LYTTELTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 4426, 21 April 1875, Page 3

LYTTELTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Monday, April 19. The Council met at the usual hour. Present —His Worship the Mayor, and all councillors, except Councillor Hawkins. RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURE. The Clerk stated he had received during tha past week £5 9s. Accounts amounting to £54 14s 8d were passed for payment. His Worship stated that the overdraft at the bank was £293 14s. CORRESPONDENCE, The, following letters were read : From Mr Boddington, of the Bank of New Zealand, acknowledging the receipt of a letter notifying-the appointment of" Mr H. J. V. Rogers to the office of Town Clerk. From Mr Higginson,'informing the Gomrcil that he had returned the two plans forwarded to him, together with Mr Donkins’, C.E., report, and his reply thereto. From Councillor Hawkins, asking for leave of absence for 10 days owing to urgent business affairs.

The request was granted. From Mr Steinson, stating that he had bad his property, section 302, on the bridle-path surveyed by a competent surveyor, but be would like to have the Council’s boundaries and frontage if they were not satisfied' with his surveyor’s survey. From the late and present auditors as follows :

“ Lyttelton, April 19, 1875. “ His Worship the Mayor, &e. “ We, the late auditors of the Borough, understand, from the public papers, that at a meeting of the Lyttelton Borough Council, held on April 13, 1875, that it was stated that we had not done our duty, and that it was our inoompetency that was the cause of the ‘ mess ’ the Council were in at that time. It must be in the recollection of the Council that we were studiously prevented by the Council from performing our duties, and no intimation whatever was given us of ‘ mess ’ the Council’s accounts were in until the audit at the end of the financial j ear. It must also be in the recollection of the Council, that we remonstrated to the Council for not availing themselves of our services. We therefore give an unqualified denial to the statements made respecting us at the Council meeting, more especially those made by a member, then Mayor, who himself, through inoompetency or culpable negligence, was the real cause of the Council’s accounts drifting into a ‘ mess.’ ! “We have, 40., ; " John Willers, S Late auditors of > the Borough of “ Josefh Carder, ) Lyttelton.”

“ Lyttelton, April 19, 1875. “ His Worship the Mayor, Ac. “ In reference to a report from us, the auditors of the borough of Lyttleton, certifying to the accounts of the late clerk, and calling the attention of the Conncil to a large expenditure that had formerly taken place, and which report has been characterised by the Conncil at their meeting on April 13 as audacious, impudent, and impertinent, we beg to state that we called notice to the fact of the past expenditure to show that the proper officers were willing to perform their duties when called upon, and that there was no necessity at a large outlay for calling in extraneous assistance. In reference to the offensive terms applied to. us, we remind the Council that we are officers of the borough, entirely independent of the Council, and not the Council’s servants; that we have a perfect right to comment upon matters within our department, and intend to do so, undeterred by an j forcible language the Council may choose to indulge in, harmless to us, but so derogatory to themselves. “ We have the honour, &0.,

“ John S. Willcox, Auditors of the [ Borough of “ James Resign. j Lyttelton,” VALUATION. From Mr J. S. Willcox, valuator, stating that he had revalued the property of Mr Pope, and had consented to a reduction of £l6. REPORTS. From the Inspector of Nuisances, stating that he had visited Mr T. H. Parkinson’s slaughter-yard, and had found it in a moat unsatisfactory state. PETITIONS. From persons using the bathing shed, complaining of the filthy condition of the place, and further stating that they had paid a year’s subscription under the impression that they would be able to use the place. RECEPTION OF THE GOVERNOR. The Mayor said the first business was that emanating from the last meeting. He had been to Christchurch, and had seen, with Mr Webb, the Executive on this matter. The present arrangements were that, as the tide would not serve for the steamer to come alongside the screw-pile jetty, His Excellency would be landed at the Gladstone pier; a carriage would there he in waiting for him, and he would be conveyed to the station, opposite the large railway gates, where the ladies would be seated and the address read. The children of the schools, the Orphanage children, and Friendly Societies, would assemble outside the station platform, and the National Anthem would be sung. The volunteers from Christchurch would form a guard of honour and a royal salute by the Christchnrch artillery would be given. With respect to the visit to Port on a second day, this matter would have to be left in abeyance. His Honor would ask his Excellency the question, but the opinion was that if he did pay the port a second visit it would be privately, and he would not consent to a luncheon. He might add that the employes of the railway would assist in getting up the decorations. In reply to Councillor Graham, His Worship said his Honor would proclaim Wednesday a public holiday. Respecting the treat to the children, Councillor Chalmers said that Mr Webb and the Council had defrayed the cost before. Councillor Grange said it would be better to vote a certain sum to the Reception Committee, and would move “ That a sum of £lO be voted for incidental expenses.” Councillor Buist seconded the resolution. Councillor Chalmers said the amount voted was very small to carry out the affair, but he would like to know how many treats to children they were to have in the year. To him, and no doubt to others, it naturally occurred to ask whether the rates were collected to give the children buns and ginger beer ? The motion was carried. DEPUTATION BATHING. SHED.

