LAWRENCE TOWN COUNCIL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 242, 19 September 1872, Page 7

LAWRENCE TOWN COUNCIL.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Town Council was held on Monday evening last. Present : Cra. Coverlid, Hay, Hill, Walker, and Meyer. In the absence of the Mayor at the opening, Cr. Coverlid was called to the chair.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.

A letter from Mr. T. Barnett, asking permission of the Council to make a dray crossing to his premises in Peel-street, was received, and permission granted.

The finance report was read, and showed the following accounts as having been paid since last Council meeting :—: — Tolcher, 10s. ; J. Reid, £2 4s. and £1 10s. 9d. An account from R. Nichols, amountiugf.^with- extras, to £13 6s. 6d., was referred to the Public Works and Finance Committees.

(The Mayor here entered and took the chair.) The Mayor apologised for his absence, after which he read a letter from a Chinaman, making some complaints against the Town Clerk.

Cr. Coverlid moved that the letter be received.

Cr. Hay said as the letter brought .no specific charge against the conduct of Mr. Holmes, he moved that it be no received.

Cr. Coverlid held that a distinct charge was made.

The Mayor considered the letter involved a serious charge, and the matter ought to be investigated. He hoped that Mr. Holmes' explanation would be satisfactory.

Cr. Hill believed the Town Clerk would only be too glad to give au explanation.

The Town Clerk said he courted the fullest inquiry by [the Council, but it was only due to himself to be allowed time to combat the charges. Cr. Coverlid moved, "That the Town Clerk reply to the charges made at next Council meeting." Cr. Hay seconded. Carried.

The question of the necessity for a weighbridge was next considered. All the Councillors seemed to be in favo* of getting one. Cr, Hay had given notice of motion, that the time had come when a weighbridge was required in the town, and he had much pTeaanre in moving to that effect.

Cr. Hill observed that there was a weighbridge formerly in use in Dunedin, which he thought could be obtained easily, and at a moderate cost. Tlie Council ulti.mj.toly entrusted the matter in the hands of the Mayor, to ascertain the probable cost.

The assessment for the current year was then considered.

On the motion of Cr. Hay, seconded by Cr. Coverlid, the rate was fixed at Is.

With reference to the 21 years leases which had been granted to a number of people in the town, Cr. Coverlid inquired if they were yet completed.

The Town Clerk replied by stating that he had now a number of them completed in his possession.

Cr. Hill suggested that the Valuator be requested not to place too high valuation on properties where trees were planted

Cr. Hay moved that the rate be advertised in the " Tuapeka Times." Seconded aud carried.

Cr. Coverlid inquired regarding certain miners working within the townboundary. The Council had given the privilege to a certain person, who had transfeired it to others.

Or. Hay stated that those who were now working the ground had made a good job of the road. Cr. Coverlid moved that the Public Works Committee look into the matter.

The motion was seconded and carried

Cr. Coverlid drew attention to a practice which was becoming very prevalent, of fencing in streets, &c. In one particular instanoe, he would move that the Town Clerk be instructed to solicit Mr. Bushell to remove the fence he has erected in Pladda-street.

The Mayor Baid it was in the duty of the Inspector of Nuisances to see to a thing of that description.

Cr. Hill seoonded the motion, which was carried.

Or. Hay thought the time had come when the Council should take into consideration the drainage of the town. The summer was coming round when drainage would be absolutely necessary. - Cr. Hill suggested that the Council should take action to place those parts of the 1867 Act into operation, as soon as possible, whioh are found practicable.

The Mayor remarked that all the clauses were not suitable.

After a conversation on several matters, the Council adjourned for a fortnight,