Untitled

Lyttelton Times, Volume XII, Issue 723, 12 October 1859, Page 3

Friday, 7th October, 1859,

The Speaker took the chair at 5 p.m.

Present:—The Speaker, Messrs. Alport, Bishop, Cass, Davis, Dobbs, Duncan, Fooks, Lockhart, Ollivier, Packer, Eoss, Templer, Thomson, Ward, and Wyatt. :

Prayers having been read by the Chaplain, the minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed.

On the motion of Mr. Ollivier, the Loan Ordinance Amendment Bill, the Cathedral Square Amendment Bill, the Diversion of Roads Bill, the Public Hospital Bill, and the Lunatic Asylum and Gravel Pit Reserves Bill, were each read a second time.

Mr. Ollivier laid on the table a tracing showing the proposed Hagley Park mill site. In the absence of Mr. Hall, Mr. Thomson moved " That tlie Peacock's Wharf Bill be referred to a select committee. The committee to consist of Messrs. Fooks, Cookson, Alport, the Chief Surveyor, and the Mover ; to report on the 14th instant." Agreed to. Mr. Alport rose to move the folloAving resolutions :—""That this Council has observed with deep concern the deficiency of •water-supply now existing in the town of Lyttelt'on, which .deficiency is likely, in case of continued drought, to increase and become an evil very seriously affecting the sanatory condition of the people of "that town. ■" That, with a view to the speedy alleviation of the evil above described, this Council respectfully urges, and will guarantee His Honor the Superintendent in the expenditure forthwith of a sum of money sufficient to sink at least three new wells in the town of Lyttelton."

The hon. gentleman observed, in rising to propose these resolutions, that he need say but little to recommend them to the favourable consideration of the Council. Hon. members1 knew that it was a case of pressing necessity, and he hoped it would be sufficient simply, to read them. The country had now in point of fact been without any rain to speak of for a period of nearly .13 months. The few occasional showers which had fallen, had hardly had any effect: This prolonged drought had resulted' in drying up nearly all the wells in Lyttelton... When thosein the upper part of the town had given out, the inhabitants had flocked in greatly increased numbers to those nearer the sea,-which held out the longest. Even these, however, had at last been drained. One of the wells was sunk to a depth of 50 feet and had ordinarily 15 feet of water in it. That, however, was now regularly exhausted as fast as the water flowed into it. That very morning he himself had seen a boy trying without success to draw water from the well on Norwich Quay opposite the hospital ;' that, which had held out the longest and yielded the best water, had now failed. The shipping also at-present drew their supplies of water from "these wells, and this greatly increased the consumption.- He believed the town -would shortly be relieved from this additional charge, but it existed up to the present time. There, was also now a nearly constant' influx of immigrants, whose wants also had to be provided for. He thought no further comment was necessary.

Mr. Davis seconded the motion

Mr. Oixivier said that the government felt Strongly on this subject. They desired cordially to acquiesce in the views of tlie lion, member. It was their intention in the first place to prohibit the excessive draining of .the wells; foivwhich purpose it was proposed to establish a reservoir in Dampier's Bay for the supply of the shipping. This would relieve the drain on the wells in the town. He thought in that case.three new wells would be more than .were necessary. He. would put one more in the Market-place. 'The one now in that situation was, he believed, the best in the town. Another there, with'one additional on the- beach, would he thought answer the requirements, ol" the town. He could assure the hon. member that the immediate

attention of ther Government should be directed to to this subject. • Instructions should be issued tomorrow to have the necessary steps taken. Question put and agreed to". There being no further business on the paper, after notices of motion, the Council adjourned at 6 p.m. to Tuesday, 11th inst., at the usual hour.