LAWRENCE TOWN COUNCIL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 240, 5 September 1872, Page 7

LAWRENCE TOWN COUNCIL.

A special meeting of the Lawrence Town Council, convened by the Mayor upon a requisition signed by Crs. Hayes, Walker, and Hill, to consider what action should be taken in reference to the refusal of the Mayor to sign the cheque for the- amount voted to the Bastings' Testimonial, was held at five p.m. on Friday afternoon last. Present : The Mayor, Crs. Hayes, Hill, Meyer, and Walker. The Mayor read the requisition upon which he had convened the meeting, and said that before the motion to vote a sum to the Bastings' Testimonial was put, he ,had stated his intention of obtaining a legal opinion on the matter. He had since obtained a legal opinion, which confirmed the opinion he then expressed. He had resolved, however, if the Council were still unanimous in their resolve to vote the money, to sign the cheque, as he felt, if he acted otherwise, he would be placing himself in a position of antagonism to the Council, which would prevent their working harmoniously together. Cr. Hayes expressed great gratification at the resolution come to by the Mayor, and hoped that during the current year nothing would arise that wonld cause dissension between the Mayor and Councillors. He had not spoken to Councillors, but he believed that none of them had changed their minds on the point. "^-Cr. Hill still adhered to his original determination in the matter, and hoped that it would never be necessary again to call a special meeting for a similar object. r Or. Wall&c was also gratified at the satisfactory settlement of the matter, and trusted that : a similar case would not again occur . He believed that with very few exceptions the ratepayer* were in favor of the voj»r , In answer to. Cr. Meyer, the- Mayor stated that it was 'not necessary to "have another mfttibn. on the'matter. He \?ould

take the ejpresaipa of the meeting, as sufficient; indeed he hardly thought it necessary to fcave a special meeting, but as he had been asked to do so, he had called it. He mentioned that he had paid for the legal opinion he had obtained out of his own pocket.

A unanimous vote of thanks to the Mayor closed the proceedings,

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Jiawrenoe Town Council was held on Monday evening. Present : The Mayor, and Crs. Hay, Walker, Coverlid, Hill, Meyer, and Hayes. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.

A discussion arose as to whether the minutes of the special meeting should be recorded in the minute book. It was decided that such should be done.

The Mayor stated that the proprietor of the "Bruce Herald" had lent a photographed copy of Millar's survey of the " Great Central Railway," for Councillors to look at.

The Mayor said he Had rery pressing business which necessitated his presence, and would ask the Council io appoint a chairman.

Cr. Hayes was elected chairman.

The correspondence was read and dealt with as follows : — Letter from Mr. Jamison, declining the offer made by the Council for the leasing of certain sections. -Received. Letter from Mr. Mouat, complaining that rubbish was deposited on the footpath adjacent to his dwelling, and requesting the Council to repair said footpath. — Received, and referred to the Inspector of Nuisances and the Public Works Committee. Letter from Mr. Copland, asking permission to gravel the footpath in front of his premises, and to construct a carriage entrance to his yard. — Received, and permission granted, subject to. the approval of the Public VVorks Committee.

The following accounts were referred to the Finance Committee : — W. Tolcher, 103."; Tuapeka Atheneeum, £1 Is. ; J. Reid, £2 4s. ; 6. Didsbury, Government printer, £1 10s. 9d.

The Finance Committee's Report, stating that payments to the amount of £46 10s. 6d. had been made, was received and adopted.

Cr. Hill, in reference to the item of £16 for the culvert in lona-street, said that the work was most disgracefully executed, and ought never to have been passed. He believed the first flood would wash it away, and the amount paid for it would be thrown away.

Cra. Walker and Hay stated, as members of the Public Works Committee, that the work was not of much account, but it was executed in accordance with the plans and specifications, so they had no alternative but to pass it.

The Town Clerk stated that the plans and specifications had been drawn up properly, and if the culvert had been constructed in accordance therewith, it would have been a very good one. Cr. Coverlid said that the culvert was perfectly useless for the purpose intended, and hoped that such work would not again be passed by the Public Works Committee.

The Chairman stated that he believed the culvert to have been constructed in a ridiculous manner,

Cr. Walker stated, that many culverts had been constructed in a similar manner, which were now good j and he believed the one under discussion would be sufficient and would stand well.

The Inspector of IN uisances' Report on the letter of Mr. M'Kimmie was read. It stated that on the days he called on Mr. M'Kimmie there was a great nuisance on the premises of that gentleman. The report was received, and the Town Clerk was instructed to inform the Inspector that the Council accepted his explanation as entirely satisfactory, and. approved of his conduct iv the matter.

The Public Works Committee's Report was read and adopted. It recommended that the Council should allow sotne of the neighboring occupiers to occupy Corporation Reserve, section 9, blook 11., in consideration of maintaining the drainage in an effective manner.

A letter from Mr. Williams, offering to take a portion of the land on the terms mentioned, was read, and referred to the Public Works and Reserves Committees.

A letter from Messrs, Mouat and M'Keay asking, on behalf of Ah Pew, that the Council should reconsider its decision on his application to, mine on the Wetherstones road, was read. It was decided that the application conlcl not be entertained.

Cr. Walker drew attention to the state of Kilmarnock-street, and moved that the Public Works Committee be empowered to repair it.

Or. Hill seconded the motion, which was carried.

Cr. Hill stated that there was a number of deep and dangerous abandoned shafts in Oban-street, and moved that they be filled up. The motion waa seconded by Cr. Coverlid, and carried.

Cr. Hay gave notice that he would move, at next meeting, " That a weighbridge ought to. be erected, and that the Town Clerk be directed to procure one that would weigh up to ten tons."

A vote of thanks to the chair brought the proceedings to a close.