BALCLUTHA TOWN COUNCIL.

Clutha Leader, Volume III, Issue 139, 9 March 1877, Page 5

BALCLUTHA TOWN COUNCIL.

A special meeting of the Balclutha Town Council wa-s held in the Council Chambers last evening. There were present : His Worship the Mayor, and Councillors Cramond, Dunne, Hogg, Hope, and Doull. The Mayor explained that the meeting had been called to consider an opinion by Mr Stout, as to the present position of the Corporation with reference, to the bridge. The Clerk read the opinion as follows : A-

' I am of opinion that, as the property in Balclutha Bridge, prior to the passing of the Abolition Act, was vented in the Superintendent, it

became, on the passing of that Act, vested in tht Queen.

The bridge being on a main road,- and situate within the Municipality of Balclutha, the Town Council may repair it. There is .no power to compel the Municipality to repair the bridge, nor can tbo General Government bo forced to do so. It is simply a matter for the consideration of the Town Council whether the interests of r,hu citizens require the repair of tho bridge, or whether tlie Council can trust to the '"ailiamont voting money for the purpose. I may ald that the matpeF. seems to me oue that shouio. be submitted to the Government for their consideration, as people residing without the bounds of the Municipality must bo interested iv the maintenance of the bridge. So far, hoivever, as the legal position of tho Council is concerned, I do not see how it can act unless with the concurrence of the Government, Robert Stout. March 6, 1877Councillor Dunne thought the Council should take the control of the bridge and look after it, and expend upon it the revenue derived from the toll, but without any responsibility, further than the funds went. There was no doubt the bridge could not be kept rip without a vote from. the Legislature. If tho Provincial Government had been in existence, they might have kept it as formerly, deriving £600 a year and expending £50. He thought all that . could be expected of the Council in the matter was to take the management and control of the bridge, to expend the money derived from it, but without further responsibility, and without prejudice to the position they at present occupied with reference to the bridge. He moved accordingly. Councillor Hogg seconded the motion. He said the deputation which recently waited upon the Hon. G. M'Lean suggested this course. Carried unanimously. This was all the business.