BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1286, 3 May 1878, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

LYTTELTON.

Wednesday, May 1.

Present —His Worship the Mayor, Crs. Hawkins, Weyburn, Chalmers, Wood, McClatchie, Parsons, Macpherson, and Macdonald. The clerk stated that he had received £154 15s 4d since last meeting. Correspondence was read—From the resident engineer, stating that the Council's application for a siding at Heathcote Waterworks would be granted under certain conditions. The Mayor said the matter had been satisfactorily settled. From the Hon. George Buckley, chairman of the Lyttelton and Heathcote recreation trust committee, asking for payment of Council's grant. The Mayor said the Heathcote Road Board had voted a sum of £25, and the Council had pledged itself to give a similar sum. The £25 was voted. From Messrs Blanchard and McIntyre, accompanied by plans of Council's reserves at Rakaia and Malvern. From Mr G. S.Cooper, Under Secretary.calling Council's attention to certain clauses in the Act regarding width of streets, &c. The Mayor said the Council had studied the Act and not fallen into any of the mistakes pointed out. From the Treasury stating that £l7 had been placed to the credit of Council for fines collected by Inspector of Weights and Measures. A good deal of discussion took place regarding the extreme severity of the fines. The Mayor said that, respecting the Heathcote Valley Reserve, he had seen Mr Turner, steward of Railway Reserves. As he could not arrange matters with him, he had telegraphed as follows to Colonial Secretary : " Steward of Railway Reserves invites tenders fur leasing twelve acres land adjoining Lyttflton Water Works, in which pereu artesian

wells have been sunk for supply in case of being wanted. Can advertisement be withdrawn pending arrangements being made with borough, otherwise compensation will be required for use of wells." He had received the following reply from Public Works Office: —" Hon. Minister Public Works has referred your telegram re Eailway Reserves to Mr Conyers with a request that he will see *to matter referred to." Before receiving the telegram he had, after consulting Cr. Cunningham, tendered for lease of the land at 10s per acre. He then sent the following telegram—" In the event of Government not accepting Council's tender for Lyttelton Waterworks reserve, I beg to urge that a clause may be inserted in lease giving the borough control over the wells, as the supply from same may be required. I may state that the cost of these wells was part of Provincial Government grant to this borough for supply of water." He had received the following reply from Government —" I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your telegram of 20th inst. relative to tenders having been called for leasing certain land adjoining the Lyttelton Waterworks, and in which you point out the possibility of the artesian wells already sunk on the ground being at some future period required for the Borough Council. In reply, I have to inform you that the artesian pipes referred to were sunk for experimental purposes before determining the best position for the permanent well and engine-house. They have since been closed, and could in no way be of use in augmenting the water supply. The Government do not feel themselves justified in -withholding the land referred to from being leased by public tender, xmlessthe Borough Council can adduce more urgent and cogent reasons in support of their views." He (the Mayor) thought the Council should be firm in this matter, as he heard from the engineer the supply of water from the seven wells was equal to the flow from the present pumping place. It was possible they might be asked to use the water, not only for the supply of Lyttelton, but also for Christchurch, at any rate for fire prevention purposes. The wells had not been closed as slated in letter, but simply had wooden plugs in them, which could be easily removed. The matter was left open for the present, being referred to Mr Conyers. Cr. Macpherson moved—" That the Council approve of the action taken by the Mayor in the matter, and request him to take what further may consider necessary." Seconded by" Cr. Macdonald and carried. From the Government, as follows—" Government are taking action with regard to protection, of principal ports. —(Signed) G. S. Coopeb." The Mayor was glad to see that the Government were awake to the importance of this matter. The following report from the water supply committee was read: — "We beg to advise that immediate steps should be taken to strike a rate of 1\ per cent, on all rateable property over the value of £l2 10s per annum within the radius required by law of the water-mains, and on all property of the value of £l2 10s per annum and under, 5s per annum as per clause 253 of the Municipal Corporations Act. We further recommend that all persons who have had the water laid on to their premises pay from date of same, till the rate is struck, at the proportion of li per cent, per annum.—P. Cunningham, chairman." The proceeds of the rate would be some £IBO or £l9O. The report was received and adopted. The report was received and adopted. Accounts amounting to £B2 58 5d were passed for payment. Cr. Hawkins moved—" That the finance committee take action re insurance of Waterworks buildings." Seconded by Cr. Macpherson and carried. The Council then adjourned.