BALCLUTHA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Clutha Leader, Volume V, Issue 196, 12 April 1878, Page 6

BALCLUTHA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the Council was held in the Council Chambers on ' Tuesday evening. There were present — ".Messrs Macdonald (in the chair), Hogg, : and Canning. MINUTES. The minutes of last ordinary meeting ; and a special meeting wei*e read and conTfirmed. accounts. The following accounts were passed for payment: — Day labour (per time sheet), . £14 ; Bridge Accounts, £1 4s ; W. Hen•derson, solicitor, £19 9s 2d. BRIDGE APPROACHES. Mr Canning, according to notice, moved, '*■ That tenders be .called for the formation •of a footway six feet wide and. the length ■of the railing on the eastern side of the -north approach to the Balclutha traffic "bridge'.'" In doing so he said the work •was absolutely necessary, and it was due to East Ward that it should at once be •carried out. The* traffic at the approach to the bridge was such as to render the roadway unfit for foot passengers, especially in Avet weather. He thought the •e'xpense should be taken out of the bridge revenue, as had thsre been no bridge there would have been no approach to maintain. . But it did not matter to him out of what : account the cost was taken, provided the work was done. Mr ,Hogg asked Mr Canning to allow "his motion to stand over till next meeting •when more Councillors would be present: He believed the Works Committee had examined the work and should report before "the work was carried out. If Mr Cimning would agree to his suggestion, he (Mr Hogg) would support the motion at next :meeting. — Motion to stand over. WARDS OR NO "WARDS. Mr Hogg called attention to the fact that in consequence of their having come Tinder the new Municipal Act there were now no Wards in the township, which was therefore an undivided borough. If .it was intended again to. divide it into Wards, it would be necessary to take action and petition the Governor at once so •as to have the Wards proclaimed in time for next elections. His own impression w r as 4hat the,, borough would be equally well undivided, when the "whole borough would •elect nine councillors. If divided, the Act provided there could be not fewer than "three Wards, to be represented by three •councillors each. If divided into four "Wards; then the Council would consist of twelve members. It was necessary, how-

ever, to decide as soon<as possible whether the borough was or was not to be divided into Wavcls. Mr Canning would like to have the opinion ot the ratepayers upon the subject. His own opinion was against a division into Wards- But if this course were followed East Ward would virtually be extinguished. It had so few electors that it would have but very little influence in tlie election of Councillors wore the borough undivided. While, however, he held his own opinion upon the subject, he was bound to do tlio best for the East Ward while he represented it. He thought it was a matter for the ratepayers themselves to decide. After some further remarks, Mr Hogg moved— ll That his Worship the Mayor be requested to call a meeting of the ratepayers to consider the matter. " Seconded by Mr Canning, and cariied. LANATtK STREET RESERVE. Mr 'Canning pointed to the advantages to holders of grazing licenses for the Lower Reserve, were gates erected at the railway crossings in Renfrew, Lanark, and Glasgow streets. He moved — "That the Clerk write to the District Engineer upon the subject." Seconded by Mr Hogg, and carried. PUBLIC LAMPS. Mr Hogg referred to the necessity that exists for having a number of public lamps erected in the township. Now that the long dark nights were approaching, it would be difficult for passengers by the late train to find their way into the township unless lamps were erected. He considered the matter one of urgency, and moved — ■■ That the Works Committee be instructed to procure six lamps, to be erected at the following- corners : Clyde and Gordon streets, Gordon and Douglas streets, Renfrew and John streets, Clyde and Elizabeth streets ; also ono in Clyde street, near to Mr Rattray's property. " Mr Cunning seconded the motion, which was caried. MOTIONS DEEEMtED. Consideration of Mr Canning's protest as to the legality of the Bye-laws was deferred till next meeting ; also consideration of a circular from the Thames with reference to a conference of delegates from the various Municipalities. NOTICE OE MOTION. By Mr Cunning — " That the Clerk be instructed to obtain information ns to the cost of kerbing, channelling, and asphalting the footpaths in Clyde street, from the Post Office to Gordon street on the- east side, and from tho Post Office to George street on the west side. The kerbing and channelling to be of stone, concrete, or timber." The meeting then adjourned. pawn «4«gg^3MEO^-«>TWTOm.*T*KfaaaaanftJßna>a