LAWRENCE TOWN COUNCIL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 108, 5 March 1870, Page 6

LAWRENCE TOWN COUNCIL.

done to the road, viz , 10s., and was then allowed to pass. Cr. Coverlid said that carriage had been raised as much as from 10s. to 15s. a ton through the imposition practised by these contractors. He held that they got the money by intimidation. Cr. Herbert said he knew a party who passed the road and would not pay, and nad received a summons. He believed the case -would come off on Monday. It appeared to him the contractors enticed people to traverse the road in order to inflict a charge. He was not aware of a notice being up. Cr. Walker would support a motion putting the matter strongly before the Government. It was then decided to forward a letter to the Secretary for Land and Works, representing the case fully, and asking that steps be taken to put a stop to the conduct of the contractors. Cr. Barnett moved that a telegram ]be sent to the Town Clerk, requesting him to call upon Mr. Reid with reference to this same matter. — Carried. The chairman undertook to forward the telegram. The Council then adjourned for fourteen days.

The usual meeting of the Council was held on Wednesday evening last. Pre-sent^r-^.E the Councillors . In the absence of the Mayor Cr. Mears was called to the chair ; and in the absence of the Town Clerk Cr. Harrop acted as Secretary pro tern. The minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE. A letter from Mr. M'Keay, solicitor, informing the Council of the Magistrate's judgment in the ease of the Corporation v. J. L. S. Keen, was read. Mr. M'Keay, while not coinciding in the judgment, would not recommend the Corporation to appeal, as they had the power to sue Mr. Keen for non-attendance. The letter was received and open for discussion. Cr. Coverlid moved, " That the letter be referred to the Legislative Committee, that a report might be drawn up on the matter." The motion had no seconder. Cr. Walker proposed, "That Mr. M'Keay be instructed to prosecvite for fine." He wished to see the matter carried out to its fullest extent, as Mr. Keen had boasted that the Council could not recover the amount in any way. Cr. Coverlid seconded. Cr. Walker's motion would answer the end he had in view in proposing that the matter be referred to the Legislative Committee. Cr. Herbert, not being a member of the Council at the time the action which was the origin of the discussion was instituted, he was not in a position to say much about it ; but he thought the Council should let the unfortunate matter drop. Mr. Keen was quite right to take advantage of any loop-hole of escape. Cr. Barnett was of opinion that it would be almost impossible to recover the fine. Cr. Herbert then proposed, and Cr. Barnett seconded, "That the matter stand over till next Council meeting." Cr. Coverlid drew the attention of the Oouncil to the fact that the bad places in Colonsay-street, &c, appeared to have received co attention from the Public Works Committee. He should like to know the reason for the neglect. Cr. Barnett also referred to the same matter, and moved, "That the Town Clerk call a meeting of the Public Works Committee, to examine the street and have the necessary repairs effected."-^-v Carried. The chairman then drew the attention .of the Council to a matter very materially affecting the town. He referred to the stoppage of the main road from Waitahuna. The contractors were charging nearly every team that passed from ss. to 10s., to repair the damage done, as they assert. This was nothing more nor less than a direct imposition, and he thoght the Council .should take some steps to represent the matter to the Government. Cr! Harrop stated that he was informed by Mr. Sherwin that the Carandinis were accosted on the road in question when /coming to Lawrence. The men appeared to be intoxicated. Mr. Sherwin gave •$? e . m what they demanded for damage