MUNICIPAL COUNCIL

Cromwell Argus, Volume 1, Issue 43, 7 September 1870, Page 5

MUNICIPAL COUNCIL

——o — The Usual fortnightly meeting of tho Council was held in tho Town Hall on Monday evening last, there being present: The Mayor and all the Councillors. Minutes of previous meeting were read and conti rmed. In reply to a telegram sent by tho Mayor to tho Chief-Postmaster anont the delay in the delivery of tho mails in Cromwell, the following letter was read “ Chief Post (Mice, “ Dunedin, Ist Sept. 1870. “ Sir, —In reply to your telegram of yesterday, I beg to inform you that the delay in arrival of mails is, as you must bo aware, caused by the inordinately bad state of the roads ; and that, from careful inquiry, I am satisfied that it is im possible for them to arrive sooner until the roads improve. Mr Chaplin not being contractor beyond Clyde, it is not in my power to compel him to take tho mails on to Cromwell; and as the journey from Clyde to Queenstown is so long, it is impossible for the contractor to delay his departure in the morning. I believe, hiwevor, were it not that on Wednesdays Mr Chaplin's men are all specially employed, he would have been willing to have brought forward the mails to Cromwell. I trust, however, that very soon the roads will improve, and correct time be kept. — I have, &c., “ arch. Bark, “ W. Smitham, Esq., Chief Postmaster.” “ Mayor of Cromwell.” A letter was read from W. H. Harris, asking permission to erect a tent on a Municipal reserve. The Town Clerk was instructed to inform Mr Harris that the Council could not grant bis request, but that if he would erect a wood or iron house, and point out the site lie wished to have, the application would be re-considered. The following letter, from Mr Win. Fraser, M.P.C., to his Worship the Mayor, about the opening up of the Hawea Flat, was then read : “Clyde, Sept. 1, 1870. “ Dear Sir, —I had an interview with the Secretary for Lauds and Works with reference to the land at Hawea, and was informed by him that the contract for the survey of a Hundred of 10,000 acres had been let. The Government have not yet decided as to whether they will declare a Hundred there, or simply a block of 2500 acres under the Gold-fields Act. In either event, I fear some time must elapse before applications can be received. This is much to be regretted, as the season for ploughing and sowing is fast slipping by, and another year will virtually be lost. Bearing this in mind, I urged upon Mr Reid the advisability of surveying and throwing open for selection, at once, a block of say about 500 acres. This would not cause much delay, and would in a manner meet the immediate necessities of the case. The survey of the remainder of the block could be proceeded with afterwards ; and although this plan might entail a little additional expense, I do not think that ought to be an obstacle, considering the benefits that would accrue to the district by obviating unnecessary delay in the matter. The subject is under the consideration of the Government, who, I trust, will at any rate devise some scheme to enable those desirous of taking up land at the Hawea, to do so at an early date. I regret 1 cannot give you a more satisfactory reply ; you will perceive, however, that I have not been lukewarm iu the matter, nor have I finished with it yet. Had the Government let the contract for the survey two months ago, as might have been done had they studied the interests of the district, the land might have been ready for selection within one mouth from this date. As it is, it may possibly be December before it is available. 1 am, yours trulv, “ Wm. Fraser. “ W. Smitham, Esq., Cromwell.” A letter frem Mr G. Fache was put aside for consideration by the Finance Committee. The following accounts were passed for payment I. Wright, 9s 6d ;J. S. Burres, 15s ; and I. Hallenstein & Co., 6s 6d. It was resolved that the Town Clerk he allowed the sum of £3 for petty cash purposes. Moved by Or. Dagg, and seconded by Cr. Dawkins, “ That a written notice be posted on the Council Chamber and the Post-Oflice, stating that parties wishing to lease unoccupied Corporation sections should apply, in writing, to the Council. ” —Carried. The Town Clerk was instructed to call for tenders from parties willing to keep the town race and street-channels clear. On the motion of Cr. Dawkins, seconded by Cr. Brown, Messrs Preshaw and Wright were appointed Auditors for the present Municipal year ; and on the motion of Cr. Brown, seconded by Cr. Dagg, Messrs Burres and Taylor were appointed Assessors, the remuneration being fixed at £3 3s each. The Town Clerk was instructed to write to his Honor the Superintendent, pointing on 11« him the necessity of something being done immediately with respect to the Cromwell commonage. This concluded the business of the evening, and the customary vote of thanks having been given to the chair, the Council adjourned,