MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

West Coast Times, Issue 342, 27 October 1866, Page 2

MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

A meeting was held last evening at the Fire Brigade Hall, Rovell street.- AH the members were present. Mr Bonar in the chair. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Cr Shaw presented a petition signed- by fifty-five householders, respecting the right-of-way between Messrs Manson and Moffatt's premises in^Revell street, which it was understood is to be built on. A motion by Cr Shaw, that the petiti-m be taken into consideration at the next mteling of the Council was at a subsequent period 'carried.

The Chairman read a letter from Mr Lazar, accepting the appointment of Town Clerk, and thanking the Council for his appointment. It was announced that in consequence of Mr Lazar having been busily engaged in preparing a code of standing orders he had been unable to see his proposed sureties.

A letter was received from Mr Sale, announcing that action had been stayed with regard to the removal of the occupiers of the police reserve, Weld street (No. 441). The letter waa ordered to be received.

The following communication from Mr Bright was then read.

" Christchurch, "Monday,' October 22, 18G6. " Sir, — I desire to report to you from time to time on the progress of matters lure connected- with the interests of the town of Hokitika.

" I have ,not had the opportunity of an interview with his Honor the Superintendent, to press upon his attention the various matters upon which memorials have been addressed to him. I made it my business, however, to wait on Mr Stewart, the Provincial Secretary, and obtained his ready concurrence in the proposal to suspend the notice to remove from the Police Keserve, given to the present occupiers of sections upon it. '* I believe tho Government will be found anxious to assist in passing a measure to amend the present Municipal Ordinance ; and I beg to press upon you the great importance of causing a draft measure to be prepared by your Solicitor with the utmost possible promptitude, that I may have an early opportunity of submitting it to the House. If you will ii.form me that this c turse is being adopted, I will at once move for leave to introduce the Bill, that it may have an early place on the order paper.

" A Bill is about to be introduced referring to Christchurch only ; and ' in this I believe it will be proposed that the chief officer of the Corporation shall be constituted a Mayor, with the usual magisterial powers. If a similar proposal with reference to Hokitika meets with the concurrence of your Council, I shall be very glad to support it.

"It will, l tbink, be absolutely necessary to introduce a clause rendering valid past proceedings, as the opinions of those I have consulted here on the subject entirely accord with my own — that the course which events took in connection with the election of councillors was not at all provided for by the Ordinance, under which the Municipality has been created. At all events, it would be wise by a declaratory clause to remove all doubt as to the validity of your rating powers. On a similar question a long and most vexatious struggle has beeji waging here. " I write very hurriedly, my hands being full ; and begging the Council to command my services in *ny way that may promote' the interests of the town, " I am, Sir, " Yours faithfully, '*Thos. L. Bright. ■ " J. A. Bonar, Esq., "Chairman of the Municipal Council, " Hokitika. 1 ' Cr Shaw moved that Mr Bright be thanked for the interest he had shown, and that a bill be drawn out, declaring the •electionof this Municipality valid, notwithstanding any irregularity,

Cr Fitzsimmons seconded the motion, which was then put and carried. The Town Clerk announced that he had prepared a code of standing orders, which he then read. " , Cr Bhaw proposed that they be passed i7i globo ; but after a discussion it was resolved that they be passed seriatim ; and dri the rriotion df Cr Hungerford, secorided by Cr Clarke, they ivere ordered to be received and printed.

Cr Fitzsimmons requested leave to move without notice that a letter be written to Mr Sale regarding the non-at rival of the Wm. Miskin, and requesting that steps be taken for the despatch of a vessel to ascer tain her fate.

The Chairman stated that he had already received a requisition ou the subject, and that A meeting had been announced to take place at the Prince of Wales Opera House on 1 Saturday at halfpast two o'clock. He understood that Mr Sale was willing to meet the views of the public to the utmost of his power. The motion was therefore withdrawn.

Cr Fitzsimmons, in accordance with notice given at the previous meeting the Council, moved, " That applications be received from parties willing to act as Insoector of Nuisances." He had received complaints of nuisances from many parties, and he himself had much reason to complain. It was a most necessary office, and should be immediately rilled.

Seconded by Cr Clarke

After a discussion as to the power such an officer would possess, it was proposed by Cr Williams, seconded by Cr Fitzsimmons, and carried, "That Inspector Broham be written to requesting that he would appoint an officer to perform the duties of Inspector of Nuisances." Cr Williams obtained leave to amend bis motion, notice of which had been given, as follows: — ''That rewards of L 5, L 3, and Ll respectively be granted to the carriers of the first, second, and third loads of water brought to a fire. Seconded by Cr Clarke, and carried.

In answer to a question from Cr. FitzBimmons, it was announced by the Chairman that the testimonials of the unsuccessful candidates for the situation of Town Clerk could be obtained on application to Mr Lazar, at the office of Mr Harvey. It was also resolved that an advertisement to that effect should be inserted in the local papers. Cr Williams moved— " That Crs Clarke, Ecclesfield, llungerford,,and Cumming be appointed- as a Finance Committee." Secoudediby Cr Fitzsimmons, and carried.

Cr. Clarke moved— "That Crs Shaw, Anderson, Fitzsimmoris, and Williams, be appointed a Committee of Works." Seconded by Cr Cumming, and carried. The Chairman acknowledged the obligation under which the Council lay to Mr Harvey for the use of his office, but remarked that it was necessary that a bm'lding should be rented till they could obtain suitable premises of their own. >&Cr Williams moved that an advertisement be inserted for a Town Clerk's office