MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 242, 30 June 1874, Page 5

MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

The Town Council held a special meeting on Tuesday evening last, 23rd inst., to take into consideration the report on the sanitary condition of Cromwell by Dr Conghtrey, lately laid on the table of the Provincial Council by command of His Honor the Superintendent. Copies of the report had been furnished to each member of the Council by the M.P.C. for the district. After the report had been considered for some little time, Cr Grant thought whatever opinion they might have on the report itself, His Honor was entitled to their hearty thanks for his promptitude in sending a medical officer to inspect and report upon the condition of the town. He therefore would move to that effect. Cr Wright seconded the motion, and it was agreed to. On the proposition of Cr Jolly, seconded by Cr Hayes, a vote of thanks was.'passed to Messrs Hazlett and MacKellar foy the action they had taken in the matter. A discussion then ensued upon the report itself, and Cr Jolly wished apparently to discuss the suggestions of Dr Coughtrey seriatim, but eventually on his own proposition, seconded by Cr Bayes, it was resolved to appoint a Committee, consisting of Crs Grant, Wright, and Jolly, to attend to those suggestions which dealt with the improvement of the Knwarau bank and the sandy allotments at the Western portion of the town. Cr Wright, though agreeing to the motion, thought it would be useless to try any experiments in the way of reclaiming the Kawarau bank till more stringent measures were taken to prevent people from depositing rubbish upon it, and running their waste water down it as at present. Cr Wright entered into a variety of details to prove that such must be done before any attempt at reclamation could be expected to be successful. Cr Grant then addressed the Council. He was very much gratified at the manner in which the Councillors appeared inclined to consider the report. He was glad they were not disposed to treat it in any vindictive spirit, nor to raise the question whether it were a creditable one to him or them, but simply whether it were a true one. If it were true, then tire only question for them to discuss was, Should they adopt Dr Coughtrey’s suggestions, or should they endeavour to follow after ones which might be still better. Cr Grant then referred to the Corporation hye-laws, and said they at present were in a foolish position,—foolish because it was doubtful whether they would stand good or not; while all the time there was ample provision in the Public Health Act which would enable them to do almost anything in the way of treating an epidemic such as they had lately been afflicted with. Cr Grant here referred to the Act itself, and pointed out the powers which were placed in the hands of any Council by a Local Board of Health. He would not make any formal motion, till inquiries could be made at the solicitor whether any formal steps were required to be taken by the Council before performing the functions of such a Board. For his part, he thought they should go boldly into the matter, not rushing ton hastily, as appeared to be desired by some parties, and at the same time not holding back for fear of any hostile criticisms they might expose themselves to. It was then agreed that inquiries should he made as to what steps were necessary to be taken to exercise the powers of a Local Board of Health. On the motion of Cr Hayes, seconded bv Cr Pierce, a vote of thanks was then passed to Dr Coughtrey for tho elaborate report he bad made on tho sanitary measures required for the township of Cromwell. One or two routine matters were then disposed of. and tho meeting was brought to a conclusion.