HOKITIKA MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

West Coast Times, Issue 337, 22 October 1866, Page 2

HOKITIKA MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

A meeting of the Municipal Council was held on Friday night last r at the Fire Brigade Hall, all the members being present.

The minutes of the. two preceding meetings were read and confirmed. The following correspondence was submitted to the Council by the Chairman : —

A letter from Mr M'Lean offering "that in the event of the Council determining to assist by subsidy those householders in Eevell street, who had employed him to asphalte the street in front of their Fesidences, he was prepared to let the account stand over for four months until the Council were in funds."

Mr Williams thought he should have named his terms.

Tho Chairman considered that it would be well to let the question stand over until a City Surveyor was appointed, who would report upon those improvements which were the most urgently required. Mr Shaw moved, and Mr Williams seconded the motion — " That the letter stand over until a surveyor's advice could be taken.' Carried.

A petition from the holders ,of sections in the Police reserve, Weld street, was then read by the Chairman. Its substance was to the effect that they occupied the aground by virtue, of business licenses before it was declared a reserve, and therefore were entitled to some compensation should the Government compel a removal of their buildings. Last week they received official notices from Mr Sale, warning them that if the buildings were not removed by the 25th inst., the police would pull them down. This was a hardship and the petitioners^ therefore, trusted that the Council would give the matter its most favorable consideration, and, if possible, shield them from such an act of injustice. Mr Shaw 'felt sure that the unfortunate position the petitioners were placed in would ensure them the sympathy of the whole town. At the same time to assist them would be somewhat difficult, as the injustice complained of took place long before the Council was formed. Mr Shaw alluded to the promises made by Mr Moorhouse during his visit to Hokitika, and wondered that the " Commission of Enquiry" had never been appointed. If the buildings were removed, compensation should be awarded. A great principle was involved in this question, as there were many othes sites in town imperilled by the " Reserves," and the alterations in the original survey. It was clearly the duty, as well as thointerest of the Council to take the matter up, and get it settled as soon as possible. He thought the Council might refer the memorial to the Sup§rintenleut, and Mr Sale be requested to suspend action pending the return of an answer.

Mr Anderson remembered that the question- of the reserves was mooted when Mr Moorhouse was in -Hokitika, and he was of opinion, that in the event of occupiers being compelled to move, some kind of compensation should be granted them. He (Mr Moorhouae) seemed rather in favor of giving parties, so dispossessed, sections in other parts of the township. Mr Williams certainly considered that the petitioners deserved the sympathy of the whole town, aud he for one should only be too happy, as a private citizen, to help to get up a memorial to the Government in their favor. He, however, thought that the Council should not meddle in a matter with which it had no legitimate right to interfere. Mr Anderson remarked that he remembered hearing Mr Sale positively assert that when the sections in question were taken up they were not x marked on any plan. There was one held by Mr Campbell, which had been legitimately taken up, and when it was taken from him he received a very heavy compensation. The Chairman called Mr Anderson's attention to the fact that the petition distinctly said the land was surveyed and mapped. Mr Anderson was very positive touchiug Mr Sale's assertions. The Chairman thought some decision should be at once arrived at. Mr Shaw was aware that the subject was, in fact, beyond their jurisdiction. He, however, should move — "That this 'Council refer the memorial to the Superintendent, with a 1 request that the subject complahed of might be investigated, and that the Commissioner be requested to suspend further action until a reply to their application was received from Christchurch." Mr Camming, seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. A letter was handed in by Mr Shaw from certain residents on Gibson's Quay, and submitted to the Council, its purport being that LIOO having been subscribed at a public meeting held on Thursday night, for the purpose of constructing a dray road from Fitzherbert-street to Davis-street, (b? Council would sanction

the immediate commencement of the work, and that when the rates were levied for town improvements they (the petitioners) might be allowed to claim exemption from the payment of a sum equal in amount to that which the urgency of the work caused to be spent beforehand.

Mr Shaw spoke in favor of the request, and moved—" That the Council assure the petitioners that the subject shall receive their favorable consideration."

Mr Clarke seconded the resolution, but suggested- that no time should be lost in appointing a city surveyor to look into and report upon the works which were sp; inging up in every direction. The resolution was then put and carried. An application in writing from Mr Ord, that the Council would allow him to amend tlie application he had sent in for the office of roll compiler, was, on the motion of Mr Hungerford, declared to be inadmissible.

The Chairman reported that since the last meeting of the Council he had sent an application to the Government for a portion of the Police Reserve, Revell street, as a site for the Town Hall. He also forwarded a memorial to the Superintendent, praying that a sum of money equal in amount to half a three years' assessment' of rates in Hokitika should be placed upon the estimates as a Municipal Endowment. ' '

