MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 327, 11 May 1877, Page 2

MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Cauncil was held last evening at the Council Chambers. There were present —His Worship the Mayor, Councillor* Gibbs, Headland, and Mainland. MINUTES. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. OUTWARD CORRESPONDENCE. The outward correspondence was read and approved. VOTE OF THANKS. The Clerk was instructed to write to the Hon. Mathew Holmes, conveying the thanks of the Council for his present of a quantity of pine seed. A VERANDAH. An application was made by Mr. John Lemon, on behalf of Messrs. Hood and Shennan, for permission to erect a verandah in front of their premises. Permission was granted, subject to the work being done under the supervision of the Engineer. AN >. APPLICATION. Mr. John Hardy, on behalf of Ah Chee, applied for a lease for a term of ten years of the land on the north side of the railway line, known as the Acclimatisation Society's Reserve. The letter was referred to the Reserves Committee. BUILDING APPLICATION. An application from Mr. Harris for permission to erect an addition to his premises on section 2, block V., was granted, subject to the approval of the Engineer. NIGHTMAN. The application of Mr. Robert Keenan for permission to act as a nightman was granted. SALE OF SECTION 5, BLOCK XXV. A letter was read from Mr. T. W. Hislop in reference to an application made by him, on behalf of a client, to purchase section 5, block XXV., and stating that should the application interfere with any public object which the Corporation have in view it would be withdrawn. A letter was also read front the Commissioner of Crown Lands, asking if the Council had any objection to the sale of the piece of land mentioned by Mr. Hislop. It was resolved, " That Mr. Hislop's letter be acknowledged, that he be thanked for his suggestions, and that he be informed that it is probable the section referred to (No. 5, block XXV.) may be required for Government purposes, but in the event of its not being so required, the Council would not object to the section being added to the Mechanics' Institute endowment.'' PERMISSION WANTED. Mr. Richard Bennett asked for permission to deposit some clay on Avon-street, opposite section 1, block XXXIII. Permission granted, subject to the approval of the Engineer. FINANCIAL. The Clerk read the following balancesheet for the quarter ending 31st March, 1877 : Dr. £ s- dTo Rates 83 11 0 „ Rents - 502 10 0 „ Licenses, poundage, weighbridge and transfer fees, and bye-law penalties ... 240 2 10 „ Kerbing 100 10 0 ~ Gas rates, &c. 463 14 7 „ Overdraft National Bank ... BSO9 1 7 £9999 18 0 Cr. £ 8. d. By Balance from December 31, 1876 6281 18 9 „ Sinking fund 300 0 0 ! „ Salaried 291 9 7 „ Lighting lamps and offices for six months 90 2 4 „ Valuation Roll 51 5 0 „ Mayor's honorarium 75 0 0 „ Interest debentures 175 0 0 „ Water supply expenses ... 312 14 8 „ Gas supply ••• 571 15 9 „ Contracts 1130 14 2 ~ Exoenditure under "Health Act" 10 0 0 „ Ordinary expenses 172 1 4 „ Day labour 283 8 0 „ Bank interest 254 9 0 £9999 18 0 E. W. Roxby, Town Clerk. We hereby certify that we have examined the above balance-sheet with the accounts, vouchers, and bank-book, and found the same correct. J. Church, Stanley Martin, Municipal Auditors. May 9, 1877.

