LYTTELTON.

Press, Volume XXXI, Issue 4290, 30 April 1879, Page 3

LYTTELTON.

The Counoil held its regular meeting on Monday night, the Mayor in the chair. Present—Cra. Beed, Hawkins, Mcdatchie, Wood, Weyburn, Chalmers, Parsons, Macpherson, Macdonald. The minutes of tbo previous meeting were confirmed, after being read by the clerk. The receipts since the last meeting were given at £43 4s 7d. In reference to a letter received from the town clerk at Christchuroh, enclosing a copy of resolutions passed at a public meeting re the proposal to hold the next Seasion of Parliament there, it waa considered that no further action on the part of Council was necessary. A letter was read from Mr F. B. Passmore, Chertsey, aa to the proposed ereotion by bim of a dividing fence between his and the Council's sections. Council decided to reply to Mr Passmore that it was prepared to pay tbe sum it was actually liable for, bnt would not entertain the matter with reference to any further fencing. Council received a letter from the Council of Wellington with copy of by-laws, and stating that in the suits brought against water consumers for a breach of the water supply regulations, the B.M. decided that washing the fronts of buildings, pave* ments, &c, was a contravention of the law, which demanded the water be used for domestio purposes only. A fine was imposed in each of the oases. It was resolved that the Bakaia and Ashburton Bailway Company be informed with reference to their letter re Council's land that Council would at once accede to their request whenever Council's terms for the required land had been complied with by tbe oompany. The terms were made known in a letter under date November 18th, and were that the company pay Council £25 compensation. Tbe application for a lamp to be placed in. Salt's gully was referred to the lighting committee with power to act. Mr Austin's offer to lease a piece (20ft) of land near Mrs Leslie's boarding-house, Norwich Quay, and belonging to the borough, was left with the estates committee. Mr J. D. Ferguson's application for assistance to construct certain drains on and near his section provoked considerable discussion. It was felt that Mr Ferguson was entitled to some help in the matter as he had met the Council in a liberal spirit. It was resolved that his letter be left with the works committee, they to have done what is most desirable in respect to the drains referred to. Mr Ferguson's request as to the proper boundaries of hia section was left with the foreman of works. The report of the foreman of works was read as follows: —That to remedy the nuisance caused by storm water running over Mr W. B. Allwiight's section, Sumner road, an open concrete channel be made to carry it to the St. David's Btreet channel. It waa the opinion of Council that before any steps could be taken, permission would have to be obtained from the owners of property affected by the proposed channel. If the parties would find the necessary land the Council would make the channel. Cr. Beed thought if Council adopted that course there would be a number of such applications sent in to Counoil. He knew of one or two instances himself. A motion embodying the conditions referred to was however passed. The engineer at the pumping station reported the station in a satisfactory condition.. The burgess list was signed in accordance with the Act by the Mayor and two Councillors. The balance-sheets of the financial year and halfyear were laid on tbe table, and an order made for their publication. The estimated receipts and disbursements for the ensuing year were exhibited, showing for receipts £2355; expenditure, £4600. Cr. Chalmers moved —" That notice be given that it is the intention of Council to strike a rate on May 12th of Is in the pound sterling on all the rateable property in the borough, the same to be payable on June 12th." Seconded by Cr. Hawkins and carried. In reference to the water rate it waa stated that the rate last year waß lid, and thia was considered to be too low. Cr. McClatcbie said that it was a notorious fact among tbe shipping that the price charged to vessels was higher here than in any other port in the southern hemisphere. The Mayor said the income from water aold to the shipping paid all the expenses of carrying on the waterworks. If the price for water was, however, reduced to the shipping the town rate would have to be increased. The town rate, lid, waa exceeding low. In Wellington the rate is 5 per cent. It was resolved that notice be given that it is the intention of the Counoil to strike' a rate of lid on the 12th May for a water rate, payable June 12th. Accounts were passed amounting to £160 12s 4i. Cr. Chalmers moved that Council endeavor to acquire a site for a public slaughter-house. The Councillor, in pursuance of the motion, further moved that a committee be appointed for the purpose—the committee to consist of j Crs. Chalmers, Hawkins, and Weyburn. | Carried. The Mayor stated that a letter had been received from a lawyer, instructed by Mr Hill, owner of Albion Hotel, claiming that the improvements in progress by Counoil had damaged his property, and he should hold the Council responsible. It was determined to defend any action Mr Hill may commence. Cr. Chalmers called the attention of Council to the dangerous trap-door at the Albion Hotel. The path into which it opens is very much used, and the trap-door is conatantly open, .and ia really a very dangerous matter. It is claimed that it has to be kept open for ventilating purposes, but no such public obstruction would be tolerated in any other borough in the colony. Thia opinion i was concurred in by other Councillors. The Mayor said that his Excellency the Governor would arrive before the next meeting, *ut Councillors would hereafter be informed of the date. It waa intended to take the Governor to the Colonists' Hall, and there present an address. The reception committee had drawn up a programme. The Mayor said he had since the last meeting sent two telegrams to the Government re Besident Magistrate, but had, as usual, received no reply. Council adjourned.