BOROUGH COUNCILS.

Press, Volume XXX, Issue 4077, 21 August 1878, Page 5 (Supplement)

BOROUGH COUNCILS.

LYTTELTON.

Monday, August 19-

Present—His Worship the Mayor, Cre. Cunningham, McOlatchie, Woyburne, R. Wood, J. D. Maepherson, A. Chalmers. Tho Clerk stuted he had received £83 Os lid since last meeting. Correspondence was read from Meesrs P. Cunningham and Co., enclosing invoice of water pipes ordered through the firm from Messrs Hiil and Hartridge, of London, stating pipes in question had been shipped per Waimate. Prom Mr W. Graham, asking Council to nbate nuisance from sewer grating opposite his front door, Oxford street, as the stench was very bad, and he feared sickness would ensue. From Mesera Talbot and McCiatehie, stating they considered the present rate charged for water used in working their donkey engine, viz., 83 per 400 gallons, was excessive, and asking Council to make reduction in same. From Messrs Sutton and Weastall, applying for building license for site on Norwich Quay to erect Bank of New Zealand, and also for permission to enclose the footpath with a hoarding ; also asking on what terms Council would supply water for the erection of the building. From Mr J. Wilford Smith, stating he was putting down drain from his new hyu*e, Canterbury street-, and wished to be allowed to open the footpath in Ca- terbury street to carry it to the side channel. From Mr John Gleeson, asking for a license to lay on water services. Mr Q-raham'e letter was read and the matter fully explained by the Mayor, who stated that the cesspit had been in the same place before Mr Graham was the owner of the property. It. was the intention of the works committee to try etink traps in some of these places. The cost of removing the cesspit would be considerable. After discussion the letter wai, on the motion of Or. Cunningham, referred to the worke committee, in order that they might endeavor to remedy this nuisance and others of a similar nature, with power to act. Messrs Talbot and McCla*ch:e's application was next considered, and was eventually referred to the water supply committee to report next meeting. Messrs Sutton and Weastall's request to erect hoard, ing, &c., was granted, suhj.-ct to the approval of I he foreman of works. It wae further revived they should be supplied with the water hy meter at a cost of 4s per 1000 gallons. Mr Smith's application wai granted, subjectto the approval of the foreman of works. Mr Gleeson'e request was granted, subject to his employing a plumber where plumber's work ia required. Accounts amounting to £362 103 Id were passed for payment. A letter was r?ad from the police authorities, asking if the Cow cil would agree to the passing of a Bill (fopy enclosed) intituled the Lyttelton Police Buildings and Resident Magistrate's Court Sitfe Act. The Mayor said that Sergeantmajor O'Grady had handed the d icuments in question to the town clerk. He cert.ainly Hid not think the Council couLi assent to the paesing of the Act in question, as by doing so they departed from certain conditions they had made when granting the site for the police barracks Correspondence was read on the subject, and the Mayor said that if the Act passed, not only the land given by the Council would be ttken for the police officee and Resident Magistrate's Court, but also that piece ut the corner of London and Oxford streets, next the Colonists' Hall. There was correspondence on this subject in the office, by which it would be seen the Council had Tefused this lind, except on a certain condition, which wag that the Government should erect a municipal hall for their use. It was resolved to send a copy of the whole of the correspondence on the mutter, stating that the opinim s of the Council were sf.ill the same, to the Minister of Justice and the member for Lyttelton, p-otesting against the passing of the proposed Act in its present form. His Worship the Mayor said his attention had been called to the fact that no provision had been made on the estimates for the ensuing year, for a Resident Magistrate for Lytt. iton, and it was stated that the Chrietchurch Resident Magistrate would have to do the work, and also visit other places. Of course this would necessitate Justices of the Peace in Lyttelton . ffi-iating, except on certain days, and this in a place like Lyttelton would, in his opinion, never do. It wan not simply the cases which occurred amonpst the Lyttelton residents that had to be heard in the Resident Magistrate's Court there, but they must recollect it was the port of the provincial district, and that urgent coses amongst their maritime visitors and travellers by steamers, &C-, were constantly occurring. Only the other day he had a proof of the necessity of there being a Resident Magistrate. A person intending to abscond had to be detained, and. he hsd tour.d that no Justice of the Peace had power to stop him, but that it must be done by a Resident Magistrate. Ljttelton being the gate of the province, was just the place where such cases were likely to occur. Besides thie, cases where technical and c.autical knowledge were required were of frequent occurrence, and it could not be expected that most Justices of the Peace possessed the knowledge required or had time for acquiring it. < 'uce before they had been threatened wi'h the loss of their Resident Magistrate, but on proper representation being made, the question had been reconsidered. He thought they should express to the Government their views on the matter. He had telegraphed to their member at Wellington on the subject, and he had stated that he would »cc the Minister of Justice cm the matter. Cγ, Cunningham f,ujly concurred in

the necessity thut existed for having a Resident Magistrate in Lyttelton. The Court did a great deal of work, much of which being in connection with nautical matters, required a special knowledge which local Justices could not be expected to possess, and he certainly did not think the occasion*! visit of a magistrate from Christchureh would enffice. Cm. Word and MeC),»tehie both epoke of the lieeessity of prompt dealings in cases arising aboard vessels, which required to be dealt with by someone possessing considerable knowledge of the law, and Cr. McPherson thought that when they considered the number of the travellers p:ie-ing through Lyttelton during the year, aud the many e.ises that arose from that cause, it would be seen that Lyttelton was in urgent need of a Resident Magistrate. After further discussion, in which all the Cr->. took part, it was resolved, on the motion of Cr. Cunningham—"That the Council view with regret the fact that there is no provision on the es'i- | mates for a resident magistrate for the port of Lyttelton, and expresses an opinion that the population and shipping trade of the town require the full services of such an officer, and that the member for Lyttelton be requested to urge the Government to continuo the present vote." There was a long discussion regarding the eewer in Ripon street recommended to be constructed by the Inspector of Nuisances, a portion of the cost to be borne by Mr Graham. It was resolved that proper notice be given to Mr Graham and others re I building of culvert in Ripon street. Cr. Cunningham then moved—"That on Mr W. Graham's depositing £17 10s with tho Council the maiu eewer be completed to the northern boundary of his section," seconded by Cr. Weyburne, and carried. Or. Cunningham read report of foreman of works to water supply com mittee, stating that since lust Council meeting he had discovered several leaks in the water maine on the GLidstone Pier, one of which was very considerable. Since these had been stopped, Mr Kent informed him that considerably less water wae required for the town. When the present alteratioos had been completed between Watermens , steps and Screwpile jetty, it would be necessary to extend for the steam launches. A few more fittings for services were required from Dunedin. Mr Kent's report from the pumping station was read. It stated the daily consumption of water had decreased from 39,661 gallons to 28,000 gullons per day. He had made a fow alterations, so that he could work both engines atid pumps together. He thought the supply of the upper part of the town with water was worthy of consideration, and could be done at a small expense by fixing a ram in the top of the town reservoir, and by letting it work at nights the waste water would fall into the tank and not be lost. With a good ram the water might be raised 80ft. Cr. Cut ningham moved—" Ths-t Messrs Kent and Sowden be asked to report fully on the matter to the Council at it* nexl meeting." Seconded by Cr. Weyburne and carried. It was resolved to order the pliint from Dunedin, a» recommended by the foreman of worka. The Council then adjourned.