LYTTELTON MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1353, 31 January 1865, Page 4

LYTTELTON MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

Friday, Jam. 27. Present—Dr. Donald (chairman), Messrs. Fyfe, Day, Wright, Hargreaves, Grubb, Balestiee, Merson, and Fairhurst. Minutes of former meeting read and confirmed. The Chairman read a letter received from the Kaiapoi Municipal Council, asking the Lyttelton Council to confer with them to devise some legal measure to control the growing system of hawking goods. «* Mr. Merson considered it was opposed to the spirit of the age for them to interfere. It would be an interference with the industrial pursuits of a class of individuals who had taken to this means of gaining an honest livelihood in the absence of better employment at their own business, and he would consider any legal enactment on the subject a great evil; and he would move that the Kaiapoi Council should be informed that this Oouncil are not inclined to take action on the subject. The Chairman agreed with this view of the case. Mr. Balestiee seconded the proposition. Mr. W. Day thought hawking should be put a stop to. It was unfair to the people who had to pay rates and heavy rentals. Hawkera should be .licensed—

Mr. Merson's proposition was carried. , The Chairman reminded the Council that, the office of Collector of Rates and Rent and Inspector of Nuisances was vacant, and asked the Council if it was their intention to appoint any person to the office. Mr. Fyfe thought, under their present financial pressure, it would be better to retrench their expenditure. He considered their Clerk had plenty of spare time on his hands, and that by a systematic arrangement of his work in the office, he could devote a certain time in each week to collect the rates and rents. He thought their present overseer of the workmen performed his business as Inspector of Nuisances very well when he held that appointment before, and he could do so now. As overseer of the workmen - he would have less to do, for probably they would reduce the number of labourers.

Mr. Merson would agree to this arrangement. He thought their Town Clerk was not overworked at present, and if he had to perform the additional duty of Collector of Rates and Rents, and if it increased his work very much, the Council, at the end of the year, would, no doubt, consider it a duty to remunerate him for his extra services. The Clerk, in answer to the Chairman, said he did not object'to perform the additional duties under the circumstances, but if he was required to devote extra hours he considered he ought to be paid for it. Mr. Hargreaves considered it desirable to pay their officers properly. If the Clerk could not get through his work in the usual office hours he would advocate an increase of salary. Mr. Fyfe's motion—"That the foreman of the road gang be the Inspector of Nuisances and the Clerk be Collector of Rates," was seconded by Mr.Merson and carried. The report of the Committee on Standing Orders was received, and read, and adopted. They recommended the present Standing Orders to be adopted without alteration, and to stand as printed. A letter was read from Mr.Woledge, enclosing one addressed to him from Mr. Chas. Littlecott, demanding a refund of £10 paid as a deposit on purchase of lease of a plot of land, part of the Municipal Estate. Mr. Fyfe made some enquiries respecting the dispute with Mr. Dunsford about his lease, and a lengthy discussion followed respecting the duty of Mr. D'Oyly, their solicitor; when the following pro-; positions were ageed to. It was resolved, "That on Mr. Littlecott executing a sufficient release, the de-1 posit should be returned." In Mr. Dunsford'B case it was decided, on the motion of Mr. Wm. Day, " That the Clerk should procure a copy of the conditions of sale, also of the agreement, for the purpose of submitting the same for the opinion of the Council;' and on the motion of Mr. Wright it was carried " That the Clerk do write and ask their solicitor to attend the next meeting of the Council."

The following members were appointed the Estates Committee for the ensuing year. The sum of £9 93 was voted for the expenses of the auditors. A statement, showing their income and liabilities for this year, was produced by the Clerk, in accordance with the motion of Mr. Hargreaves made last meeting. It was shown that, with judicious management, even at the rate of expenditure of the past year, their income would be sufficient without incurring serious liabilities. The Clerk was directed to apply to the Provincial Government for the £100. granted for the reception of Sir George Grey. The tender of Mr. Donovan, to supply 14,000 feet timber at 14s per 100 feet was accepted. After ordering the following accounts to be paid, the Council adjourned:—Weekly pay-sheet, £Ul4» 7d; Pearson, for carting, £7 13s 6d; Mr. Fairhuret (acceptances) £100.