CLYDE TOWN COUNCIL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 759, 3 November 1876, Page 2

CLYDE TOWN COUNCIL.

1 The usual monthly meeting of the Council was held in the Council Chambers on Wednesday evening last, the Ist inst. Present—B. Naylor, Esq. (Mayor), in the chair; and Councillors Welsford-, Auckland, Cox, and Beck. The Major introduced to tho Council Cr Auckland as the successor of Mr Moore, resigned, and said, from the good business habits of Mi - Auckland he felt assured ho would prove an acquisition to the Council. Cr Auckland suitably replied, and said he took his seat with some degree of reluctance seeing there was really so much work to be doile. He, however, would do ’his utmost in assisting to get the work through, and hoped ho would he able to work in harmony with the rest of the Council. The minutes o't previous mootings Were now read and confirme 1. The inward correspondence as follows wAa read and received : From Lawrence Town Council asking this Council to urge upon the Goveniment the Completing of tho lino of railway to LaWrence. From M'Natly And Co., in reply to demand for rent of water to the effect that they A-e not indebted in full amount claimed.. From His Honor the Su1] erinteadent asking the attendance of Mayor at tho Convention, to bo hold on Bth November.

The outward correspondence was read vnd approved. A. letter held pver ffokn last meeting was now considered frtftn the Manager of the Bahk of Now South Wales, At date August tth, notifying in terms of agreement between ;ho Banlt'and the Corporation fdr the advance of LSOOO, for which tho Bajik hold lebentures MV L7OOO, that if the advance is •int covered in six months thoy'\v ill place die debentures in the market. The Mayor said that two out of tho six months had already passed, and it Was high time some action was takeri, though ho did not think the Bank would act hastily in the matter. Ho would suggest that Messrs Gillies and Street, of Dunedin be Communicated with, and be asked if they could either'sell the debentures, or obtain a loan of LSOOO on security of the Bridge and the debentures. Or Auckland thought to sell tho debentures at 1 -the present time would be suicidal ; in fact to offer them at all until such trine an estimate of their value could be obtained would Sever do, and until the bridge had been opened-for a full year no estimate could be formed. The bridge as yet had only been opened between three and four months, and to approximate an'estimate of revenue for tho year by the amount of tolls so far taken ‘Wo'dld be impossible. He agreed, however, with the May6r that something should be done. Or Cox- eairl there was no doubt in his mind but that when the railway was opened to Tuapeka, and the hue of road from But ohe-’s Gully'to the bridge completed, the returns from tolls would bo materially increased, aVi'd theta would then be no difficulty in either disposing of the debentures, or effecting a loan. The’present was not the time to sell the debentures. Crs Welsford and Beck asked it the letter from the Bank had been acknowledged. After a great deal of cOhversation it'was resolved, on the motion of Cr Auckland, That Messrs Gillies and Street be communicated with and 'their opinion sought as to the best means of getting rid’bf the Bank debt, and askihg them if they could negotiate a loan for the Council. Resolved, That the Bank of New South Wales Manager be informed that action is being taken on the part of the Council to Carry out their part of fee agreement, and further; to ask if the Bank could offer any suggestion as to the better mode of raising money. A letter from Mr T. Fergus, District Engineer, held over from last meeting was also read and considered. The letter was to the effect that Mr Fergus had tlioronghly'examined the Clyde Bridge and found that it was completed in every particular in accordance with plans and specifications, and accompanied with an enclosure an accdant for L3I odd, for travelling expenses incurred in connection with supervising the construction of the Bridge. Crs Beck, Cox, and Auckland did not think Mr Fergus had any claim against the Council, Mr Fergus was a Government servant in full pay, and was authorised by the Government to undertake the supervision of 'the Bridge, which was on a main line ot road, and, moreover, was built by Government plans. They-Sid not consider cither'that Mr Fergus had superintended the construction of the Bridge, that Work had b°en done by a nominee of Mr Fergus, who had been paid by the Council, and to again pay Mr Fergus was out of all rea«dh; further, "the Council had no funds at their disposal even if they thought Mr Fergus was entitled to be paid, but they did not Cr Welsford. on this subject, disagreed With his brother Councillors, he did not consider Mr Fergus was entitled to full pay, but for expenses out of pocket for travelling, etc , he thought ho -hhii a claim against the Council. After some further discussion it was resolved, That Mr Fergus be respectfully informed that this Council is of opinion that the inspection of the building of Clyde Bridge was, on the part of Mr Fergus as a Government inspector, and therefore does not consider itself indebted. An amendment, in effect the same as above, but with the following words added was proposed and lost— “ But tho Council is willing to recognise Mr Fergus’ devotion to the (instruction of the Bridge by a present as soon as funds are available. In speaking of the letter froth His Honor the Superintendent inviting the attendance of the Mayor to the convention to be held in Dunedin on the Bth instant, Cr \Velsford said doubtless the Council had very sincere and deep respect for His Honor the Superintendent, but to support huh ih tho stand he had taken ho did not think they Would feel justified in doing. He wbifld suggest That the Town Clerk Acknowledge the receipt 6f letter, and respectfully state that this Council would hot feel justified in deputing their Mayor to attend the convention. parliament beihg prorogued and Abolition in full force and effeet this COulioil cannot divine the ends to be gained by. the convention. Tho Town Clerk was instructed to write to the Minister of Public Works and urge on him to at once push forward tho completing of tho Lawrence line ot railway, also to write to the Town Clerk, Lawrence, and inform him that this Council have taken Action. The Town Clfcrk was instructed to make a demand on Messrs M*.''ally and Co. for the full amount due for water from the Wai Keri Keri Creek to date, arid not getting satisfaction to suo for sairie without further notice. Permission was granted Mr James Holt to divert a small stream of water from tho main race to Mr Wilson’s residence. The assessment ’of pr. perries for the year 1876-7, as made by Messrs Cambridge arid M'Connochio, amounting to L.‘IGI7 10s, was laid on tho table, read, and allowed. A long and somewhat animated discussion now took place on tho financial position uf tho Council. In answer to questions the Town Clerk said thoio were some L3C duo for rates, and that sundry rents were in arrears, that the Council was in debt be-

yond tho 1.5000 overdraft some Ll9, Wad that tho revenue from the Bridge was abbut L 6 per week. He, however, could not kay anything definitely, and suggested that The question stand over till tho special meeting which would have to bo hold to strike tho rate. Cr Welsford spoke rather wa raly on the subject, eventually proposing that application bo made for all arrears of rents and rents due and that immediate steps be taken against those who refuse payment.— Carried. The Town Clerk said that nearly all the salaries w ere in arrears, and that other accounts were owing. Cr Welsford referred to the salary of Town Clerk, hut said as it was getting clbso to midnight, he would defer the further consideration of the subject till next mooting. The meeting then separated with a vbto of thanks to the Chair.