BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Press, Volume XVIII, Issue 2492, 26 April 1871, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

LYTTELTON. Monday, April 24, 1871. Those present at the weekly meeting were —The Mayor, Councillors Bunker, Young, Graham, Grubb, Grange, Chalmers, and Kenner. The minutes of the last meeting having been read and confirmed, The Clerk reported having received the sum of £6 16s 3d since last meeting. 'The following correspondence was read: — To Mr J. Kenner, informing him that be had been elected a councillor.. To Mr J. Dransfield, in reference to his building. To three persons who had applied to be exempted from the operations of the Gorse Fence Bye-laws, granting the same on their complying with the usual conditions. From Mr Townsend, Clerk to the Resident Magistrate's Court, applying for a copy of the Bye-laws now in force. Answer thereto read, enclosing same. To Mr Nalder, the Council's Solicitor, as to his opinion as to the advisability of sub- j mitting to the Colonial Solicitor whether the fines for cattle trespass from the Resident Magistrate's Court could not be brought under the Municipal Bye-laws, so that the j amounts would come to the Council. I From tbe Provincial Secretary, granting the request of the Council to use the waste timber from the culverts. From J. W. Hlingworth, proposing to re- J new lease of the property occupied by him ! of reserve No. 68, and offering to make certain improvements, in the way of fencing and planting tbe land. An application was read from Mr Oldfield, to be exempted from the Gorse Bye-laws, j which was granted. From Mr Chambers, calling attention to the damage done to the foundations of the Wesleyan Church, through the course of the gully having been turned by the contractor for the sewers. Cr. Chalmers thought that there was no damage likely to occur to the Church, and the Surveyor was of the same opinion. Cr. Grubb stated that he had visited the place, and did not think any damage was being dove. Cr. Kenner said it was softening the clay near the footpath, and was very unpleasant to people going to Church at night, as they sank knee deep in the mud. The Clerk was instructed to write to the contractor to inform him that he was liable for any damage done, and to inform him of; the matter. Referring to Mr Ulingworth's letter, Cr. Graham was of opinion tbat the reserves should be considered tbe same as the commons are at home, for the public use, so as to enable the inhabitants to turn out their cattle at a small charge, and he thought it would realise a good sum each year by that means. If it was let, be should like the tenant bound to take cattle in to graze at a fixed rate per annum. Cr. Chalmers was in favor of the matter being left for further consideration, it being a matter of great importance. His Worship the Mayor liked the plan proposed of improving the land. Cr. Grange then moved, and Cr. Grubb seconded, and it was carried, " That the con- j sideration of the letter be deferred until the next meeting." The report of the Works Committee was then read, reporting on the drainage in Winchester street, and estimating the cost to be £25, of which £7 10s could be collected on the rateable property in the neighborhood at a sixpenny rate. His Worship remarked that the question now before the Council was, whether they could afford tbe expense. It was proposed by Cr. Grubb, and Cr. Bunker seconded, "That Drs. Rouse and Donald be written to, asking what sum they would contribute towards the main drain, and informing them that if two-thirds of the amount was subscribed, the Council would find the remainder. Cr. Kenner asked if the same rule would apply to all parts of the town where drainage was required, and was answered by His Worship to the effect that if the work was done in this instance it would establish a precedent. It was the opinion of Cr. Grange that j the subject should be left until the question of the yearly finance was brought forward, and then some bye-law that would apply I to all. j Cr. Grubb thought that if they could obtain two-thirds of the cost they should do the work. j The motion was then put and carried. The Inspector of Nuisance's report was read and agreed to, and accounts to the amount of £14 0s 8d were then passed for payment. The Clerk was directed to write to the Resident Magistrate, asking if the informations for cattle trespass might be laid imder the Municipal Bye-laws instead of under the Trespass of Cattle Ordinance. Cr. Grubb moved—" That the Inspector of Nuisances make a general report of the condition of the town," as he thought that large quantities of filth were lying about. The motion was seconded by Cr. Chalmers, and carried. Cr. Grubb asked the Surveyor what time he considered it would take the contractor to Complete the culvert in Canterbury street. The Surveyor said he expected it to be finished in about a fortnight, the delay ' having occurred through the bricks the contractor had depended on, being spoilt by Iby the bad weather, before they could be burnt. 1 Cr. Chalmers thought that a second protection work should be erected further up the culverts to prevent boulders and other matter going down, and choking up the sewers. The Works Committee were directed to attend to the matter, and to procure the advice of the Surveyor on the subject. The Council then adjourned.