MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

West Coast Times, Issue 360, 17 November 1866, Page 2

MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

A meeting of the Municipal Council of Hokitika was held last evening, at which there were present Councillors Williams, Clarke, Cumming, Ecclesfield, Fitzsimmons, Ilungerford, Anderson, and the Chairman. The Jminutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. A letter from Mr Bright, M.P.C., ifttimating that determined opposition to the introduction of a measure vesting the management of the Hokitika wharf in the hands of the Council was likely to be offered, and the necessity of prompt action on their part, was then read. Cr Fitzsimmons thereupon proposed — " That the Town Clerk be instructed to write to Mr Bright, requesting him to secure (if possible) the right of the Council to the entire control of the wharf known as Gibson's Quay." Seconded by Cr Clarke, and carried. The Chairman stated that Mr Bright had referred to the cutting ot anew channel for the river, and that the Provincial Government had despatched Mr Dobson to give the matter his consideration. Several communications were then read, requesting the leave of the Council to erect certain verandahs, and they were referred to {he Public Works Committee. Permission was also given to Mr Browne to finish the verandah at present in partial construction ; subject, however, to the approval of the Town Surveyor. An application from Mr Higgins for the appointment of messenger to the Council was opened and ordered to lie upon the table until the advertisement calling for applications had been inserted. A letter from Dr. Burns, complaining of the want of proper drainage, and the urgent necessity for an immediate appointment of an inspector of nuisances, was opened and received. A letter from Mr Commissioner Sale, informing the Council of the transmission of «i new map of Hokitika to Christchurch was also accepted. A communication from Mr M'Lean, fixing the timeof keeping asphalte pavement in repair, was received. A letter from Clarke Bros , requesting permission of fifty feet of wharf for landing coals, was read and granted, the Chairman informing the applicants that at present the Council had no power to interfere with the police. The following letter from Messrs Browne and Klein, the proprietors of the "Evening Star," was then read : — J. Bonar, Esq., Chairman, and the members of the Municipal Council, Hokitika. "Evening Star" Olfice, 14th November, 1866. Sir, and Gentlejiex— We respectfully beg to call your attention to the following matter : We are printers in Hokitika, and are willing and at all times prepared to give estimates for tiny description of printing which m:iy be required. We have been informed that your Council has required certain printing work to be performed. We have to state that we have never been asked to give an estimate for the same, but learn, with regret, that Ihe work has been handed over to the proprietary of the West Coast Times, before any estimate has been asked for or given by any other firm. We belive that, bad mi estimate of cost been called for, we should have been able to tender at a price which would have saved the Council a verj considerable expense. We therefore respectfully call upon the Chairman and Council to afford some reason why both the printing offices in Hokitika should not have been allowed to compete for work, which has been placed in the hands of one firm, without any intimation that such work was required being intimated to the other. We have no reason to believe that yourself and councillors desire to act otherwise thair fairly to tho ratepayers, as also to the members of the printing trade in Hokitika. We beg most respectfully to call your attention to a matter in which, we believe, we have reasonable grounds of complaint. We are, Sir and Gentlemen, your obedient servants,