LAWRENCE TOWN COUNCIL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 391, 16 September 1874, Page 2

LAWRENCE TOWN COUNCIL.

The usual meeting of the Town Council was held in the Council Chambers on Monday evening. Present : — The Mayor, and all the Councillors. The minutes of the previous meeting and special meeting were read and confirmed. A letter from the Provincial Treasurer, intimating that the sum of £110, as progress payment for Wetherstones Creek Bridge, had been paid to tho credit of the Corporation, was received. The Town Clerk was instructed to acknowledge the same. A letter from Messrs. Mears and Whittet, stating that the difference in cost between brick and stonework in the fixing of the weighbridge would be ,610 more for brick. Another letter frora Messrs. Mears and Whittet, stating that blue gum 12in. x 12in. could not be obtained, and asking to be allowed to substitute another kind of timber, allowing the Council the difference in tho cost. This letter evoked considerable discussion. Cr. Walker considered as the contractor was the person who drew up the specification, he should have known whether the timber specified was procurable before he included it in the specifications. He did not like to see specifications tampered with after they wore approved of by the Council, and he would move, " That the specifications as drawn up be strictly adhered to." He knew of other contractors who would lave tendered for the fixing of the weighbridge had blue gum not have been specified. The Mayor stated that he quite agreed with the remarks that had fallen from Cr. Walker. If they altered the specification, it would be equal to nullifying it. [Here a little altercation took place between Crs. Middlemiss and Walker, the former telling the latter if he had attended the meeting of Public Works Committee he would have known more about the matter under discussion. Cr. Walker infoimed Cr. Middlemiss that if he attended as well to his duties as he (Cr. Walker) had done during the past seven years, he would not be found fault with.] ' Cr. Armstrong seconded the motion, pro forma. Cr. Middlemiss moved an amendment, " That the substitution asked for be allowed." Cr. Cox seconded. On being put to the vote, there were two for aud two against, and the Mayor gave his casting vote for the amendment, to allow the work to be proceeded with.. The following accounts wsre then referred to Committees : — J. E. Bromley, 55.; D. Louden, £2 • T. Arthur, £1 4s. 9d. ; W. H. Smith, £10 ; Tfapeka Times, £3 12s. The opinion of the Corporation Solicitor, Mr. F. H. M'Coy, on the question "Is Lawrence a Borough ? " was then read. This had been obtained as doubts existed whether the Council had power to act under certain clauses of the Municipal Act, 1867. The opinion was considered unsatisfactory. Cr. Ferguson moved, as a means of testing the question, " That the recommendation of the Solicitor that section 389 of the Act, entitling the Council to receive certain fines, be acted upon." Seconded by Cr. Cox. — Carried. The Public Works report was then read and considered clause by clause, and with the exception of the one referring to the purifying of the water, was adopted. The "Finance Report was then read and adopted. A return asked for by Cr. Sheath was laid on the table, showing the amount of money that had been paid for horse and dray hire from October 27, 1873, to June 16, 1874 The amount was £22 Is. Cr. Walker moved the resolution of which he had given notice, viz., "That the water mains be extended from Lancaster-street to the corner of Whitehaven ' and Colonsaystreets." He supported his motion by showing the advantages to be derived from the extension of the water, and its protection in the event of fire. Cr. Ferguson seconded the motion. Cr. Armstrong moved an amendment — " That the consideration of the extension of the pipes be held over till the purifying of the water is consideration." Cr. Middlemiss seconded the amendment, and Cr. Sheath supported it. •He thought it better to get the water purified, and afterwards extend the mains. On being put to the vote, there were three

for, and three against, leaving the Mayor again to give his castihj vote. His Worship stated that having pledged himself to carry out this work, he would give his vote for the motion. Or. Armstrong gave notice that at next meeting, he weuld move that a subsidy be given by the Council to the Fire Brigade. Cr. Cox a-jlced that an alphabetical list of all the ratepayers, and the amounts due be laid on the table ; also, that a list of all dog licenses and the amount dv», be laid on the table at next Council meeting. The Council then adjourned. A special meeting of the Council was held last evening. Present the Mayor and councillors Armstrong, Middlemiss, and Cox. The following letter was received from the Inspector of Works :—: — " Lawrence, 15th September. " To the Mayor and Corporation of Lawrence. " Gentlemen, — A dispute having arisen between Mr. James Hill, contractor for the Derwent-street bridge, in reference to the beam-filling with stone work, which work is absolutely necessary to complete the job, and as Mr. Hill refuses to do the said work without an order, I have to request instructions in the matter. I also consider that it would be advisable to build the said stone work with cement instead of lime, the cost of which would be trifling in comparison to the extra stability o£ the -work. " I am, &0., "W. H. Smith, " Inspector of Works." Cr. Cox moved and Cr. Middlemiss , seconded, " That the Inspector of works be requested to see that the works in connection with the Derwent-street bridge be carried out , in accordance with the plans and specifications. — Carried. The meeting then closed.