MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 232, 21 April 1874, Page 6

MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

A special meeting of the Council was held on Wednesday evening, the 15th instant. Present: The Mayor (Mr Dawkins), Crs. Hayes, Jolly, Shanly, and Wright. The inward arid outward correspondence was read ; also, an application by Mr James Dawkins for a slaughtering license within the town. A letter from Professor Black, relative to the manner in which water for analysis should he "forwarded, was ordered to be received ; and the Town Clerk was instructed to procure samples, and to forward them in the manner indicated. A statement of the probable revenue and •expenditure for the year 1874-6 was brought up by the Clerk, who was instructed to forward the same for insertion in the Gazette. Cr Shanly brought under the attention of the Council the sanitary condition of the town, and suggested the desirability of asking the Government to send some officer from the Board of Health to report on the cause -of the sickness at present so universal and •proving so fatal. He proceeded to propose the following resolution, which was seconded by Cr Jolly, and carried unanimously: " That this Council request the Government to take some action to ascertain the cause of the present epidemic in the town, by sending a Government medical officer to examine and report thereon." ' Mr Dawkins' application for a slaughtering license was ordered to stand over until next meeting. On the motion of Cr Jolly, seconded by Cr Hayes, it was agreed that a site should be selected for the purposes of a manure dep6t.

Cr Pierce here entered the Council-cham-ber, and proceeded to interrupt the business by remarks and actions which left no doubt -of the fact that he had been rather too free in his imbibitions of alcohol. ' After some time had been spent in vain to quieten him, it was proposed by Cr Jolly, and seconded by Cr Wright, *' That Cr Pierce be requested by his Worship the Mayor to leave the meeting, as he is not in a fit state to take his seat, and his conduct and language are improper." This was carried, and the Mayor thereupon Tequested Cr Pierce to leave the room. This, however, he refused to do ; and in the absence of a constable to enforce the ■order of the Council, the Mayor was necessiiated to adjourn the meeting until the following evening. The Council accordingly met on Thursday at 8 o'clock. Present: The Mayor, <Jrs Jolly, Grant, Hayes, and Wright. The minutes of the preceding meeting wore read and confirmed. Cr Jolly referred to the conduct of Cr Pierce as above described, and was of opinion that it could not be passed over in silence. It was resolved that a call of the Council be made for Thursday evening, the 23rd instant, when the matter would be taken into further consideration. SANITARY CONDITION OP THE TOWN. Consideration of this matter was again gone into, and the following resolutions were carried by the Council: — 1. " That this Council deems it necessary for the improvement of the sanitary condition of the town, that the bank of the river, from the Bridge to Sligo-street, be properly cleansed, and that the Inspector of Works procure labour for that purpose." 2. " That a bye-law be framed to improve present Bystem of water-closets, and that all closets other than earth-closets be deemed a nuisance."

3. "That the Inspector of Nuisances be requested to use all diligence in endeavouring to improve the sanitary condition of the town; that his attention be specially directed to the present state of all water-closets, and that he be requested to use extreme measures, where found necessary, to have them cleansed." 4. *' That the following painted notices be procured, and posted conspicuously:—(l) Indicating the manure depot; (2) cautioning the public from throwing rubbish over the bank of the Kawarau river ; and (3) cautioning them also from soiling the town race."

5. " That tenders be invited for the follow-1 ing works :—(1) Removing rubbish twice a week from Melmore-terrace and Inniscortetreet; (2) cleansing the streets at least once weekly ; and (3) attending to town race for three months." KAWARAU BRIDGE. On the motion of Cr .Folly, seconded by Cr Wright, it was agreed that the Council should do all in its power to support the movement initiated by the Bannockburn Miners' Association relative to the purchase of the above bridge by the Government, and it was resolved to acquaint the Association with the fact of such resolution having been passed by the Council. ACCOUNTS. Nißbett Brothers' account for contract No. 11, including an item of L.3 for extras, was pa»3ed for payment. Accounts from Messrs

Hallonstcin & Co. and Mr J. Taylor were also passed. STREET IMPROVEMENTS. The Inspector of Works was requested to have the upper part of Melmore-terrace, from the point at which contract No. 11 stopped to the culvert, chipped, gravelled, and cleaned. WATER SUPPLY. It was resolved to request Mr Cowan, solicitor, to prepare the necessary information towards the commencement of the Waterworks scheme. A vote of thanks to the Mayor terminated the proceedings.