BOROUGH COUNCILS.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1362, 26 June 1878, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCILS.

LYTTEKI'QN, Pregenij— Mvs Worship the Mayor, Crs. Mc.Ciatchie x Cunningham, Weyburne, Wood, Parsons, and Hawkins. The clerk stated that £270 18s 4d had been received since last meeting. Correspondence was read—From Mr J. E. March, stating ho had been authorised by the Colonial Secretary to inform the Council that after June 3.CJtb ihe Government would discontinue the present mode of administering charitable aid. It was proposed to hand over to local bodies the administration and control of expenditure on account oi charitable aid, Q-overnment undertaking to contribute an equivalent to any sum raised b} voluntary subscriptions or contributions which local bodies may make out of their funds, and would make no deductions fyom 'subsidies payable under Financial Arrangements Acts 187 G, and J,Bf7, A statement of cases ai present receiving relief in the borough 01 Jkyefcolton was attached. From Mr John H Baker, Chief Surveyor, requesting, on bohall of Government, to ascertain what por lion of reserve, colored i<s>d in tracing enclosed, the corporation of Lyttelton pur posed giving 30? police station, am also, i? it wore contemplated to give am iioi* a Magistrate's Court-house. FrorMr }}}. T. Haskinjj Town Clerk, Christohuroh asking what the terms would be for a suppl of wafer for Christchnrch from the Heath cote reservoir for fire prevention purposes and street watering only. From Mr Q-. fcj Cooper, Colonial Secretary's office, statim that, from tests recently applied by l)r Hector, in Wellington, to twenty-one sample: kerosoiie, it was found only two Hashed at a torn

perature above that prescribed by the Dangerous Goods Act, 1869, and the other nineteen flashed at temperatures varying from 81 degs. to 100 degs. Fahrenheit, thus showing dangerous nature of most of the kerosene in common use. The Wellington City Council had applied to the Commissioner of Customs requesting the Customs officers might be instructed to test kerosene on its arrival, leaving it to the officers of the corporation to enforce the provisions of the Dangerous Goods Act in the case of kerosene found not equal to prescribed standard. The request had been complied with, on the condition that the employes of the Council should draw off and supply the samples, and similar instructions would be given to the Lyttelton Custom House officers if the Mayor thought it advisable. From Mr A. Joyce, president of the Colonists' Society, requesting a remission of the borough rates. From Mr Wm, Moßeth, asking permission to advertise benefit concert for Charles Kay as under the patronage of the Mayor and councillors. The following telegram from the Government was read by the Mayor, dated June 21st: —" Government consider Orphanages as essentially charitable institutions, but will not allow them to be suddenly closed, and will continue to maintain them after 30th June until other arrangements are made." His Worship said they would see by this that the Government did not intend to throw the management and support of the Orphanage on their hands after the 30th June. There were only sis or seven persons receiving charitable aid in Lyttelton, so that there was no great sum required, the present outlay being £2 15s per week. After discussion, Cr. Cunningham moved—" That the Government be written to informing them that in the event of the Government arranging with the borough that no deduction whatever shall be made from the subsidy agreed to be paid to the borough under the Financial Arrangements Acts, 1876 and 1877, then this borough will agree to take the responsibility of distributing the charitable aid exclusive of Orphanage and Hospital." This was seconded by Cr. Parsons and carried. The letter from the Chief Surveyor was discussed, and Cr. Cunningham moved, and Cr. Hawkins seconded—" That the Council will convey to the Government the land marked green, also the corner section in town as agreed with Mr Rolleston in letter dated 20th November, 1876, plans of buildings to be first submitted for the approval of the Mayor, and the rental of the chambers of the Corporation to be nominal." Agreed to. The letter received from the Chrietchureh City Council regarding water supply for Christchurch from Heathcote Valley works, was considered, and it was resolved, on the motion of Cr. McClatchie, seconded by Cr. Parsons—" That this Council appoint the water supply committee to interview a committee appointed by the Christchurch Council re water supply." The communication from the Government regarding danger from inferior brands of kerosene caused considerable discussion. The matter was eventually left over till next meeting, in order that full information might be collected on the matter. It was agreed to remit the rates on the Colonists' Hall, as requested by the president of the Colonists' Society. The request from Mr Mcßeth that the Council would allow it to be published that they would grant their patronage to the entertainment for Charles Kay was acceded to, several councillors remarking it was a very deserving case. The foreman of works reported as follows: as requested by you, I beg to report that the fence erected by Mr Passmore is similar to those on other sections in the district, viz., 3ft. of ploughed sod wall with Ift. 6in., 3xl batten blue guir, 14ft. apart, with two wires, No. 6, eight inches apart, the wall sown with gorse. I have also to report several of the town lamps have recently been broken, I by boys with catapults; one in Dampier's Bay on Friday last had three squares broken in it and small pebbles were found in the lamp. I have been asked by two or three people whether the Counoil intend selling the spare tanks that have been used for holding water during the summer. John Sowden, Foreman of Works." It was resolved that the spare tanks should be sold, and that the police should be written to regarding the breaking of the lamps. Accounts amounting to £l4O 2s 2d were passed for payment. The Mayor was authorised to sign and seal the deed of agreement between the Government and the Counoil, oonveying water supply works and site to the Council. The town clerk was appointed collector of the dog tax for the borough. Crs. Wood and McClatchie called attention to the bad state of the road at Captain McLellan's come? and part of the footpath on Dampier'j Bay road. The Council then adjourned.