Telegraphic Despatches.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 235, 1 August 1872, Page 7

Telegraphic Despatches.

(Per Greville's Telegram Co.) Wellington, July 31

In the Houße yesterday, Mr Shepherd moved, "That the House regrets the conduct of the Minister of Public Works in suggesting to the Superintendents the expediency of introducing Chinese labo r for railways." He said the experience of the Otago goldfields showed that Chinese were undesirable immigrants. They never became settlers, and dread settlement. Mr. Macandrew said the circular was a blunder, but little mischief had been done. Mr. Ormond said the Government never intended to introduce Chinese. They merely desired to elicit opinions. The motion was negatived. Christchurch, July 31. Cracroft Wilson has been returned, unopposed, for Heathcote. (From a Correspondent.) Wellington, July 31. The debate on the reduction of the gold duty to two shillings will be resumed to-day. It is likely to be carried. The Goldfields Bill has been read a first time. All parties are waiting for the financial statement. In the meantime there is a perfect lull of opposition. The Superintendents wish to take charge of the expenditure of the loan. Should they get a majority, there is sure to be a dissolution; but there is small chance of their doing so, as the Stafford party would oppose such a policy, and would be compelled to vote with the Government, or keep away from the division. Roxburgh, July 30. A public meeting wan held in the schoolhouse, Roxburgh, on Monday evening last, denouncing sale of land to Cargill and Anderson. The block is estimated to containlo,ooojacresagriculturalland. Itis known to be auriferous, and is said to contain quartz reefs. A resolution was carried charging Reid and Mervyn with gross untruth respecting the land. (From the " Otago Daily Times" telegrams.) Wellington, July 29th. A meeting of Superintendents and other Provincial officers, holding seats in the Assembly, has been held. All the Superintendents, except Mr Ormond, were presents. A programme was drawn up to be submitted to the Government, with an intimation that it would be insisted on. The chief features of their demands are : — That the Superintendents be appointed the Government agents to carry out the Publio Works and Immigration Act under the powers of delegation provided by that Act ; and that the office of Resident Minister for the Middle Island be abolished. The Government, it is understood, will not accept these terms, or consent to entrust the delegated powers to the Superintendents, although willing to retain discretionary power to do so when advisable. The Cabinet is now considering its reply. If the Provincial party persist in their demands, and defeat the Ministry, the latter will probably ask for a dissolution. LAWRENCE TOWN COUNCIL. An adjourned meeting of the Lawrence Town Council was held on the evening of Wednesday, the 24th inst. Present: The Mayor, Cra. Mears, Coverlid, Williams, and Walker. The minutes of the previous meeting and of the proceedings at the nomination of Councillors were read and confirmed. The correspondence as follows was read and received : — R. Bentley's request for permission to put in a box drain in Whitehaven-street was granted. Mr. Clarke applied for a lease of the Water Works reserve for grazing purposes. The consideration of this matter was adjourned till next Council meeting. The Provincial Treasurer wrote in reference to the Ordinance passed last session of the Provincial Council, endowing municipalities with the license fees, &c, collected in them on condition of their undertaking the maintenance of the main roads within their

boundaries. The Provincial Treasurer wished to know if the Lawrence Town Council was prepared to take over the management of the main road through it, from the Ist August, on receipt of all local revenue since Ist April, less the amount expended in repairs to the road since that date. Cr. Williams decidedly opposed taking over the main road at present. He understood that the Pro vincial Government were to form and pui the main roads into thorough repair before the municipalities were to take them over. Cr. Coverlid remarked that it would take the amount accruing from the license fees for 3 or 4 years to put the Beaumont road in a proper state of repair. Cr. Walker said that the Beaumont road was a perfect quagmire, and suggested that the Government be requested at once to form it. The Mayor said the Government could not expect the Council to take over the Beaumont road before it was put in a proper state of repair. He suggested that the offer of the Provincial Treasurer, excluding the road referred to be accepted. In answer to Cr. Mears, the Mayor stated thatthe amount spent last year inthemaintenance of the portion of the main road included within the limits of the municipality was Ll2 10a., and the previous year some L3OO was expended upon it. Thj licence fees would amount to L 270 per annum. He thought the Council would be benefited to the amount of L2OO. On the motion of Cr. Coverlid, seconded by Cr. Williams, the Town Clerk was instructed to write to the Provincial Secretary accepting the offer of the Provincial Treasurer, conditionally on the Beaumont road being excluded. Mr. A. Willis wrote, enclosing a copy of the Roads Diversion Ordinance by which Canna-street was closed. Letter from Mr. Mouat, enclosing bye-laws drawn up in accordance with instructions of a Sub-Committee of the Council, and stating the course to be pursued to bring them into operation. On the motion of Cr. Mears, seconded by Cr. Williams, it was resolved that, as the matter had stood over so long, it should be left to the next Council to deal with. Mr. Jamison asked for the lease of a certain municipal reserves. Referred to the Reserves Committee. Mr. A. Humphrey applied for permission to construct a drain across the footpath in front of the Bank of New Zealand. Permission was granted, subject to the approval of the Public Works Committee. Mr. R. Andrews stated that the obstructions in the Beaumont read he had previously complained of had not been removed. The Town Clerk said he had given notice to the offending parties, in accordance with the resolution passed on the subject by the Council. The Town Clerk was instructed to take legal proceeding to compel the removal of the obstructions.

