BOROUGH COUNCILS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 18220, 7 October 1919, Page 8

BOROUGH COUNCILS.

WOOLSTON. Tho Woolston Borough Council met last night; present—tho Mayor (Mr C. Hill), and Councillors T. N. Champ, L Hart, T. E. Radcliffe, G T. Owen, W. R. Blazey and D. M’Rac. The Finance Committee reported that the debit balance at tho bank amounted to £2502 18s lOd, temporary loans to £539 18s Id, and accounts for payment to £213 Is Id. The report was adopted. It was reported by tho Electricity Committee that four houses had been wired since the Last report was presented, at a oost of £63 12s sd. There were orders m hand for twelve installations The report was adopted. The Town Clerk reported that seven houses had been connected with the electric mains during September. Three permits for small additions to buildings had been issued. The report vias adopted. The Waihi Borough Council's resolution, urging that tho Government should bo asked to bring down legislation this session prohibiting the export of timber until the local markets are supplied, was approved. It was also decided to approve the Eastbourne Borough Council’s resolution supporting Air T. K. Sidey’s Definition of Time Letters approving of the council’s resolution in favour of the nationalisation of coal mines and transport of the Dominion Were received from the Runanga, Westport and Woodvilo Borough Councils. The Hawern, Eastbourne and Port Chalmers Councils sent letters stating that the Woolston. Borough Council’s letter had been received. SUMNER. The regular meeting ox the Sumner Borough Council was hold last night; present—tuo juayur (tno Hon J. Barr, M.L.U.), auu Councillors T. Dry burgh, n. C. b. Jamieson, K. Piercy, H. J. latoa, C. M. Roswin, F. Gill, C. Benjamin and T. Whitfield. The Eastbourno Borough Council wrote requesting the council to support a resolution asking that Air bidey’e Time Saving Bill bo placed on the Statute Book without delay. On the motion of Councillor Gill, it was reBOived to support the request. The Superintendent of Police wrote acknowledging the receipt of the council’s let ter in which it complained of the pea z fit nuisance, and also of cycle and motor nuisancos. Councillor T. E. Whitfield asked that the town clerk’s letter be read. This was done, and Councillor Whitfield took exception to the terms in which tho letter had been couched. ' Councillor Yates said the letter was a reflex of the discussion round the table of the oouncil. It was probably somewhat strenuously expressed, but ho gathered from what was stated by councillors themselves that a strenuous letter was required. In' his opinion, the town clerk had gone the right way about the matter. Something had to be done, and done soon. He supported the action of the town clerk. The Alayor said that if the general public was called upon to carry out the bv-laws in their entirety, life would be hardly worth living. Ho had been in Sumner before the present constable took up his duties, and he must say that that offioor had always proved anxious to follow up anything submitted to him. It would bo very difficult to improve upon tbe work done by tho preseu. officer. He would have preferred that the complaints had been forwarded to tho local offioor himself. Snmncr was an awkward borough to police. One man oould not oc responsible for actions at the extreme ends of tho borough. He was sorry: such a “ strenuous ” letter had been sent. He would certainly not like to think that the council was tho instrument for removing tho constable, nor did ho think any member of the council wanted to think so. The police were not at all clear about their duties on the foreshore. Sumner had control of the beach on that part only which was mapped out as a road. Ho quite appreciated the desire to keep tho borough the best-conductec. in and aronnd tho city, and there were many evidences that the borough was well looked after. It would be well for tho future if resolutions were forwarded 1 without comment.

The town clerk (Mr C. Dash) denied thai the letter contained anything more than the remarks of the councillors, and quoted from what had been said to prove his statement. The letter was recoivod. Mr P. G. King wrote respecting switchboards, and it was resolved to permit Mr King to uso substitutes for maible, providing they passed the engineer’s test. In reply to Mr S. F. Barber’s letter, it wn3 agreed to go on with his electric connection at once.

The Municipal Association's solicitor wrote statin? that the council oould not at present control the foreshore, but tho limits of the borough could be altered. A cyclist on the bench oould. bo prosecuted for driving furiously in a public place. The Mayor said the best thing would be to get a small Act passed vesting tho foreshore in the local authority. The roport of tho Works Committee out lined tho work done since last meeting stating that tho septic tanks had been cleaned, and that tho stone crusher had been sold for £IOO plus £47 6s for hire. Tho request of tho deputation from the Brass Band was considered. The Mayor said that he oould not support tho request for tho use of the suppor-room. Tho council had gone to considerable expense to xenovato a room for them. Councillor T. E. Whitfield endorsed the remarks of tho Mayor.

Councillor Yates said that they should tell tho band candidly how matters stood. He moved that tho council regretted it could not permit the supper-room to be used as a practice room owing to the inconvonience caused to other tenants.

This was seconded by Councillor Dryburgh and carried.

Tho petition presented by tho Rcdcliffs residents at the last meeting, requesting the council to raise £IOOO for a hall, was considered. It was resolved to point out that none of the residents of Mount Pleasant had signed the petition, and to ask the petitioners to supply further information. Tho secretary of tho Send-off and Deception Committee wrote making a statement of the work done by tho society.

The Mlayor said tho society had done work that tho councillors should have done, and had done it well. Members had assisted with the finances, and wore now asking, for tho accounts to be squared up. He thought it would bo a gracious act for tho council to congratulate the committee upon tho work it had so successfully done, and make a grant to clear the dobt owing. On tho motion of Councillor T. Dryburgh, seconded by Councillor Yates, it was resolved to hand tho society a oheque, together with a letter of thanks. Councillor Yates said he was glad to have ancopportunity o fassisting a body that had done a great deal of good. Tho council rcsolvod to make arrangements for the town clerk to secure the full amount of holiday due to him.

Councillor Dryburgh asked if anything would be done to tho Evan’s Pas 3 Road. It was very rutty and dangerous. The Mayor said that the completion of the new Lyttelton road meant that a lot of traffic would go that way. Repairs were badly needed. The matter was referred to the Works Committas- *