STRONG-ROOM. The tenders in connection with the construction of a strong-room were then opened. For the mason's work tl i 0 following tenders were received :~-Watson and King, L 36 ; Hamilton and' 'Curry, L 27 17s. ; John M'Combe, L2O ; John Barclay, L 55 Bs.; Ritchie Young, L 33 ; Barclay and King, L 45 ; Robert Giblin,, L4O. Only two tenders were received for the supply of iron doors, viz.: JacK, Steele, and Hendry, L 46 17s. ; M'Nab and Aimers, L 39 12s. 6d. It was resolved to accept M'Nab and Aimers' tender for the door, and that of John M'Combe for the mason's work, and in the event of his not taking up his tender, that of Messrs. Hamilton and Curry to be accepted. RESERVES COMMITTEE'S RETORT. The report of the Reserves Committee was read, but is of too lengthy a nature for us to publish in full. The first portion of the report dealt with the proposal to form a road through the Cape Reserve. After stating particulars in connection with the proposed road, the following recommendation was given by the Committpe : " Messrs. Lees and Moore intimate their willingness to consider a proposal which would involve a contribution on their part towards the expense of forming the road, and to join in any necessary application to the Road Board. Your Committee therefore recommend that the Engineer be requested to put himself in communication with the Kakanui Road Board on the subject, and to make a rough survey of the most practicable route, together with estimate of cost, with a view to mutual arrangements, if possible, as between the Council, the Road Board, and the lessees, for the opening of such road. In the event of this being carried out, and the road opened to the public, your Committee see no objection to a right of road being given across the Municipal Reserve, in connection with the road to the beach." The next portion of the report recommended that the lessee of the reserve adjoining Messrs. Lees and Moore's property should bo called upon to fence the reserve. The following are the concluding portions of the report : Proposed Public Baths. " Your Committee have inspected the site asked for in Mr. Hardy's letter of April 2Gth, and have also consulted the Engineer on the subject. Your Committee find that greater safety would bo secured by erecting the Baths on the Esplanade, and while of opinion that the Esplanade should be conserved as muoh as possnVe, yet, in view of the great public advantage of the town being provided with facilities for bathing, recommend— " 1. That permission be given to occupy an area not exceeding one chain in width, on the north side of Weir-street, and three chains in length, measuring west and north respectively from the southeast corner peg of the area at present pegged off. This will give ■auxjlm. space for tiie baths and buildings proposed. " 2. That au agreement for lease bo prepared at the sole cost of the Baths Company, providing, among other matters— " (a.) For the resumption of the ground, in whole or in part, by the Ccr •- poration at any time, upon six months' notice, the Corporation to pay in such event to the Baths Company valuation for any improvements which have been, with the approval of the Corporation, effected during the lease. " (b.) All the works now or hereafter carried out to be subject to the approval of the Corporation. " (c.) No sub-lease to be given by the Company to any person or company, without the Council's consent. " (d.) Any tariff of prices for use of Baths to be subject to the approval of the Council. " (c.) In the event of the works proving a failure, or there being abandoned before completion, the ground, and everything erected thereon, to revorfc to the Council, without compensation." Proposed Exchange of Gaol Site and Police Paddock. " Your Committee and inspected the following locairaos, viz. : " 1. The Hump Site. "2. Reserve at head of Parson's Gully. " 3. Market Reserve. " They report that about one acre of ground would be the available area at the site first mentioned, being an equal area with the Market Reserve, the latter consisting of Sections G, 7, 8, and 9, Block XXV. At the locality secondly mentioned, viz., Reserve at head of Parson's Gully, any area from one to three acres could be given. " As regards the question generally, they are of opinion that it is highly desirable in the public interest that the Gaol should be removed from its present site, and that that portion of the Block lying north of the Courthouse Section and School Reserve should be secured to the town for building sites. "As regards the land to be offered to the Government, in exchange, they are of opinion : " 1. That it is not desirable to place the Gaol in so prominent a positiqn as tljo Hump Site, as it would, if erected hero, be a conspicuous feature from nearly all parts of the town. This site would do very well for a Police Station and temporary Lockup, though, if separate localities are chosen for the Gaol and Police Station, it would obviously be mor<> convenient that the latter should **"w- remain

npon or near its present site, or in some equally central position. "2. As regards the Reserve at the head parson's Gully, your Committee consider that it would d,o admirably for a gaol site, jnd tney believe that this site was recommended by the local police authorities at the time the present gaol was built, and fas not adopted only on the ground of jjpease. "3. As regards the Market Reserve, your Committee are of opinion that, provided the gaol, police-station, and temporary luck-up are all erected on one block of ground, and contiguous to each other, this would be a most suitable site, as being near the Court-house, and at the same time removed from the principal arteries of traffic. "They, therefore, in view of all the foregoing circumstances recommend that the Government be asked to take the necessary steps to take effect an exchange, iccepting such area as may be deemed necessary for the gaol and gaol yards on the reserve at the head of Parson's Gully, and retaining a sufficient area for temporary lock-up and police quarters adjacent to the Court-Louse ; or, if the Government prefer to have all the buildings erected on adjacent sites, that they be in this case asked to accept the Market Reserve for such purposes. In either case, the remainder of the frontage to Thames md Severn Streets comprised in the jresent gaol site and police paddock to ie conveyed to the Corporation ; and n consideration of such exchange, the Corporation to undertake the erection of i new gaol, and such other buildings as nay be necessary, at a cost not exceeding [SOOO. In view of the possibility of the Government electing to accept the Market Reserve, your Committee further reconinend that application be made to the SV'aste Lands Board to reserve section 5, ilock XXV., from sale, so that the Gorernment may add this to the area prowsed to be given for gaol purposes ; secion 27 of the same block, being a Muniipal reserve, might also be granted, miking in all li acres available, and tring a frontage upon Reed as well as evern street. " Your Committee further recommend fiat a letter be written to the Governi_nfc, asking that the matter be favonrbly considered, and that with a view to he necessary legislation taking place next es3ion, the Government, if it approves, rill be pleased to appoint some person is, for instance, the Resident Magistrate r the District Engineer) to inspect the ifces suggested to be given in exchange, rith the object of determining definitely he basis of the arrangement proposed, nd that this having been done, the lnemers for the district be communicated ith, asking their best efforts towards the erfecting of such arrangement during he approaching session of Parliament." The report was adopted, and it was rejived to write to the Government in resrence to the proposed exchange of the aol site. GASWORKS COMMITTEE. The following report from the Gasworks ommittee was read : " Your Coramutee have the honour to :port that at a meeting held on the 9th istant, it was resolved to make the folding reoniuiendations to the Council, iz. : "1. That on account of the present unife condition of the gable of the retortouse. it be taken down and reloved farther back, so as to give inreasecl room for the storage of coal. "2. That application be made to the tovrernment for a siding from the railway lto the retort-house." The first paragraph of the report was lopted, and it was decided to call for >nders for the work, to be sent in on Wednesday next. The second paragraph was also adopted, id the Mayor requested to act in the latter. It was resolved to instruct Mr. E. rave to {supply 100 tons of coal for the asworks, in accordance with the terms his contract. ACCOUNTS. A number of accounts having been assed for payment, the Council ad- ; )urned.