BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 961, 25 July 1877, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

LYTTELTON. Monday, July 23. Present — Crs. Cunningham, McDonald, AllwrighL, Willeox, Holmes, and Parsons. The Town Clerk read a letter from his Worship the Mayor asking the Council to excuse his presence, as he was unwell, and had been up many nights. Cr. Allwright took the chair, on the motion of Cr. Cunningham. The Clerk stated he had received £ll7 2s 6d since last meeting. Correspondence was read from the Mayor to the Government regarding water supply, as follows: — By the request of the Borough Council I have the honor to apply for an answer to that portion of my letter of June 20th asking when the works connected with the water supply for Lyttelton are to he handed over to their charge. The water has now been laid on for nearly a fortnight through the tunnel, and to the mains on the wharves, but no communication has been received by the Council relative to this, nor any steps taken to test the height to which the water would rise in the town, nor the soundness of the mains which have been laid down by the Council. It is now more than four months since the Council, through information received that the works were a success, and within a few days of completion, engaged an engineer at a cost of £2OO so supervise the plan for the distribution of the water, reservoirs, &c., in Lyttelton. The term of his engagement has expired without his having been able to do more than superintend the laying down of the mains, in consequence of the extraordinary misunderstanding which appears to exist on the part of the Government as to the right of the town to the supply, so that the greater part of the money has been thrown away. I have been informed by the chairman of the Harbor Board that he has forwarded to Wellington all the papers and memoranda relating to the Lyttelton water supply, and I beg especially to draw your attention to a letter of the number and date quoted, on the margin, from the Secretary for Public Works to myself, in which he states distinctly the intention of the Government that the entire revenue from the disposal of the water should belong to the Borough Council, excepting only that required "for Government uses, and the Council arc not aware that even this exception is justified by the vote of the Provincial Council. With regard to the insufficiency of the supply the Council have to urge that as the town had not the spending of the vote it is clearly not just that it should bear the burden of any engineering mistakes or miscalculations. Inward correspondence was read from Sergeant-Major O’Grady, running as follows : —“ lam directed by the Inspector-Command-ing Armed Constabulary, Christchurch, to apply to you for the use of the house next the Colonists’ Hall, the property of the Borough, for police purposes, for a period of twelve months, and to offer as rent 30s per week. Should you agree to let, I should like to get possession as soon as possible, as the present barrack is in a very delapidated condition and is now required for gaol purposes.” ITom Mr T. Bacon, replying to Council’s (inquiries regarding level of Exeter street at the time his bouse was erected. From Mr Wm. Graham, applying to rent the quarry known as Higg’s, in the Sumner road, for the ensuing six months. From Mr J. L. Wilson, stating that a truck of screenings from the stone - breaking machine bad been forwarded, and that the expenses of cari'iage from the pit to Lyttelton would be about Is 5s per yard. From the town clerk, Christchurch, as follows ;

1 have the honor, hy direction of Cr. Hohbs. delegate appointed hy the Council to attend conference at Wellington, to inform you that the meeting of delegates will take place at the City Council Chambers, Wellington, at noon, on the Ist of August aest, It is aot intended to com

fine the discussion to the matter of the deduction from subsidies but any subject of municipal interest may be introduced for discussion. I am also directed, in reply to your letters of the 27th and 29th May (answers to which would have been sent before but could not be considered earlier, pending replies from other Canterbury Municipalities) suggesting a preliminary meeting of delegates appointed by such municipalities should be held, to say that Cr. Hobbs will be happy to meet your delegate on Wednesday next, 25th inst., at noon, at the City Council Chambers, Christchurch. Invitations have also been sent to Kaiapoi, Timaru, and Akaroa.

Regarding the application from the police, to rent the Council cottages next to the Colonists’ Hall, it was resolved —“That the offer of Sergeant-major O’Grady, on behalf of the police, be acceded to, and that the present tenants of the cottages receive a fortnight’s notice.” In reference to Mr Bacon’s letter there was some discussion, and it was determined that Mr Bacon be written to, telling him that the Council did not see their way clear to do anything in the matter. Mr Graham’s request was referred to the estates committee. The letter from Mr J. L. Wilson was then considered. Several councillors spoke highly of the screenings for use on footpaths, stating that on the hills it was equal or better than asphalte, and the matter was eventually left in the hands of the works committee to procure ten trucks at as low a rate as possible. Cr Cunningham moved —“ That the Mayor be appointed delegate of the Council at the ensuing conference in Wellington.” Agreed to. An application from Mr Elvines, to rent a vacant piece of land near the Highland House, Norwich Quay, at 12s 6d per foot, was refused. A letter was read from Mr Barker, asking if the Council wanted anyone to impound cattle straying on the roads. Cr. Holmes said such a person was greatly needed, as straying cattle were a great nuisance in Lyttelton. He thought Mr Barker a most suitable person for the job. After discussion, it was resolved to write to Mr Barker, telling him the Council

were not prepared to appoint such an officer. At the same time it was stated the attention of the police should be called to the matter. It was resolved, in reference to the conference at Wellington, that any councillor who had any suggestion to make on the matter should communicate in writing to the Mayor. A long discussion took place regarding the water supply, and it was resolved—“ That the Government be telegraphed to, asking them if they would instruct their engineer to let the full pressure of water in the distributing pipes of the borough, so that the Council may see the height to which the water will rise, for the purpose of ascertaining the best site for a reservoir.” The letter from the Colonists’ Society left over from last meeting was referred to the estates committee for thenconsideration, to report at a future meeting. The resolution passed on 18th June regarding bye-law respecting licensed porters was confirmed. Accounts amounting to £2OO Os 4d were passed for payment. The Mayor was authorised to sign an application from Mr W. Graham to bring the property known as Calo’s, purchased by him from the Council, under the Land Transfer Act. The Chairman of works committee reported re nuisance complained of by Cr. Hawkins in Salt’s Gully, and explained action taken by the works committee in the matter. Cr. Willcox (chairman) reported on behalf of the lighting committee regarding erection of new lamp posts in various parts of the town. The committee had placed several lamps in the principal streets where they had before been entirely dependant on public house lights, which were extinguished at II p.m., and not lighted at all on Sundays. The Treasurer was instructed to withdraw £SOO from the Loan and Investment Association. The Fire Inspector, on behalf of the Fire Brigade, applied for permission to put up a book case in the Council Chamber for the Fire Brigade, as it was the intention of that body to commence a library with the £lO granted to them by the HarborBoard. They proposed to meet twice a month to change books. The request was acceded to, and the Council adjourned.