LAWRENCE TOWN COUNCIL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 315, 24 December 1873, Page 3

LAWRENCE TOWN COUNCIL.

1 Tlmj ufeual fortnightly meeting of fche Law- , reuse Town Council took place on Monday evening 1 . Present : Crs. Hul, Walker, Hay, Armstrong, Mean, and E. Herbert, Esq. (Mayor). The subject of the recent Council meeting convened by three councillors was introduced, for the purpose of getting its deliberations recorded on the minutes. A debate ensued, and tho Mayor decided that, in accordance with clause 37 of the Standing Orders, tho meeting referred to could not be recorded on the minutes, as it was illegal, not haying been publicly covened, as is provided for in clause 37. Convening by circular, the Mayor ruled, is not sufficient to constitute a public meeting of the Council. As to the Mayor's decision in such matters, he (the Mayor) ruled that, in accordance with the Standing Orders, the ruling of the Mayor is final. A letter from Mr. H. L. Squires was read on the subject of the erection of another dam and the purification of the water supply. [ The letter was ordered to be received, and no action would be taken pending the receipt ! of a report of the engineer on the question of j water supply. The Mayor stated that he had written, and the Town Clerk had telegraphed, to the authorities in Dunedin as to the probable date of the Governor's visit to Lawrence, but no reply had been received. An animated debate ensued on a letter from Mr. Mchol, regarding a contract for works in i Whitehaven-street. It was moved by Or. "Walker, seconded by Cr. Armstrong, and carried — " That Mr. Mchol be authorised to contract for the facing of the Beaumont road in lieu of his completion of the Whitehaven-street contract, conditional on his giving a guarantee of its permanence for 12 months, the contract price not to exceed £20." An eminently practical and brief debate ensued on the subject of a fire brigade, which led to Cr. Hill moving, "That this Council purchase a hydrant, with universal joint and director, and that the Town Clerk be requested to ascertain the price of a hose-reel." Seconded by Cr. Armstrong and carried. In reply to Cr. Hill, the Mayor stated, on authority, that the Insurance Companies would subsidise a local fire brigade to the extent of £50, if the public contributed a similar sum. Cr. Hay suggested that the Council should give £50, in order to meet the views of the Insurance Companies. A letter from the Lawrence ttrammar School Committee was referred to the Legislative Committee. This letter referred to the propriety of the Council transferring their Market Reserve to the School Committee for a school site. The Mayor stated that he had received oral intimation from the Secretary for Lands lately, to the effect that a new market reserve would soon be allocated to the Council. It was reisolved to defer a final reply to the School Committee, until after the receipt of final written instructions from the Government. Another letter was read from the Lawrence School Committee, acknowledging in unusually grateful terms the gift of a silver medal in aid of the school prize fund. The Mayor read two letters from Mr. Ija-vrson,ihearchitect,enclosingmodificationsof the plans for tho proposed town hall. The writer stated that the reduced estimate would re Juce the cost by £500. A debate ensued, which led to a motion and an amendment: Cr. Hay moved, "That the further negotiation of the contract for the Lawrence Town Hall be referred to the Mayor, aud that he be requested to call a special meeting of the Council should the same, in. his opinion, be deemed necessary." Seconded by Cr. Walker. As an amendment, Cr. Armstrong moved, " That the question of the erection of the Town Hall be considered that day , six months." Seconded by Cr. Mears. Previous to moving this amendment, Cr. Armstrong had moved, "That the lowest tenderer be communicated with, and that he have the refusal or acceptance of the tender in accordance with Mr. Lawson's modifications." The Major refused to put this motion, and Cr. Armstrong's amendment deferring the matter to a limit of six months was a consequence of the rejection of his motion. The Mayor explained that legally all contracts i must be let by public tender j that slight reductions were permissible in tenders, but that the Council could not legally restrict competition by privately accepting a reduction of £500 or £600 on any tender. The Mayor considered the subject so important that he asked Or. Armstrong to reduce his amendment to writing for prcsenta- j fcion at the next Council meeting, when all the I members would be present. Cr. Armstrong then handed in his notice of motion, deferring his selection of any town hall tender till after six months. Some accounts were passed for payment, Ihe report of the Finance Committee was read and adopted, the Council and then adjourned, j