CORRESPONDENCE.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 132, 18 August 1870, Page 5

CORRESPONDENCE.

The Mayor read a letter from Mr. A. Willis, the under-secretary, intimating that the plans for the Evans Flat footbridge were in hand, and, as soon as finished, tenders would be called for called. A letter from Mr. J. C. Roberts, asking the Council to put a stop to Reid and party working his ground, was read. Or. Mears understood that the Council, at a previous meeting, had resolved not to enter into the matter, but let the pai*ties go to law. The Mayor said that he did not think the Council were worthy of the position they held, if they did not enter into the matter themselves, as it was their business, and not that of any one elses to deal with it. The letter was agreed to be held over till the next meeting. A letter from Mr. Downie, requesting an extension of time to finish his contract in making the footpath in White-haven-street, as the weather was so bad, was referred to the Public Works Committee ; as was also a letter from Mr. George Morison about the repairing of some culverts on Ms section, Ross Place. ACCOUNTS. Accounts from Messrs. R. Wilson and George White, 16s each, for two days labour, were referred to the Finance Committee. The new committees for the ensuing Municipal year were appointed — viz, for Public Works, Messrs. Bastings, Williams, and Mears ; for Finance, Messrs. Bastings, Harrop, and Williams ; and for the Legislative and Reserve, Messrs. Barnett, Coverlid, and Uren. The next business the Mayor said was the appointing of a Rate Collector. He, for his own part, could not see why, in such a small community as Lawrence, they wanted so many officers. He thought that the Town Clerk was the proper person to collect the rates ; and it was for the Council to determine how much they would give him for so doing. Cr. Mears proposed and Cr. Harrop seconded, that the same course be adopted as last year, that was to advertise, and then the Town Clerk might have a chance of tendering if he thought fit, and to state that the applicants must be prepared to find two sureties in the sum of £150. About the salary of the Town Clerk, Cr. Harrop proposed that it remain the same as last year, viz. , £60. Cr. Mears thought £50 enough, as retrenchment was necessary. The Council could not agree to the Town Clerk's salary. The meeting adjourned till Friday evening, When the Council again met. There were present — the Mayor and Crs. Mears, Uren, Barnett, Harrop, and Williams. The Mayor stated that the principal business cf the adjourned meeting was to decide upon a Town Clerk and Collector. The applications for Rate Collector were then opened and read. They were as follows : — L. C. Holmes, at 5 per cent. ; Matthew Hay, at 7| per cent.; George Murray, at 5 per cent. ; George B. King, at 5 per cent. ; J. Thornley, at 5 per cent. ; D. Campbell, at 4 per cent.; T. Arthur, at 7^ per cent. ; D. Love, at 6 per cent.; Wmu Hayes, at 9 per cent. After a long conversation, Or. Barnett moved the following resolution :—": — " That in the opinion of this Council, it would be conducive to the welfare of the Corporation to combine the offices of Town Clerk and Rate Collector ; and that the present Town Clerk be offered the remuneration of £75 a year for the same." Cr. Mears seconded. Carried. The offer was then made to Mr. Hayes, who, on returning to the room, declined to accept it, and expressed himself rather warmly on the subject. The following resolution was then adopted :— " That as the Town Clerk declines to accept the salary offered by this Council, his services be dispensed with from the 30th September next, and that fresh applications be invited for the offices of Town Clerk and Rate Collector combined.

Carried.