BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 116, 14 October 1874, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

LYTTELTON. The weekly meeting of this Council was held on Monday last. Present—His Worship the Mayor and all the Councillors. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.

The following correspondence was then read: —

From Mr John Roberts, applying for a lease for twenty-one years of the piece of vacant land in Oxford street, on the usual terms.

From Mr Maxwell, resident district engineer, asking for information respecting the definite levels of the footpaths abutting on the new Government Buildings in Lyttelton. FromMr C. Franckot applying to Council to have his rates remitted, on the plea that he was a weekly tenant of the Council's and had only occupied the premises six months. From Mr E. T. Canneil, custodian of bathing shed, asking to be furnished with a copy of his agreement regarding lease of the bathing premises, enclosing report of bathing tickets issued during part of last bathing season.

The application of Mr Roberts for lease of ground, was referred, on the motion of Or Grange, seconded by Cr Murray, to the estates committee to arrange.

In regard to the letter from the district engineer for levels of Oxford street and Norwich quay footpaths, the Mayor stated that Mr Sowden, the foreman, would point out the levels for them, which he thought would meet the requirement of the case. A long discussion then took place on Mr Franckot’s letter about being released from the payment of rates. It was understood that the rates were not to be remitted. In reference to the letter from the custodian of the bathing shed, the Mayor stated that he had never signed the agreement. His year’s lease was out in May last.

After some discussion the matter was referred to the borough solicitor. The following petition was then read from some ratepayers. It was introduced by Cr Grange. “To the Mayor and Councillors of the Lyttelton Borough Council.—Gentlemen, —We, the undersigned ratepayers, residing on Ticehurst road, beg to call your attention to the bad state of the upper part of the above road in wet weather, the same never having been formed and metalled ; and we would likewise call your attention to the steep gradient of the said road, which we think would be greatly improved if it were lowered three or four feet at the residence of Captain Wood.” Signed by 27 ratepayers.

Cr Grange said he knew nothing of the matter till Mr Salt, senior, brought it to him and asked for his signature, and begged that he would use his influence with the Council to make the road passable. He thought that if the councillors tried to go up there that night they would find it a difficult job. There had been metal put on the road, but it was too large and had rolled off. The road might be much improved and approaches made to the houses. The reason it had not been done before was from want of funds, but this year was an exceptional one, and they had money at their disposal. It could be widened four feet, and lowered at Captain Woods’ house. It was as well to ask the chairman of the works committee to report next Monday night what had better be done. He would move to that effect. The motion was seconded by Cr Young and carried. Cr Rouse, the chairman of the sanitary committee, stated that he had had an interview with Mr March in reference to the premises occupied by the immigrants, and had heard that Mr Savage had given them notice

to quit the premises, and that the Government had, in consequence, given them warning, and they would quit it shortly. He therefore thought that, ma tera were going on as well as could be under ihe circumstances, it would be injudicious to make alterations for such a short period. A debate then took place on Or Grange’s motion, deferred from the previous meeting, to the effect that an expert be employed for the valuation of the town. The clerk retired. Cr Buist asked if there was a probability of the clerk undertaking the work.

His Worship said that the clerk had, after long discussion, consented to treat on the matter, but rather reluctantly.

Cr Buist hoped the clerk would undertake it; as far as he could see, they were not likely to get another man as good to do it. He did not know whether he would take it, or what recompense he would want, Cr Murray thought the clerk would do it well with the assistance of some of the councillors and the supervision of the Mayor. He did not approve of sending money out of the town.

Cr Young agreed with Cr Murray. The Mayor then stated what was the sum required by the clerk in the event of his undertaking the work. Cr Kenner thought it ought to be valued by an expert this year. The Mayor asked some one to move a definite amendment, and

Cr Buist moved “ That the Council treat with the clerk in the matter.” Cr Graham seconded tho amendment. He was opposed to giving the work to the lowest tender. Tho amount given was not of so much importance as having the work done quickly and well. The clerk had shown himself a man of business and dispatch, and many of the councillors would be glad to help him. Experts required, in some cases, expensive apparatus for doing the work, Cr Hawkins said that, though he thought there was no one more capable of doing the work than the town clerk, yet there were others outside who had as much right to tender, and he advised it should be thrown open for public competition. Cr Grange thought that Mr Packard could not have much experience in valuating, and would have to get most of his information from the Council. He approved of the employment of an expert at intervals. There were many men in Lyttelton, such as Mr Woledge and Mr Willcox, really well up to the work. He considered also it was an injustice to ratepayers for the Council to value on their own account, besides that it appeared to him Mr Packard did not care about it.

The amendment was then put, Crs Buist, Murray, Graham, and Young voting for it, and Crs Rouse, Hawkins, Grange, and Kenner against. The Mayor gave his casting vote against the amendment, which was lost, and the original resolution was put and carried. Cr Grange then moved, and Or Rouse seconded, “ That the Mayor call for tenders at once for the assessment of the town,” Canied. Accounts to the amount of £64 8s 2d were passed for payment. The clerk stated he had received during the week £SO 8s 6d. The Council then adjourned.