This concluded the business arising out of the minutes of the last meeting. Mr Shaw's motion on the Grey and Hokitika Tramway was then discussed. sHe (Mr £haw) spoke earnestly in favor of it. No public works in such a country as Westland were so important ac those of tramways, and he trusted that the Council would allow the company to run ' a line of rails from the old Hospital Reserve down Fitzherbert street, and along ' the wharf. The street was wide enough to allow room for the tramway without causing any interference with the general traffic. The work when completed would be of great service to the public by facilitating the transport of to the country, and thus cheapening the present high rates of carriage. Mr Cumming, with the proviso that the matter should first be submitted to the Town Surveyor, seconded the motion. The Chairman thought that the sooner a surveyor was elected the better it would be, as work was multiplying on their hands. Mr Clarke, aa an amendment, i moved "that the motion be laid on the table, pending the appointment of a surveyor, as there was no telling to wljat extent vested rights might be interfered with." Mr Fitzaiinmons seconded the amendment, ' Mr Williams moved, as a further amendment, '• that the matter should stand over until a surveyor be appointed ; but in the meantime the company should receive permission to run the line from the Hospital Reserve to the town boundary." Mr Clarke considered that the Council should especially foster local industries. He, however, felt it his duty in this case ' to stand to his amendment. Mr Shaw consented to modify his" original motion, which then stood as follows — " That the Council permit the Hokitika and Greymouth Company to lay down rails along that portion of the beach contained between the town boundary and the old Hospital Reserve. " A lengthy discussion followed, after which the opinion of the Council was taken, and Mr Clarke's amendment declared car- > ried. The notice of motion given by Mr Williams at the last meeting — " That -.all official appointments to ths Council be by ballot,' 1 was then discussed. Mr Williams, in speaking to the motion, declared that in his opinion there was nothing like the ballot, as a man could vote against his nearest and dearest friend without fear of giving offence. The ballot was in effect fifty years ago, and' ever since 1847 had been adopted in the colonies, and found to answer well. He agreed with the Council that all supplied, money, &c, should be voted openly, but at the election of officers, let the ballot be used. Mr Fitzsimmons seconded the motion. Mr Shaw, feeling sure he should be beaten, still must do his duty, and therefore should oppose the motion. He could not see the force of Mr Williams' argument, and thought that those parties v who were too sensitive to pass through the ordeal of open voting were certainly not fit to hold office, lhe Council was placed there by the public to vote for the public good, and, therefore, the public .had a perfect right to know how the votes were given. Supposing, for instance, although not probable, that at the election of Town Clerk some 'one might vote for a drunken, disreputable person, which would be discreditable in the extreme, was it not advisable that the name of such councillor who did so should be known to the public? There. was no balloting in the Melbourne or Dunedin Councils, as the names were written on cards and handed up to the Mayor and two assessors, and although the returns were » not published, anyone, by paying Is. could become acquainted with all the particulars , concerning them. Mr Shaw spoke at great ' length against the motion, and was several times applauded. Mr Clarke said the subject was one which caused a great cry, aud *yet produced little wool, as at the shearing of goats. He, however, agreed with Mr Williams that the ballot should be used at the election of officers. ' A desultory discussion followed, when the motion was put by the Chairmau, and and carried by a majority of one. Mr Shaw demanded a division, which resulted as follows :— Ayes — Messrs Ecclebfield, Fitzsimmons, Clarke, Williams, and Anderson. Noes — Messrs Shaw, Cumming, Hungerford, and theiChairman. The following notices of motion for the next meeting of the Council were then submitted by the Chairman :—: — Mr Williams to move — " That the future Town Clerk shall be required to find suretiej to the extent of LSOO. Mr Claike to move — " That no Councillor speak more than once on any motion, only in answer to questions or in explanation ; except the mover, who shall have a right to reply." " That matters arising out of minutes of previous meetings take precedence of all other business." "That no new subject matter of debate be introduced without notice having been given at a previous meeting.'' " That all servants engaged by the Council, shall enter into an agreement to terminate such engagement by notice at a [ period not exceeding three months, and [ that all salaries be paid monthly." 1 " That the Council shall resolve itself into a committee of the. whole to determine the amount of the Town Clerk's salary, the duties required, and the qualifications necessary' with a view to their insertion into the advertisement calling for applications." " That Messrs Ecelesfield, Hungerford, and the mover be appointed a Finance Commits,"

" NUISANCES. | THE EDITOR OF THE WEST COAST TIMES.) Sib,— r Will you allow me a few words in ' your paper of to-morrow, in reply to some remarks which appeared in this day's Times against me. lam but a very poor man, engaged in a very unpleasant although, you will admit, a very necessary occupation. At present I am unaware of any spot being appointed for the deposit of night soil, and until I " receive a reply to a letter I have written to the Municipal Council, I shall not know where to go. lam sincerely sorry if I have iv any way offended or annoyed the public, and shall work no more in the business until I am informed » where soil is to be deposited. Nightmen are absolutely necessary, and exist in every town ; and with the greatest caro and attention it is sometimes impossible to prevent leakage from a cart, especially in a town where the streets are rough and unformed. I have been summoned to the Magistrate's Court to answer fbr what I have done, and as I fear your very Btringent remarks may tend to make my case appear worse before the Magistrate, I trust you will allow me insertion of this letter in explanation. I repeat my extreme regret at •what has 'happened, more especially as I am only desirous of earning an honest living, and hope his Worship will be lenient to a poor man.

I am, sir, your obedient servant, Tim Webb.

Hokitita, Oct. 20, 1866.

[The remarks of which our correspondent complaints were not intended solely to apply to him, but merely included him in the number of those men who have so long and so persistently endangered the public health by their wilful disregard of decency. We are aware that his calling is a necessary one, but it need not be made a pretext for poisoning his neighbors. That there is no manure depot we admit, but surely other places might be fquud in which to deposit rubbish besides the very middle of the town. Our correspondent might as well discharge his cargo in the middle of Eevell Btreet as in a lane leading from it — at the Empire's front door as well as those at the side or back. Till a depot be declared

nightmen should convey their soil beyond the ' town boundary, and discharge it into the sea at low water : this would at least mitigate the nuisance. As to our correspondent's sorrow, &c, what does he say to posting the summons on the door of the Fire Brigade Hall ? That seems at least to be a queer wav of expressing it.— Ed. W. C. T.]