MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 264, 20 October 1874, Page 3

MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the above body was hejd in the Council Chamber on Friday evening. There were present: The Mayor (Mr Jolly), and C».Grant, Wright, Shanly, and Taylor. r

The. minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. . ....... . . The inward and outward correspondence was read. The matters opened up by the inward were dealt'with smat'm. The outward consisted of a letter to the Goldfields Secretary re commonago, and others of less importance. Mr Barr, the engineer with whom the Council is in treaty regarding the proposed waterworks, had telegraphed his terms, and these were submitted to the consideration of the Council. It was agreed to leave the matter still in the hands of the Committee appointed at the previous meeting, namely, Crs Taylor, Wright, and the Mayor. • The Fire Brigade wrote asking for the use of a vacant piece of Corporation ground on which to store their property. That ground formerly known as the Ferry Reserve and situated near the office of this paper, was recommended to the Brigade as a suitable place. The Town Clerk was requested to write to the Government asking for a grant of the old lock-up building for Brigade purposes. A letter from the Commissioner of Police, in Dnnedin, in reply to a statement by the Council of their difficulty in relation to an Inspector of Nuisances for the Town, opened up the subject of the scavenger's contract, &c. The reply stated that it was part of every constable's duty to enforce the provisions of the " Municipal Corporations Act, 1867," and that they were instructed to that effect. The question was then discussed as to the best method of having the scavenger's work done in the town, and how it should be inspected. It was eventually agreed, on the motion of Cr Grant, seconded by Cr Taylor, " That J. Baker, with his horse and cart, be engaged for three months at £5 per week, as town labourer and nightman, it being understood that he is to be a servant of the Corporation exclusively." Cr Shanly proposed, Cr Wright seconded, and it was carried, "That Baker's duties be overseen by the Inspector of Works, to whom be allowed *i\ per cent, for doing so." Accounts from Mr G. Fache (Dunstan Times) and J. Baker were handed in. The latter was passed for payment, and the former was left in the hands of the Mayor for settlement. The report of the Inspector of Works on Mr Wood's contract for the formation of Sligo-street was, read and it was agreed to pay Mr Wood the balance of his contract price. The Town Clerk stated that there had been no applications for the office of assessors. It was decided to continue the advertisement. Cr Grant proposed, "That the medical gentlemen in this town be informed by letter that this Council means for the future to exercise its power as a Local Board of Health; under the" provisions made in the Public Health Act of 1872, and that, in exercising those powers, the Council confidently relies • upon receiving their hearty support and co- ' operation." This motion, being seconded by Cr Wright, was carried. ' Cr Wright then brought under the notice of the Council Mr John Marsh's grievance in the matter of his rates. Cr Wright believed that Mr Marsh had really cause for complaint, and counselled the adoption of a plan suggested by Mr Marsh in order to arrive at a settlement, —namely, that he should meet a Committee of the Council to confer on the subject. This suggestion was strongly opposed by the majority of the Council; and it was agreed to treat Mr 1 Marsh exactly as other defaulting ratepayers,—summon him if he did not pay. Talking of summoning gave rise to the question of appointing a Corporation solicitor, and it was agreed to offer Mr Johnston a retaining fee. The question of taking further steps in regard to the issue of debentures in re the proposed waterworks was then raised, and it was decided to invite tenders for 7 per cent, debentures on the first issue of £2OOO. This was ordered to be advertised in the Dunedin ' and local papers. The Mayor asked if any reply had been : sent by the Goldfields Secretary to the letter re commonage. The Town Clerk stated no reply had been sent. ' On the motion of Cr Wright, seconded by Cr Shanly, it was decided to ask the Superintendent to declare the lock-up at Cromwell a public gaol. Cr Taylor gave notice of motion to the ' effect that a drain be constructed across Melmore-terrace from the premises on the • north side of'the street into the Kawarau River; also, that the pipes be cleared out, and that the supply of water be delivered in the tank. [ Cr Grant proposed a motion as follows: " That the Legislative Committee nominate . a\\ the Corporation-reserves the Council may be willing to lease for a period of ten years, , fixing an upset price on each allotment; and i that the leases of the same be sold by public : auction." This was carried. This concluded the business, and a vote of ' thanks to the Mayor terminated the meeting.