BOROUGH COUNCILS

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1033, 17 October 1877, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCILS

LYTTELTON. Monday, October 15. Present—His Worship the Mayor, Crs. Cunningham, Chalmers, Weyburne, Allwrighfc, McClatcliie, Hawkins, McPherson, McDonald, and Parsons. COBBESPONDENCE. Correspondence was read from Mr Conyer?, Superintending Engineer of Canterbury Railways, in reply to letter of Council 're water pipes on reclaimed land, and stating that after his interview with his Worship the Mayor, he was instructed by the Government to ask the Council for the price in question, which tin 1 Council complained of as excessive. _ From Mr P. Clinton, re fencing between his own section and the Council's land at Greendalo From Mr E. Cuthbert, C.E.. enclosing applications from Nicholas Kent, Anthony Ashton, William McClaren, and P. B. Ross, for the post of engine driver at Heathcote Valley works. An application for the post of clerk of the works at the reservoir works, was read from Robert Bryant. From Superintendent

Engineer, in reply to the Council, asking why the water had been shut off at a certain date, stating it hi'd been done to clear out a pipthat had become choked, and that the neglect to communicate with the Borough Council was perfectly an oversight. Another application for the post of engineer at Valley works from Mr Tlios. Henderson was also read, and one from |Mr. John Thompson, asking for appointment as clerk of works at reservoir. From Messrs Langdon and Judge, asking permission to tap the main to put connecting pipe on to their premises in London street. From Mr Robert Richardson, asking for employment as artisan to the reticulation water supply works to the borough. From Mr A. C. Fyfe, of accountant's office, enclosing account for £B3 6s for wages of engineer and stoker at waterworks for three months ending 22nd of September lust. Regarding the letter from Mr Conyers re water-pipes, the Mayor said he had consulted several gentlemen, and found it was the general opinion that the pipes in question were given to the town, and Mr Murr y-Aynsley, their member, who had gone to Wellington that day, had promised to look fully into the matter. This view was corroborated by several councillors, Cr. Macpherson stating he remembered moring a resolution in the Provincial Council for granting the pipes to the town, which was carried. Respecting Mr Clinton's letter rr fencing, it was resolved that he be communicated with, stating that till the Council had the Crown grant in their possession of the land in question, they could take no steps in the matter. Regnrding the applications for the post of clerk of works for construction o. reservoir, Cr. Cunningham moved, and Cr. Parsons seconded, " That the application be referred to the works committee, with power to appoint one of those applicants or some other person to the post." Messrs Langdon and Judge's letter was considered, and it was resolved to write them informing them that the Council were about to order the necessary plant, and would communicate with them when it arrived. Mr Rich-ard-on's application was referred to the water supply committee, and also Mr Fyfe's letter re pa\ ment of persons employed at the

Heathcote Valley wo> ks. ESTATES COMMITTEE. The report of the estates committee respecting vesting site of Colonists' Hall in trustees was read. It ran as follows : Your committee having considered the correspondence in the above case, recommend that the reqncst of the president of the Colonists' Society he acceded to. provided that the Soci ty's Buildings b < brought under the Public Libraries Act, and that the Mayor and two other persons appointed by the Council bo ex officio trustees. J. T. Rouse, Chairman. The Mayor moved the reception of the report, which was seconded by Or. McOlatchie. A long discussion ensued, Cr. Allwright advocating strongly that the Council should retain more power, and it was resolved eventually to defer the consideration of the matter to a special meeting. WATER SUPPLY. The following report of the water supply committee was read by Cr. Cunningham, the foreman of the committee, who briefly introduced the subject: — Your committee submit the following report, and in doing so acknowledge the assistance received from valuable inform ition collected by a former committee —I. We advise the Council to proceed immediately to act as if the waterworks had been handed over to then, as a length of time may yet elapse before the plans and agreement ca:i be satisfactorily arranged. 2. We recommend the appointment of a practical man to superintend the connection between the mains and houses. 3. We further advise that the Council should purchase such I.ranch pipes as maybe neee-sary, and supply them at cost price, and that all fittings in the interior of buildings should be conducted by a licensed plumber, but subject to inspection by an officer of the Council. 4. Your committee have fixed the price of extraordinary supplies of water at such a rate that must give general satisfaction. The household rate will be made according to ! the manner directed by the Corporations Act, J 1876, and we are of opinion that a rate of \\ per I cent on the value of property within reach of j the water supply will answer all requirements j for the present. In cases where it i» not used j only J per cent will be charged. 5. We have '• prepared a> d hand herewith an estimate of j working expenses and revenue, which we think j will give a fair idea of the general working. 6. | Your committee have had an interview with Mr j Smith, railway engi' eer, and Mr Kent, the | engineer of the works, and we find it will be I necessary for the economical working of the plant to t ko immediately into consideration the ddvisableness of erecting a surface reservoir at the works to collect the water | which now goes to waste when the engines are not at work. This will give a great saving and we believe will make it only necessary for the engineer to be at work two or, at most, three clays per week. s,uch a re-ervoir, wo are informed, can be constructed to hold 70,000 gallons at a cost of .£SOO. We would also recommend that it be fenced with timber, to prevent rubbish from the hills being blown into : the water. 7. We would advise that the largo ; reservoir be fenced, as at present largo quantities of rubbish are blown into the water, and i that a small shed should be built for holding j tools and keys for valves, &c. 8. We are j informed the works are in good order, and, j unle-s some unforseen a-cident occurs, no great expense will b- required for some time to come. 9. We strongly recommend the appointment of Mr Kent as engineer to the works, at the rate of .£3 15s per week. Mr Kent having constructed the works, and couducted them since their erection, has some claim I for consideration. Apart from this we are I advised that we are n t likely to get a man j more suitable He is willing when the engines re not at work to be in Lyttelton ass sting in the work of laying mains or fittings, and all other reasonable work. 10 We are further informed that it will be impossible to bo without a fireman when the engines are .it work, but as j this may be only two or three day« a week, we propo e to give the engineer authority toengaire a man at 7s per day while pumping. We have reason to believe there will be no difficulty in getting a man at the Valley on these terms. 11. We are informed that a revenue could be got by supplying wate>- at the Valley. We would ask the Council's opinion on this matter as soon as the works are in complete order 12 Your committee are also of opinion and recommend that the sum already expended upon mans and reservoirs at Lyttelton shoud be con sidered a vote out of the general funds of the Corporation towards the water supply, our reason being that large quantities of water will be feq ured by the town for flushing drains am* side channels and for street watering. 13 T> the estimates of the receipts it will be observed that we have taken credit for the sum voted by the General Government. This will enable uto impose a very moderate tax ou the townspeople. With the short; time at their disposal your committee h ive not been ahle to make so full a report as they could wi-h, but wii continue from timo to tiino reporting and supplying such information as may do o -ervice for the successful earning out of one ot the most important works of the timo. P. Cunningham Chairman. An estimate of the revenue andoxpenditur. was also laid on the table. Cr. Cuuuißgliaia

