MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 90, 4 August 1876, Page 2

MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Council was held at the Council Chamber last evening. Present: His Worship the Mayor, Councillors Galbraith, Bee, Booth, Headland, Mainland, Morton, Grave, and Scott. MINUTES. The minutes of the previous general meeting and a special meeting were read and confirmed. THE NEW MAYOR.

His Worship said that before proceeding with the ordinary routine business of the Council he had a few remarks to make on the occasion of his taking the position of Chairman of the meetings for conducting the business of the town. He would make his remarks as short as possible. There were a few subjects on which he wished to make a few remarks. The first was the Waterworks Scheme. He hoped they would endeavour to push things on as rapidly as possible, without imperilling the the work, as now was a first-rate time to obtain money in the London market. Capital was being invested at Home as low as two per cent., not that he thought the Council could borrow, at that rate, but still, for that reason, it would be better that they should push on with the scheme with promptness. He then alluded to the price of gas, and stated that there was a general feeling in town that the price could be reduced. He understood, when the gas works were first started, that there was no intention on the part of the Council to make a profit out of the gas, but merely to provide for interest and sinking fund, and that when a reduction could be made, it would be. He questioned very much whether the time had not now arrived to make that reduction. He had received letters from large consumers, stating that if the price was not reduced, they would revert to kerosene. He noticed that the Council had taken action towards bridging over the lagoon, from Tyne to Humberstreets. He might state, as a member of another Board, that the matter had not yet come up before the Harbour Board, but no doubt when it did, they would work together to get the bridge made. Referring to the county boundaries, he considered that Oamaru had a direct interest to consider what should be the boundaries of the Waitaki district boundaries as it was the county town. He would suggest, as there was to be a public meeting on Monday night, that they should consider the matter at the present meeting. His Worship then alluded to the tramway scheme, and pointed out that, it had been favourably received in other large cities in the Colony. In conclusion, the Mayor stated that he had the pleasure of meeting all the gentlemen who were then present as councillors on other public bodies. He hoped they would work well and unitedly together for the benefit of the town. (Applause.) CORRESPONDENCE.

The outward correspondence was read and approved of. MB. GRAVE'S TENDER FOR COAL.

His Worship pointed out that the contract with Mr. E.,Grave did not state when the contract dated from. Councillor Headland moved, and Councillor Galbraith seconded, a resolution, " That the first 100 tons of coal under Mr. E. Grave's contract be delivered within six weeks from date."

Councillor Mainland begged to state that the consumption of coal at the works at the present time was one ton per day. They had now only forty-nine tons of coal in the retort-house, so that Councillors would see that the first 100 tons must be delivered before sixty days. He begged to move "that the first supply be delivered within five weeks." Seconded by Councillor Morton.

Councillor Scott did not see -why one Councillor should get up and dictate to the Council -when the supply should begin. He did not believe in that style of doing business. If the contractor could not supply the coal, let the Council get the coal, and charge the contractor with the cost of it. Perhaps Councillor Grave thought that he was the only shipowner in the Council. (Laughter.)" He hoped that the waste of time which had just come under his Worship's notice would not occur again. (Laughter.) Councillor Headland's motion was put and carried.

Councillor Booth begged to move, if he was not out of order, that the reading of the agreement with E. Grave for a supply of coal be referred to the Gas Committee, as there was a lot of business to come before the Council, and it would take them till morning to get through it. Councillor Scott : I object to this. Let the agreement be read. The Town Clerk then read the terms of the contract, and the matter dropped. TEES-STREET.

Mr. W. Haze, sen., wrote, asking when the Council would fill in the footpath adjoining his property in Tees-street. It was resolved that the Council should fill in the footpath.

