MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 248, 11 August 1874, Page 4

MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

The Council, as newly consituted, held a special meeting on Friday evening last. Present : The Mayor (Mr D. A. Jolly), Crs Taylor, Whetter, Grant, Wright, and Shanly. Mr Jolly, the Mayor for the ensuing Municipal year, addressed the Council, stating that the meeting had been called for the purpose of appointing the various Committees for the proper conduct of public affairs ; "viz., the Public Works, the Financial, and the Legislative Committees. Apart from this business, there were other matters he would like the Council to give some consideration to that night. This was the first meeting of the new Council, and he might be allowed on such a fitting occasion to congratulate the citizens, and no less the body of Councillors, upon the fact that the services had been secured of two such able and well-tried gentlemen as Messrs Whetter and Taylor. Both | had had experience in past times in MuniciI pal matters, and both had occupied the position of Chairman of the Council, and he I thought their return was a matter for conI gratulation. He thought that the coming I year would be a successful one as regards the administration of the affairs of the town, and he could assure the Council that while he ' had the honour'to fill the chair," he would be

found doii^g.,his daty consistently and partially.,, Nodoubt the samp consideration and.respecttwould be, Bhown tp'him in'his new position; aa to his predecessor, and if so,, "he would be well "satisfied. The Council would be asked to consider many important matters'affecting the town } and should there be differ'eilces of opinion,' as was only to be expend', 'he.'hoped discussion' would bd conducted temperately, and above all that those difference's in the Council Chamber would be allowed, in no wise to alter the friendly relations they, bore to each other as priyate citizens. he thought the town bad a.bright future before it, and the Council could encourage and assist its development.- Cromwell was the centre of the best gold producing district in Otago, and this in itself was a good deal. Besides this, however, Cromwell, was centrally situated, and was the key, as it were, to a very large extent of valuable country. Recently the Council had been asked to give a bonus towards the, encouragement of steam communication between here and the Hawea, and on the Lakes. When the Hawea Block became settled upon, no doubt the grain and produce there raised would demand a speedier and cheaper mode of transit than at present existed ; although until then, it would perhaps be: premature to encourage the undertaking of steam communication, the necessary outlay would be so great. He mentioned this to show the Council that there were other industries than that of mining requiringto be encouraged and delevoped. Another of those, for' was the establishment of a woollen factory; where established they had proved a great success, and the demand for wollen goods throughout the district was quite sufficient to warrant the investment of capital,;in such an industry. For the benefit of those Councillors who now took their seats for the first time, he would name a few of the subjects of importance which had come under the discussion of the late Council, and which would require to be dealt with in the time to come. The first was the great waterworks scheme. Every Councillor was conversant with the details of it. The Council proposed to carry out a scheme of supply, under the Municipal Waterworks Empowering Act, and in accordance with that Act, a Bill had been laid before the Assembly, which had gone through the different stages, and had now become an Act. , That was the point arrived at, and it would be the duty of the Council to mature and carry to a successful issue the all-important work. The next matter was that of sanitary improvement. "Very few. comments were required from him ; enough had been said far and wide on the subject. As citizens, they all felt the unenviable position Cromwell now held amongst other towns, and it remained for this Council, if .they saw fit, to give effect to the various sanitary measures suggested by Dr Coughtrey. By doing so, they would gain the thanks not only of' Cromwell citizens, but'of other Municipal bodies, and would redeem the fair fame Cromwell had lost as, being the healthiest town in the Province. He would ask them to appoint a Reclamation Committee, who might take steps to reclaim the river .banks and the sandy allotments, by sowing seeds, Ac. Seeds were already ordered, and as the season was now well advanced, it would be advisable to take steps at once in the matter. He .would remind them that a new source of revenue was opened up, in regard to certain of the fees and fines of the Resident MagisCourt. Application had been made to have these handed over, and the Town Clerk would lay before them the correspondence which had passed. Another matter which he would urge upon their attention was the necessity of having District Court sittings held here. It would be advisable to move in the matter before the present session of the Assembly closed. In, conjunction with this matter, the proper authorities should be applied to to declare the lock-up in Cromwell a gaol. Prison labour could then be utilized, instead of it being sent to Clyde. He also would mention that tenders had been called for the supply of piping to carry the water through the town. When this was laid, the citizens might depend upon having a purer quality of water. Among the other important questions, was that of Block IX. He noped it.could not be said next year that the question had once more been shelved for electioneering purposes. The Council must enter upon it with the determination to do impartial justice,.and to settle the vexed question one way or the other. After mentioning one or two other matters, Mr Jolly resumed his seat. •The Council then proceeded to the election of Committees, with the following result: — ' Public Works : Messrs Grant, Taylor, and 9hanly.— Finance : Messrs Wright, Hayes, and Whetter.—Legislative and Rate : Messrs Taylor, Whetter, and Wright.—Reclamation: Messrs Shanly, Grant, and Hayes.

, The Public Works Committee were requested to report to next meeting of Council on the most suitable place for a manure depot.

On the motion of Cr Wright, seconded by Cr Taylor, Friday evening fortnightly was fixed as the evening for the general meetings of the Council. Crs Shanly and Grant were in opposition.

It was ordered that telegrams should be sent to the member for the Dunstan, Mr T. 2j. Shepherd, and to his Honor the Superintendent, urging them to bring before the House the necessity of District Court sittings being held in Cromwell. Cr Shanly gave notice of motion as follows: ''•That tenders be called for laying gravel on the footpaths in Melmore-street, from Mr Scott's corner to. Mr Dagg's ; and also for gravelling the street."