said that their object in making the report was to give the people of Lytteltoii the water at the lowest possible price. He would move the reception of the report. The committee had also prepared bye-laws which would have to be considered at a special meeting. The report was received and adopted, the clauses' being read seriatim. Cr. Cunningham moved " That Mr Allisoa D. Smith, locomotive engineer, be informed that the Council have appointed Mr N, Kent as engineer at the Heathcote Valley works, at a salary of £3 15s per week, and have also authorised Mr Kent to employ firemen, and requesting him to terminate the employment of the present lireman at a week's notice." Agreed to. Cr. Cunningham further moved " That the Government be informed that it is the intention of the Lyttelton Borough Council to have the formal opening of the waterworks on Wednesday, October 24th, and that they will be glad if they will instruct the resident engineer to hand over the waterworks formally to the Council on that day." After further discussion, Cr. Chalmers moved—- " That it be advertised that the Council are prepared to receive applications from persons who want water laid on to their premises." Agreed to. Cr. Macpherson moved —" That the water supply committee be authorised to order material required for connection pipes from mains to the houses." Seconded by Cr. Chalmers. Cr. Allwright moved as an amendment —" 1 hat tenders should be called for connections to mains." He had no doubt the amendment would be lost, but moved it, as he did not think the Corporation should interfere with private enterprise. Again, he thought thtt the material procured hy the Corporation would probably not be equal to that which could be procured by a private person, aid would certainly cost more. The amendment, after some f irther remarks, was put and lost, and the original resolution was then agreed to. The Chairman of the fire prevention committee moved " That the sum of £25 should be paid for boots for Fire Brigade." Agreed to. The following report of the bathing committee was read :

Your committee beg to recommend as follows —lst. 'I hat the bathing shed be removed to the sandy bay, next to the Western Breakwater, and that a footpath leading down to it be made from the Governor's Bay road. 2nd. That bathing be permitted inside the breakwater in the morning up to and not later than seven o'clock. 3rd. That for the more especial convenience of the male inhabitants living in tho east end of the town a footpath should be mada at high water mark to the bay beyond, but very near to the root of the Eastern Breakwater, the bay referred to being very suitable for bathing purposes, in support of these recommendations the committee beg to urge that the site of the present bathing place is unsuitable for the following reasons, viz. : "The bottom is thickly covered with mud; the Monkey Town drainage falls into it; when the t-ea is still there is often a scum of filth and floating debris on the surface, and lastly, it would be much more in the interests of decency, both as respects the bathers themselves, the inhabitants of the neighborhood, and letnales who pass by in the early morning, if bathing were carried on in a place where the bathers could have comparative privacy. Another advantage of the change proposed would be that ladies and children might enjoy the exclusive use of the bathing shed in its new position, at certain regulated hours during the day. We estimate the cost of the alterations and works referred to would be about or under .£SO, and we respectfully recommend the Council to vote that amount for the purpose.—J. D. Macpherson, chairman. The report was received and adopted, after a long discussion, during which several councillors suggested a larger expenditure, if it would secure really good bathing accommodation. Accounts amounting 1 to £3OS 13s 6d were passed for payment. The Mayor announced that the steam fire engine was now stationed in Lyttelton. — His Worship said he had received the following telegram from the Mayor of Christchurch : —" Telegram received from Lord Mayor of London, through Mayor of Wellington, inviting co-operation of Canterbury for assisting sufferers by the Indian Famine. Would be glad if you could assist and forward subscriptions here. Please reply.—James Gapes, Mayor." On receipt of the telegram he had replied, stating he would lay the matter before the Council that evening. It was agreed that his Worship the Mayor and Crs. Hawkins and Allwrighfc should be appointed a sub-committee to carry the matter out, and a subscription litt was handed round and a good amount collected. It having been agreed that a special meeting, to consider the water supply bye-laws and the ostites committee's report on the Colonists' Hall site, should be called that day fortnight, half an hour before the ordinary meeting, the Council adjourned at 11 p.m.