BOROUGH COUNCILS.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1274, 18 April 1878, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCILS.

LYTTELTON. The Council met on Monday, April loth. Present—The Mayor, Crs. Macdonald, Hawkins, McClatchie, Parsons, R. Wood, Weyburne, Chalmers, Cunningham, and J. D. Macpherson. 'i he clerk stated tha) ,£6l 8s 6d had been received since last meeting. Correspondence was read—From the town clerk, Christchurch, enclosing copy of resolutions passed at conference to consider future management and support of hospitals and charitable institutions. From Mr W. Cook, applying for a renewal of his slaughter-house license on section 55, Uollan’s Ray. From Mr H. C. Jacobson, hon. secretary to the Lyttelton Fire Police asking for grant from Council towards parch ise of lamps for the use of that body. From the Insurance Associ ition’s secretary, Captain H. Dunsford, as follows“ I have the honor to enclose herewith copy of a report from a committee appointed to inspect the Lyttelton water supply so far as regards fire prevention, which report was received and unanimously adopted at a meeting held on the Bth inst. [Enclosed resolutions.] Hie deputation appointed at your last meeting have to report that they proceeded to Lvttelton and saw the water supply tested, with the vi- w of judging as to its * eing servmeable in the event of fire, and being satisfied that it is, recommend a reduction on the present rate of premium on all risks within 100 ft. of a hydrant, of 121 per cent., such reduction to tike effect on all new insurances or renewals. The deputation cannot at present recommend a further reduction, as the rates hitherto ruling in Lyttelton, compared with those in other towns in the colony, have been too low. The secretary was authorised to send copy of the above resolutions to the town clerk of Lyttelton, with the reque-t that he will be good enough to furnish the association with a plan of Lyttelton, showing the limits within which the water supply is available, as aforesaid, for fire prevention purposes.” From Messrs Thornton and Bull, certifying that Mr W. Stock’s contract for maintenance of reservoirs had expired, and recommending that payment should be made. From Mr N. Kent, re siding at waterworks, also asking Council to make moderate u-e of the water for the present till the reservoir had been re-filled. From Mr Eobt. Thompson, calling attention to the state of a culvert in front of his premises on Simeon quay. The Council approved of the action taken at the late conference regarding support of hospitals and charitable institutions. It was resolved to renew Mr Cook’s slaughter license, as the site was at such a distance from the town that no nuisance was likely to arise. The possibility of establishing public slaughter yards was discussed. It was resolved unanimously—“ That 10 guineas should be granted to the fire police towards the purchase of the lamps.” The town clerk was instructed to forward to the secretary of the Insurance Association tha information asked for. The clerk was instructed to write to the Government respecting the exaction of a siding at the Heathcoto Valley works. The Mayor said that in consequence of Mr Kent’s communication, the drains had not been flushed during the past fortnight. Regarding the Government reserve at the Heathcote on a part of which the artesian wells close to the pumping station were situated, the clerk was instructed to write to Mr Kent asking him to procure a tracing of the land in question. Mr Thompson's application was referred to the foreman of works to take wh ,t steps he deemed advisable. The Mayor said he had spoken at some length to the borough solicitor regarding the handing over of the conveyance of the waterworks to the Council from the Government. The solicitor had written many times to Mr Duncan asking him to hand over the conveyance of the works, and a few days ago a letter had been written to that gentleman informing him that unless the works were formally handed over before that night the question would be brought before the Borough Council. A sum of ,£JO for a piece of land sold to the Government for the gaol was also lying idle, because Mr Duncan had not prepared the conveyance for that either. Ho th mght that the Government should be written to on the subject, as Sir Duncan took no notice of their solicitor’s letters, and it was in his opinion a most important thing that the works should be at once conveyed legally to the Council. Cr. Chalmers suggested that tho Mayor and tha solicitor should draw up

