TOWN COUNCIL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 88, 16 October 1869, Page 3

TOWN COUNCIL.

The usual fortnightly meeting was held lon Wednesday evening. Present— Cra. Hears (in the chair), Keen, Henry, Harrop, Walker, and Coverlid. A letter from Messrs., Kenyon and Maddock, Solicitors, waa read, giving their opinion on the question of impounding cattle straying within the township, in order to discover the proper owners. The letter very curtly stated that the ! corporation had no right to impound strayed cattle. Somt discussion followed, Or. Cover lid objecting to the opinion as not sufficiently elaborate ; and Or. Keen stating that, in his opinion, Messrs. Kenyon and Maddock had been misled by the use of the word " impounding/' Subsequently, the Town Clerk was instructed to write to the solicitors again, fully stating the facts of the case, and requesting a more lengthy opinion. A letter from the Secretary of Land and Works, in reply to a communication from the Town Clerk, calling attention to the exorbitant "rates charged for telegraphic messages, 00 was received. Mr Reid stated that the Provincial authorities had opened communications with the General Government in reference to the matter. Cr. Keen mentioned a suggestion made by the Mayor of Port Chalmers— that the co-operation of the Chamber of Commerce should le i - equested. The Town Clerk was instructed to write to the Chamber of Commerce, calling attention to tho existing state of things. A report from the Public works Committee, recommending the laying of twelve loads of gravel at the foot of Colonsaystreet, and the stringent exactment of L5 deposit from all persona mining within the township, was received. Cr. Keen thought the Council had no legal authority to demand such a deposit. It was, however, resolved to have the question set at rest by instructing the Inspector of iN uisancea to bring a test case before the Resident Magistrate. The report was then adopted. The report of the Standing Order Committee was then read. It recommended the addition of a paragraph to clause 12, reserving the right of reply to the mover of a motion ; and to clause 14, compelling the Mayor to state his reasons for ruling a motion out of order. The report was received aud adopted. The report of the Cemetery Petition Committee was received. Cr. Keen, in moving its adoption, stated thafe he had received a letter from the Superintendent, who had been informed that the Trustees were beginning to make great improvements. He had just forwarded a reply, assuring His Honour that his informant had completely deceived him as to the raal state of affairs. The report wa? adopted. Cr. Keen move A the suspension of iha Standing Orders, to enable him to move " That tenders be immediately called^ for the erection of a foot-bridge overgthe second creek on the Gabriels-road, "j Cr. Harrop seconded. Carried. Cr. Keen then moved as above. He stated that the present stato of tho crossing was most dangerous, particular^' to children. He stated that only a few days before, three children had fallen into the creek. One of these unfortunate youngsters had five one-pound notes in her hand. The worthy Councillor said the money was only saved by a lucky chance ; he did not, however, mention the fate of the child. Cr. Harrop seconded the motion. He had heard many complaints of the state of the crossing, which was dangerous to adults as well as children. After a good deal of discussion, it was agreed that the work more properly belonged to the Government than to the corporation ; and the Town Clerk wa3 instructed to write to the Secretary for Land and Works, calling his attention to the subject. The report of the Municipal Reserves Committee gave rise to a good deal of discussion, the following disposition of them being finally agreed on : — Twelve sections in Whitehaven-street to be let for ninety-nine years for a bonus and a nominal rental. All the others likely to realise a fair sum to be let for twentyone years on the same terms ; an effurfc to be made to have the remainder (some seventeen or eighteen sections), which from their position are almost worthless, exchanged by Government for a block of land. It was agreed to advertise for applications for the sections for one month. The Town Clerk was instructed to write the Government in reference to the formation of Ross-place. The Public Works Committee were instructed to provide for the drainage of stagnant water from Ross-place, and to have the fire-plugs sunk to the level of the street. On the motion of Cr. Harrop, it was agreed to have a board, warning persons from carting away gravel placed in Kilmarnock-street. Owing to the coldness of the weather, and the absence of a fire, the consideration of all other business wa3 postponed until next meeting, and the Council adjourned.