LAWRENCE TOWN COUNCIL,

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 246, 17 October 1872, Page 7

LAWRENCE TOWN COUNCIL,

The usual fortnighly meeting of the Lawrence Town Council was held on Monday evening, at the Council Chamhers. Present: the Mayor and Crs. Hill, Walker, Hayes and Meyer.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.

The opinion of the Corporation Solicitor, Mr. M'Coy, relative to the 99 years leases was read. It was to the effoct that the Council had no power to grant leases for more than 21 years. An addendum to the opinion stated that the Council could grant leases for 99 years if an act or ordinance empowering it do so were passed A letter from Mr. J. M. Massey, Town Clerk of Dunedin, on the same subject was also read. It recommended the Council to issue leases for twenty-one years only, as the agreements of the Council to lease for 99 years were ultra vires. After discussion, Cr. Hayes moved : "That steps be taken to introduce an ordinance into the Provincial Council to validate the 99 years leases the Councilhad agreed to grant." The resolution was seconded by Cr. Hill and carried.

A letter from the Town Clerk of Dunedin, relative to the mode in which the bye-laws under the Act of 1867 were brought into operation, was read, and received. The Mayor said he would try to get these bye-laws brought into operation as soon as possible.

The report of the Town Clerk on the charges brought against him by J ( 'ung Loong and Que Hing were read and received. It stated that the charges were false, and that the sum for which the Town Clerk sued Fung Loong was due for services rendered. A letter from Mr. Blewitt was enclosed, in which that gentleman stated that the Chinese in question would pay Mr. Holmes for his services.

Cr. Hayes moved that the explanation of the Town Clerk be accepted as satisfactory. He thought there was no blame whatever attachable to Mr. Holmes.

Cr. W-.ilker seconded the motion, and concurred in Mr. Hayes' remarks. . The Mayor said the charge brought against the Town Clerk was a very serious one ; and it was with the view of enabling that gentleman to thoroughly clear his character' that the Council asked a written explanation. It was the duty of the Council to protect its officers ; but it was also the duty of the Council to see that they did their duty properly. The Chinese ought to be taught to understand that they taust not lay unfounded charges— that if it wa3 discovered that they wrongfully accused a Corporation officer, that all. other complaints they make would be viewed with suspicion.

The motion moved by Cr. Hayes was then put and carried

The application of Mr. Ferguson to extend his fence across Annan-street, was referred to the Public Works Committee.

Mr. Nichors application to cross the footpath with dray 8 in Ross Place, to fill up a section next to Mr. O'Gorman's was granted.

A letter from Mr- Brosnan and other property holders in. Harrington-street, calling attention to the state of that street, was referred to the Public Works Committee' to report upon. The following 'accounts werd" received and* referred tv the Finance and Public Works. Committees: -"-T. Barnett, £5 5s 6d ; 6. Burrows, £8 16s.

Or. Hayes presented a petition from Mr. ,H. Bastings and, other propw+y holders in Lancaster-street, praying for the construction of a culvert at the junction of Lancaster and Lismorestreets: the formation- of Lancasterstreet, and the filling «p of old shafts in Lancaster-street. Referred to the Public Works Committee to report uynn. The i*er>ovt of the Reserves and Legislative Committee, recommending that the Council should pay half the cost of the fence between corporation, reserve,

block 40, and section 3, block 48 ; the granting of the lease for 21 years, of section IS, block 13, to Mr. Abel, at the upset price, £12 10s ; and that the Town Clerk should obtain tbe names of the owners of sections upon which rates are due, at a cost not exceeding ss. each, was received and adopted.

The Public Works Committee recommending that the Chinamen working near Steep-street be not interfered with, was received and adopted. , The Finance Committee's report, stating that payments to the amount of £64 7s. had been made, was received and adopted.

The declaration of Mr. Holmes as Valuator was read.

The Mayor stated the Commissioner of Police had placed the labor of the prisoners confined in Lawrence Gaol, at the disposal of the Corporation.'

In answer to a question asked by Cr. Hayes, the Town Clerk said he had been unable to get the assessment roll ready, but would have it- ready in a week, and mentioned that by the Act of 1867, notice forms, different to thoste previously used, were necessary. The Town Clerk was authorised to procure the necessary forms.

The Mayor mentioned that he had been informed that the police had now ceased to collect the local taxes, such as dog taxes, publican's licenses, &c. He had received no official intimation of the fact, but that was not necessary. After some conversation, the Town Clerk was directed to write to the Provincial Government requesting them to form the Beaumont road.

The Mayor drew attention to some pools 6f stagnant water in Whitehavenstreet. The Public "Works Committee were instructed to see after the matter. Cr. Walker moved: "That in the opinion of this Council, the present post and telegraph offices are a disgrace to Lawrence ; and that the erection of new post and telegraph offices is an immediate necessity ; and that a copy of the resolution be forward to Mr. J, C. Brown." He thought the time had now arrived when a proper post-office should be erected. The present building was unsuitable in every way. It was not large enough, and was an eyesore. ' The Council should now take action and not let the matter rest until the Government erected a new building. Cr. Meyer seconded the motion. The motion was amended . " That the Town Clerk write to the General Government, relative to the disgraceful state of the Lawrence Post-office,"and passed. A vote of thanks to tho Mayor brought the proceedings to a close.