LYTTELTON MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

Press, Volume XI, Issue 1374, 3 April 1867, Page 2

LYTTELTON MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

The usual weekly meeting of the Council took place on Monday evening, at six o'clock. Present —Messrs Ward (chairman), Willcox, Grubb, Wilkin, Balestiee, and Hill. The minutes of tho former special meeting were read and confirmed. The following letters were then read : — A letter from the Provincial Government in reply to one from the Council respecting the interest on the overdraft of £81 10a. After some discussion, Mr Willcox. moved "That the Clerk write to the Government, and request a refund of tho amount of interest on the overdraft." Mr Grubb seconded the resolution, which was carried. A letter from the Commissioner of Police, offering the use of a large rcom for the Council to transact business in in the evening. The Chairman stated that he had caused a letter to be written to the Commissioner declining the offer, as he considered that the room would be required during the whole of tho dny. Mr Grubb agreed with 'the Chairman that any room used by the Council would be required all day. A letter from Mr E. A. Hargreaves, relative to an accouut presented to the Council for a I transparency erected at his store on the night I of the reception of his Excellency Sir George Grey, was read. After some discussion, Mr Hargreaves withdrew any claim on the Council. .-The Chairman stated that he had been spoken to by the contractors for removing the earth from the reserve. They wished to know the proper levels. He thought an engineer ought to be engaged to watch the works. If the district engineer, Mr Igglesden, could undertake it, he (the Chairman) thought there could not be any objection to his being presented with an honorarium. Mr Ward further stated that he had written to Mr Dobson on the subject. Mr Grubb thought the Government would accede to the request for an engineer to supervise the works. It was the duty of the Government, he considered, to provide an engineer. Mr Willcox remarked that £300 or £400 a-year would be required to support an engineer specially for the purpose. From the Chief Postmaster, statin? that the letter referred to by the Council had been returned to him on account of insufficient postage. The Inspector of Nuisances reported having served notices of nuisance on several persons. The gutters, &c, were all clean. The report of the custodian of the bathingshed stated the number of bathers during the week to have been—Males, 8 ; females, 15. The Chairman informed the members that the committee formed to disposo of the buildings on the reserve had decided (after examining them) to sell them. Hβ asked the Council to indemnify tho sale of them. Mr Grubb enquired at what time the new library would be erected. Mr Willcox replied in the course of three months. Some discussion here took place relative to the most suitable place to be hired for the use of the Council until a new building was erected. Mr Willcox enquired if the terms of sale of the new buildings were cash. The Chairman expressed an opinion that they should be so. Mr Grubb thought a bill at two months might be taken. Mr Balestiee thought the sum bo paltry that it would not be necessary to take bills. Mr Hill proposed that all amounts over £30 should be received by bills at two months if required. The Chairman made a complaint respecting the lamps in the town. Mr Grubb said they ought to be better attended to. Mr Hill suggested that Mr Buist be written to on the subject, and informed that in the event of the lamps not being better looked after some other person would be employed. The following accounts were passed for payment:—Child, £8 17s ; weekly pay-sheet, £16 18a 3d ; lighting, £2 2a ; total, £27 17s 3d. The Council then adjourned till Monday next, at the usual hour.