MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 217, 25 April 1873, Page 5

MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

A meeting of the Council was held on Tuesday afternoon last.' AH the Councillors were present. His Worship the Mayor presided. VALUATORS. Letters were read from Mr. E. C. Smith and Mr. J. Morrison, saying that the remuneration of £3 3s for the valuators was too little. It was proposed by Cr Wilson, seconded by Cr Busch, and carried, " That the remuneration be £4 4s, but that applications be called for the office, to be lodged with ttfe Town Clerk on Monday evening, the 28th inst." An amendment, by Cr Hore, that Messrs. Morrison and Smith be requested to act as valuators at the increased* remuneration of £4 45., lapsed for want of a seconder. THE HOMEWARD BOUND COMPANY A letter from Mr H B M'lntosh, on behalf of the Homeward Bound Company, was read, asking for permission to close the road leading by the school to the Presbyterian Church, and undertaking to form a road, as a substitute, by the Masonic Hall and round by the north side of the manse; after the ground is worked, undertaking to form the road on the bottom to the satisfaction of the Council. A motion was put and lostr-" That the matter be held over till the Council are in receipt of the map showing the roads and subdivisions." An amendment was carried—"That the concession asked for be granted, provided that the Homeward Bound party make the road good to the satisfaction of the Committee for Public Purposes, and also keep open the commtmications as required by the same Committee: provided that the road as made good should be at the same level as at present, and that a deposit be made, or bond entered into for the sum of £SO. The road to be handed back within six months from date of bond." THE ACTING TOWN CLERK. A letter from Mr W L Bailey was read, regretting that he had been compelled to issue aj3ummons against the Corporation, in consequence of the Mayor having retained his cheque for £lO 10s, as passed by the Council. ■ The Mayor intimated that the money would be paid into Court, and any expenses incurred would hot be brought before the Council. A few remarks were made that the cheque should have been paid at once through the Town Clerk. - The Mayor said that in future all accounts would be thus dealt with, and the matter was allowed to drop. 0 COUNCIL CHAMBERS. The report of. Crs Wilson and Brookes was read, relative to the purchase of the \ Temperance Hall. A proposal from the Managers was laid before the Council, offering the building and furniture for £72. After discussion, it was agreed that the Town Clerk be instructed to write to the Managers, thanking them for their offer, and intimating that, if an immediate, decision was required, the Council must decline to purchase; but it was possible that, when their plans were more fully matured, the purchase , of the building might again be considered. A proposition was made by Cr Wilson, and seconded by Cr Hore—"That this Council is of opinion that a suitable Town Hall should be erected at the expense of the Municipality, which not only woxild be an ornament, but at the same time would be a source of considerable income to the town, at a cost not exceeding'£soo: That Crs Hore,' Busch, and Brookes be authorised to report at next ordinary meeting of the Council on the best site for such a building, and the probable cost of erection and ground-." The mover pointed out that if an expenditure of £IOO was only undertaken, it would be just that amount thrown away, as it could not possibly be reproductive. On the other hand, by adding £3OO or £4OO to it, a rental would be obtainable from local sources of from £4O to £SO per annum, which would more than pay the interest on the loan necessary for the purpose, which could be gradually repaid by a sinking fund. His Worship the Mayor quite agreed with the idea of the mover, but saw no reason to purchase ground for a site. Cr Brown spoke against the motion. He thought that if money was borrowed, it should be spent on the. roads and on improvements,, not thrown away on a building. Cr de Latjtour pointed out that money could not easily be borrowed on road improvement, because no security could be given, whereas a building was always its own security. By such a plan too the revenue would be entirely free for expenditure on roads. . Cr Brookes was in favor of the motion, and thought that the building should be centrally , situated. Cr BtrsCH supported the motion, which he said was only one of enquiry—it did not bind the Council to any course. The Mayor put the motion, which was carried, five voting for, and one against. COMMONAGE. A petition was receiyed from Mr Patrick Bleach and others in reference to a commonage for Naseby, asking the Council to forward it (virtually to adopt it) to its destination. It was agreed that the Town Clerk be instructed to return the petition, recommending the petitioners to forward it to one of the members for the district in the Provincial Council, intimating also that the Council had - the matter of commonage under independent consideration. INSPECTOR OF NUISANCES. A letter was read from Sergeant M'Clus-

key, .refusing to recommend any one of the police stationed at Naseby for the office of Inspector of Nuisances, at such a low rate of pay. The matter was ordered to stand over. SPECIAL MEETING: Cr de Lautour said he wished to draw the attention of the Council to the near approach of the meeting in Dunedin of the Provincial Council, and suggested that a special meeting should be called to consider what business should be brought before it: A meeting was ordered to be called for Tuesday next, at 2 p.m.