BOROUGH COUNCILS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2219, 6 April 1881, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCILS.

LYTTELTON. The usual meeting of this Council was held'on Monday night, when there were present—The Mayor (chairman), Crs. Macpherson, Macdonald, Hawkins, Oarforth, Webb, Grubb. Weyburne, Smith. The receipts since the preceding meeting were .£l5O 6s 3d. The estates committee verbally reported that they had unanimously agreed to advise that action be taken in respect to letting the sites on the Council’s property at Officer’s Point for the erection of stores. The Mayor explained that it bad been reported about the town that the anxiety which had been shown by the committee to have a private railway siding made to the boundary of this property was not in the interest of the ratepayers, but for the benefit of the present lessee. This he flatly denied. The object sought be said was eminently one which must if attained be of great value to the borough. It had been determined by the committee that if the lessee of the property, whose lease had an unexpired term of four years tsrun, would throw in his lease to the Council the Council wonld be enabled to let either by tender or by auction the store sites for a term of years By this means the properly being placed in the market at a time when it wonld fetch a handsome price stores would be ftrlhwith erected by the purchasers, and the borough be thus enabled to draw a considerable sum in the way of rates from property which, at least for the next four years, wonld most likely not be producing to the borough anything. Moreover, it was important, in bis opinion, that these sites should be leased for store purposes before other property now in process of preparation for letting was pnt in the market. The present lessee, as a consideration for turning in his lease to the Council, wonld receive of course the rental which the property wonld bring. Cr. Hawkins said that he, as lessee of the property from the town, was willing to throw in the lease upon the terms stated. He said that perhaps in doing so he might be charged with advocating this course for his own benefit, but this he denied, saying that as a ratepayer of the borongh and as the holder of perhaps as much property in the town as anyone sitting in the Council chamber, it was merely advocating what he felt was the best thing for the rates of the town and for the ratepayers, himself included as such. Cr. Webb differed. He tbonght the committee or the Council should first see the lessee, and ascertain if he wonld band in his lease for a price to be agreed upon, then the Council conld let or lease as they might wish. Cr. Macpherson deprecated anything like haste in deciding so important a matter as the letting of this property on the terms stated. He thought if tfce present lessee was to benefit in the way proposed, and by reason of the Council carrying a siding to the boundary of the property, he should pay at least bis proportion of the cost of it. Cr. Grnbb thought the best thing that conld be done was to have the property leased. He took it that it was like letting it, say for fifty years, and getting some valuable stores pnt np on it, the rents from which would fall into the Council’s hands in four years from now. Cr. Smith thought the fullest consideration should be given to the matter by the Council bef ;re deciding. It was agreed that until the committee had brought up a written report the further discussion be adjourned. Conformably to an application from Mr Austin, the name of E. Qneeree was substituted for his as lessee of part section 34 on Norwich Quay. Accounts amounting to -£ 159 11s fid were passed for payment. Pursuant to previous notice Cr. Grubb moved—“ That acomirittco be appointed to draft by-laws for licensing pedlcrs and hawkers, the committee to consist of the Mayor, Cr. Webb, and the mover.” The motion was agreed to. Cr. Grnbb gave notice of motion that the Building By-'aws be amended The Council adjourned for three weeks from date. ASHBURTON. At the uinal fortnightly meeting of the above body, the Mayor stated that there was a balance of £7l 9a 3d to the credit of the Council. A letter was read from Mr James Bradley, complaining that the borough solicitors had charged him £9 11s 10J for preparing the lease of a section, the rent of which was only £8 per annum. After some discussion, it was resolved, on the motion of Cr. Ivess, “ That this Council disapprove of the high legal charge for the preparation of lease from the borough to Mr James Bradley, the same being excessive, and consents to the same being taxed by the Registrar, as requested,” Agreeably to recommendations made in the engineer’s report, it was agreed that the Council should purchase a horse and cart for its own use. The inspector of nuisances’ report having been read, it was resolved “ That concrete tanks be allowed to be built for refuse water, under the supervision of the inspector of nuisances ” Tno Mayor stated that the Bank of New Zealand was willing to the Council £IOOO overdraft at 9 per cent, interest. Or. Robinson thought 9 per cent, too much, and the Mayor suggested to call for tenders. Or. Ivess was glad to hear the Mayor’s suggestion, and moved—" That the Banks doing business in Ashburton be invited to inform the Council upon what terms they would be prepared to conduct the Council’s business for twelve months ; the rate of interest to be named on the daily minimum credit and debtor balance; such offers to bo submitted to the Council under eeal.” The resolution was carried. The Mayor said that £IOOO would not be sufficient, as they had two works in hand, which would require £IBOO to carry out, and it was resolved to make out a return of lost year’s revenue for the Banks. It was agreed to shingle part of Williams street and to instruct the engineer to report on Alford Forest road. Accounts to the amount of £2OO were passed for payment. Or. St. Hill gave notice that at next meeting he would move—“ That all persona having transactions with this Council involving the preparation of legal documents bo first informed of the total cost before instructions are forwarded to the solicitor, and in tbo event of the same being considered excessive, the person requiring the legal services to have the option of engaging a respectable solicitor to execute the work required, subject to the same being perused and approved of by the Oonncil’s solicitors.” Or. Ivess gave notice that he would move at next meeting—" That, a rate of one shilling in the £ be struck.” The meeting then adjourned.