Messrs J. D. Fergusson and J. Boddington, at the request of his Worship, addressed the Conncil respecting the petition from those frequenting the bathing shed. Mr Fergusson stated that it was upwards of seven weeks since the custodian had been near the place. The condition of the shed was most disgraceful, and he trusted the Council would step in and see to the matter. Mr Boddington said the custodian had received subscriptions for a year, and when they first went to the place, a proper road was promised to be made, this, however, was not done, and at present the path was so bad as to nearly cause accidents. Ho had nearly broken his arm on one oecasion. The Foreman of Works said he bad been

told of this, and he proceeded to the place. Hq -fqund it in a vary dirty state. As he beSeyed the place wasJphabitedat night, he spoke, to Sergeant-Major. .O’Grady on the. matter, and he had promised him the place, should be visited; and the police paid the. place .a visit on Saturday evening, bqt found; no one there. Since then, he Onet ’thecue-: todian, who aaked him to take over the.plaeewith the articles belonging to the Council.: He told the custodian if he would appoint a ‘ time, beyronld go and take an inventory of' the property. Since then he ■ had not seen, him. . | ; ;

Councillor Grange laid he considered the Council must keep faith,with the_ subscribers, as they had appointed ibe custodian. Councillor Chalmers’; opinion was that the arrangement made with the custodian was a fast and loose one. Councillor Murray moved, Councillor Chalmers seconded, and it was resolved—- “ That the matter be referred to the Bathing* shed committee.” Councillor Murray stated that in the absence of Councillor Hawkins he would see to the matte?. LYTTELTON WATER SUPPLY, The letter of Mr Higginson on the plans of Mr Donkin was read. It suggested certain alterations and modifications in the plans, but in the main entirely approved of Mr Donkin’s scheme for the distribution of the water when brought into the town. His Worship said, from the tenor of the letter, it was evident Mr Higginson approved of the scheme, but suggested certain alterations. He thought the best thing for them to do was to remit the letter from Mr Higginson to Mr Donkin, He . did not think the letter should be made public until the two gentlemen had agreed on the matter. Councillor Grange moved, Councillor Buist seconded, and it was carried— “ That a copy of Mr Higginson’s letter be forwarded to Mr Donkin.” ./ DRAINAGE. Mr E. Cotton waited on the Conncil to complain of a most intolerable stench emanating from the grating in (root of the Union Bank. The speaker said he bad placed sacks covering them with earth over the gratings. These sacks had been removed. At the present the stench was most unbearable. . His Worship said he might remind Mr Cotton that the Government had taken the necessary survey to go dh with the culvert in Salt’s Gully, and the Council would do its best to put a stop to all nuisances like this. Councillor Grange asked what had been the result of trapping the drain at Norwich Quay. Elis Worenip said no effluvium arose from the trap, although the stench higher up; was os great as ever. ~ ■ Councillor Grange said, if the trap was a success, he did not see why the grating complained of should not be trapped. At present the stench was very bad. He moved—“ That the grating be trapped, and the sump pit be made larger.” The Foreman of Works said, he considered it would not be wise to trap this drain; the amount of silt that came down the hill would soon fill up and choke the drain, and if heavy raid came on, the damage done would be very great. The silt and stone came down ■in cartloads.