TRANSFER OF LEASE. Mr. Shaw was accorded -permission to'i transfer the lease of Municipal section 10 Block LI., to Mr. John Walker. 1 ALN- STREET NORTH. A petition was read from certain rate, payers, asking that a roadway be formed from Ouse-street to Aln-street. Referred to Public Works Committee to report upon. PERMISSIONS WANTED. The Rev. Mr. Todd was granted perm is. sion to make a crossing to the Presbyterian Manse, in Eden-street. Messrs. Reed and Procter were petmitted to form crossings to their proper, ties. All the crossings to be shingled, under supervision of Town Surveyor. FILLING IN SECTION. Sir. R. Young wrote, asking that some earth he had deposited on the footpaft near his premises, should be allowed to | there for a short time. Referred to Works Committee. THE GAS engineer's HOUSE. Mi*. O'Meagher applied to lease the house built for the Gas Engineer, and nou vacant by Mr. Courtis's resignation througi ill health. The letter was ordered to lie on the table till the Gas Committee's report had been received. STREET TRAMWAYS.

Messrs. J. and T. Meek and Messrs, Hay and Barr wrote asking that the Council would take into consideration the proposal made by themselves and others, offering to construct at their expense a tramway to connect Severn-street with the Oamaru and Moeraki Railway, at or neat the siding opposite Messrs. Lses and Moore's.

A long and animated discussion followed on this application. The Mayor pointed out that the Council could not grant any one permission to cross a street with a tramway without a special Act o! Parliament.

The following resolution, proposed by Councillor Grave, and seconded by Councillor Galbraith, was carried-. "That the Engineer be asked to report on the scheme for street tramways, at a special meeting of the Council to be held on Tuesday next, to discuss the question of tramways, at which the Solicitor should attend and give his opinion as to whether the Council have power o# not to take tramways over reserves and streets." On the motion of Councillor Headland, seconded by Councillor Mainland, it was resolved- —''That the Minister of Public Works be asked if it will be necessary to bring in a Bill to enable the Corporation to construct or give permission to construct tramways along streets and municipal reserves, and if it is necessary, a Bill be drawn up, giving the Council those powers, the Bill to be submitted at the next meeting of the Council, for its approval." new building. Mr. F. Earle wrote asking permission to erect additions to his business premises in Thames-street. Granted subject to th,«" specifications be ing approved by the Engineer. DUNEDIN MAYORAL ELECTION. [The Mayor here read a telegr|| wfteh had been handed to him byS\ - representative of the EraiNtdeu, j announcing the result of th(^ e > %\edin Mayoral Election, \vluct placed" "Mr.* Reeves at the head of the poll.] bee's CORNER.

Councillor Mainland presented the following petition regarding this comer " Oamaru, July 17, 1876. " To His Worship the Mayor and Towi Council of Oamaru. {

" Gentlemen, —We, the undersigne® ratepayers in the Town of Oamaru, beg u draw your attention to the dangerous ani inconvenient state of the comer of Itchei and Tyne-streets, in consequence of tit railway having reduced the width by nearly one-half. "We trust you will see your way to take early steps to widen the street at this point, so as to give it its original width (I one chain, which, considering the heavy traffic to the Beach, Railway Station, &t> we think will be allowed to be quite little enough. " We remain, &c.," [Here follow the signatures.] Councillor Grave moved "That a special committee, consisting of Councillors Mainland, Booth, and the mover, be appointed to take steps to ascertain from the landlord and lessee, the amount they would accept as compensation for the widening of the street at Bee's corner, and to report at the special meeting to be held on Tuesday next." Messrs. Spence and Bee wrote, asking for permission to make certain alteration! on their premises, at the corner of Tjn* and Itchen-streets. The letter was ordered to lie on the table till the next ordinary meeting of the Council.

COMMITTEES. The following were the Councillors pointed to serve on the different tees for the year :—Public Works, Bfr serves, and Tramways Committees : Councillors Morton, Scott, Bee, Mainland (Convener). Finance : Councillors Boot' (Convener), Headland, Galbraith, ® n Grave. Public Health : Council! o1 * Booth (Convener), Bee, Headland, ® Scott. Gasworks : Councillors Mort<® (Convener), Headland, Mainland, Grave. Waterworks Committee :. j whole Council to form this Coronutt®®' three to form a quorum ; the Mayor to ere officio chairman of all the Committee 3 ;

THE MAYOR'S HpNORARIUM. . Councillor Mainland here took the chaUi and a discussion took place as to the hon<>j rarium for the Mayor. It was resold that the sum of £l5O should be granted. 'On returning to the Council Chainibe i the Mayor thanked the Council for amount voted.

