MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 340, 26 May 1877, Page 2

MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

The regular fortnightly meeting of the Council was held lust evening, at the Council Chambers. There were present — His Worship the Mayor, and Councillors Gibbs, Mainland, and Morton. MINUTES. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. OUTWARD CORRESPONDENCE. The outward correspondence .was read and adopted. A VERANDAH. On the application of Mr. J. Johnston, permission was given for the erection of a verandah in front of the premises of Mr. Milligan and Messrs. Halluistein in Thames-street. NEW BUILDING. Mr. John Lemon wrote asking for permission to erect a new building in Thamesstreet,, as per plan ; also, for the levels, and permission to excavate the footpath. ' Permission was given to erect the building, provided that the verandah and balcony.shown on the plan do not encroach on the footpath. It was also resolved that levels, as requested, be furnished', on payment to the Corporation of a fee of one guinea, a similar fee to be charged in all cases of a like nature in the future. The application to cut down footpath was referred to the Engineer, with instructions to see that the public convenience is not interfered with. FOOTPATH CROSSING. Ail application from Messrs. Ireland and Esther for a footpath crossing, was referred to the Engiunecr, with power to act. TRANSFER OE LEASE. Leave was given for' the transfer of lease of Section 11, Block L., to the Rev. Mr. Coleman, on application -being properly signed, and the usual fee paid. A COMPLAINT. A letter from Mrs Edwards was read, complaining that sines the raising of the level of Eden-strect, the storm-water Hooded her property, and asking that a drain might be made. —The matter was referred to the Works Committee to report upon. THE CEMETERY. The Managers of the Cemetery applied for the services of the Corporation Gardener and assistants for a, few days, to assist in putting the Cemetery in order. It was resolved that, after the planting now in hand is completed, the services of the Corporation Gardener and assistant be granted'to the Cemetery Trust for one week. THE BYE-LAWS. A letter was read from the Colonial Under-Secretary acknowledging the receipt of copies of Bye-laws Xos. V.l'IL, IX', and X. ; INTAKE I'OR WATER SUPPLY. A letter was read from the Secretary for • Crown Lands, forwarding Gnrrtte containing Proclamation setting aside Section .'JO, Block 111., Awanioko, as a Municipal Reserve, for an intake for water supply. THE ACCLIMATISATION RESERVE. : A lengthy letter was read from Mr. J. Wheatley, Acclimatisation Ranger, in reference to. the application of All Chee to lease this reserve, and asking the Council to pause before granting the request. The writer also pointed out that some years ago the laud in question had been set aside, with the consent of the then Council, for acclimatisation purposes, and that although the Branch Society had since ceased to exist, a movement had already been initiated for the resuscitation of such a society. The letter was referred to the Reserves Committee to report upon in connection with the application of Ah Chee. ENGINEER'S REPORT. Several reports from the Engineer were read. From the first of these we gather that the work of erecting an addition to the retort-house of the Gasworks had been commenced ; that the strong-room will be finished in a fortnight ; that the contract for asphalting is nearly completed ; that the newly metalled streets are in good order ; and that operations in connection with the Waterworks will be commenced at the upper end during next week. The Engineer also suggested that some of the footpaths in the back streets should be asphalted ; and stated further that, with the Council's consent, he intended improving the east side of Thames-street, as far as Coquet-street, in a similar manner to that being done at the lower end, and that he also purposed putting some metalled crossings in Severn-street, Crossstreet, and Reed-street. It was resolved, " That the Council does not see its way to proceed with the asphalting of footpaths in back streets at present, and desires that for a time expenditure be curtailed as much as possible, and that Councillors Gibbs and Mainland be appointed to- consult with the Engineer on the subject of salaries paid to subordinate officers. Further, that the Engineer be instructed that in view of the waterpipes having to be laid in about a year's time, the work done- in Thames-street should be only such as is absolutely necessary." A memorandum from the Engineer in reference to the water-cushion at Messrs.

'. f-M. Lee's and Moore's dam was orckmu to b< laid on the table. A lengthy memorandum from the Engineer was then read in reference to tho amount of damage done during the late flood in the Oamaru Creek, and suggesting the advisability,' and in some cases abso- ■ lute necessity-of certain work being done, It was resolved that the Engineer bo requested to furnish the Council with an estimate of the cost of carrying out the works recommended by liiiu to be at onco undertaken. A memorandum was also read in regard to the road through ihe Bush Reserve, and covering a tracing of the proposed road-lino, and intimating that, after consulting with the Engineer to the Kakanri Road Board, a further report would be furnished. A iiftli memorandum stated that Mr. Lawson, the General Manager of Rail. ways, had asked a guarantee of L3OO a year from the Council in consideration of a siding being-formed to the Gasworks. It was resolved, "That a letter be written to Mr.' Lawson,.informing him that the terms asked are so excessive, that tho Council is of opinion that some egregious error must have occurred, and asking whether a guarantee of o()0 tons freight per alumni was not intended." ruoruuTY ri;A.N.s. The-following tenders were opened for the preparation of property plans in connection with the Water-works scheme : John and J. S. Hardy, L2(U ; F. A. Wrigg, L2oo ; J. R, .Stewart, L2:>3 10s. As the Engineer had reported that tho work could be done for a much smaller amount, it was agreed to defer tho consideration of the matter until Monday, at II a.m.,'when a special meeting should be held to consider the' matter, the Engineer be requested to attend. .snaiKS'iMoxs i;v tjim m.wok. A memorandum from Ihe Mayor was read, inviting the alt. ntion of the Conncil to a number of matters. Tue lirst suggestion was in reference to the appointment of an Inspector of Licensed Vehicles, Licensed. Theatres, and Common Loilging-hnuse.s, under tho new bye-laws, which come into force at an early date. Mr. Arthur Tom;-;, the present Inspector of Nuisances, was duly appointed to till tho additional oliiees. In reference to the next item of tho memorandum. Mr. H. Council, with whom tiie Suh-CommiMeo had come to an arrangement, was formally appointed Land Lmreha.e Commissioner under the Waterworks IScheme. The Mayor submilted a lengthy suggestion in reference to the procuring of an endowment for the Corporation, under the provisions of the Municipal Corporations Act, I(i'f<>. —It was resolved, "That it is desirable to make application for an endowment of laml. as suggested, by the Mayor, and that Councillor Gibbs and tho Engineer be requested !:o take the necessary ,vi''i>s to enaulo a recommendation to be made, at an. early date, as to t ! " land, to be asked for/' "' ' i The consideration of a suggestion with regard to the allocation of certain revenues for water-works purposes was deferred to next meeting. ISo also was a question of contributing towards tho fund being raised in connection with tho proposed line <.if railway from Oamaru to iNaseby. Frr,r,i:\-;; rr oi.n ci.'a.nnki, of tlik eniSEK. Some discussion look- place with regard to tl:e lilliug tip of the old channel of tho creek below l.tohen-slivcfc embankment, and it was resolved that Mr Lowe bo interviewed on the subject. i-i;ox i'A-'i: os nvimx-sTiun'/r. An oiler from Aiessrs. Lees and Mooro of two chains frontage on lichen-street A\as discussed, but it was resolved that the Council, does not, see its way to entertain it. .H'i.MI'NT,-:. A number of accounts having been passed for payment, the Council adjourned.