The following accounts were received and referred to the Finance Committee : — Armstrong and King, auditing the Cor-

porations accounts, L 8 Bs. ; G. B. King, delivering circulars, railway meeting LI L. C Holmes, salary as Returning Officer, LI Is. ; do. salary, LlB 15s ; J. C. Arbuckle, salary as Returning Officer, LI Is. ; R. Heritage, bellringiug, 35. ; F. Bastings, rent, Ll6.

Cr. Williams considered the charge made by the auditors excessive. He also said that he noticed that the Town Clerk's salary was voted with great regularity ; but that he (the Town Clerk) had neglected his duty as rate collector. He thought it was disgraceful that at the Mayoralty election so many ratepayers had not paid. Many had told him that they had never been called on.

Cr. Uren said that many ratepayers in his Ward had not only not been called upon for their rates, but did not know the amount they were assessed at.

The Town Clerk said he had done his best in collecting the rates. If he had not succeeded as well as might be desired, it was not his fault.

Cr. Mears inquired if Canna-street had been closed by the Ordinance received that evening ? If so, he apprehended that the closing was illegal, as the Ordinance stated when a street was to be closed, 60 days notice in the " Gazette " must be given. He also asked if the street had been closed with the Mayor's sanction ?

The Mtfyor stated that he did not know whether the street had been closed legally or not. He was aware, from the name being read out in the Council, that that street was among those to be closed by the Ordinance, and he did not oppose it. He was, however, in no way instrumental in getting the street closed. The Town Clerk read a statement of receipts and expenditure upon the table, which were read and adopted. It appears in our advertising columns.

The following gentlemen were appointed Returning Officers for the election of Councillors : — Cr. Coverlid, Chief Returning Officer, Middle Ward ; Mr. L. C. Holmes, East Ward ; Mr. Arbuckle, West Ward.

Cr. Coverlid moved that the Town Clerk be instructed to sue all defaulting ratepayers without further notice beiug given. Cr. Walker seconded the motion, which was carried.

Cr. Williams moved — *' That this Council, on the occasion of the retirement of Mr. H. Bastings from the Mayoralty of Lawrence, which honorable position he has worthily filled for the last six years, desires to place on record its testimony of the ability, impartiality, and courtesy with which he has presided over its deliberations ; and, on behalf of the citizens, to thank him for the assiduous care and attention he had always paid to their interests, and also forthe many and valuable services he has rendered the town of Lawrence, He thought the motion recommended required no comment. He was sure that every Councillor who had sat in the Council would endorse it.

Cr. Mears had much pleasure in seconding the motion. He suggested that a slight addition should be made to it, viz. , that a copy of the resolution should be forwarded to th« Mayor. It might not be of great value to him, but in years to come the testimony of the Council to the esteem in which Mr. Bastings was held might afford gratification to his children. No one who had been a member of the Council could say otherwise than that the Mayor had presided over its deliberations in the manner stated in the resolution ; and he only hoped that at the expiration of the ensuing year the members of the Council would be able to give a similar testimonial to his successor.

Cr. Coverlid was glad that the resolution

had been made, as it was only due to the retiring Mayor that such a compliment wbs paid him, as he deserved it. His action in his position was satisfactory to all ; his knowledge and experience or public matters had proved useful to the Cuuecil. In fact, he could not tlo bettef than say that Mr. Bastings was the best man they could have had at the helm of public affairs.

I Cr. Walker said that by the retirement of Mr. Bastings the town and district was losing a good man, and a man who had never spared either pains or trouble to promote the welfare of the town. He cordially endorsed every word that had been said in Mr. Bastings' praise.

Cr. Uren fully agreed with what the motion contained and the remarks of the Councillors. He was sure Mr. Bastings would have the best wishes of the Council wherever he went, and whatever position in life he occupied. It would be, in his opinion, very difficult indeed to find anyone who would perform the duties of Mayor so ably and satisfactorily. Cr. Williams said the motion could be considered as having been carried unanimously.

The Mayor said he was not often at a loss for words, but on this occasion he felt great difficulty in expressing his feelings. He thanked them heartily for the opinion concerning him the Council had given utterance to. He certainly could not say that he left the position of Mayor of Lawrence, which he had occupied for six years, without feelings of regret. During his term of office, he had devoted his abilities to the services of the town. It was not for him to say what results had attended his efforts, although he looked with pleasure-upon the advancement the town had made. Although he had been Mayor for six years, he had identified himself with no party, and had always striven to act impartially. It was impossible for a man who undertook public responsibilities to perform his duties fairly without making some private enemies. Although not in the Council, he would always ready to assist in any movement for the benefit of the district, either iv the Provincial Council or perhaps in the General Assembly, of which body he hoped one day to be a member. All he had in the world was in Tuapeka ; all his hopes for future prosperity were centered therein. He had no doubt that the new Council would work well ; and was glad that the present Council was leaving a balance in its favor. There would be in future a revenue of LI2OO to LI3OO a year to be administered by the municipal authorities, which would allow many improvements to be made. He would suggest that the Water Works debentures be redeemed by loan. He thought it was not right that the present ratepayers should do everything — let posterity do something for itself. He thanked the Council for the xiniform courtesy wiih which he had been treated by the Council. Although they had agreed to differ, they had always worked amicably together. He might say that he hoped to live to see the day when there would be a shire council sitting in Lawrence ; and should that occur, he trusted to again come to the front. He again thanked the Council forthecompliinentandhoped the members would work harmoniously for many years to come. The Council then adjourned.