a statement, and confer with the member for the town as to the best means of laying tho affair before the Government. After further discussion, the matter was left in the hands of tho Mayor and the solicitor. The Mayor made a statement as to placing the trout in the reservoir. Only one of them had lived. T his was owing to the large size of tho fish sent. It was resolved to thank Mr S. C. Farr for the trouble he had taken in the matter, and ask him if he could procure two or three trout of smaller size for tho Council. The Mayor and Dr. Macdonald were requested to fetch these fish if they could bo procured. A letter from Mr Harman was read ns follows “To tho Mayor of Lyttelton : Sir, —May I as a colonist appeal to you as chief Magistrate of Lyttelton to use the influence of your position in endeavouring to induce tho Government to take some steps towards the defence of our port town and harbor, without delay. Time is slipping away, and every day is bringing us nearer either to peace or to a war of probably gigantic proportions. If war should break out, in event of an attack on any of our New Zealand potts, Lyttelton would not be likely to escape ; and it is humiliating to _ think that unless some change takes pla-e in the policy of the Government, a population of about 40,000 people living in or within ea-y reach of the port may be compelled to look on helplessly while perhaps the town is being burnt the lives of the inhabitants sacrificed, and the shipping destroyed ! Asa colonist, I feel disgraced by the position which we arc compelled to occupy ; and tho only excuse which I offer for nddre-sing you is—that the honour of our adopted country is the property of every one of us, and it is to me a personal indignity that I should be compelled to submit to a condition of passive endurance. Can nothing be done to remedy such a discreditable state of things? If any person can nppe d with effect to the Government, you, sir, should be that person, as representing those who, in the event of hostilities, will be the first and the greatest sufferers —the inhabitants of Lyttelton.—l have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, R. J. S. Harman ” After some discussion, Cr. Weyburnc moved — “ That the Government bo written to, asking if they had taken any steps ‘regarding tho defence of Lyttelton and the other portions of the colony, and if not, urging upon them the immediate necessity of doing so.” This was seconded by Cr. Macdonald, and carried. Cr. Cunningham, chairman of the water supply committee, read a letter from Mr Kent, advising tho removal of a heap of clay left by the coi,i in tors for the reservoir, and stating that the engine was now in good repair and working satisfactorily. Mr Kent was authorised to got the work done. A report from the foreman of works was also I’ead as follows : —“ Since my last report to you tho extension on the Gladstone Pier has been completed, and a fire plug put down opposite each ship’s berth, so that our length of hose will be sufficient to supply any ship lying there. The pipes have been laid on to the Waterman’s Jetty for the use of the steam launches, and also tho extension on the middle wharf. The pipes have been laid as directed at Joyce Town, so that all the inhabitants can now be supplied from service pipes. Several have already availed themselves of this. A number of services have been laid in different parts of the town since the last meeting of the Council. John Sowden, Foreman of Works.” Cr. Cunningham naked if it was the intention of the Council to strike a water-rate. Under the very worst circumstances tho receipts for the first six months had been £260, and the expenditure about £2lO. He wished the Council to say whether the water supply committee should bring up a report next meeting as to tho amount of rate to be struck. His Worship the Mayor and Cr. Hawkins were of opinion that a rate should be struck. Cr. Chalmers moved —“ That it is desirable that a water rate be struck, and that tho water supply committee bring up a report on the matter.” The re-olution was seconded by Cr. Wood and carried. A di-cus-sion ensued regarding communication by telegraph with the waterworks at the Heathcote Valley. Dr. Lemon had written on the matter, stating that tho expense would have to be borne by the Council. Cr. Cunningham said he was of opinion something should be done regarding the inspection of weights and measures in Lyttelton. Several councillors expressed their surprise at the heavy fines that had been inflicted on a late occasion. The matter was left in the hands of the Mayor, who was authorised to instruct the clerk to pay tho necessary fee to bring the inspector over every three months. Cr Hawkins, chairman of lire prevention committee, said that Mr A.. W. Scdcole had hr-cn appointed by the fire brigade as trustee of their library; a copy of the new rules had also been fonvar'ded. The Mayor said that tho prisoners would soon have finished the formation on the Governor’s Bay road, and if some metal wore procured they would he employed breaking and laying it on. The works committee had therefore called for tenders for the metal, and ton had been received. The Council authorised the opening of the tenders, and that of Messrs Samuel and William Hall, at 2s lOd per yard, was accepted. Accounts amounting to £4OB 12s lOd were passed for pay. ment. Cr. Cunningham asked if the Council reserves at Rakaia were ready for letting. The Mayor said that Messrs Blanchard and Mclntyre, the surveyors, were going_ on with the work, but had not yet completed it. The Council then adjourned.