MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 42, 9 June 1876, Page 2

MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Council was held last evening. Present : His Worship the Mayor, Councillors Falconer, Mainland, Grave, Morton, and Headland. MINUTES. The minutes of tlie previous meeting were read and confirmed. OCTWAKI) COItKESPOXnEXCE. The outward correspondence was read and approved. WAIAKEKA IIELIEF FUND. A letter was read from the Manager of the Queen's Star Variety Troupe asking for the Council's patronage at an entertainment to be given at the Masonic Hall this evening, in aid of the fund. Councillor Grave : Are we to go in a body, headed by the Mayor. Councillor Headland : I propose that we do not give our patronage. Councillor Gkave : Don't let us reply in such a harsh way as that. Let us receive the letter. I don't see it would do any harm to give our patronage. Councillor Falconer : If the Company is a creditable one, the object of the perfoiinance is quite sufficient to draw* a house without our patronage.

Councillor Gkave : I think if the Waia-i-eka Relief Committee see fit to give their patronage there is no harm in this Council doing so.

It -was eventually TesolVed, "That Mr. Goold be. informed that this Council, while sympatliising with the object of the entertainment, does not see its way to granting the request." APPLICATION TO OPEN FOOTPATH. Mr. Ogilvie asked for permission to open a footpath to lay on gas to a lamp near the Commercial Hotel. The application was granted under the usual conditions, viz., that the work be done subject to the approval of the Town Surveyor. ERECTION OF A BOILER. Mr. N. Lane requested permission to erect a boiler on his premises at the corner of Thames and Coquet-street.—Granted. LEASE TRANSFER. Mr. "W. Gai'donar applied for permission to transfer his lease of Municipal section 8, block XXX., to Mr. Robert Vallance. Permission was granted, provided all arrears of rent be paid. APPLICATION FOR RIGHT-OF-WAYS. Messrs. Filleul and Craig applied for permission to make right of ways to their respective premises in Huniber and Tees streets.

The requests were acceded to, provided they were carried out under the directions of the Town Surveyor. BLASTING. Applications from Messrs. James "White and F. King to blast powder in wellsinking were granted, provided every necessary precaution was taken. ■ NIGHTMAN'S LfCENSE. Mr. Michael Sheehan's application for a nightman's license was granted. LEASE. Mr. James L. M'Queen applied for twenty-one years' lease of Municipal section 10, block LXXXL, at an'upset price of £2 Bs. par annum. It was resolved that the application of Mr. M'Queen .lie on the. table, and that the Mayor be requested to ascertain from the Government their intentions regarding the section in question. BREACH OF THE BUILDING REGULATIONS. Messrs. Grave and Johnston, the owner and architect respectively of the iron building erected in Thames-street, wrote explaining matters regarding the building under notice. The letters went to show that the iron building was only a temporary one, and. would be removed in six months.

Councillor Headlajjd : I think the case will be met if Mr. Grave will undertake to move the building •in six months, seeing that the mistake occurred in the specifications not being submitted to the Council. If he will undertake do this, I would move that the matter fie in abeyance for six months. Councillor Falconer : I am prepared to agree to this if Mr. Grave will put his undertaking in a definite form. Councillor Grave : Of course I will. Councillor Falconer : I don'tythink Mr..Grave's explanation quite satisfactory ._ I should like to know why the Inspector of Nuisances has not taken action in the matter. It is now a fortnight since he first received instructions. If this is the treatment we are to receive from our officers, I think some action should be taken in the matter.

The >Mayor : I must say I think it rather hard that people having buildings near this one should be compelled to pay a heavy additional insurance rate through the erection of a tempoi'aiy building, when a fe .=.' extra pounds would have built a permanent one. It must have a prejudicial effect on the insurance agents, and increase the rate of premium on the building next to it.

Councillor Grave : It has no prejucial effect. The insurance office has agreed to take the risk on Messrs. Brown and Co.'s goods at the same rate as other buildings, providing I take the iron biiilding down in six months. Councillor Falconer : If the tenant of the said building and the Insiu'ance Company have agreed to take the insurance at the same risk, I think Mr. Grave must have made some agreement with the Insurance Company. Councillor Grave : I have done nothing of the sort. Mr. Clowes has agreed to take the risk, and Mr. Brown has informed me that the temporary building was no injury to his premises. It was tlxen proposed by Councillor Headland, and seconded by Councillor Mainland —" That Mr. James Grave be called upon to remove the iron building, lately erected by him, witliin six months from date, and that upon his agreeing so to do, this Council agrees to let the matter lie in obeyance -Jill then. —Carried. VERANDAH. Mr. Johnson applied for permission to erect a verandah in front of the premises occupied by Messrs. J. K. Brown and Co., Thames-street, as per plan submitted ; also to lay clown concrete on the footpath opposite the same premises. It was proposed by Councillor Mainland, and seconded by Coimcillor Morton, —" That Mr. Johnston's letter lie on the table till next meeting, and that the Public Works Committee, in conjunction with the Town Surveyor, report on the matter in the meantime. SHRPISKI AND MOSS'S PREinSES.

Plans of the premises to be erected for Messrs.- Shrimski and Moss were submitted •and permission was granted to build, subject to the supervision of the Town Surveyor. lawyers' letter. Messrs. Hislop and Creagh wrote to the Council with reference to a dispute between their client, Mr. Johnston, and the late Town Surveyor, regarding some measurement in a Corporation contract. The letter was ordered to lie on the table. PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE. The report of this Committee was read:— " Your Committee recommend that Mr. M'Leod's report re stone or concrete sewer for Wansbeck-street be adopted,

and that the same be constructed afte thSkiew debentures are issued; and would that' the sewer> be continued through the shingle bank below high-water mark, by a strong wooden box. "Your Committee hope to report on Mi'. Clement's letter at next ordinary meeting of Council." The report, on the motion of Councillor Grave, seconded by Councillor Morton, was adopted. GASWORKS COMMITTEE. This Committee submitted two reports, the second having reference to the iron lampposts. Both reports were adopted. THE TOWN SURVEYOR'S REPORTS. It was resolved to consider these reports in Committee after the other business of the Council was concluded. It was also decided to call for tenders for the work specified in the reports. INSURANCE. It was proposed by Councillor Mainland, and seconded by Councillor Falconer, "-That the insurance on the Council Chambers, and furniture therein, be increased to £SOO ; and that the Manager's cottage at the Gasworks.be insured for £4oo."—Carried. ACCOUNTS. Several accounts were passed for payment. COMMITTEE. The Council then Avent into Committee, when representees of the Press withdrew.