THE INSTALLATIONS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6731, 20 December 1889, Page 4

THE INSTALLATIONS.

it%&::-.: ■ — — .. .■-,■•. '■ v : " LTTTELTON. ? .- j formal installation of the Mayorelect of the Borough of Lyttelton took place in the Council Chambers at 7.30 p.m. on Wednesday, the proceedings • having been adjourned from noon unto, 'that hour; there were present — theretiri ing Mayor (Mr S. B. Webb), Councillors IJ. B. Milsom (Mayor-elect), IJrice, Cook, . j HHdyard^Allwright,M'Clatchie, and Joyce. ; Before leaving the chair Mr Webb said his stewardship had extended over two | years. His faith, in himself wasj strengthened by the -willing way jthe Councillors had assisted him. When he was elected to the position, : there -was a credit balance of £500, and ! another -6500 owing for rents, &c, which jmade JBIOOO he had to commence opera- : tioos upon. Against this, there was about \ £1700 arranged to be spent in connection [with the extension of the water-works. 'This money was spent during his first ; term of office, and at the end of his first 'year there was a debit balance of .£847. At I the end of this year they had a debit 1 balance of JSBS7-. Against thisJatter item 'there were rates outstanding amounting ;to JS240 > and rents J8366, which, when coljlected, would reduce the debit to J6251. He did not mind leaving a balance on the wrong side of the books, for the reason that everything in the town .was in a satisfactory condition. There were very few complaints about the condition of the streetß or the drainage of the Borough, and he considered it was not altogether the duties of the Councillors and Mayor to save up their money and keep it stored in the Bank, more particularly when such important matters as the water supply and the streets were in such a state as to require expenditure upon them. One of the questions his successor would have to take into consideration was jthe matter of borrowing. The Sin main which conveyed the supply through the .tunnel was now carrying about twentyfour million gallons annually, and ;the pipes were getting worn. Even [with this large supply the upper portions ■of the town were sometimes without water, as the shipping drew such large quantities. It would probably devolve upon his successor to spend more money on the extension of the water supply, and he considered it Bhould be done by borrowed money, bo that their children's children should pay 'their portion of the cost. They were now only paying a 6d general and 3d water rate, making a total of 9d, whereas when he first took office the rate amounted to Is 4d. During the pa3t few months the town had entered into a new contract with the Gas Company, by which a saving of about .£72 per year was effected, and wonld continue for the next two years and six months. , Ho would not detain them longer, but would express his deep sense of gratitude to the Councillors for the way they had backed him up in carrying out his duties, and he would move a vote of thanks to the officers of the Council for the manner they had performed their duties. The Mayor-elect then took the chair and made the formal declaration. He hoped the Councillors would all assist him in carrying on the business of the town, and he would do his best. Theformal business then ended, and those present partook of light refreshments, at the invitation of the newly-elected Mayor. There were present, besides the Councillors, lepresentativeaof all the Friendly, Labour, and other Societies, Clubs, Volunteers, &c Toasts and speeches followed in quick succession, and many were the wishes expressed for a successful term of office for Lyttelton's new Mayor. The gathering terminated shortly before midnight, with cheers for the Mayor and. Mayoress,. Mr and Mre J. B. Milsom.