MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

Westport Times, Volume VII, Issue 1100, 22 August 1873, Page 2

MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

The first meeting of the newly elected Council was held in the Court House on Wednesday morning las£, and Messrs Thorpe, Stitt, Humphrey, Whyte, Organ, Blacklock, Suisted, Powell, and Sheahan, made the usual declaration to faithfully perform their duties as Councillors. Cr. Stitt was called to the chair, and on the motion of Cr. Powell, seconded by Cr. Suisted, Cr. Humphrey was unanimously elected Mayor. Proposed by Cr. Sheahan, seconded by Cr. Stitt, "That Cr. Robert Whyte should be appointed Acting-Town Clerk." Carried.

Letters from P". M'Farlane, butcher, asking permission to occupy his present business stand on the line of Cobden street; and from E Roche, asking permission to fence in the land between his hotel and the residence of W. S. Munday, so that he might at once protect the river bank, were read. Consideration postponed until next meeting of Council. The following notices of motion were given by Cr. Sheahan: " That application should be made to the Nelson Waste Lands Board for copies of any lease, or other documents giving the right to any parties to mine for coal between the Buller and Mokihinui, or any part of the Mount Rochfort Coalfield." " That tlie attention of the Minister of Public Works should be called to the circumstance of contracts for public works having been entered into in the district with persons absolutely without means to pay their workmen, whose interests have been thereby sacrificed, and the community made to suffer. And that, in view of other public works being commenced in the neighborhood of Westport, the Council urge the necessity of an alteration in the system of letting contracts, and that security from contractors should be demanded to the extent of at least 20 per cent." By Cr. Whyte : " That a committee be appointed to prepare and bring up Bye-laws." By Cr. Organ : "' That necessary copies of the Municipal Ordinances be procured." The following telegram was read and received : " Government Buildings, " Wellington, August 20. " To his Worship the Mayor of Westport, " Having obtained plans from Nelson, I have requested the Governor to grant Municipal and Colliery Reserves to the Corporation. The matter now rests entirely with the General Government. " Oswalo Curtis. " Superintendent." The next meeting of the Council was fixed for i p.m. on Monday next.