LAWRENCE TOWN COUNCIL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 403, 28 October 1874, Page 2

LAWRENCE TOWN COUNCIL.

The usual monthly meeting* of the Town Council, was. held in thej Council Chambers on Mondaj- 'evening. Present : The Mayor and a fuliuouncil. The minutes were read and confirmed. A letter from Mr.' J. , Menzies, complaining of the amount for which a paddock belonging to him is assessed; was received. Mr, Menzies* letter was in reply to an application made by the Tow.ti Clerk for back rates. The Town Clerk was instructed to inform Mr. Menzies that the Council could not interfere in the matter. If he objected to the assessment in the future, he had his remedy by appealing to the Court. A letter was received from Mr. James Low complaining about rates charged against him on the property he occupies, before it came intohis possession. The original amount was £5 10s., but he had paid £3 : so, under the circumstances, he thought he should get off for the balance. <It seems that four different parties had occupied the house since the rates claimed were due ; and owing to the rate collector, I/ang, failing to get the rates from the proper parties, a deal of annojauce hacl been caused. After considerable discussion, Cr. Walker moved : " That no action be taken against Mr. Low for the recovery of the back iates for which he is charged." Cr. Middlemiss seconded. Cr. Cox moved an amendment, " That the letter be referred to the Legislative and Bates Committee to report upon it. On being put to the vote there were three for and three against. The Mayor gave hia casting vote in favour of the amendment. An application from the snrfaceman for an increase of wages was then considered. The Council were so well satisfied with the surfaceman, that they unanimously agreed to raise his wages from £2 2s to £2 10s a week. Letter from Mx. Hill, contractor for Der-went-street bridge, enclosing Inspector's certificate was received. The Inspector's report was read. After some conversation," Cr. Cox moved that the letter and account be referred to the Public Works and Finance Committees. — Carried. Letter from the central Board of Health asking for a report of the sanitary condition of the town of Lawrence. — Received. The Mayor stated that he had handed tho letter to the Inspector of Nuisances to report upon it. That gentleman in a letter said he would furnish the Council with a report in a few days. The matter was adjourned till next Council night. The Town Clerk read certain correspondence which had taken place between himself and the Resident Magistrate with regard to Mr. Hill's lease, which had been obtained from Che Court House unknown to, and without the permission of the Council. The Magistrate told the Town Clerk that as the application had been made by the Corporation's Solicitor and one of the Councillors, he thought they had been authorised to receive the lease.* In reply to a question put by Cr. Cox, Cr. Armstrong said the lease would be paid for. The tenders for the weighbridge were then, opened. Thero were three tenders; two tenderers offered each the sum of £10 a year, and one offered to take charge of it for three months, rendering an account of the proceeds fortnightly or monthly as the Council might prefer, Cr. Armstrong thought it unadvisable to accept any of the tenders until they had some idea what the returns -would amount to. He mored that none of tliern be accepted. Cr. Walker seconded the motion. Fe did not think it fair to accept any of the tenders until tho Council had a three months trial of it. Cr. Sheath moved that tendors be called for six months. Cr. Cox seconded. The amendment was carried by three to* two. The Assessment Roll was then brought forward for consideration. The total OBBeeemenfe amounts to £9974. Cr. Ferguson, in moving tho adoption of the Roll, would like to know from the Town Clerk if any of tho Crs. had inspected the Roll.Cr. Cox seconded the adoption, ■which was carried unanimously. Some conversation took place regarding a slight irregularity which was said to have been committed by a member of the Public Works Committee in respect to the weighbridge approaches, but the matter dropped ■without any motion being put. The Finance Report, No. 8 showing that £95 16s, had been paid since last Council meeting was received and adopted. The Public Works report was received and adopted. It was arrauged that the Public Works Committee should always meet immediately after the Council mpeting, and that the Finance Committee should meet on the Wednesday evening after the Council meeting, at 8 o'clock. The following accounts were referred to. Committees : — James Hill, balance of Der-went-street bridge, £159 ss ; F. H. M'Coy, £2 2s j Roddy, 14 days work at 9s, £6 6s ; Surfaceman, 4 weeks, £8 Bs. The standing orders were suspended toenable Cr. Ferguson to move that tenders be called for the re-erection of Campbelltonstreet bridge, which was carried away by the flood. The motion was seconded by Cr. Armstrong, and the Public Works Committee were empowered to get specifications drawn up, to call for tenders and accept the one they thought best for the purpose. — Carried. It was thought advisable to have a hand rail to the bridge. The Mayor stated that he had handed the memorial re the Borough to the Corporation Solicitor, who had kindly offered to draw ib up in a presentable form free of cost. In reply to a question put by Cr. Ferguson, it was stated that the matter of the Education Reserves would be considered at the next meeting of the Education Board. The Town Clerk had again reminded Mr. Hislop of hia promise to bring the matter forward at the Board meeting, sq there is every probability that the Education Reserves in the town will . be disposed of at an early date. . Cr. Walker stated that the floods had eaten into the creek dyke in Beaumont-road, and that something should be done to protect ifc from further damage. The Publio Works Committee were empowered to have the necessary work done. The Council then adjourned.