MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1235, 2 April 1880, Page 2

MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

- The fortnightly meeting of-the Council £ ras held last evening, when there were i >resent —His "Worship the Mayor, and s councillors Humphrey, Roberts, Town- 1 end, Smith, Otterson, Mainland, Head- i and, and Garland. _ : 1 The minutes of the previous meeting < vere read and oonfirmed, and the out- ' vard correspondence was read and ap- 1 proved. •' A telegram was read from the Minister , :or Public Works with reference to the - lew Railway Station, notifying that iii- 1 itructions had been forwarded to Mr Blair ;o have the plans prepared at once, and, ! that Mr Q'Conner would take the matter '■ into hand specially. The transfer of lease of section 15, block 71, from Mr. S. J. Burbury to Mr John Black, was sanctioned. - _ _ ; Mr. Lemon forwarded plans for additions to Mr. J. Hamilton's premises in Thames ; Street. The plans were approved of. Mr. J. C. Gilchrist wrote requesting the Council to fence the race through his property. A similar request was read from Mr, J, Gibson, the lessee of the land. The matter was referred to the Waterworks Committee to report, Mr. J. Anderson, Christohuroh, wrote acknowledging receipt of a cheque for L 12,000 on account of the pipes contract, and requesting information as to when the LSOOO was paid to his credit in London. The Clerk was instructed to forward the information. . : Mr. Samuel Orawshaw wrote applying for appointment as inspector of the plumbers' work at the waterworks. —Some discussion took place upon the matter, during which- it was stated that the plumbers' work should be thoroughly supervised during the pipe-laying, but it was urged by some Councillors that the work was included in the duties of the Engineer, and that every effort should be made to do with as few inspectors as possible, The matter was, however, on the motion of Councillor Otterson, seconded by Councillor Mainland, referred to the Waterworks Committee, to consult withthe Engineer as to the course to be pursued. It was pointed out by Councillor Smith that it was very necessary that the man at present turning over the pipes at the yards at the gasworks should give, every attention, as it had already been found that. 10ft pf the, pipes were more or less cracked at the end. A letter was read from Messrs, Bright Brothers, requesting of an account fpr v masting: powder, which had been supplied by'them to the late Mr. J. Henderson, and for the stone-breaker supplied to the "Council. The account for the stone-breaker was ordered to be paid, and ; the claim; for. the powder referred to the Waterworks Cqmmittee for report. , The Surveyor-General wrote.-informing the Council that the department could not refund' the 'amount paid by the Council for the survey of the Maerewhenua endowment. His Worship the Mayor drew the tion of the Council to the state of the O'amaru Creek, and said' it was very" necessary that certain places should be rendered safe before the reservoir was filled, as the overflow" of water between-Grant's Would CDme down the creek. Some work liati ©.lfAadv been done by prison labor, but it was desirable that steps should be takep at once to complete the work, Councillor Roberts referred to the dam at Meek's mill, and said it would prove a great..obstruction,- by darning. back .the water, and that it "ought to be blown up.

The Mayor. remarked that if the dam were lowered a foot or 18 inches-the difficulty would be.overcome. The matter was referred to the Engineer for his report. Councillor Smith pointed out the necessity for placing two additional lamps at places between" tile."North Otago Hotel and the Town Boundary. He stated that the part' of : : the town referred to was nightly the scene of disgraceful rows, and several oomplaints had been made of respectable people being mojested. He was aware' that-the financial' position of the Council would not. allow of the gas being laid on, but kerosene lamps would answer the purpose, for some time. It was. also necessary that the lamps should be-kept -Ei-light diiring the laving of the water pipes, to prevent accident. Councillor KobpH9 concurred with the remarks made by' Councillor Smith. He mentioned that several-cases of sticking up had occurred there, and said that occurrences of this kind would be prevented were the street better, lighted. . . Ociunoillor Headland, while Admitting the necessity for that part of the town being better lighted, said there were nineteen other places in the town equally as much requiring lighting.. At the present time the Council was not in a position to undertake• the.;. work > , which would entail a large outlay." Coijupillor §mitfy then tfaat two kerosene lamps be placed in north Thamesstreet, in positions to be selected by the Engineer.

Councillor Roberts seconded the motion. Councillor Otterson moved, and Councillor Mainland seconded, an amendment that the matter stand over. On the question being put, there voted for the amendment Councillors Humphrey, 'Otterson, Mainland, and Headland, and for the original resolution cillors Smith, Roberts, Garland, and Townsend. The Mayor in giving his casting vote said that while acknowledging the necessity for lamps, he must keep in view the fact that there were other places equally wanting in light, and gave his casting vote in favor qf the amendment. The report of the Finance Committee was read, and it was decided to consider it in Committee. The Waterworks Committee reported at considerable length, and reoommended that tenders should be oalled for certain works. The report was adopted. The Council then went into Committee to consider financial matters, the following resolutions being reported : That the Waterworks Committee be specially instructed to confer with the Engineerf and see what reductions can be made in the matter of wages and salaries} and that it be a special instruction to the Engineer that no contract, however smallj be let nor men employed without the authority of the Council or Waterworks Committee. That the attention of the Engineer be called to the fact that Mr. Walter Knight has not been debited with the cost of cement which he destroyed, and that the same is to be deducted from the next progress payment.

That Counoillor Roberts be requested to act as Honorary Paymaster during the completion of the Waterworks. That the Engineer's attention be called to the item of L 97 17s for road-making which is included in Wallace's voucher,and that he be requested to report to the Oounoil in reference to the matter, That Mr. Day's account be referred toj the Waterworks Committee. \ That the land needed for the water-; raoo not arranged to date be referred to! Mr, Calcufct for settlement. |i