LAWRENCE TOWN COUNCIL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 123, 16 June 1870, Page 5

LAWRENCE TOWN COUNCIL.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Council was held on Monday last, when the Mayor and all the Councillors were present. 'lhe minutes of previous meetings were read and confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE. A letter from Thos. Kelly, applying . for an acre of ground for mining purposes at the rear of Mrs. Boland's house, was referred to the Public Work's Committee. A letter from the Provincial Secretary, relative to the state of that portion of Ross Place opposite the shops of Messrs. Middlemiss and Humphrey and Co., was read. The letter stated that "the pro- ! per officer had been instructed to attend to the matter." A communication from the Inspector of Nuisances, drawing the attention of the Council to the excessive drainage at the back of Peel-street from Mr. J larrop's premises downwards. The matter was referred to the Public Works Committee, with power to act. ACCOUNTS. The following accounts were referred to the Finance Committee :—: — Mears & Co. (purchasers of the book debts of John M'Coll - - - - £1 15 5 E. Titchener, Nuisance Inspector's salary - - 20 0 0 Finance Report, No. 11, L 6 12s, was received and adopted. The report of the Legislative Committee, with reference to properties which had hitherto been omitted to be assessed, being considered unsatisfactory, was referred back to the Committee to bring up a more satisfactory report at next Council meeting. It was decided that the Public Works Committee be empowered to draw up specifications, and advertise for tenders for the improvement of footpath on west \ side of Whitehaven-street from the corner of Colonsay-street to the bridge. Tenders to be sent in by next Council night. Cr. Mears reported having visited — accompanied by Cr. Walker — the bush track through Mr. Smith's run. Mr. Adams, Surveyor, also accompanied them to the place where the fence had been put across the road. They took a spade with them to cut an opening in the fence if it was found to cross the surveyed road. Luckily they did not require to use it, as Mr. Smith had given his men instructions on the previous day to remove the fence. Mr Adams pointed out ■ the pegs showing the surveyed line of road. Cr, Herbert said it was but just towards Mr. Smith for him (Cr. Herbert) if&h&te that he had received a letter from Mr, Sjtnith to the effect that on further

enquiry he found the road complained of was more convenient to the public than he was aware of. He had ascertained from Mr. Falconer that the divergence of the road would entail an extra three or four miles, not a mile and a-half as he was previously informed. It was then moved by Cr. Herbert, and seconded by Cr. Walker, " That Frederick Lange be no longer considered rate collector, and that the office be now declared vacant." Carried.

The following resolution was then adopted :—": — " That the residue of the rates be left in the hands of the Legislative Committee, and that a report of the total amount of deficiencies of the late collector be submitted by them at next Council meeting. That the Mayor be requested to appoint a rate collector for the remainder of this Municipal year."

The .Revision Court to be held in the Council Chambers on Wednesday, the 13th of next month.

The question of assessor was then discussed, and the amount of Lls decided xipon as a fair remuneration for the work. Applications for a competent assessor to be lodged by Monday the 27th instant. The Town Clerk was instructed to write to the Provincial Secretary for a few copies of the Otago Municipal Ordinance, 1865, containing the empowering act ; also two copies of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1867. The Town Clerk was also instructed to write AJr. Maddock, intimating that as two legal gentlemen were now in Lawrence, the Council intended appointing one of them to act on behalf of the Municipality. The Mayor made a few remarks on the desirability, if practicable, of having the district constituted into a Burgh, under the Municipal Corporations Act, 1867, with a radius which would include Wetherstones, Blue Spur, and Evans' Flat. The Council then adjourned.