*' I -.vfURBKS. n ,vu resotwd than the Auditors re* [ ~'mibry of jfl® meh: tlw Assess.*, ft?' flu- Town Clerk. £3*MN without w»v- ---■ i'mi") ' W'stant C't«rk, tn>[;'oe* iiits l '"'-y : t. ;„£ >uisan<-*>», Uf'-KMit-VKKH'" i;,KF<>|t,T.

>rhi» pcpoet wim ,'uswou.k* m-wwrrriss * *CT*>:vr. L, f Committee fiave to r«?|w»vt "tv tho \,r* wfcrrwt to them, viz. —lst. £L management of the fia»work» ; i I 'Hu" purchase of t*rey fttver Coal 11 Mr. -h'-llVey* tor present }'id the proposed alterations in the tamp I" I ,' Your Committee waited upon Mr, ri ; rtif , with reference to obtaining hm .i,a oft the tir»t subject, and trow he 'formation obtained from htm, and the that we have made, we are L'jhnon Ant for the present no appoint„f Resident Engineer for the t»aa- " kjlß h„ul«t fee made, but that the works i],l Ik; carried on in the meantime Ur f'» ! d,;u vi the .p"' swn - ffj It it consultingExigmeer be appointed at •ulnry of ,£SO per annum, ami we trunk ht with such professional assistance, the i'.rks will be conduct** in a satisfactory

'"■J, The purchase of i !-rey River coat for wiuiremenfs froto Mr. Jeffreys ias uittHc by us at W». per ton. ■j Tho proposed alteration* m the lamps rt | oouwtared expedient to kave in the H iul» of the Engineer. . .1, Voiu' CoßMuvttctt would reCwtiHtiettd bo made to the ftovernimit tot level crossing on railway fine m ttuTuber-street, south of ratfway iittintr, ii» it is desirable to have ,r tlii! convenience oi appcoacft to the TVi'iu' Committee further recommend wttliu cottage on Oivsworks property be ,t fur it period of three months. (t was reyotved that paragraphs 2, 3, id <t of thu report be adopted, and that [r, Courtis be appointed Consulting Eniiuior nt the salary named, tt was decided tlxat the cottage on the ufforks property bo advertised for tease ;|mr month ; three months' notice to be von (>U- either side to terminate the mmoy.

Accords. SViVHVaI accontits were passed. JOSSKmaW HtJMBKR-S'rßßßt AJff> TT>*ES'l'HEtSt. Cmmciltor CJravr moved, and Councitr (r.vDiutAfttt seconded, a rcaolationi, 'Flint us soon as the Engineers report is coivml on the probable t><>s»t oj bwitding u bridge, steps be taken to ascertain urn the Harbour Board if they will Join o b'mincU irv the creek from timbt'Mtreefc to Tyne-street.."'—Carried. notices OF jumojf. By Councillor HEAPt,.vst/, '• That it is IvisuMe this CTouncit tak'j steps for boriwinif EtOO.OOO in the London market, id that the advertisement caltinjf for infers- for debetitores for the sum of ',,"011 bo withdrawn." By t'ounciltor ""That, the liiwing footpaths be gravelled ; ; Itchen.jfli (simth side) from" its junction with Lti-ruet to iSevem-street; Wharf-street, mi its junction with Itchen-street to wmhitck'street, on both sides/' By Councillor f£icAPC.ASt\ " That the irveyor btr in.stntcted to prepare ptans .(I specifications for bringing t*re-street its ''permanent tevet,. from Wansbwfefeist to the show ground." By Councillor I'-kk, " That the Manar of the (las \V«rks lay upon the table approximate statement of the cost of wincing gas (per £,otW> cttbie feet), and 14 the Council take into consideration, ififtt its next meeting, a reduction in the ICO of g!IM."

r.ATG £tf>f RS. Tim married members of the Cooncil, iro wist anxious gtances at the clock, liiclv registered the- solemn hour of midglit. 'the Council then adjourned till liwsduy evening at 7. £">.