LAWRENCE TOWN COUNCIL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 121, 2 June 1870, Page 5

LAWRENCE TOWN COUNCIL.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Council was held in the Council Chambers on Monday evening. Present, the Mayor and all the Councillors. The minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed. OOKRESPONDENOB. A letter from the Government, referring to the footpath in Ross Place, near the culverts, was read and received. The Government refuse to interfere in the matter, ' the footpaths being entirely in the hands of the Council The Mayor received the following letter from the Colonial Secretary, in reply to his communication forwarded to the Premier some weeks ago :—: — Colonial Secretary's Office (Judicial Branch), Wellington, 17th May, 1870. Sir, — I have the honour to inform you, in reply to your letter of the 22nd ultimo, that a pioclamatitin will be found published in ihe " New Zealand Gazette " of even date herewith, declaring that on the first day of June next the "District Courts Jurisdiction Extension Act, 1866," shall come into operation with respect to the District Couit of the Otago Goldfields, I hare the honour to be, &c, \V. Gisborne. H. Bastings, Esq., Mayor of Lawicnce, Otago. > letter from the rate collector was also read and referred to the Legislative and Rates Committee, Mr. C. W. Adams, by letter, drew the attention of the Council to the embankment in Colon-say-street, in front of the Court House, which was gradually slipping away. A letter on the same subject from the Nuisance Inspector was also received. The Council considered that as it was Government property, for which no rates were paid, the embankment should be repaired by the Government. The letter was referred to the Public Works Committee, ACCOUNTS. Kennyon and Maddock, law expenses, £5 Bs. 2d. ; H. Nichol, labour, £1 4s.— Referred to Finance Committee. A finance report, amounting to £61 9s. Bd., was submitted, received, and adopted. Cr. Meurs stated, with reference to the applications of Heid and party and J. C. Roberts, the Public Works Committee decided upon granting Reid and party the ground, as they had the first claim to it. t.'r. Mears also referred to the necessity for the Town Clerk giving notice of these committee meetings. After some conversation on this matter, it was resolved that the Public Works Committee meet at ten o'clock in the morning of each Tuesday following the Council meeting* The Mayor stated that the contractor of Kilmarnock and Stranraer - streets wished to give up his contract for the latter-mentioned street, as he could not obtain the necessary timber for it. It was moved that as soon as the first part of the contract was completed, viz. , Kilniarnock-street, the Public Works Committee inspect the work, and, if satisfactorj 7 -, pass it. The Mayor stated that a case had arisen between Wong On and Rutter and party. Wong On complained of Rutter mining on a residence area which he had purchased from Burrows. Cr. Mears thought the Council had no business to interfere in the matter. The Mayor thought the Chinese generally were treated with more attention than the Europeans ; the idea of any one taking up a residence area on the township was absurd — such a thing could not be allowed, the Warden could not grant such an area. The matter was referred to the Public Works Committee. Cr-. Walker drew the attention of the Council to ihe hole, in front of Mr. Middlemiss's house and shop, and also in front of Humphrey and Co,'s shop, and said the Government should be written to about it, as it was part of the main road. He would more that the Town Clerk be instructed to write the Government with reference to the same ; and also that a letter on the same subject be written to Messrs., Brown and Mouat. Carried* Cr. Walker also moved that the Public Works Committee be empowered to get the footpath in Ross Place near Mr. Wootton's house put in repair at a cost not to exceed-£5. Carried. Cr. Mears moved that the nuisance In- , spector be written to with reference to the many stagnant pools of water in the township, and also to the fact of Chinamen mining within; the town, boundary without permission. Carried. The Council then adjourned.