Browne & Klein,

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

Browne & Klein,

" Evening Star" office, Bevoll street. The Chairman observed that he thought the letter was devoid of proper courtesy, and did not pay the Council that respect, to which, as a corporate body, it was entitled. Cr Anderson desired to know why the printing had been given to the West Coast Times, without proper enquiries being made as to whether the work could not have been executed at a cheaper rate by the " Evening Star." Cr Clarke could not endorse the sentiments of Cr Anderson, as, under any circumstances, the Council was not to be subjected to the dogmatism of any journal. He thought that the letter was far from respectful, and would therefore move — " That the letter be not received, as it was not courteously worded." Cr Cumming fully concurred with the proposer's observations and had much pleasure in sending the resolution. Cr Anderson would move as an amendment " That the letter be received," but there being no seconder the- amendment lapsed, and the motion was carried. A petition from Messrs Anderson, Mowat, and others, complaining of certain nui&ances was then read, whereupon Cr Williams moved " That the Town Clerk be directed to write to the memorialists and Inspector of* Police upon the subject of complaint." / Seconded by Cr Cumming, and carried. Jp A letter from Mr Prosser, enclosing memorial of inhabitants holding business sites, complaining of certain buildings being removed in order to permit the construction of Hamilton to Beach street, was rend. Cr Williams would state that he had been communicated with respecting this j matter and was of opinion that the right- i of-way by the Empire Hotel, if widened,

