISi't, or whatever the distance may be, t should be painted on the houses opposite every ■ lire-plug (about Sit high). Where there are no . houses some mark ought to be placed opposite i each plug, as the boxes are always liable to be covered over with dirt, and consequently when

most wanted cannot be found at once. I need not explain to you how important the first few ininutes are in case of a fire.

From Messrs J. Tregear, A. B. W. Parsons, and a number of other residents in St. David street,, asking that a footpath should be formed in that part of the street between Exoter street and the town boundary. From Mv 11. Hawkins, chairman of Lyttelton G;:s Company, as follows : In reply to the town clerk's letters of the 19th and 21st ultimo, I am directed to state that the directors of the Lyttelton Gas Company have under their consideration the offer made by the Boi*ough Council, and request that the said offer should for the time being remain open. At the same time before returning a definite answer they consider that the Borough Council should place themselves in a position to treat absolutely for the purchase.

From Mr H. IS". Nalder, president of the Colonists' Society, running as follows : The committee of the Colonists' Society have requested me to ask the Council if they will take into consideration the advisability of placing the society in a better position with reference to the land on which the hall is built than it is in at present. The society gratefully recognises the great liberality hitherto shown by the Council to it, and has spared no expense in keeping the buildings in a thorough state of repair, and the library and reading-room well supplied with books, papers, &c., as far as the funds will permit ; but as the lease granted by the Council will expire in less than ten years, the committee would like to know beforehand in what position they will be likely to stand with reference to the hall at the end of the lease ; as if their tenure would then cease, or they should he called upon to pay a heavy rent, the committee would not be able to carry on unless tn the meantime by greatly contracting their expenditure they could put by sufficient funds to enable them to erect another building elsewhere. If the Council are as favourably inclined towards the society as they have always been, and would he willing to vest the present site and buildings in trustees for the benefit of the society, the committee think there would be no difficulty in getting a clause enabling them to do so inserted in the Bill, which wdl have to be brought before the General Assembly, to enable them to transfer the site of the Time Ball Tower. The Council are so well aware of the objects of this society, and the benefits that are thus placed within the reach of the inhabitants of the borough, on payment of an almost nominal subscription, that I will not refer to them more than to say that the committee feel that if from any cause the society were compelled to close the reading-room and library, the public, as well as the inhabitants of the borough, would feel it a great loss. Provision is made in the Municipal Corporations Act enabling Municipal bodies to purchase and provide libraries, &c., for the instruction and amusement of the inhabitants of a borough, so that should the Council prefer to purchase the interest of the society and vest the management in a Board, the committee would consider the question. The Council will see that it is almost necessary for the committee to know more definitely what their position is likely to be at the expiration of their term.

The request of Colonists' Society Committee for refund of rates was granted. Regard - ing the letter from Public Works office respecting telegraphic communication in case of fire, it was resolved a reply be sent pointing out that as the water works might possibly get out of order it would be advisable to always have telegraphic communication with Christchurch in case of fire, and not merely till the water works were in working order. The borough engineer's letter was next considered, and it was resolved the engineer should be requested to prepare the plans for valve, &c. As it was pointed out that the work in question was contingent on the water supply being a success the further consideration of the letter was adjourned till next meeting. The petition of the inhabitants of St. David street for footpath was received, and it was resolved that £SO be expended on the work. The letter from the chairman of the Gas Company was next considered. After long deliberation Cr. Willcox proposed —" That the Mayor take the necessary legal steps to bring the matter before the public." Seconded by Cr. Parsons and carried. Respecting the request of the President of the Colonists' Society, Cr. Cunningham moved — " That the clerk be instructed to hand to the President of the Colonists' Society a receipt for rent up to the present date." This was seconded by Cr. Hawkins and carried. The clerk was further instructed to acknowledge Mr Nalder's letter, informing him that his letter would be considered at next meeting and an answer forwarded to the Society before the next meeting of their committee. The Mayor reported re Mr Josling's claim for compensation, and the action taken by the Estates Committee in the matter. His Worship read the following report from Mr J. D. McPherson re land wanted for Lyttelton Gaol :

In compliance with your request, I have examined the piece of land behind the Lyttelton Gaol, colored blue in the accompanying plan, having a frontage of 52 links on Child's road, and about one chain 59 links on St. David's street, and am of opinion that a fair value thereof would be .£9O.

