BOROUGH COUNCILS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1409, 21 August 1878, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCILS.

LYTTELTON. Monday, August 19

Present—His Worship the Mayor, Ors. Cunningham, McOlatchie, Wojburne, R. Wood, J. D. Maepheraon, A. Chalmers. The Clerk stated he had received £B3 Os lid Bince last meeting. Correspondence was read from Messrs P. Cunningham and Co., enclosing invoice of water pipes ordered through the firm from Messrs Hill and Hartridge, of London, stating pipes in question had been shipped per Waimate. From Mr W. Graham, asking Council to abate nuisance from Bewer grating opposite his front door, Oxford street, as the stench was very bad, and he feared sickness would ensue. Prom Messrs Talbot and McClatchie, stating they considered the present rate charged for water used in working their donkey engine, viz., 8s per 400 gallons, was excessive, and asking Council to make reduction in same. Prom Messrs Sutton and Weastall, applying for building license for site on Norwich Quay to erect Bank of New Zealand, and also for permission to enclose the footpath with a hoarding ; also asking on what terms Council would supply water for the erection of the building. Prom Mr J. Wilford Smith, stating he was putting down drain from his new home, Canterbury street, and wished to be allowed to open the footpath in Ca- terbury street to carry it to the side channel. Prom Mr John Gleeson, asking for a license to lay on water services. Mr Graham'b letter was read and the matter fully explained by the Mayor, who stated that the cesßpit had been in the same place before Mr Graham was the owner of the property. It was the intention of the works committee to try stink traps in some of these places. The cost of removing the cesspit would be considerable. After discussion the letter wai, on the motion of Cr. Cunningham, referred to the works committee, in order that they might endeavor to remody this nuisance and others of a similar nature, with power to act. Messrs Talbot and McClaf chic's application was next considered, and was eventually referred to the water Bupply committee to report next meeting. Messrs gutton and Weaetall'e request to erect hoard-

ing, &c, was grantod, subject to the approval of the foreman of works. It was further resolved they should be supplied with the water by meter at a cost of 4s per 1000 gallons. Mr Smith's application was granted, subject to the approval of the foreman of w.»rks. Mr Gleeson'a request was granted, subject to his employing a plumber where plumber's work is required. Accounts amounting to £362 15s Id were passed for payment. A letter was read from the police authorities, asking if the Com cil would agree to the passing of a Bill (copy enclosed) intituled the Lyttelton Police Buildings and Resident Magistrate's Court. Sites Act. The Mayor said that Sergeantmajor O'Grady had handed the d icuments in question to the town clerk. He certainly did not think the Council could assent to the passing of the Act in question, as by doing so they departed from certain conditions they had made when granting the site for the police barracks. Correspondence was read on the subject, and the Mayor said that if the Act passed, not only the land given by the Council would be taken for the police offices and Resident Magistrate's Court, but also that piece at the corner of London and Oxford streets, next the Colonists' Hall. There was correspon-

dence on this subject in the office, by which it would be seen the Council hud refused this land, except on a certain condition, which was that the Government should erect a municipal hall for their use. It was resolved to send a copy of the whole of the correspondence on t.he'matter, stating that the opinio) s of the Council were still the same, to the Minister of Justice and the member for Lyttelton, protesting against the passing of the proposed Act in its present form. His Worship the Mayor said his attention had been called to the fact that no provision had been made on the estimates for the ensuing year, for a Resident Magistrate for Lyttelton, and it was stated that the Christchurch Resident Magistrate would have to do the work, and also visit other places. Of course this would necessitate Justices of the Peace in Lyttelton officiating, except on certain days, and this in a place like Lyttelton would, in his opinion, never do. It was not simply the cas.'s which occurred amongst the Lyttelton residents that had to be heard in tho Resident Magistrate's Court there, but they must recollect it was the port of the provincial district, and that urgent cases amongst their maritime visitors and travellers bv steamers, Ac, were constantly ocourring. Only the other day he had a proof of the necessity of there being a Resident Magistrate. A person intending to abscond had to be detained, and he hud found that no Justice of the Peace had power to stop him, but that it must be done by a Resident Magistrate. Lyttelton being the gate of the province, was just the place where such cases were likely to occur. Besides this, cases where technical and nautical knowledge were required were of frequent occurrence, and it could not be expected that most Justices of the Peace possessed the knowledge required or had time for acquiring it. < T.ce before they had been threatened wrh the loss of their Resident Magistrate, but on proper representation being made, the question had been reconsidered. He thought they should express to the Government their views on the matter. He had telegraphed to their member at Wellington on the subject, and he had stated that he would see. the Minister of Justice on the matter. Cr. Cunningham fully concurred in the necessity that existed for having a Resident Magistrate in Lyttelton. The Court did a great deal of work, much of which being in connection with nautical matters, required a special knowledge which local Justices could not be expected to possess, and he certainly did not think the occasional visit of a magistrate from Christchurch would suffice. Crs. Wood and McCJatchie both epoke of the necessity of prompt dealings in cases arising aboard vessels, which required to bo dealt with by someone possessing considerable knowledgo of tho law, and Cr. McPherson thought that when they considered the number of the travellers passing through Lyttelton during the year, and the many cases that arose from that cause, it would be seen that Lyttelton was in urgent need of a Resident Magistrate. After further discussion, in which all the Crs. took part, it was resulvod, on tho motion of Cr. Cunningham—" That tho Council view with regret

the fact that ther» is no provision on the estimates for a resident magistrate for tho port of Lyttelton, and expresses an opinion that the population and shipping trade of the town require the full services of such an officer, and that tho member for Lyttelton bo requested to urgo tho Government to continue the prescut vote." There was a long disciißaiosi regarding the sewer in Ripon street recommended to be constructed by tho Inspector of Nuisances, a portion of the cost to be borne by Mr Graham. It was resolved that proper notice be given to Mr Graham and others re building of culvert in Ripon street. Cr. Cunningham then moved—" That on Mr W. Graham's depositing £l7 10s with tiie Council the main sewer be completed to the northern boundary of his section," seconded by Cr. Weyburne, and carried. Cr. Cunningham read report of foreman of works to water supply com mittee, stating that since last Council meeting he had discovered several leaks in the water mains on the Gladstone Pier, one of which was very considerable. Shvco these had been stopped, Mr Kent informed him tliat considerably less water was required for the town. When the present alterations had been completed between Watermens' steps and Screwpile jetty, it would be necessary to extend pipes for the steam launches. A few more fittings for services were required from Dunedin. Mr Kent's report from the pumping station was read. It stated the daily consumption of water had decreased from 39,661 gallons to 28,000 gallons per day. He had made a few alterations, so that ho could work both engines and pumps together. He thought the supply of the upper part of the town with water was worthy of consideration, and could be done at a small expense by fixing a ram in the top of the town reservoir, and by lotting it work at nights the waste water would fall into the tank and not be lost. With a good ram the water might be raised 80ft. Cr. Cunningham moved—" That Messrs Kent and S >wden be asked to report fully on the matter to the Council at its next meeting." Seconded by Cr. Weyburne and carried. It was resolved to order the plant from Dunedin, as recommended by the foreman of works. The Council then adjourned.