LTTTELTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 268, 23 March 1869, Page 2

LTTTELTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Monday, March 22,

Present — Councillors England, Allwright Ward, Chalmers, Woledge, Hawkins, and Hargreaves ; his Worship the Mayor presiding.

The minutes of the former meeting were read and confirmed.

The Clerk stated that he had received during the week the following accounts: — Rates, £43 17s; rent, £16 12s 6d.

The following correspondence was read: —

To Mr W. Seed, conveying the thanks of the Council, on behalf of the merchants, Customs agents, and inhabitants, for the prompt action taken by him to remedy their grievance.

From Mr Thornton, Provincial Engineer, stating that his time was so much taken up as to prevent his meeting the Works Committee on the water supply. The amount of water that would be raised per day of twenty-four hours would be — 9000 gallons to London street, and 5000 gallons to Winchester street.

From Councillor Merson, tendering his resignation, and stating that he had already publicly given his reasons for doing so.

His Worship said they could do nothing but receive the resignation, and make preparations for another election. His Worship further added that he thought the proposed supply of water was very inadequate to the wants of the town. The Council would have to decide at a future period if they would go on with the work to Winchester street.

The Works Committee's report, and Foreman of Works' report, were read. They stated that the Bathing-shed had been put in repair ; the culvert on the Governor Bay Road had been attended to ; also, the drains on the road had been cleaned out. The road to the night-soil and rubbish shoot was not yet quite completed.

Councillor Chalmers, in explanation, said that it was necessary to widen the approach to the road, so as to allow carts to go down. -

Councillor Ward asked for a full and particular account of expenses for making the road.

Councillor Ward moved, Councillor England seconded, and it was resolved, that the report be received and adopted.

His Worship stated that the Reception Committee had met during the week, and had decided on a programme. They would meet again on Wednesday.

The following accounts were passed for payment : — Weekly pay-sheet, £6 2s ; T. Street, lamp-lighting, £10 5s 4d.

Mr Julian's letter was next considered,

Councillor Ward said that Mr Julian was entitled to some consideration, but the only thing the Coun.nl could do was to lower his rent.

Councillor Chalmers considered that the Council ought to be consistent in what they did. fie did not wish to cast any slur on former Councils, but he thought the resolution he was about to propose would meet the case — " That the Council's tenants on Reserve No. 34, viz., Messrs Julian, Willcox, and Davis, be asked if they desire to surrender their leases, and that further discussion be deferred until replies had been received." By adopting this plan it would give the other tenants a fair hearing, and the Council would learn whether they wish to surrender, or whether they consider they were paying too heavy a rental.

His Worship said he was an interested party in this matter, and begged to retire whilst they discussed the question.

Councillor Ward was voted to the chair.

A very long discussion ensued on the subject, when Councillor Woledge rose to a point of order. He wished to know what the other tenants had to do with Mr Julian. What chey had to determine was, whether they would accept Mr Julian's surrender. He would move, as an amendment, " That the subject of Mr Julian's application with regard to Section 34 be discussed without reference to any! other tenants."

Councillor Allwright seconded the amendment, which was put and carried, with two dissentients.

Councillor England moved, and Councillor Chalmers seconded, the following resolution :

" That inasmuch as the former tenants referred to have been released, not by a free choice of the Council, but because tb'eir circumstances were such, that it was the only alternative left to the Council, the Council feel in this case no force compelling them to take a surrender from Mr Julian ; also that Mr Julian be informed that, notwithstanding the Council refuse to take a surrender, they would take into consideration any proposal for reduction of the rent."

Councillor Hargreaves moved, and Councillor Hawkins seconded, the following amendment : '< That although the Council do not feel justified in taking a surrender of his lease, they will entertain any application from Mr Julian for a reduction of. his rent." The amendment was put and carried.

His Worship resumed bis seat ; and Mr Thornton s letter was next discussed.

His Worship called the Council's attention to the quantity of water to be supplied per day at Winchester Btreet— sooo gals — and said he doubted if the expense to be gone to was adequate. If the Council thought it was not sufficient, they would have to rescind their former resolution.

Councillor Hawkins was of opinion that they would have to fall back on plan No. I, and have the tanks on the reserve ground near Norwich Quay. The question of water supply was a most important one, and ought to be gone on with at once.

Councillor Ward tabled the following notice of motion : — " That under the present circumstances of the water question, it is desirable that the Council should reconsider its decision of Jan. 4, 1869."

It was resolved that the consideration of the by-laws be made an order of the day at the next sitting of the Council.

Councillor Ward moved, and Councillor Woledge seconded, that the next meeting of the Council be on Tuesday, March 30, at the usual hour.

The motion was agreed to, and the Council adjourned.