BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 457, 1 December 1875, Page 4

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

LYTTELTON. The weekly meeting took place at the usual time on Monday evening last; present—His Worship the Mayor, Crs Chalmers, Buist, W. Graham, T. A. W. Parsons, H. Allwright, F. Graham. P. Cunningham, ami H. Hawkins. The minutes of the previous meeting having been confirmed, The clerk stated he had received during the week £7 18a. In reference to the Winchester street gully, the Mayor said that Mr Thornton had visited the St David street and Winchester street gully in company with the foreman. He expressed himself quite willing to continue the St David street culvert to junction in Exeter street in order to make it complete. With regard to the diversion in Winchester Street, he stated he was surprised that the culvert had not in the first instance been placed in the way now proposed. He (the Mayor) had written to him, asking his advice upon all these matters. Mr Thornton had put a question to Mr Sowden which he could not answer; it was to the effect that if a few more yards of work wanted finishing after the vote was expended, would the Council give the necessary funds; no doubt before next week he, the Mayor, would have a full report from Mr Thornton on the matter. The repairs to Mr Calo's house were going on, and the outside portion of the house, if the weather was fine, would be finished that week. It was lucky the piles supporting it were put up before the wet weather commenced. Tenders were then opened for the purchase of the weigh bridge office, from G. M. Warne offering £lB 10s, and from Jessie Leslie £ls. Cr Allwright moved, and Cr Hawkins seconded —" That the highest tender be accepted." Cr Buist called upon the Council to pause before they sold the building ; they were throwing away £2O a year for the fake of £lB, as with a little further expenditure he was sure it would let for that sun-. In answer to a question from Cr Cunningham, the clerk said that the expense already incurred was about £l3. Cr Chalmers moved as an amendment—- " That the former instruction of the estates committee be carried out. Tbe foreman of works said it would cost about £ls more to put the weighbridge office in such position and repair thut it could be let. Cr Allwright said that if the building were allowed to remain it must be covered with iroD, as it was within the block, and the Council should certainly be the last to endeavour to evade the lawThe Mayor pointed out the discussion was irregular, as the amendment had not been seconded. Cr W. Graham seconded Cr Chalmer's amendment. Cr Buist said that he did not see why the building should not be let where it was. As to covering it with iron, Mr Jenkins' place was in the block, and yet that had never been covered with iron. Cr Hawkins said that he thought the Council had not done right in allowing Mr Jenkins' boat shed to remain as it was. They sboald certainly be the last to infringe the law. (Hear, hear, from Cr Allwright.) The amendment on being put was lost, and the original resolution was carried. In reference to the connection of the houses in London street with the main sewer, the foreman stated Mr Preece had complied, but that none of the others had. Accounts were passed for payment,amounting to £4O 19s 9d. The Mayor said he had received a map from Mr Farr showing encroa' hments on the bridle path. Dr Donald had told him that the map was prepared when he was chairman of the municipality, and there was a dispute in reference to Mr Buchanan's property. Mr Farr did not like to incur the responsibility, and Mr C. Davie, then chief surveyor, drew the map produced. This map showed that Mr McLellan's house encroached on the road, and it also demonstrated that Mr Stinson's line was a correct one. It was most satisfactory to have such a map in their possession signed by the chief surveyor. The Council he was sure did not wish to be harsh with Captain McLellan, bnt it had been suggested to him that Captain McLellan was encroaching on the public property, and a small rent might be demanded from him to show that the Council was the owner.

Cr Allwright said rent could not be given for a public road. The Mayor said the width at Captain McLellan's house was over fifty links. Cr Buist said what they wanted was the corner going up Ticehurst road, that was urgently needed. Cr Chalmers also spoke, he said there wa§. a trespass on Ticehurst Jroad also, but that was no business of theirs. They were all aware Mr McLellan had not been the original trespasser, but had merely taken the house .as it stood. Surely Captain McLellan could c?o no less than give them that part of the land required and build a retaining wall. He beggfld to move that a surveyor (Mr Cuff) be employed to delineate the bridle path according to that map.

Or Hawkins said that he believed the Government map, from which the bearings had been taken, could not be found. The map before them was evidently a very exact map, and great pains had been taken with it. He seconded (Jr Chalmers’ resolution; The resolution was then put and carried. Cr W. Graham asked if there had been any communication with reference to the coroner. His Worship replied in the negative. Or Allwright asked if the lighting com mittee would report as to the question of lighting the town with gas. The Mayor sain a small tax for lighting with gas would be cheerfully paid by the ratepayers, who would benefit by it. Cr Chalmers said that lighting was one of those things for which a special tax had been mentioned in their recommendation to their member with regard to the amendment in the Municipal Act, he had heard and read nothing of the matter since that recommendation had been sent. Cr Cunningham said it would cost £250 to have the thirty-four lamp-posts, at present in use, replaced with iron ones. It was pointed out that the new lamp-posts would only be required in that part of the town where the gas mains were laid. Cr Cunningham, as chairman of the lighting committee, promised to bring up a report next meeting. The Council then adjourned.