LAWRENCE TOWN COUNCIL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 127, 14 July 1870, Page 5

LAWRENCE TOWN COUNCIL.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Council was held on Monday evening. Present — Cr. Mears in the chair, and Councillors Harrop, Coverlid, Barnett, Walker, and Herbert. The Chairman stated that he had been deputed by the Mayor to act for him in his absence. CORRESPONDENCE. A letter from Mr. C. W. Adams, with reference to the footpaths in Campbelltonstreet, was read, and held over for discussion till later in the evening. A letter from Kenyon and Maddock acknowledging the receipt of £5 8s 2d, the amount of their account, was read. They concurred with the appointment by the Municipality of a local solicitor as their legal adviser, as that arrangement would enable the Council to consult some one on the spot, and thus prove convenient in cases of emergency. Received. A letter from the Under-Secretary of the Provincial Government intimated that they had not any spare copies in their possession of the Otago Municipal Act, 1865, and the Municipal Corporations Act, 1867, was read and received. The letter stated that these Acts could be obtained from the Government printer at Wellington. Another letter from the Under-Secre-tary, in reply to a letter forwarded by the Town Clerk pointing out the omission of certain sections in the town from the approaching land sale. These sections, the Secretary's letter stated, had been inadvertently set apart with the ten acre block as part of the Municipal estate, and could not be diverted to any other purpose except by ordinance of the Provincial Council. Received. A communication from Mr. W. D. Morrison; drawing the attention of the Council to the creek and the culvert running through and adjoining his property, between Ross Place and Colonsay-street. In times of flood the creek was dammed back, and caused considerable damage to his property. Mr. Morrison also drew attention to the dangerous state of the culvert. Referred to Public Works Committee to report upon it at next meeting. A letter from J. Reid and party complaining of the difficulty they had in working the ground lately occupied by the Junction Hotel. The letter stated that Mr. Roberts was throwing every obstacle in the way of their working the ground — he wanted the whole of the ground to himself. They were prepared to take Mr. Roberts into their party, but he declined to comply with their wishes. They had gone to a great deal of labour and expense in opening the ground, and 'hoped the Council would grant them permission to go on with the work at once. Received. After some discussion the Council unanimously agreed on the motion of Cr. Walker to form themselves into a Committee and visit the ground at 10 o'clock on the following morning, and then decide upon what should be done without any further delay. The Inspector of Nuisances reported having given notice to the occupants of houses on the East side of Peel-street in reference to the construction of a drain, and they all expressed themselves willing to attend to the matter as soon as the box drain was completed across the footpath in Ross Place. The letter was received, and the Public Works Committee empowered to get the box drain constructed at once. A letter from the Secretary of the Tuapeka Hospital drawing the attention of the Council to the very bad state of the road between the large culvert and the Hospital gate, Whitehave-street, and requesting the Council to take some steps towards forming the footpath at that particular portion of the road. Notice of motion waa given for next meeting that the footpath referred to be formed, and it was further decided to have plans and specifications drawn up, and laid before next Council meeting, so that no delay would occur in getting the work done speedily. ACCOUNTS. W. N. Grooday, solicitor, case of Regina v. Lange, £5 5s — referred to Finance Committee ; W. D. Morrison, timber, £2 12s 3d— referred to Public Works and Finance Committees ; " Tuapeka Times," printing and advertising, £3 10s — referred to Finance Committee. Public Works Committee's Report, No. 8, was received and adopted. MOTION. Cr. Herbert then moved the resolution of which he had given notice at last meeting of the Council, viz. — " That tenders be called for the formation of the footpaths in Campbellton-street, and that the footpath on the south side of Colonsay-street be extended, as far as the parsonage." Cr. Herbert supported his motion by referring to the frightful state of Cam-pbellton-street, and t© the fact that nearly £1000. had been expended on the parsonage hill, and that the land their was now being surveyed, and would soon be taken up and become rateable. Since Mr. Adams had suggested another plan les3 expensive, and perhaps equally suitable for Campbellton-street, he had no objection to alter his motion in accordance with his suggestions if the Council thought proper.

considerable discussion, Cr. Herbert moved " That Mr. Adams' letter and the former part of his (Cr. Herbert's) motion be referred to Public Works Committee." Seconded and carried. Cr. Herbert further moved, " That the footpath on the south side of Colonsaystreet be formed as far up as the parsonage." The extent of footpath necessary would be about four chains, which, at 18s a chain, would be but a small sum. Cr. Barnett seconded the motion, which was carried on the understanding that not more than £6 be expended on the work. Cr. Walker referred to the necessity for a man being put on Kilmarnock and Stranraer-streets to fill up the ruts. Being a member of the Public Works Committee, he would prefer some other Councillor to move in the matter. Cr. Herbert moved that a man be engaged for the purpose referred to. Carried. The Chairman referred to a motion of his which had been carried a considerable time ago, to have one chain of footpath formed on each side of the school-house. This he considered a work of as great importance as any the Council were that evening deciding upon, and thought it should have the preference. The Council agreed to have it done. Cr. Harrop moved that the Town Clerk be instructed to write the Government, asking them to devote a sum of money towards fencing the old cemetery. Cr. Herbert, in seconding the motion, said it would be advisable for the Town Clerk to explain the position of the cemetery, its proximity to the town, and to the main road. Carried. Cr. Coverlid moved that the Town Clerk be instructed to write the General Government for six copies of each of the Municipal Acts, 1865 and 1867. Seconded and carried. Cr. Harrop moved that the Town Clerk lay on the table at next meeting of Council a detailed statement of rates and disbursements for the past year that the Council may be enabled to take into consideration the working of the Municipality for the next twelve months. Carried. Cr. Herbert moved that the Public Works Committee be empowered to have the footpath continued up Peel-street as far as the residence of Mr. Francis. The cost, he believed, would only be £2 or £3. Cr. Barnett seconded. Carried. Cr. Herbert enquired if any steps had been taken with reference to the redivision of the. wards. The Chairman stated that the difficulties had been found to be so great, and the time so short, that it could not be done before the election. Cr. Coverlid moved that the rate for the forthcoming year be Is. Considering tho dull times he thought one shilling in the pound as much as could be afforded. Cr. Walker seconded the motion. A shilling rate was the highest the Government would subsidise, and anything extra would, only be dragged out of the people. Had it been otherwise, he would have supported at la 3d rate. Cr. Harrop thought a sinking fund should be commenced, to enable the Council to lift the water works debentures. The public were paying £96 a year interest on these debentures, and if it were possible to set aside £250 a year as a sinking fund for that purpose, it would be well. The Chairman regretted the Council had not the power to create a special rate for all who make use of the water. He advised the Council to get legal advice on the matter. Cr. Herbert was of opinion the only course open for the Council was to lease the water works. The interest on the money would require to be paid, and the amount received for the lessee might go towards a sinking fund. The Corporation could bind the lessee not to levy above a certain amount. The motion of a shilling rate was carried. The Chairman remarked that as some buildings in the town were unoccupied, he thought it would only be fair to remit say the half years assessment on them. This course was adopted in other places, and he thought it would be nothing but ju3t to make some such allowance in Lawrence. Crs. Coverlid, Herbert, and Harrop were appointed to attend at the Revision Court on Wednesday. The following Councillors were appointed Returning Officers : — The Mayor for the Middle Ward ; Cr. Harrop for the West Ward ; Cr. Coverlid for the East Ward. Polling Places— For West Ward, Mr. J. Williams' ; for Middle Ward, Council Chambers ; for East Ward, Athenaeum. The retiring Councillors are Messrs. Herbert, Walker, and Mears. The Council then adjourned-