LAWRENCE TOWN COUNCIL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 104, 5 February 1870, Page 5

LAWRENCE TOWN COUNCIL.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Council was held in the Chambers on Wednesday evening. Present— The Mayor, and Crs. Coverlid, Harrop, Mears, Herbert, Barnett, and Walker. Minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE. A letter from the Inspector of Nuisances, with reference to the damming of the creek by miners, was read and received. ACCOUNTS. The following accounts were referred to the Finance Committee :—: — G. Jeffery (stationery; - £2 7 6 R. Nicholls (balance of gravelling- - - 26 7 6 J. Joyce (labour) - 1 12 6 J. Downie (formation footpath, Ross Place) - 27 0 0 The balance sheet was laid on the table. As one of the auditors was not in a position to audit the accounts, Mr. Twigge was appointed as a substitute. Gabriel's gully. The Town Clerk was instructed to again write the Government about the foot-bridge they had promised to place over the creek. The Mayor said that with the permission of the Council he would have some planks laid across as a temporary bridge to allow the children to get to school. BEAUMONT AND TEVIOT ROAD. The Mayor said this was a matter he thought the Council should move in. He referred to the lessening of the gradients on the Beaumont saddle, and another hill two miles beyond the Beaumont. It was well known that these two hills were a very great obstruction to traffic between Lawrence and the Teviot, and thought the Council would not be asking too much of the Government to have the gradient partly lessened before the winter set in. He had been informed that a sum of £300 or £400 would meet the case as a temporary measure, and in asking the Government to expend this sum, he would suggest that the Council offer to supervise the work if it would be any saving to the Government. He would thank some Councillor to make a proposition on the subject. Cr. Walker proposed — "That the Town Clerk be instructed to write to the Government, pointing out the necessity of this work." In seconding the proposition Cr. Coverlid said that he had travelled the road a good deal, and could speak from experience. It took a horse all his time to go over these hills without a load. Cr. Herbert quite agreed with the motion, and spoke of the Teviot road generally as being in a bad state — deep ruts having been filled up with clay. One of his drays was buried to the axle in the road last winter. The resolution was carried unanimously. PUBLIC WORKS. Cr. Walker drew the attention of the Council to the fact that there were many public works which required attention, and it would be well to see to them at once while they had good weather. The Mayor said that at next meeting of Council they would ascertain all that was required, and learn from the state of the finances what works they were in a position to execute. Cr. Herbert thought it would be well if accounts could be paid promptly. If that could not be done conveniently by the current receipts, he thought there would not be much difficulty in getting a bank overdraft. He would be willing to wait upon the bank manager in town with reference to the matter. In reply to questions the Town Clerk stated that he had not received any reply from the Colonial Secretary with regard to the impounding of cattle, &c. With regard to the late sale of Municipal reserves, the Town Clerk said that on the 31st of December the sum of £159 10s 6d was due the Municipality, part of which had been since paid. None of 'the reserves sold had been forfeited excepting the one purchased by Mr. Walsh. In reply to a question put by Cr. Coverlid, the Town Clerk said that Mr. Mouat' had taken steps with regard to the fine inflicted on ex Cr. Keen. A month had been allowed Mr. Keen to pay the amount. Cr. Harrop said he had heard several complaints about the water being very muddy— more so than usual — perhaps the Public Works Committee could inform him about it 1

Cr. Herbert said it could not be other than muddgl as every shower washed the loose clay, which was lying round the edges, into the reservoir.

The Chairman believed it always would remain muddy until the reservoir was brick lined.

On the motion of Cr. Harrop the matter was referred to the Public Works Committee to examine it and see if anything could be done. The. Council then adjourned,