BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIX, Issue 11554, 15 April 1898, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

LYTTELTON. The fortnightly meeting of the Lyttelton Borough Council was held on Wednesday evening; present—the Mayor (Mr A. Chalmers) and Councillors Brown, Hobden, Field, Eadcliffe, Owen and Lewm. Leave of absence was granted to Councillors Grubb, Dailey and Cook. Correspondence was read : From the Timaru Borough Council, referring to municipal fire insurance. The letter was received. From the Acetyline Gas Company of Nelson offering to fit up an installation for a trial at Lyttelton. The letter was received. From Mr J. Geliy asking for permissipn to cut an approach to his land on the old Governor’s Bay Road. The request was granted, subject to the work being done to the satisfaction of the Works Committee. The Lighting Committee reported having considered the agreement between the Council and the company for lighting the street lamps. The lamps cost £5 per year each, and the town clock was lighted for .£ls per year. The agreement was subject to termination by either party on six months’ notice being given. The committee considered the agreement a very fair one, and had no recommendation to make. The Colonists' Hall Committee reported having accepted the tender of Messrs Hollis and Brown for re-flooring the hall. It was intended to have the place renovated while the work of re-flooring was in progress. ; The Finance Committee reported receipts since last meeting, £326 Bs, and recommended payments amounting to £204 4s. The overdraft at the Bank was £9BO 15s 3d. The committee also submitted the estimates of receipts and expenditure for the ensuing year. The estimated expenditure was £7130, and the estimated receipts £5497, which would leave the Council with a deficit of about £I6OO at the end of March, 1899. The estimates were formally approved, and the Mayor moved: “That notice be given that it is the intention of this Council, at a meeting to he held on April 29, to strike and levy a rate of Is 3d in the pound on all rateable property within the Borough.” The Mayor said it was an unpleasant task to have to increase the rates, more especially after the ratepayers had for so long been led to think that the affairs of the town could be conducted on so low a rate. It was plain that if the Council was to carry out only a portion of the, necessary works in contemplation that they must have an increased rate. Councillor Hobden seconded the motion. Councillor Owen moved and Councillor Brown seconded —“ That the rate be Is in the pound.” The motion, moved by the Mayor, was carried. The reports by the Foreman of Works and the Engineer in charge of the Pumping Station were received. It was decided to retain the services of Mr T. W. Stringer to uphold the vainer in the argument relative to rating to be taken on April 27. A conversational discussion ensued relative to the position of the Council respecting the drains through the recreation ground,

and eventually a deputation was appointed to wait upon the Harbour Improvement Committee of the Board with a view of coming to a better understanding of the relative positions taken up by the two bodies. The meeting then terminated.