MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

Cromwell Argus, Volume IV, Issue 205, 14 October 1873, Page 7

MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

The ordinary general meeting was held on Thursday evening, 9th inst., at which were present: the Mayor (Mr Fraer), and Councillors Wright, Shanly, Pierce, Hayes, and Bawkins. The meeting opened punctually at eight o'clock. The minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE. The correspondence was then read. The inward correspondence consisted of letters from Town Clerk, Naseby, in re the mail service ; from the tJnder-Seoretary, Dunedin, postponing the consideration of the memorial from the Council m re reducing the width of Melmore Terrace till Mr Bastings visited the town; from Chief Postmaster in re change of postal name from Kawarau Junction to Cromwell; from Sergeant Oassels, agreeing to act as Inspector of Nuisances, and intimating his desire that the salary should be handed as subscription to the funds of the Dunstan Hospital; and one from H. W. Smythies, offering to survey permanent levels for £25 4s. The outward correspondence consisted of letters to his Honor the Superintendent, and to the Secretary for Gold-fields. The letter to his Honor asked that those parts of the Municipal Corporations Act 1867, numbered 13, 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22, should extend to, and he in force in, the town of Cromwell. PERMANENT LEVELS. Some discussion took place on the offer of Mr Smythies, to take the permanent levels. It was agreed to leave the matter to the consideration of the Public Works Committee. ASSESSOR. The attention of the Council was then directed to the fact that there had been no applications for the office of assessors. It was also stated that in several municipalities the plan had been adopted of appointing the Town Clerk either sole assessor, or in conjunction with some other qualified person. On the motion of Cr. Hayes, seconded by 'Cr. Wright, it was decided that Mr Colclough be appointed assessor, the fee being £6 6s. ACCOUNT. There was only one account, from HallenBtein and Co., of £2 9s. Passed for payment. RESIGNATION OP THE MAYOR. The business of the evening being concluded, Mr Fraer said it was with much regret that he found himself compelled to lay before them his resignation as Mayor of the town. As was well known to them all, the firm with which he had the honour to be connected had resolved to open a business in Lawrence, and it was arranged that he should proceed there to take the management of it. He laid his resignation before thoni with great regret, not at having to leave for Lawrence, for he believed that would be greatly to his personal advantage, but because he had taken a great deal of pride in presiding over this Council, and the affairs of this town. He knew that Cromwell was bound to become one of the principal towns in the interior of this Province, and he would like to have had Lis name associated with some of the works which surely would be initiated to advance its prosperity. He trusted, however, that the Council would not neglect that, and that no effort would be spared which in any wav affected that. He concluded by thanking the Councillors for the assistance they had always rendered to him in pursuing the duties of his office ; and he trusted the same harmony would always prevail in the deliberations of the Council; as had been experienced by him at any rate. On the motion of Cr. Wright, seconded by Cr. Shanly, the resignation was accepted. Cr. Shanly in seconding the motion, said he did so with the utmost regret that they m ere about to lose the services of Mr Fraer. In his opinion, they would have great trouble in finding another man likely to fill the chair with as much credit to himself and the town as had been the case under Mr Fraer. Cr. Grant here came in, nnd upon understanding the motion, proceeded to make some rather lengthy remarks, which, however, Space will not permit us to reproduce. They were to the effect that some steps should bo taken to make some public recognition of Mr Fraer's services before he left. A considerable discussion thereupon arose, with the result that a general understanding was come to that the matter would be considered in committee, the only difference of opinion being what shape the recognition should take. The Council was then adjourned, after the usual vote of thanks to the chair.