LYTTELTON BOROUGH. COUNCIL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 619, 17 May 1870, Page 2

LYTTELTON BOROUGH . COUNCIL.

The Council met at the usual hour on Monday. Present : Councillors Allwright, Bunker, Young, Stout, Cummins ; his Worship the Mayor presiding. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The amount collected during the week was stated to be £2 3s 6d The following correspondence was read : — To Mr Sfnart, informing hind that the payment of his account had been deferred, owing to the asphalte footpaths not being iv repair. To Dr Rouse, requesting that the branches of the trees overhanging the footpaths at his residence be cut. To Mr Jones (Christchurch), asking for a report on the state of the pumps in Oxford aiul London streets. JrA letter from Mr Wynn Williams, applying for £61 10s due to Mr Smart, was read. It stated that no complaint had been made respecting the asphalte pavements uutil the sum due was applied for. This letter led to a discussion. Councillor Allwright (Chairman of the Works Committee) said it was quite certain that, according to the specification, Mr Smart had not carried out the contract ; and he would therefore move " Tbat the Council employ a surveyor to examine and report on the asphalte pavement under Mr Smart's contract." The motion was seconded by Councillor Cummins, and carried unanimously. Councillor Cummins moved, Councillor Allwright seconded, and it was resolved, "that Mr C. Cuff, Christchurch, surveyor, be appointed to survey and report on the asphalte pavement, and also that his Worship be empowered to employ a solicitor to defend any action taken by Mr Smart." Mr Hodgson's letter was again read, and he being present, stated that he had quite recovered from his late accident. Councillor Stout moved " That Mr Hodgson be re-appointed Inspector of Nuisances and foreman of works in place of Mr D. Sharp, at his former rate of wages." Councillor Cummins seconded the motion. Councillor Young moved an amendment, to the effect that Mr Hodgson be appointed at Mr Sharp's salary — of £2 2s per week. Councillor Allwright seconded the amendment, which was carried. Accounts, amounting to £18 16s lOd, were passed for payment. The rate roll was laid on the tabic. His Worship said it had been usual to allow the ratepayers to inspect the roll, and he considered it was a good thing, as perhaps the committee might have made a" wrong estimate, and the plan adopted gave the ratepayers an opportunity of appealing to the Council before going into the Court. Councillor Allwright moved, Council Stout seconded, and it was resolved, " That the roll for the ensuing rate be open to the ratepayers' inspection during the present week, and that the committee of the Council meet on Monday next, at noon, to hear objections." His Worship moved the resolution standing in his name, " I hat, with a view to ulterior alteration in the duties of the Town Clerk, three months' notice be given to him that all present engagements be determined at that date." His Worship said he wished to state that it was only from the Council's inability to pay the Clerk the salary they now paid that he had brought forward the motion. The Clerk had conducted the business well and ably, and all the Councillors would bear him out in these remarks; but in making out the roll they found that the value of the property in the town had so depreciated, that the salary they paid Was equal to a rate of 3d in the pound. He hoped the Council would I c able to secure part of his services. He could not say what alterations there might be. He considered it was only fair to give ' three months' notice. Councillor Allwright, in seconding the motion, said he could endorse everything that had been said, and was only sorry that their income compelled them to do this thing. The motion was carried, and the Council adjourned.