MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 218, 2 May 1873, Page 6

MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

A special meeting of the Municipal Council was held on Tuesday last. Present : Crs. Brown, Brookes, Wilson, de Lautour. and Busch. . In the absence of the Mayor, Cr. de Lautour occupied the chair. ~ The minutes of the last meeting* were read and confirmed. Six copies of the Municipal Ordinance, and Local Reyenue Ordinance were ordered. WEBBER AND PARTY'S APPLICATION. Cr. Brown proposed, and Or. Wilson seconded—"That the application of Webber and party be granted, subject to the condiS tions of their application, and the approval j of the Committee for G-eneral Purposes, and that that portion of the proposed race ad- | joining the main road be properly protected to the satisfaction of the said Committee." Carried. » [The Chairman then vacated the chair in favor of the. Mayor, who had come in during the discussion on the last motion.] FIRE BELL. The Town Clerk read correspondence from the late chairman Athenaeum Committee, acquainting Council that, by a vote of said Committee, the bell on the building was handed over to the Municipality, to be used as a fire-bell. The Town. Clerk was ordered to thank the Committee. VALUATORS. An application from Mr John M'Donald was read. Proposed by Cr. de Latttottr, and seconded by Cr Wilson Busch, and the Mayor negotiate with two gentleman as valuators. Salary not to exceed £lO. COMMONAGE. Proposed by Cr de Lautottr-—" That a Committee be appointed consisting of Cra Brookes, Busch, and the mover, to draw up a petition to the Government with regard to the provision of a Commonage for the Mount Ida district. That such Committee obtain evidence as to the locality in which it might be desirable to apply for such Commonage. That, if possible, it embrace a block of 2000 acres non-auriferous land, suited for an agricultural reserve. Also, if possible to obtain the co-operation of Hills Creek, Eough Ridge, St. Bathans, and Blacks. To report to the Council as early as possible." The mover pointed out the necessity for the Council taking some definite action in this -matter. They were aware that a petition had been got up, and probably forwarded to the Provincial Council on this subject; and the silence of the Council might either imply consent with, or indifference to, the ideas of | that petition. Unfortunately, the Council I possessed very little acquaintance with the | subject, and opinion outside was most conj flicting and contradictory. In his opinion there were three blocks only adapted for the purpose of a suitable commonage—one at the Taieri, on or about the Hogburn; one in the centre of the Maniototo Plain; and the other in the adjoining valley. There would be no doubt that, if it was finally decided to grant a commonage to the Mount Ida district not immediately contiguous to the town of Naseby, the runholders in the vicinity whose runs were not encroached upon, would agree not to interfere with the one or two cows of bona fide miners, and a numberinmilkto be fixed belonging to dairymen. Dry stock could then be driven to the common. The object the ; Council should set before it was, however, to fix on some locality; and the best course I would probably be to get information as to the requirements of the district. Cr. Brown thought that it was very desirable a commonage should be obtained. It/ was urged by many that it was a necessity to have it in the immediate neighborhood, because, when such a provision was in existence for the district stock, no doubt the runholders would enforce the Impounding Ordinance. He thought, however, that the idea of the mover was a good one, and that if an agreement'could be secured to that effect—enabling the miner or other resident to graze his own horse or milk cow undisturbed—and a good block of country secured, a great benefit would be gained. He would second the motion. ~

The Mayor said he remembered a Commonage Commission sitting in ISTaseby some years ago (the Cass, Wayne, Domett, and Strode Commission), and a block being laid off towards the mountain; but it fell through. He agreed with the Councillors that great difficulties were in the way, and, judging by

the Dunstan and other districts, dangers also. % s F a^ e some information should be obtained, as really they had nothing but hearsay to go on. It was not for him to consider what would suit him, nor was it for other Councillors to consider what would suit them—but what would suit the public.

The motion then passed unanimously,, the mover intimating that his idea was that a list of questions should be drawn up and circulated among those in the district likely to be able to give an opinion of. value. CLEANING- STREETS. Proposed by Cu. Brookes, seconded by Cr. Wilson—" That it is necessary the streets within the Municipality be cleaned, and that the Council authorise the hiring of the labor to do so." Referred to the Sanitary Committee. 1 NOTICES OF MOTION. ; Cr. Brown gave notice of motion for next meeting— . " That an open sewer be constructed, commencing at the back of the freehold property alongside Eoach's Gully." ' . , He pointed out that at present it was impossible for many to prevent the ordinary house drainage from flowing into the main street, and that if a sewer was provided, no hardship could ensue by making the residents conduct their drains into it.

The Mayor pointed out that there were difficulties in the way—a drain could not he taken along a line of street. But no doubt the matter would be freely discussed at the next meeting. Cr. Wilson gave notice of motion—r (1). "That, with a view to the development of the auriferous resources of this district, in ascertaining the existence or otherwise of deep leads, the Council accepts the offer made to the district, by the Government, of the boring-rods, now in possession of Mr M. S. Duffy, of Hyde. Delivery to be taken* provided they are complete and serviceable. (2). That the deposit, if necessary, of £2O, be taken from the Municipal funds,,, and lodged in the hands of the Provincial Treasurer. (3). That the Clerk be instructed to communicate with the Miners' Association, asking that body to take charge of, and use these boringrods, in such a manner as will, in the opinion of its members, be conducive to the development of our resources. (4). That, to assist the Miners' Association in the vigorous prosecution of this object, this Council agree to subsidise, at the rate of £2 to £l, to the extent of £IOO, all moneys raised locally for this purpose." He said this was a course the Council were almost pledged to— that it was to the interest of the whole district that this point should be set at rest. If deep leads were in existence, the Council could not do wrong in taking steps to develop them—rendering the district a second Ballarat or Bendigo. The meaning of the subsidy was that, if the Association raised £SO, the Council would give them £IOO towards the work.

Or. Btxsch gave notice of motion—"That a foot-bridge be erected across Roach's Gully, below Mr. Hewitt's sluiceboxes, and that the cross road be levelled." He said that at present residents must go round by the lower bridge to get across to the top of the town: Cr. Brookes gave notice of motion relative to d.ealing with the defective drainage at the brewery, and at Mr. Hall's cordial manufactory. VOTE OP CENSURE. A vote of censure was passed, unanimously condemning the Mayor"for his action in withholding a cheque duly passed for payment to Mr. W. L. Bailey. It was also decided that all cheques should in future be filled up by" the Town Clerk, and handed to the Mayor for counter signature only.