MEETING OF TOWN COUNCIL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 68, 29 May 1869, Page 2

MEETING OF TOWN COUNCIL.

Wednesday, May 26th.

Present — The Mayor and Councillors Keen, Meyer, and Mears. The minutes of former meetings having been read and approved, An application from Mr. Morrison for the use of the municipal reserve at the corner of Ross-place and Whitehavenstreet during the time he was forming the Government culverts was granted, subject to the condition that he would repair all damage to the satisfaction of the Public Works Committee.

Accounts from the reservoir contractor and the Inspector of Nuisances were referred to the Finance Committee.

A letter from Mr. Coverlid, in reference to the leasing of a municipal reserve, in Whitehaven-street, was referred to the Municipal Reserves Committee. A report from the Public Works Committee was read. It stated that the reservoir contractor's time would be up on the 29th inst., and recommended that the dams should be kept full during the week in order to test the work thoroughly. Attention was also called to a nuisance caused by the drainage from the Victoria Hotel flowing into Ross-place. — The report was received. The Mayor said he had spokea to Mr. Goldie, and that water would be turned oh. eyery evening.

After some conversation, it was agreed that Councillors should take in rotation the duty of watching the dams, and seeing that they were kept full of water.

Cr. Mears directed attention to the Victoria Hotel nuisance. The Inspector had warned the executors of the late Mr. Potts some months ago, but nothiug had been done. He inveighed agaiust the culpable carelessness with which lf wholesale beastliness " was overlooked, and believed that such neglect tended ±o render the Council powerless in. any matter of the kind.

The Town Clerk was instructed to write to Mr. Farrer and Dr. Stewart, calling their attention to the nuisance. Cr. Meyer brought under the notice of

the Public Works Committee the state of the drain crossing Ross-place opposite hia (Cr. Meyer's) premises.

Cr. Mears thought an open crossing: would be better, considering the slight fall.

Cr. Meyer coincided.

The Mayor thought it would be advisable, before entering into the matter, to see what Government intended doing to Ross-place. Their attention should be called to its preseut condition, it being a perfect quagmire. Cr. Keen thought Government intended doing something, as the culverts about to be constructed were eighteen inches above the present level of iShe road. Cr. Mears moved "That the Town Clerk be instructed to write to the Commissioner of Land and Works, calling his attentiou to the state of Ross-place, and also to the bridge acrosß the Wetherstones and Gabriels Creeks, which were impassable during a flood."

Cr. Keen said he had received from the local photographic artist a carte, showing the state of Ross-place some days ago. It contained a picture of a worthy citizen sailing along the street in a box, and propelling himself with a long pole. He would hand over the photograph to the Town Clerk for transmission to Government, in order that they might learn the real state of affairs. He seconded the motion, which was carried nem. con.

Cr. Keen asked whether any official answer had been received to the communication in reference to the Council obtaining the control of the jeeiacte'ry^

The Town Clerk said, no answer had been, received. He was instructed to write again. Cr. Meyer said the footpaths were in several places sunk, and required repair. He reminded the Council that the Inspector of Nuisances' term of office had expired.

Cr. Keen held a strong opinion that a member of the police force should be appointed Inspector, and that the repairs should be separately executed by day labour. He gave notice that at next meeting he would move that Mr. Brannigan should be consulted, throiigh Mr. Percy, in reference to the appointment of a constable as Inspector of Nuisances, the salary to be £20 per annum. The Mayor brought up the matter of the township still being within the Goldfields. He referred to the recent case of Mr. Griffin, who, although a ratepayer, had been fined for not taking out a business license. He thought instant steps should be taken to rectify the matter. In reply to a question from Cr. Keer, the Mayor stated that his authority for stating that the township had not been withdrawn from the Goldfields was the local magistrate, Mr. Simpson. He had not consulted the " Gazettes."

Cr. Meyer moved "That the Town Clerk be'iixstructed to -write the authorities in reference to the matter.

Cr. Mears called attention to the inconvenience caused by Chinese miners working within the boundaries of tha municipality. Cr. Meyer's motion was duly seconded and carried.

Cr, Keen offered to appear for tha corporation in any cases coming into Court if suitable notice were given him. Cr. Keen's offer was accepted with thanks.

The Council then adjourned for a fortnight.