CROMWELL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 839, 17 May 1878, Page 3

CROMWELL.

(Communicated.) Does the Cromwell bridge Belong to the County exclusively, or part to the County 'and part to the Borough ? The sooner the question is settled the better—a valuable piece of property' costing the Government ’over L 20.000 and no one to look after it. My impression is it was a very great mistake in allowing the Corporation of Cromwell to lay its water pipes on the end of its road-way beams, for it must be patent to any close observer that the leaky state of the pipes must assist in rotting the timbers.

While on the question of Bridges 1 see your Councillor Auckland in going in for a low rate, adduced the argument that there was no necessity for a large one as the Bridge was taken off their hands. Is it possible the Bridge was a White Elephant. 1 hear further enquiries are being made for land in the Clutha Valley. It is an established fact that the Wakatip and Wauaka districts, from their dry climates, produce the best wheat of any part of Otago, and they are capable of sustaining a larger population now that the Land is being thrown open in quantities that will enable a person to combine raising Stock with Faeming. Mr Pyke remarked some years ago he would not desire a greater punishment for an enemy than to place him on a 50-aero farm on the Gold-tields with an ever shifting population. 1 think he must have been studying supply and demand.

A meeting of the Town Council was held, on Friday last the 10th inst. Present— Captain Brown, Mayor, and'Crs. Goodger, Behrens, Arndt, M'Nulty, Scott and Burres. The Town Clerk, Charles Colelough, Esq., announced that the meeting had been called an hour earlier to invite the occupants of Section 1, Block XXXII to attend. The Mayor said that as he was an interested party he would suggest some one else take the Chair. Councillor ArnHt was then voted to the Chair, and said if they are ready let them come in.

The Town Clerk said that as he was interested he should he relieved from taking the minutes, and that the meeting should be strictly private. Proposed by Cr. Burres—That the Council go into Committee which was duly carried.

Cr. Scott moved the business bo .proceeded with.

Charles Colclough, E«q., on helialf of the Tenants would go into the matter if it was private. Mr Arndt, as Chairman, suggested that the public should retire. Mr Mac Kellar protested, and urged that the public be allowed to remain. Mr. Arndt desired the public to retire, who did so excepting Mr Maish. Mr Colclough, as the representative of the Tenants, objected to go on with the business except it was strictly private ; Mr Marsh obstinately refused to leave, and remarked that the Chairman should know what course to pursue, and had better get him removed, for he would not leave except force was used. Mr Arndt "then declared the meeting adjourned till Monday next at 7 p.m.

It is just as well for the British public ■to understand the pros and cons of this -question, and also to know why the dealing with so valuable a public reserve is sought to be accomplished with closed doors -C. Colclough, Esq., Town Clerk, the representative of the Tenants, occupies, say 30 feet, rent free ; Cr. G. W. Goodger, say 45 feet ; ‘Captain Brown, Mayor, say 25 feet ; Cr. K; Behrens occupies the street, of course rent ‘free ; Jr. M'Nulty, ditto; ami Cr. Arndt •occupies the Bridge reserve, ditto. The position of affairs is simply this—these gentlemen have had the use and occupation of these reserves, free (the property of the people of Cromwell) and they now wish to get the Fee Simple for themselves. 1 do not say for one moment that any abuse -of their power would take place, but this I do say, it leaves an opening for abuse. For instance, if the District Land Officer and his Court, or the Waste Land Board were allowed to deal with the Public Estate as they pleased, and used the power they may have of excluding the public, and applied for a particular piece of land themselves of considerable value, I say if their intentions were honorable what possible objections could there bo for the public listening to what was going on ; if otherwise, then 1 say the more of the public there could be the better—your correspondent ’3 no doubt looked upon as an obstructionist, 1 hope he may always Continue to obstruct that wdiich ij wrong.

An adjourned meeting of the Town Council was held on Monday, the ISth ■instant. Present—Crs Scott, Burres, Behrens, M‘Nulty, Goodger, and Arndt. The Mayor did not come in till late, 7.-40, although the meeting was adjourned to 7 p in. About twenty citizens attended. Or Arndt (in the chair) opened the meeting by saying it Was an adjourned one of Committee, and requested the public to retire as it must be private.

Cr Scott did not want any secrecy hut wished the proceeding to be opened to the public.

The Chairman (Cr Arndt) said if the •citizens wished to atop he had no wish for them to retire. Cr Goodger said if the Council were a body they had a right to exclude the public.

Cr Burros sail he was certain that they ■could go into Committee, and he did not see why they should not. The County Councils did so, and Parliament did so. The public could hear all about it afterwards .

Mr Brown (Mayor) Sail it appeared to him the citizens had no confidence in the ■Council on an important question, and he supported Cr Burres. He assured the people they would shew their confidence in the "Council by leaving the mom. Cr Arndt hoped the public would withdraw.

Mr MacKellar asked if they were in 'Committee, if so he would leave. The public then left with the exception of the tenants, viz., Mr Colclongh (Town Clerk). Mr Brown (Mayor), Mr Goodger (Councillor), Mr Murrell, Mr Marshall, and the Council.

After an dionr and a half the citizens insisted on being admitted, when Or Arndt fChair) declared the Committee dissolved, and the Mayor took the Chair, when the following recommendation was read—That this Committee recommend that section 1 block XXVII bo sold with valuations, and the proceeds to go to the Borough fund. Cr Scott suggested that the amendment be read, ns follows- That this Council confirm the terms and conditions entered into by a previous Council with the tenants on section 1 block XXVII ; also we further promise, that wo will give them a proper lease as already agreed whenever we are in possession of Crown grants.

Proposed hy Cr Arndt, seconded by Cr Scott, That the report ho not adopted. Proposed by Cr Goodger, seconded by Cr M'Nulty, That the report be adopted.

Cr So it nsku 1 the Chairman to take a note of tliis proposition, as it had been made by ft tenant.

The Mayor instructed tho Town Clerk to m ike a note of it Cr Barren wished to know if it was not necessary to send it to the Waste Land Board.

The Mayor said it should go as a matter of consequence, but it he wished to make a a motion it would simplify the matter, and Cr Burres proposed accordingly. Cr Arndt moved, as an amendment, That tho ratepayers be first consulted. Cr Goodger said when a thing was done it could not be undone, and wished the matter to drop. Cr Scott seconded Cr Arndt's suggestion that the ratepayers be first consulted, and if they were wrong he would willingly submit,

Cr Goodger: When you are licked you do not know it. The Town Clerk: Shall I read the amendment.

The Mayor: It is not an amendment. The shew of hands in favor of Cr Bnrrcs’ proposition was—Goodger, M'Nulty, Burres and Behrens. Tho Mayor declared it carried.

It was afterwards ruled that Cr Arndt's was an amendment, with the following result, for the amendment, Crs Arndt, Scott, and Behrens; for tho motion, Crs Burres, Goodger, andM'Nulty. The Mayor decided it being a tie it should go to the ratepayers before final decision.

Proposed by Cr Goodger, seconded by Cr M'Nulty, That Melmore-strcet be narrowed to a uniform width of tlfty-seven feet from bridge, and that a special meeting he held on Thursday first to consider same.—Carried.