MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 245, 21 July 1874, Page 6

MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

The regular meeting of the Council was held on Thursday evening, July Kith. Prosent : The Mayor (Mr Dawkius), and Crs. Jolly, Wright, Hayes, Shanly, Grant, and Pierce. MINUTJ3S. The minutes of tho previous meeting were read and confirmed. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE. The inward correspondence was read, and the matters opened up by it were dealt with seriatim. REPORTS^ Several reports were presented ; one from the Legislative Committee'relative to the proposed waterworks ; and one from the Inspector of Nuisances. In accordance with the report of the Legislative Committee, it Avas agreed that the solicitor to the Corporation (Mr J. R. Cowan) should be instructed to frame the necessary bill for the General Assembly. The following is a copy of the report from the Inspector of Nuisances. It is addressed to the Town Clerk : Cromwell, July ]sth, 1874. Sir, —I beg to state for your information that I have examined all dwellings in the town as regards their water-closets, and find the number as follows:—24 single and 6 double water-closets, 23 earth-closets, and 24 dwellings without closets. The earth-closets are but little improvement, as the earth is not used except by a few persons. I would also request that you will be so kind as to bring under the notice of the Mayor and Council the desirability of appointing some place for a manure depot outside the boundary of the municipality. The depot at the present time I consider to be a great nuisance ; at least, it'does not improve the sanitary condition of tho town. 1 remain, Sir, your obedient servant, Jouk Cassels. The following is the Auditors' report:— Cromwell, 11th July, 1874. The Mayor and Councillors of Cromwell. Gentlemen, —We beg to report having examined the books and vouchers of the Corporation for the year ending 30th ult., and found same correct. Statement of receipts and expenditure as under:— receipts. Balance from last half year £427 2 0 Bates 265 0 0 General Licenses SO 0 0 Night do " 17 io 0 Dogs io 10 0 Old rates 7 16 9 Ren's 22 0 0 Wholesale Licenses 30 0 0 Deposits 3 q o Carriage Licenses 10 0 Hawkers'do 2 0 0 Auctioneers'do 50 0 0 Sundries ... .. M . ... ,300 Brewer's License 5* o 0 Goat tax 2 6 £924 11 3 EXPENDITURE. Claries ... ... £]Q is 4 Commission ~ '.?. 25 0 0 do. 30 18 3 Sundries 31 5 4 Deposits 4 5 0 Public Works 459 \\ 0 Petty Cash • ... 15 0 0 Balance in Bank 250 4 10 In hands of Towu Clerk 91 8 (ii £924 11 3 Yours faithfully, John A. Presiliw ) a ~, C. P. Johnson j Au^°rs.

The Town Clerk, being asked for an explanation regarding the large sum of money in his hands, drew attention to the fact thai;'the Auditors were satisfied, at any rate, and explained that on the 30th June, he had collected, after bank hours, several large sums for license-fees, which accounted for so large an amount being in his hands on that date. PROVINCIAL REVENUE OFFICER. In reference to the circular from the Provincial Government (published by us a week or two ago), asking what part of the salary of a Provincial revenue officer the Corporation would be Milling to contribute, it was decided that a reply should be sent to the effect that the Council, besides being unable to contribute anything, deemed it premature on the part of the Government to ask them to do so. Mr la Fontaine's application. Jules la Fontaine wrote, asking permission to occupy a quarter-of-an-acre of ground on the bank of the Clutha, near Mr Drake's residence. He explained that he wished to erect thereon support for a fanning by means of which he intended to carry water from Firewood Creek across the river. The application was referred to the Public Works Committee, to be dealt with by them. Mr Marshall's application. Mr James Marshall, of Bannockburn, applied to the Council for a lease of that piece of ground between the Council Chamber and the Argus office. Cr. Grant moved, " That the application of Mr James Marshall to lease a piece of ground situated between the Town Hall and the printing office be granted ; a right-of-way five ; feet to be left; said ground to be leased for the period asked for («e\;en years), at a rental of L.lO per annum, subject to the condition that the building erected be kept in a line with, the front of the Town Hall. This was seconded by Cr. Pierce. Cr. Shanly proposed an amendment as follows : " That the land applied for be not rented, as it will prevent the Council from improving the Town Hall." Cr. Jolly seconded. On being put to the meeting, the voting was equal in favour of the amendment and I the motion. The latter was declared carried,

the Mayor giving his casting vote in favour of it. MR COI.OIOtrOU'B APPLICATION". Mr Colclough, Town Clork, then handed in an application for the vacant ground on : the other sido of the Town Hali, between that building and bus present residence. On the motion of Cr. Grant, seconded by Or. Wright, Mr Oolclough's application was not entertained. ASSETS AND LIABILITIES. It was ordered that a list of all moneys due to the Corporation and by thou be prepared by the Finance Committee. THE VOTING DISPUTE. In reference to this matter, it was decided that the opinion of the solicitor, Mr J. R. Cowan, should be obtained. ELECTION AIUtANOEMENTS. The following were appointed the pollingbooths for the municipal elections :—For Bridge Ward, the Council Chamber; for Kawarau Ward, the Cromwell Hotel ; and for Macandrew Ward, the Court-house. Cr. Wright was appointed Returning Officer for the election of Mayor ; and poll-clerks were also appointed. VOTE O? THANKS. The usual vote of thanks to the Mayor concluded the proceedings.