LYTTELTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 2042, 23 September 1874, Page 2

LYTTELTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

» ■ Monday, Sept. 21. The Council met at the usual hour. Present — All the Councillors ; his Worship the Mayor presiding. The Olerk stated thafc £372 16s Ild had been received. Accounts amounting to £66 Os 3d were passed for payment. A letter waß read from Mr Thornton, Provincial Engineer, calling the attention of the Council to the large accumulation of debris in the gullies, which caused the same to be carried down the main drains into the harbour, to the serions injury of it, and thereby shoaling the water to 4f fc from the sea wall to fche mouths of the iron culverts. The accumulation was being removed at considerable expense, and unless in future this was obviated, the expense would be an annual one. He would suggest that, in future, the gullies and gratings be cleaned periodically of all rubbish and loose rubble. Tho letter was considered at some length. Councillor Grange considered that ifc would be only prudent fco put down proper gratings in the gullies fco intercept all obstructions that would tend to blow up the culverts. Councillor Hawkins considered that it would be the best plan fco put; down proper gratings, and thought the Council should meet the Government in the matter. Councillor Buist said he very much doubted the advisability of putting down smaller gratings than they now had. Councillor Grange was of opinion that it would be best fco put down samp pits, and have them regularly cleared out. He would move — " That tbe matter be referred to the Provincial Secretary, asking for suggestions on the matter, and informing him that there were gratings fixed at the gullies." Councillor Rouse seconded tho motion, which was agreed to. An application from Messrs Sutton and Weastell to erect a verandah for Mr Macdonald, in London street, was granted, subjec. to the usual conditions. Letters were read — From the Secretary for Public "Works, re laying of pipes to the wharf for steamers, and stating that the Government would give the permission, on condition tbat tho wholo of the work was made good, and that the applicants paid the Borough Council the sum of £2 per annum. With regard to the letter respecting the dangerous Btate of the bridge over the tunnel, ifc was stated that the matter had been referred to the railway engineer ; and as to the surplus clay and aoil which was wished to be deposited, that the Government had no space for the same. From Mr H. N. Nalder, solictor to the Council, re nomination of Councillors, and giving advice on the matter. From Mr Clifford, as follows :— " To the Mayor of Lyttelton. Dear Sir, — The timber that was [ordered by the Lyttelton Borough Council was cut and ready for shipment four weeks ago. Mr Kenner was apprised of the facfc about a month since by letter from Mr Webb. The timber was ordered in Mr Kenner's own name, and with an understanding between Mr "Webb and himself, that it could lay until ' his own vessel called for it.' Dear Sir, my reason for writing you this is, that Mr Kenner and Mr Buist gave the master of my vessel a verbal order to bring the timber to Lyttelton only last week. When my vessel arrived there, the Blackwall was there also, and took in timber. I trust you will put this before the Council, as I intend to sue for the freight. Owing to my own vessel coming from the place twice not full loaded, and the Council's timber at that time was lying there ready for shipment, and would have been shipped by Mr Webb, only thafc his orders were distinctly to ship it by one of his (Mr Kenner's) own vessels." — Councillor Grange aaid he wished fco explain that when on the wharf ho had asked Mr PreßCott, of the Blackwall, why the timber had not come ? He replied fchafc fche timber was cut three weeks since, but that he could not bring it up, as Mr Kenner had stated thafc fche timber could not be brought up bufc in one of his own vessels. From Mr J. Carder, secretary of the Lyttelton Regatta, asking hiß "Worship to call a meeting of the towns-people, re LytteltcJt

Regatta. — His Worship stated he had called a meeting for Wednesday evening. From Mr Greig, asking permission to deposit a quantity of surplus earth on Norwich Quay. — After some consideration, ib was resolved tbat Mr Greig be informed that the Council had no place where such deposit could be put. From Mr H. N. Nalder, asking thafc the deed of premises formerly in the occupation of the N. Z. Produce Company, might be made over to Mr M'Jlroy, was agreed fco. From Mr Henwood, foreman of the hard labour gang, asking permission to close up the right of way from the gaol to Sfc. David's street, until the concrete wall was completed. A discussion ensued. Councillor Grange considered that as the work was a progressive one, it should be granted, and moved accordingly. Councillor Hawkins seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously. An application from Mr M'Kay, to rent one of the cottages near to Sumner road, waß referred to the Works committee. Mr J. Cole made an application to erect a verandah over his shop in Dublin street. — Granted, and referred to fche Works committee. An application of Mr M'llroy, as to rent required for properties on Oxford and London streets, was referred to the Estates committee. His Worship said that Captain Chapman was in attendance. He had a complaint to make as to the rating of his property. He had been rated for three properties, and it appeared there were only two. During his absence from Lyttelton, he had been summoned. The fault lay with their late assessor and their lato town clerk. A discussion ensued on this matter, resulting in thafc the Oouncil decided that the sum of 25s be refunded to Captain Chapman. The report of the Works committee was read and considered. His Worship explained what had been done in respect to the Ripon and Oxford streets work by the hard labour gang. Respecting the Dampier Bay road, Councillor Graham explained what had boen done in the matter. Councillors Young and Rouse considered that it was no good the Council proceeding with this work unless it was carried out thoroughly. His Worship said he considered that it would be better to let the work go on for another week. If ifc was found neceßsary that tbe elbows afc the bathing -place should be filled up, fche bathing-place and house would have to be altered. Iv reply to questions, it was stated thafc to make the path and remove the bathing-shed, it would coßt £150. After a long discussion, Councillor Rouse moved, and Councillor Grange seconded — " That a sum of £30 be granted to the Works committee to carry on the work, and that they bring up a report; of fche costs at the next meeting." — The motion was carried. Councillor Kenner drew fche Council's attention to the road to the Catholic Cemetery ; only some 14s had been expended on metalling it. Councillor Graham explained what had been done, and said the Works' committee would be glad to carry out any works ordered by the Council. He might state thafc he had never seen a cart going up the road once in a month. Councillor Kenner moved, and Councillor Grange seconded, — "Thafc the branch road from St. David's street to the Cemetery be metalled." The motion was carried. The application of Mr M. Allan, to have fche road near his house, metalled, was granted. His Worship said, thafc he had to declare that Messrs Murray, Chalmers, and Buist, had been duly elected at the late election, and that it was usual to elect the committee for the ensuing year on that evening. Councillor Young moved, and Councillor Buist seconded, and ifc was resolved, — " That the nominations be deferred until Monday next." Councillor Rouse said he had to bring before the Oouncil, a matter of vital importance, which should receive the Council's best attention. He need hardly inform them, thafc a cottage afc the rear of the stores known as Cuff and Graham's, bufc now leased by Mr W. Savage, had been let to the Government for a casual ward. The main building was inhabited by eight families, and there was onlyfor these families one closet. The result was that it wa3 overflowing with filth. Last week, a patient had been taken into the casual ward, and had undergone an operation, one of his legs being taken off. The filth and stench were enough to cause any patient who had suffered amputation to have erysipelas ; and not only this, but cause typhus fever in the town. In fche yard adjoining fche casual ward were several heaps of filthy rubbish, and if the nuisance wero nofc removed the consequence might be very bad. After some discußßion, in which Councillors Grange, Hawkins and his Worship took part, The Foreman of Works said that the scavengers had attend to tho place twice a week. The closofc was nofc fit for 40 persons. Mr Callender had been in and spoken to hira on fche matter. Councillor Rouse moved, Councillor Grange seconded, and it was carried, " That the town scavenger be requested to ace to the place every day, and that the Immigration Officer, Mr March, be written to on the matter. After some further business, and notices of motion had been given, the Council adjourned.