LYTTELTON.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3212, 24 July 1878, Page 3

LYTTELTON.

The Council met on Monday, July 22 ; present — His Worship the Mayor, Councillors P. Cunningham. A. Chalmers, R. Wood, T. A. W. Parsons, T. M'Clatchie, 11. Hawkins, J. D. Macphcrson, and H. Macdonald.— The Clerk reported that he had received £87 13s 2d since the last meeting. — Letters Avere read — From the Colonial Secretary's Ollice as follows : — " lam directed by the Colonial Secretary to acknowledge the receipt, of your letter of July 10, stating that the Borough Council never had any intention of taking oAer the Orphanage and Hospital, but that they are prepared to take the responsibility of distributing charitable aid, exclusive of those institutions. In reply, I am to inform you thafc the Go\ T ernm_nt did not wish to impose tho charge of the Orphanage upon the Borough Council, but understood from fche telegrams, as delivered to them, that the Council insisted on taking charge of it, and on fchafc supposition refunded the sum of £571 which had been deducted from subsidies. As, however, it now turns cut that the Comv-il dues not wish to undertake the supervision of the Orphanage, the Government have placed it under the charge of the Charitable Aid Board, and accept the oiler of the Lyttelton Horou-.h Council to dispu'iisc charitable aid in tho bo-uigh. The refund of £571- having been made under a misapprehension, the Government do not. intend to cull on the borough lo refund it, but will leave it in their hands to be employed for charitable purposes, a. far a_ possible,* ut tli_

rate of the average expenditure of last year. In reference to the general subject of the dispensation of charitable aid, it is thought advisable to draw the attention of the Borough Council to the Destitute Persons Act of last session, which imposes upon certain relatives of destitute persons the burden of their support. The police will co-operate with the municipal authorities, on their request, to enable the provisions of that Act to he carried out.— Geo. S. Cooper, Under-Secretary." His Worship said it would be necessary for the Council to adopt some plan whereby to administer charitable aid, as it was understood that tho Council would undertake such distribution, and also undertake the management and maintenance of the casual ward, the Government having left the £574 refunded them in their hands for that purpose. He considered the casual ward would, no doubt, he found self-supporting. With reference to destitute persons the Act stated clearly that should any of those persons have relatives who could afford to contribute to their sup : port they should be compelled to do so. The police would keep the Council informed on all cases where suoh relatives could be found, and they would be compelled to pay. He thought that the Benevolent Aid Society might he communicated with on the subject. — After discussion, Councillor Macpherson moved — " That the Mayor be appointed to administer chaiitable aid in Lyttelton, taking care the cases are bond fide, and to report to the Council from time to time." Seconded by Councillor Hawkins and carried. — From Mr G. S. Cooper, notifying that Mr H. J. V. Rogers had been gazetted as Registrar of Dogs for the Borough of Lyttelton.— From Messrs Royse, Stead, and Co., requesting tho Council to take into consideration the advisability of reducing the present tariff for the supply of water to manufacturers. The letter stated that the writers were anxious to utilise the water for their brickworks and malt kilns at the Heathcote Valley, and would use from 2000 to 3000 gallons per day. A reduction of 50 per cent on the present charge was asked for. The letter having been considered, it wa9 resolved — " That in the event of Messrs Royse, Stead, and Co. using not less than 2000 gallons per diem a discount, of 25 per cent on the present charge be allowed to them." — From Mr H. J. V. Rogers, asking that some clay might be removed from the front of liis property in Oxford street. Referred to the Works Committee with power to act. — From Mr W. Graham, respecting a notice served on him by the Inspector of Nuisances, to construct a drain pipe in front of his property at the upper end of Oxford street. MiGraham was in attendance, and the matter having been discussed at length, it was resolved to defer tlie further consideration uu til the next meeting. — Accounts, amounting to £96 Is 3d were pissed for payment. — Councillor Cunningham, Chairman of the Water Supply Committee, reported what had been done in the matter of offering to supply the Christchurch City Council, as requested by them. — Tho Clerk was instructed to write to the Mayor of Wellington, stating that tho Lyttelton Borough Council did not intend sending a delegate to the Municipal Conference to be held in Wellington. — The Council then adjourned.