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Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1066, 19 September 1879, Page 2

There -was, almost for the first time, a discussion in the Municipal Council last niglit upon the waterworks. Councillor Garland wanted to know upon what authority the services of a pipe-tester had been secured. To this the Chairman (Councillor Humphrey) replied that he could not state upon what authority the appointment had been made. Councillor Roberts was of .opinion that the engineer should be asked to furnish the Council with a detailed account of any further expenditure upon the waterworks before any more money was voted. They did pot even know how the money for day labor was spept until the wages became due. They should certainly not allow the 140,000 to be frittered away in day labor. Councillor Smith said he was inclined to go further, and engage a competent engineer to go over the works before any more money was granted. It was pointed out by Councillors Headland and Mainland that the engineer had furnished all the necessary information in his last detailed report, and that, with regard to the increase in the estimates, it should be remembered that the sum of LSOOO for interest had nothing to do with the original estimate. From a return of contracts in hand, called for by the Waterworks Committee and laid upon the table, it transpired that the amount due and out standing on contracts, exclusive of pipes was L 9759 IGo 2d. The Chairman remarked that the return was of a rather startling nature. Councillor Otterson said he would like to find out in what the difference lay between the original estimate and the latest estimate they had been furnished with. Councillor Headland said the difference had been fully exi>lained in the speech of the late Mayor at the public meeting called to decide upon the L 40.000 loan. Councillor Otterson said that since that time a further discrepancy had cropped up amounting to L 19,000. He moved, " That the engineer be requested to furnish a statement showing the differences which have occurred between the original estimates of expenditure and the actual cost, and the reasons for the difference." Councillor Smith remarked that it had come to the knowledge of the Waterworks Committee that the engineer had engaged Mr. Bull to make some surveys. They had spoken to Mr. M'Leod on the matter, ?nd had requested him to dispense with Mr. Bull's services. This, he understood, had been done. A short time ago a firm in Oamaru had ottered to make the surveys, and the engineer had then said that the work could be done l»y the staff. The eiigi neer's actions were certainly inconsistent. After some further discussion upon this matter, it was decided that the work of surveying could be done by the staff. It was also decided that Councillors Roberts, Smith, and Otterson should visit the works to-day and to-morrow.

We understand that Mr. A. H. Maude has disposed of the late Dr. Webster's Balruddery Estate, recently offered at auction and withdrawn, to Mr. John Reid, of Eldcrslie, at a very satisfactory figure. The estate Mil fists of 16,300 acres of freehold, and SOO :icres lcasc!if»-.l und. v/iiJi 11,000 sheep and improvements. 'i'h'j :w:u:ai price has not transpired. We are pleased to inarn that Balruduery has passed into the hands of one who will turn it to the utmost use, and add to the productiveness of the district. At the meeting of the Harbor Board today, it was decided to purchase a dredge adapted for deepening the harbor to 24ft.. designed by Messrs. Kincaid and M'Queen, It was determined to do so at once, with a view of clearing away silt that has accumulated inside the Breakwater, and the removal of which vronld give several feet more water alongside the wharves. A report will be found elsewhere. Messrs. J. and T. Meek have purchased the mill lately owned by Messrs J. I'. Evans and Co. The programme for the concert to be given in aid of the North School Gymnasium and Library Fund, to-morrow evening, appears in another column. It will be observed that in addition to a number of Oamaru's principal amateurs, several Dunedin friends will assist. We recognise in Miss Tunicliff our old friend Miss Webb, who has so often delighted us by iier singing, and who, it would appear, has now abandoned her stepfather's, and resumed her original, name. The tickets are going off very well, and there is every prospect of the audience being a large one. The Municipal Council is evidently determined not to be kept in the dark with regard to " the way in which the money goes." Cn the question of day labor cropping up at the meeting last evening, there was some discussion upon the matter, during which the Engineer's action in not dismissing the day men in compliance with a resolution instructing him to do so was discussed. Councillor Roberts said that the Engineer had told him that he did not see his way to dispense with any of the men. The Chairman (Councillor Humphrey) said that it kad been ascertained

that only two men had been dismissed, notwithstanding the resolution of some months' standing instructing the Engineer to dismiss every man who was not actually required. Councillor Headland said he had seen half a dozen men at work cutting a track for pipes in the rifle range gully. This was not a work which was urgently required. The* men were certairiy working hard for day men, and it was possible' that they were working on a contract. Several Councillors remarked that they did not know of any such contract having been let. Councillor Otterson said it was high time that tlie Council knew what men were employed, and 7noved for a return of all men in the employment of the Council on the waterworks, with the nature of their duties, amount of wages, &c. He did ;not wish to say anything antagonistic to the Engineer, but it certainly did appear to him that Mr. M'Leod was, to some extent at any rate, making puppets of the members of the Council. Eventually the report of the Waterworks Committee dealing with the matter was adopted as given in our report.

" At the Resident Magistrate's Court today, William and John O'Connor, the two lads remanded from yesterday charged with being neglected children, were sent to the Industrial School. Malcolm Gordon was charged with using insulting language towards Constable Green at Teaneraki, and was lined 40s or 14 days' imprisonment. He was also lined 10s or 4S hours' imprisonment for being drunk and disorderly. A match will be played to-morrow afterDoon on the old Cricket Ground by the Excelsior Cricket Club between sides chosen by the captain and deputy-captain from the following names : —Bannerman, Bramble, R. Bristed, A. Bristed, Brebner, Cooke;' Cook, Church, Crawford, Davis, Fenwiek, -Finch, Ferens, Gifford, Hartley, Ham, T. .Hewat,' R. Hewat, A, 0. Hardy, A. E. Hajdy, Henderson, Hicks, Jackson, J. D. Kett, Little, Lemon, Marshall, C. Moore, H. Moore, D. Moore, M'Leod, M'Corkindale, J. M'Gregor, O'Meagher, A. G. Robinson, A, Robinson, Robertson, Roy, Smith, Snow, Thompson, Terawhiti, Turkey, Walls, Williams: P/lay to commence at 2.30 p.m. J