KAIAPOI BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 4618, 2 December 1875, Page 3

KAIAPOI BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Tuesday, Nov. 30. The Council met at the usual hour for the transaction of their ordinary fortnightly business. Present—His Worship the Mayor, and Councillors Pamham, Blackwell, Porter, Ellen, and Smethurst. The Clerk laid a statement of accounts upon the table, which showed that the receipts during the past fortnight had been—from rates, £s l credit balance at Bonk, £12116s lid. A letter was read from Mr B. Allen, asking

permission to erect a verandah in front of his shop, in North road. On the motion of Councillor Blackett, seconded by Councillor Porter, it was resolved that permission be granted, subject to the usual conditions; levels to be given by the Foreman of Works. Councillor Parnham reported that the works ordered at last* meeting of the Council were being pushed on, but no other new work had. been put in hand. Mr M’lntosh had called his attention to the necessity for a proper crossing at the junction of the Beach and Meadow roads, and he (Councillor Parnham) thought the work would not be a costly one. If the crossing were made, the trees on the Beach road would be protected, and he thought it necessary that the hollow places in the road should be filled up. Mr M'lntosh hod promised to give a man and team for one day to assist in carrying out the work, : The Mayor reported that Councillor Wearing and himself had' had an interview with the Government on Monday last, as requested by the Council, and every information had been given regarding the plans for the proposed embankments on both sides of the river. The deputation pointed out that the Council were anxious that Mr Lock’s house should be protected from floods, if possible, but objected to the embankment being carried round the whole of Mr Look’s paddocks, as the cost would be more than the Council could afford, and the works would only.benefit Mr Lock, who paid a very small sum annually in the shape of rates. They suggested that, instead of carrying out thirty chains of embankment round the paddocks, as shown on the plan, a line be taken from the river to the Sandhills on the East side of Mr Look’s bouse. The Government said they thought the suggestion of the deputation would be an improvement, and had no objection to allow it. The deputation then pointed out, that the public meeting of burgesaes which the Mayor had intended to convene to consider the plans, would be unnecessary, as the works included the protection of the whole of the Borough. The Provincial Engineer was called in, and he explained the details connected with the works, stating that in the estimate of £1760 the cost of raising the bridge over the blind creek, patting large brick culverts and floodgates in the Ohoka drain and Feld wick’s cutting was included. Provision had also been made for a number of small culverts on both sides of the river for ordinary town drainage. The Government said they fully agreed that the proposed works were very necessary, and it now only remained with the Council to obtain the consent of owners and occupiers of land over which the embankments would pass, and tenders would be immediately called for the work. The Borough Council would be required to pay the £9OO promised, and an additional sum of £250 if the expenditure came up to the Engineer’s estimate; as the Government could not undertake to pay more than the £IOOO voted by the Provincial Council. The deputation said they approved of the works being carried out by the Government, and promised, on behalf of the Council, that the Council’s contribution should be paid in to the Provincial Treasury. They said they were anxious that tho work should be carried out as quickly as possible. In reply, the Government said they, alio, were anxious to see the work carried out, but the delay that had occurred was not owing to the action of the Government of the Engineer’s department, but rested with the Borough Council itself. He (the Mayor) and Councillor Wearing had spoken to Councillor Porter, the other member of the Committee, and he had promised to draw up a legal document for signature by owners and occupiers of lands, consenting to the erection of the embankments as shown on the plan. Councillor Porter said he found, by examining a map of the town, that there was a road laid out on the East side of the house occupied by Mr Lock, and if the embankment were taken along this road to the sandhill in Hilton street the length of bank required would only be abont six chains instead of thirty chains as shown on, the plan. There would be an advantage in taking the embankment along this road, as the objection to crossing private land would be done away with. The document would be ready for signature on Thursday next, and Councillor Wearing had promised to endeavour to obtain the signatures. Councillor Parnham pointed out that some regulation should be made with regard to the slope to be allowed on concrete footpaths. Several persons had put down short lengths of concrete in front of their business premises without consulting the Council, and the pitch f iven in the ordinary ten feet width varied rom six to seven inches.

It was decided that the pitch allowed by the Council for concrete footpaths he three inches in ten feet, and that persons putting down concrete without permission of the Council be proceeded against under the by-laws. Attention was drawn to persons allowing spouts from buildings to abut on footpaths without making proper provision for draining storm water into the side channels, and it was decided that the Clerk take measures to have the by-law complied with. Councillor Ellen again drew attention to the existence of certain offensive water-closets in the Borough, and it was decided that the Inspector of Nuisances’ attention be drawn tp the matter.

It was also decided that notice be served on persons allowing gorse or broom to grow on public streets. The Council then adjourned.