TOWN COUNCIL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 74, 10 July 1869, Page 3

TOWN COUNCIL.

The usual meeting of Town Council took place on "Wednesday evening. Present — Crs. Keen, Mears, Meyer, and Henderson. Cr. Mears was called on to occupy the chair. The minutes of previous meeting having been read and confirmed, A letter from Mr. Coverlid was read, calling attention to the state of the footpath near Mr. Tucky's house. The matter was referred to the Public Works Committee.

Several accounts were referred to the Finance Committee. Applications for the Assessorship were then received. There were three applicants — Messrs. Hay, Arbuckle, "and Campbell. Cr. Keen moved that the election should be by ballot. This was duly seconded and carried. On going to the vote, Mr. Hay was unanimously elected. A report of the Public "Works Committee was read, recommending the payment of the first instalment to the contractor for the formation of Lan-caster-street. The report was received and adopted. Cr. Keen, fro forma, moved a motion Cr. Mears had intended to bring forward, viz., " That the rate for the ensuing year be struck at one shilling in the pound." He said the amount levied last year was excessive and burdensome, and though he would not go in for so large a reduction, he thought considerable one should be made. Cr. Henderson seconded Cr. "Walker supported the motion. The rate had, during the past year, proved a heavy burden. He observed that Grovernment gave a subsidy for public works to villages and districts at the rate of £2 to £1, and yet refused the municipalities more that pound tor poiiiid on a. shilling rate. Or. Keen said tliai, under ilie circumstances, and seeing the unanimity of the Council, he would waive hia intention of moving a fiiteenpenny rate ; still, he asked Councillors to consider their financial difficulties before they increased them by so sweeping a reduction. Threepence was not much, even in these times of hardupishness. Indeed, he doubted whether the Corporation or ratepayers were the most hard up.

Cr Meyer thought a shilling rate quite sufficient. The motion was put and carried. The Chairman called attention to the fact that when labouring under the impression that their resources would be larger, they had resolved that all public works should be taken seriatim as they passed. He suggested that it would be well to modify this, as, otherwise, works which might well be passed over would take precedence of others of greater importance. The matter was referred to the Public Works Committee to report at next meeting.

It was then agreed that, in addition to Cr. Hay, who had resigned, Crs Henderson and Meyer should retire by rotation. Considerable amusement was caused by the anxiety evinced by several Councillors to retire from their honourable post.