Cr Allwright moved that the valuation be sent to the Government, informing them that the Council are prepared to take that price for the land. Agreedto. The foreman of work's report was then read. It stated that 1530 yards of broken metal had been placed on the streets this winter, and reported on the various works in progress in the town. The following report of the fire inspector was then read :

A number of the men employed at the late lire at the railway shed have applied to me for payment for working at the engine and the lire generally, and they express great dissatisfaction at the manner in which they have been treated by the Government. It is very unjust they should he done out of their hard-earned money. The traffic manager told me, in the presence of the station master, that the money should be paid, and the arrangement be made after as to who should be liable—the town, the insurance companies, or the Government. In all cases where a fire has occurred previously the men have been paid at once, or as soon as I could pass the sheet in to the town clerk. I fear, as it stands now, that if a fire should occur I should have great difficulty in getting men to work the engine.

Crs. Cunningham and Allwright both spoke on the subject, and it was moved by Cr. Allwright—" That the amount be paid by the Borough at once and the account forwarded to the Government." The chairman of the works 'committee reported re Voelas road, that prison labor had been employed there on Saturday last, and would be again on Saturday next. The chairman of the lighting committee reported at length regarding new lamp posts, and after discussion it was resolved — " That the chairman of the lighting committee be empowered to erect the new lamp posts in the town, where he considers necessary." Accounts were passed amounting to £665 13s 7d. A long discussion ensued regarding the water supply, in which all the Crs. took part, and it was determined that the Mayor should again write to the Government on the subject.

FESTIVITIES AT TIMAEU.

Opening of the Borough Council and Fire BBiaADE Buildings. [by telegraph, from the special reporter of the press.] Timartj, July 10, 7.45 p.m. The opening of the new Borough Council Chambers took place to-day, and was very successful. The building is intended to accommodate the fire brigade, space being provided for their engine, &c, and also for the officers of the Borough Council. It is a handsome one, being built of Ibrick. On the ground floor are the offices of the town clerk and borough engineer, together with a strong room. Opposite these is a room for the members of the fire brigade, which will be a very great acquisition, as they have hitherto been very cramped in the matter of accommodation. The foreman of works has also an office in the building, and there is provided a small room for the hose and accommodation of the brigade. From the room appointed to the fire brigade a ladder is passed, giving access to the tower, in which is the new bell, the christening of which formed one of the features in the festivities of to-day. The fire brigade station is attached, and there is also a tower, in which the bell has been placed. The bell weighs 7031b5., and was obtained from the establishment of Messrs. J. "Warner and Sons, London. The christening ceremony was performed by Mrs Wakefield, and [the bell bore the following inscription:—"The watchman. 'Except the Lord keep the city the watchmen waketh but in vain.' Presented to the town of Timaru by the Timaru Volunteer Fire Brigade." Mrs Wakefield then christened the bell, and, in a few well chosen remarks, expressed the pleasure she had, in common with the other residents of the town, felt at possessing so efficient a. Fire Brigade as that of Timaru ; the Fire Brigade gave their time and their services for the benefit of the community, and she only trusted that the occasions upon which the bell would summon them to duty would be but few and far between. Three cheers were then given for Mrs Wakefield. His Worship the Mayor (Mr George Cliff) called upon those present for three cheers for the fire brigade and Captain Wildie, which was heartily responded to.

As might be expected in a British community such a ceremony would not be concluded without a banquet. This took place in the Council Chamber of the new Town Hall, which is a very handsome room, and one putting entirely to shame the shabby and antiquated meeting place of the City Council of Christchurch. About forty gentlemen sat down. The fire brigade and its officers, together with several gentlemen from Christchurch being amongst the guests. Mr Charles Green, of the Ship Hotel, catered on the occasion, and his efforts were exceedingly successful, the spread being one which would have done honor to any hotel. His Worship the Mayor of Timaru occupied the chair, supported on his right by the Hon. E. W. Stafford, M.H.E. for Timaru, Captain Sutter and Mr A. Perry, borough solicitor, and on his left by Dr Rouse, Mayor of Lyttolton, Captain Cain, and Mr E. Wakefield.