would dispense with the necessity of extending Hamilton street. If it became expedient to remove tho storcH of Messrs Anderson and Stanford, provided they received compensation, it ought to be done. Cr Williams then moved "That, the memorial do lie upon the (able." Seconded by Cr Cumming, and carried. The reports on the Asphalte Paving and the Hokitika Tramway Company, together with the remarks of the Town Surveyor thereon, were then brought up and ordered to lie upon the table. Cr Clarke then moved—" That step 3be taken to open up the road from Gibson's Quay to Ite.vajl street." Seconded by Cr Ecclesfield, and referred to the Public Works Committee. Cr Anderson moved, and Cr Ecclesfield seconded — " That it is desirable with the view to prevent future claims for compensation being made on the ratepayers, that the inteutions of the Government be ascertained in reference to the removal of parties occupying premises on the public streets, so that any such claims may be finally disposed of previous to the approaching land sales, and the funds from which such compensations ought to be drawn, are available." The Town Clerk then stated that he had received a copy of the " Gazette" containing the verification of the election of the councillors ; also a draft Bill to declare the election of the Hokitika municipality legal. Mr Harvey, solicitor to the Council, drew attention to several material alterations made in the draft Bill while in committee, and which would to a great extent mar its operation. After some further discussion it was resolved " That the Solicitor to the Council make such alterations as by him may be deemed necessary." The following letter from Mr Bright was 1 then read and received : — Christchurch, Nor. 1, 1866. Dear Sir — I enclose for the information of the Council, draft of Bill to amend the " Canterbury Fire Ordinance, 1866." I have sent a duplicate to the Secretary of the Hokitika Volunteer Fire Brigade. It is nay intention, -when the bill is in committee, to propose the nsertion of additional words in clause 2, as noted in the margin. The bill is on the paper for first rending on Tuesday next, to .which day the Council stands adjourned. For the same day I have a notice on the paper, of question as to the intention of the Government to introduce a bill during the present session to amend the Gibson's Quay Ordinance. I also move on the same day for ! a Select Committee to report generally upon j the subject of reserves and re-surveys in the ] town of Hokitika, with a view to the adjust- | ment of all equitable claims, and I have every confidence of securing terms that Avill amount ' to substantial justice to all ptirties. I You will see -from the papers that my hon. I friend Mr Barlf succeeded in eliciting a most important assurance on Wednesday last, from the Provincial Secretary, to- the effect that all promises of compensation to section holders in Hamilton-street, &c. (made by the late Secretary for Public Work 6, Mr J. Hall), should be faithfully fulfilled. I shall be glad to be armed with all the information I can obtain, in conducting the en-quh-y into the reserve question, in the Select Committee. I tliink the Governmsnt will be very much inclined to leave the question of opening up Weld and Hamilton-streets to the beach to the decision of the Municipal Council, if they will jmdertake the responsibility ; and that, in fact, "the disposition is to enlarge rather than to cripple the powers of the Council as a body having authority in the town. I have to acknowledge favors from both yourself and Mr Lazar. The bill to validate the past election and all steps subsequently taken under it, ?nust be passed. There remains no doubt whatever as to its imperative necessity. With regard to the larger question of the Amendment of the Municipal Ordinance, I am advised that it would ! be better to introduce a " Hokitika Town Council Bill." I send you copies of the Christchurch City Council Ordinances, as now in force. " The new draft ordinance, prepared at the instance of the City Council is under revision, I understand, by the Council's legal referees ; and I have no expectation of its passing through the Legislature during the present session. I think I am justified in saying, in conclusion, that your Council caunot adopt a more judicious course, than to place themselves — through whatever medium they may Belect — in intimate and frequent communication with the Provincial Government, on all matters that concern the interests of the town. I am bound to say that I have met with nothing but a disposition to do right, and to consult, as far as possible, the views of the people of Hokitika, as represented in their Town Council. I am, dear sir, Yours very faithfully, Thos. L. Bright. Jas. A. Bonar, Esq., Chairman Hokitika Municipal Council. Cr Williams then moved, and Cr Ecclesfifld seconded, "That the Town Surveyor be instructed to prepare plans and call for tenders for making a roadway from Revell street to Beach street." Carried. The report of the Public Works Committee was then brought up, and it was resolved that the offer for asphalting the footpaths, be indefinitely postponed, but that permission be granted to lay down asphalte, subject to the supervision of the Town Surveyor. It was resolved " That circulars be sent to the proprietors of the newspapers inviting them to inspect work to be done, and that they may fix scale of charges." Cr Williams then gave notice of his intention to move at the next meeting of the Council "That the Town Surveyor be instructed to superintend the cutting of drains and sewers at the crossings of the j various streets." He then asked leave of absence for one month, stating that business of importance required his presence at Melbourne, but that in his absence Cr Cumming would attend to the motion standing iv his (Cr Williams) name. Leave of absence granted. Cr Cumming then moved, and Cr Anderson seconded — " That Cr Shaw's leave of absence be reckoned from the 12th of November inst." Carried nem. con. Moved and carried— "Tfcat Crs Cumming and Ilungerford do act upon the Public Works Committee during the temporary absence of Crs Shaw and Williams." Cr Anderson then asked leave to introduce a deputation, consisting of Messrs M'Farlane, Findlay, and Graham, from the inhabitants of Beach street. Leave was granted, and the underwritten memorial was presented :—: — Hokitika, November 8C1866.8 C 1866. Sir — We, the undersigned inhabitants of Beach street, beg most earnestly to call the attention of the Municipal Council to the present deplorable state of this part of the town. Since communication has been cut off along the river bank the only entrance to this street is by a right-of-way, which is impaßSable to pedestrians. A portion of the street itself is completely submerged, and in the hollows staguaut water and impurities of all kinds cause a noxious smell, which is extremely injurious to health. In consequence, business has fallen off, and property has greatly depreciated in value. We would respectfully point out to the Municipal Council that a large portion of the traffic between the south-west and other por-

tions of the town passes through this street,' and that unless immediate steps be taken to put the street and approaches in repair, communication will soon be entirely cut off. We are, &c. [Here follow the signatures.] To the Chairman of the Municipal Council, Hokitika. The Chairman, iv reply, stated that some of the matters referred to in the memorial were already under the consideration of ' the Public \\ orks Committee, but notwithstanding, the memorial would receive the early attention of the Council. I The deputation then withdrew, thanking the chairman for the audience. The Council then went into committee.