BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2340, 23 June 1868, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Monday, June 22,

The Council met at half-past six p.m. Present: His Worship die Mayor, and Councillors Duncan, Ruddenklau, Calvert, Sheppard, Jameson, Anderson, Tombs, and Thomson.

The minutes of last meeting were read an< confirmed.

The Clerk announced receipts to the amount of £95 12s fid during the past week. The balance at the bank was stated to be £llßl4s9d.

Accounts amounting to £l2O Is 3d were passed, and ordered to be paid. The Mayor said he had written to the Hon. John Hall, respecting the possibility of the Council adopting the name of" City " instead of " Borough " and had received a telegram in reply, stating that under the existing Act the proper title of the Christchurah Corporation is that of "Borough Council," but that the question whether an alteration should not be made allowing the capitals of provinces to be styled cities, is worthy of consideration. A conversation ensued as to whether any steps should be taken for procuring the alteration mentioned, but the chairman staling that he expected a letter from the lion. Mr Hall by the next mail, it was decided to leave the matter in abeyance. The following tenders were opened and considered,

For carting broken metal from the Lincoln roud to such parts of the city as may be required :—J. lladfield, 2s 4d per ynrd jH. 0. Foster, 2s 8d; Charles Lewis, Is'lud; Joseph Taylor, 2s 10,1 ; W.n. 11011, 2s 3d ; E. Jacllman, 2s ;J, Poster, juur, 2s 5d ; James Rosser, 2s.

The tender of Charles Lewis was accepted. For the formation of a footpath on tiie smith side of Worcester street from Latimer square to the East Town belt, a distance of 27J chains:—Henry Woods, 9s 6d per chain; Wm.Leggett, Hs (id; Martin Morrow, £i 14s Gd; Thomas JMI, 13s6d.

The tender of Henry Woodi was accepted. The Surveyor's report was read. It stated that the contract time for formation of Gloucester street had expired, but inconsequence of the wet weather, Mr Partridge hid not completed the work; the contract for erection of the stone base for the lamp post at the Post-office had been completed and the lamp itself had been placed in position. Ihe labour gang had been employed during the week in fencing and levelling the planta tions on the East Town Belt; reforming footpath in Manchester street from Tuam streetto the South Town Belt; repairing holes m Colombo street, prior to putting in broken metal, and clearing out side drains in Colombo street.

The report was considered seriatim. An extension of fourteen days was granted to Mr Partridge. The extreme corner of the triangle in front of Cobb and Co.'s office, and on the direct alignment of the footpath on the west side of High street, was adopted as the sitefor the new lamp, although Councillor Thomson moved a resolution to the effect that it be clear of the footpath and in line with the front of the buildings where it would prove less obstructive to traffic.

The surveyor was ordered to report all draymen offending by driving over footpaths in the city to the police. It was decided that unless Mr Beecher consents to pay for the gas, the gas company be instructed to discontinue lighting it. The following correspondence was read, Letter from the Secretary for Public Works stating the willingness of the Government to grant 120 yards of stone to the Council for facing the river bank near the Victoria bridge. Another.acknowledgingreceiptofresolution from the Council applying for a share of the grant for main roads, and staling that the Government will take the matter into their consideration at an early date. Another.statingthattlieProvincialEngineer had been instructed to measure the 1000 yards of metal purchased by the Council. Another, acknowledging receipt of one from the Council respecting maintenance of the Fire Engine, and requesting to know what expenses had been incurred on that account. The first three were directed to be acknowledged in the usual manner and in respect to the latter,

The Mayor said, on receiving it, he had instructed the clerk to apply to Captain Wilson for the information required, In conformity with this, a Utter had been received.stating that the amount incurred was—£l2o, being £lO for re-fitting of hand engine, £5 for oiling, clearing, and drying hose, and £lO5 for salary and clothing for 15 men. Attention was drawn to the omission of any sum incurred for salaries of officers of the brigade. A portion of their time was taken up in looking after the engine referred to, and part of their salaries ought accordingly to be charged against it. It was ultimately resolved that the clerk should supply the information contained in Captain Wilson's letter, adding also to the amount half of the respective salaries paid to the superintendent, deputy-superintendeut, and secretary of the Fire Brigade. The Mayor said lie had been informed by Mr Bird, that the new hose for the hand engine recently presented to the Council by the Liverpool and Globe Insurance Company, was on it* way from Sydney. The following tenders for renting the city weigh-bridge were considered:—A. Ellis, £6O per annum ; C. Allison, £45 do • a' Clark, £80; Henry Thornton, £BO do- s" P. Andrews, £6O, W. H. Newman, £7s'do.' The tender of A. Clark was accepted. A short discussion ensued on the appointment of an official paper in which to insert advertisements.

On the motion of Councillor Ruddenklau he Lyttclton Times was selected for the first liree months.

The consideration of Mr St. Quentin's design for the Corporation seal was deferred until the title of the Council he finally decided.

A driver's licence was granted to Wm. Strong. The Nuisance Inspector reported that a nuisanee exists on the premises occupied by Mr lreacy, High street, in consequence of the neglected state of the water-closet. A notice to provide the regulation closet pan had not been complied with, and he proposed to proceed against Mr Treacy under section 6 of the Canterbury Police Ordinance, 1858. In accordance with instructions from the Council, he had caused the removal of the accumulation of rubbish from Armagh street, and persons residing in the neighbourhood had been cautioned against repeating the offence. The conduct of the Inspector in both clauses of the report was approved. Councillor Ruddenklau moTed the adoption of the following motion standing in bis name:-" That a committee be appointed to enquire into Schedule 13 of the Municipal Corporations Act 1867, and select such byelaws as are applicable to the good government of the city of Christchnrcli, with a request to report in fourteen days, such committee to consist of Councillors Duncan, Sheppard, and the mover." His object in moving for the Committee was to obtain all the revenue possible tor expenditure within the city. According to the new Act, a larpe number of the fines imposed under the Police Ordinance can now be claimed by the Council instead of by the General Government as hitherto. Councillor Calvert seconded the rrotion which wan curried. ' Councillor Sheppard gave notice of motion for next meeting, to the effect that the nuisance arising from the collection of stagnant water in Cathedral Square be at once considered by the Council. The Council then adjourned.