BOROUGH COUNCILS.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1247, 6 March 1878, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCILS.

LYTTELTON. This Council met on Monday evening. Present —-His Worship the Mayor, Cr*. Hawkins, McClatohie, Weyburne, Chalmers, Cunningham, Macpherson, and Macdonald. The clerk stated he had received since last meeting the sum of £47 18- 7d. _ Correspondence was read from the Colonial Secretary's Office, informing the Council that if they decided to take over the management of the Hospital and Orphanage, the Government would be prepared to hand over to them those institutions in trust, and their maintenance by the Council would relievo the borough from deductions from the subsidies payable to them by the Government. From Mi* J. E. March, forwarding a return showing the amount expended and received in charitable aid at Lyttelton for the year ending 31st December, 1877. The expenditure was classified as follows:—Charitable aid, £lB4 Is 5d ; cacual ward, £199 8s 3d ; Orphan Asylum, £2311 4s Oii. Total, £2694 14s sd. Tho receipts had been—From casual ward, £3B 17s ; Orphan Asylum, £56 Is. Total, £'J4 IBs. The average number of children in the Orphanage during the past year was 102, viz., 64 boys and 38 girls, and the average cost per child waß £22 2s 2d per annum. From the report of the London Orphan Asylum it appeared that the average co6t per child was £22 3s 6d per annum. This was considered indisputable evidence that the funds had been wisely and economically administered. A return showing tho items of expenditure and receipts was annexed. From Railway Engineer's office, re pipes from tunnel. From Mr S. C. Phillips, chief gaoler, regarding land in St. David street required for gaol extension purposes, asking that, besides that already ar- , ranged for, a further piece adjoining that already granted should be given. From the Town Clerk, Akaroa, asking what steps the Council proposed taking regarding letting or leasing their rural reserves. From Messrs Royso, Stead and Co., asking at what prico they could be supplied with water at their stores, Heathcote Valley, and stating that the price proposed to bo charged for hydraulic purposes was too high to permit of their taking advantage of it. From Mr J. C. Boddington, manager of the Bank of New Zealand, Lyttelton, Btating tho Bank were prepared to' grant the Council the overdraft they required at 7 per cent per annum, and further to allow interest on the monthly minimum balance at credit of the Council's current account at the rate of 5 per cent per annum ; the terms alluded W iu C'oy»cii*B letter, as

arranged with other municipalities, were precisely similar to above. F-ora Mr C. T. Batkin, secretary to the Treasury, referring to deduct ions made for hospitals and charitable institutions from subsidies paid to boroughs. From Messrs Thornton and Bull, re pipes for reservoir. From the same, certifying that Mr W. S ! ock had satisfactorily completed the store and condensing reservoir contract. From the same, stating that the water might be turned into the newly completed reservoirs as soon as the Council desired. From Mr J. S. Willcox, re water supply rate, enclosing list of properties liable to be rated, with sketch map showing their position and the mains. The li»t had been made to conform with the provisions of the Municipal Corporations ard R ti' g Aets, and affixed were the maximum ■ moulds allowed to be eh trged to each property nt the present time. From Mrs Beverley, perm'ssion to place a water trough in front of the Saxon Hotel, Norwich Quay. Respecting the letter from the Colonial Secretary's office re Council's taking charge of the Orphanage and charitable institutions, there was some discussion, the Mayor and several Councillors remarking that the information obtained would be of value at the coming conference of Mayors. Cr. Cunningham moved—" That, seeing there was likely to be a conference of nnyors and County Council chairmen, the correspondence in question be left in his Worship's hands." This was seconded by Cr. Macdonald, and carried. Mr Cuthbert's letter rr pipes was next considered, the. Mayor stating that the matter had been fully explained to that gentleman, and the pipes would be handed to the Council on their application. The Chief Gaoler's letter was the next subject for deliberation, and Cr. Parsons moved, and Cr Hawkins seconded—- " That that portion of land asked for for gaol purposes be granted, subject to arrangements being made by the Works Committee." The letter from the Akaroa Council was considered, and the clerk instructed to send the information required. Messrs Royse, Stead and Co.'s application was considered, and it was resolved that they be informed that the charge for water for manufacturing purposes would be 4s per 1000 gallons, measured by meter. It was determined to acknowledge Mr Boddington's letter with thanks. Mr Willcox's communication was referred to the water supply committee to report next meeting. Mrs Beverly's request was granted, subject to the trough being erected under the supervision of the foreman of works. The chairman of the water supply committee made a statement re pipes in stock at the Valley works, condition of repervoir, &o. He also read a statement of the foreman of works to the effect that some more plant was required for laying on water services. It was resolved that the plant should be ordered. The works committee were authorised to lay water pipes where they thought necessary to supply the back of Joyce Town. Accounts amounting to ,61164 17s 2d were passed for payment, and the Council adjourned.