CLYDE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 799, 10 August 1877, Page 2

CLYDE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

—o— The usual monthly and the first meeting of the new Council wits held on Tuesday last the 7th instant. Present : —Mr Samuel Welsford Mayor, aud Councillors Feraud, Auckland, Beck, Cox and Clark. The minutes of previous meeting w’ere read and confirmed. The outward correspondence comprising letters—to Manager of Bank of N«w South Wales, asking for a further extension of time for payment of overdraft, as tire Council w r as in treaty for the sale of the Bridge or dedentures—to Vincent Pyke, Esq., asking him from his seat in the House of Representatives, to support the construction of the line of railway by the way of Strathtaieri—to Colonial Secretary, notifying the election of Mr Samuel Welsford as Mayor. The inward correspondence comprised letters from Manager of Bank of New South Wales, urging on the Council to arrange for clearing off overdraft, the definite instructions from head quarters being that, it must be cleared off—from the same, suggesting that the Council advertise for tenders for the Bridge debentures— from Vincent County Council agreeing to terms of Council for rental of Offices. Resolved that the letters, as read, be received and approved. Cr. Feraud said, ho would suggest that the consideration of the letters from the Manager of the Bank of New South Wales he held over fora Special Meeting, and that the Council's Solicitor be present to guide the Council in its deliberations. Resolved accordingly. election of committees. Crs. Auckland, Beck and Cox were elected Members of the Public Works’ Committee, and Crs. Feraud, Clark and M‘Connochio, Members of the Finance Committee. FIXING SALARIES AND APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS. The Mayor said as the Council was composed of several new members, he thought it better to start on a fresh footing. He did not nretend to say the salaries were too high or too low, he merely asked the Council to express its opinion. Cr Clark thought it a bad precedent to name the salary every year. If any officer resigned, or was not giving satisfaction, it was then incumbent on the Council to make a fresh appointment, at the same time fix the salary ; but when officers retained their positions he did not think it necessary to refer to salary. As to the Town Clerk's salary, it was neither too high nor too low. Or Feraud said there could be no possible harm in fixing the salaries, it was merely a confirming or otherwise of the past Council’s acts. Ho would propose—That the Salary of the Town Clerk be LSO per annum and 10 per cent on Dog Tax.— Carried. Dayman and Inspector of Nuisances - It was generally considered that the money paid this office, 15s per week, was too high, the work attached to the latter office having nothing. Cr Clark thought the office of Inspector of Nuisances should ho held by a police officer. Cr Auckland understood that the head of the department objected. The question was ordered to stand over till next meeting, the Mayor in the meantime to ascertain if a member of the police department will be permitted to take the appointment. Bridge and Toll Collector—The Town Clerk read a letter from a person offering to undertake the duties at 20s per week. The Mayor said it was incumbent on the Council to exercise the greatest care in their expenditure. Ho did think the salary paid the present Toll Collector was too much, and as the Council hart an offer for considerably loss an alteration should ho made. Resolved—That the present Toll Collector ho given a month’s notice, and that applications be invited for the office, applicants to state salary required. The Town Clerk said that Messrs M‘Nally, Hustle aud party had given notice of

their intention to discontinue taking the water from the Town Race. Cr. Feraud said previous Councils had been greatly to blame for the very lax manner they had dealt with the Corporation water-rights. It was his intention, in so far as in him lay, and ho hoped he would.be supported by the rest of the Council, in putting them to a more profitable use than hitherto. At the present time both races weft) in a Very dilapidated state in some places, broken away in others, covered up with a large body of taillings, and the parties who had caused the damage should be made to repair it. He felt confident when the races Were put in repair there were plenty of people who would be Willing to permanently lease theft. Cr Cox thought it better to 801 l them as the first cost was only so much money lying idle. Cr Feraud Would most decidedly object to any of the water rights being sold, though in so doing he was opposing his own interests. In the course of a few years they must be had for Corporation water supply. Resolved—That the parties Who have caused damage to the Corporation water race be called upon to repair them, and that Mr F. J. Wilson be instructed to take t> L j necessary steps. Resolved—That Mr J. Holt be called upon to put a crossing over the water race at Mr George’s garden. The Public Works Committee were authorised to place crossings over the water channel opposite the Library and the Town Hall. On the motion, it was resolved—That at the special meeting of the Council to be convened for taking into consideration the letter from the Bank of New South Wales, the questions of municipal reserves, also of petitioning the Government for an endowment of land for the Borough, be considered. A vote of thanks to the chair concluded the meeting.