Mr Agar here rose, and asked if the deputation of which he was the speaker could not be heard. He might state there were two hundred persons waiting to hear the result of their interview. He did not know how long this drainage question was going to take. ■ His Worship said Mr’'Cotton’s application was made before Mr Agar’s, and therefore must take precedence. Councillor Chalmers said he hod been.thinking a great deal about this matter, and his opinion was that they must get gratings with sliding doors. These could be opened or closed as emergency required. Councillor Grange suggested that it be a recommendation to the Works committee to make a series of ripple beds from the foot of the hill to the grating; that the grating be trapped and the sump-pit made much larger. Councillor Buist moved, Councillor Murray seconded, and it was resolved —“ That the matter be left to the Works committee.” governor's reception deputation.

Mr G, Agar said he had been appointed as one of a deputation from the Oddfellows and Foresters to ask some particulars respecting the arrival of the.pnvernor. They wanted to know if the day was to be proclaimed a public holiday, as if not, many who would have liked to have attended would be prevented. . The Mayor entered into full particulars, giving the deputation every information. SURVEY. The letter of Mr J. Steinson was next considered, and a discussion ensued thereon. Councillor Chalmers said he thought the Council ought to be on their guard in this matter. He understood all Mr Steinson required was to get a surveyor’s assistance. He moved—“ That the place be surveyed by Mr Cuff.” Councillor Grange seconded the motion, and it was carried. inspector of nuisances’ repqrt. The Mayor said he was sorry that the memorial was not sent in as was promised. Doubtless the parties, seeing the action taken by the Council, considered that it was not needed. He might state that the yards were in a most unsatisfactory state. As action by the police had been taken, and the matter would be heard in the R. M. Court the next day, any further action would be unnecessary. assessor. The Assessor’s proposition, re the rating of Mr Pope’s property, was agreed to by the Council. auditors’ letters. - Councillor Chalmers said that, under ordinary circumstances, he should not have taken any notice of these communications, but what had been stated was—he would not say wilfully—incorrect, but was a jumble of facts. In referring to the auditors, he spoke of those of 1873, who had certified to accounts which were proved to be not correct. As to the payment of £3O for an audit, this was not correct. It was for bringing into proper working order the books of the Council. He need hardly refer to the hard work he had to convince the Council that the books were not correctly kept, and his statement had been borne out. He wished to vindicate his position. When the time came, he might have something to say respecting the amount voted to the auditors for their services. J Councillor Graham said he considered the letters last week were a great piece of impudence. This week he considered these might be characterised as insolent. His Worship said he did not recollect the words as reported being made use of. Councillor Grange said they were, and by those reported to have said them. The matter then-dropped. PIGGERIES.

Councillor Grange asked what steps had been taken in this matter ?

His Worship said he was sorry be had not been able to go into this matter. It had been suggested that no pigs should be kept within three chains of the boundaries of the to wn. Councillor Chalmers said this would involve considerable difficulty, and the defining of the boundaries of the town. His Worship said his attention had been drawn to an article which appeared in the Star, and if anything had disgusted him, it was that article. He considered it was most atrocious. It stated things that had no foundation. He was sorry the Press of the province descended to these attacks. His Worship then remarked at some length on the strictures made by the Timaru Herald. Councillor Graham said the reports in the paper showed them how cautious they ought to be when they said anything, that it should be correct. All this trouble had been caused by an incautious remark from one of the Councillors. He had been asked by a person from the north if the cemetery of which he had charge, was the one overran by pigs. He might say that whoever gave the information to the Councillor to whom he had alluded gave wrong information. The town had been scandalised by the “ twinkling Star,” and it was due to the town and the Council to state this. .... , Councillor Grange rose and said he was the one who had made the assertion respecting the pigs in the cemetery. He had been asked by a respectable person in the town to bring this matter forward. He had himself seen swLie, or they might be named pigs, in that cemetery. He had alio seen cattle browsing in the place. The reporter had not reported him quite

correctly, in fact not so strongly as he pfit it. What his said was, “it was a disgrace to our humanity ” not “to dor community,” and this wasitronger language. .He did feeLs&ongly on Ihis subject, it was most scandalous to see these cattle in the cemetery, and he might add cattle belonging to the person in charge of the cemetery. The Council must know how pain-' ful it woe for him to speak on this matter—they knew the cause. LIGHTING. Councillor Grange gave a verbid report on this matter, and it was resolved that the lighting of the town commence next week.