TOWN COUNCIL.

The usual fortnightly, and last mooting of the olfl Council, was hohl on Thursday night, when there wore present, His Worship the Mayor, Councillors Humphrey, Gibbs, Proctor, lloadland, and Mainland. The minutes of the previous meeting were road and confirmed, and tho outward correspondence was read and approved. Mr John Currio wrote, asking what ro- , duotion tho Council would make in tho rates on section 1, Block (S, as tho rates would all fall on him siuco the late (iro. After some little discussion on the mattor, it was resolved that a reduction of onethird of the amount assessed be made. Mr J. P. Maitlnnd, Commissioner of Crown Lands, wrote, intimating that it had come to his knowledge that the soil had boon romovod from section GO, Block 4, Awamoko, by those on».»god on tho waterworks. Ho wished to know by whoso authority it had boon done. Tho letter was referred to tho Enginoer for roport and attention. A 4otter was road from tho County Clerk with regard tho submerging of .the crossing on tho Awamoko Crock from tho water raco, and stating that if the flood was likoly to continue a foot bridgo would bo necessary. It was rosolvod to acknowledge tho receipt of tho letter, and that it bo referred to the Engineer. Tho following letter was read from Mr P. Aitohison. Allow ino to call your attontio n to a roport of your deliberations in reference to tho waterworks. It was stated that you iutotid to ask or potition Parliament to pass a Bill, to allow you tho privilege of using certain creeks as an easement for the surface drainage water. At that rato yon would l>o easing off tho water during tho flooded Btate of the crook, or properly spoaking, duvin. As you have an ovorby or sluico on my property, if intended for relief during Hoods, I bog most respectfully to inform you that tho Public Drain is insufficient to carry oIF tho ordinary floods at present, and if you intend to apply to Pnrliamont to got an Act passed for that purpose, I must say that it will ho an injury to mo if more water is put in said drain. Therefore I must object to auy additional water lot off during Hoods, and I should ho most happy to meet your requirements in that lino by some mutual arrangement if possible. As to tho surface water on my property being collected into drains at certain points crossing tho water raco, I am fully prepared to receive the same in dofinod drains adjacent to thoir original coursos. It was resolved to acknowledge receipt of the letter, and to inform tho writer that tho recommendations thoreiu contained should have tho Council's attention. Mr Goorgo Sumptor wrolo, stating that ho had boon requested by Mr John Smith to have the race fenced through sections 71, 72, and 74, Block 3, Papakaio. It was resolved that tho letter bo referred to tho Engineer, and that Mr Sumptor bo informed that tho work of fencing is in progress. Air T. H. Brown, President of tho Oamaru Ilospital, wrote, drawing attoution to the disgraceful state of tho road loading to the Hospital, and enclosing a noto from Dr Wait on tho samo subject. Sovoral of tho Councillors statod that sinco tho date of tho lottora tho road hud got into a nmoh bettor condition. Tho letter was reforrod to tho Public Works Committee. Tho Under Secretary for Lands wroto, forwording Gazottos, containing orders in Council, vesting cor tain reserves in the town of Oamaru in the Council. Tho writer alto wroto, informing the Council that there was no objection to granting tho recreation reserves in pursuance of section 11 of the Public Works Act, 1877, and that the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Dunedin, would be roquosted to prepare th» grants accordingly. Tho Clork to tho Waiaroka Road Board wrote, enclosing aocount for solioitors ox • ponses (L26 6s sd) in tho matter of aoquiring land for roadlino to Municipal Quarry, and asking tho Counoil to arrange for payment to Mewa Julius and Balmer direct. Councillor Mainland submitted a lettor fron? tho manager of tho Gasworks, intimating that it was necessary to obtain additional plant for tho works, part of which would have to bo obtained from England, and part from Melbourne. It was rosolvod that tho necessary articles bo oiderod. Tho following report was read from tho Enginoer : I havo tho honor to report with reference to the Waterworks as follows : The hoatbvorks aroin (irst-rato order, and the supply from the rivor quite satisfactory. The Black Point section is in good working order, carrying a full complomont of water. All tho repairs on tho Awamoko section will he completely finished in a few days, and the water will bo turned on as far us tho Waikoura on Saturday. Almost all tho rest of tho raco cutting is practically finished ; at all events thore is nothing to do but what can bo uudortakon by one gang of 13 or 14 men working in advance of the water, a«s let down from tho Waikoura to tho Reservoir. In timber work, our supply from Waimate has ceased ; and I am now making arrangements to bo supplied by threo different parties, so that the whole material can bo put upon the ground simultaneously. The largoe aqueduct at Frew's Gully will bo completely finished early next week ; mid all the other timber work in progross is being carried on in a satisfactory manner. The tunnel driving is all completed, and tho tunnel fronts aro being scoured in masonry, At the liosorvoir, tho contractor for tho filling in of tho embankment is mnkiug all preparations to commence on Monday. The pipes ox Dunkold are boing rapidly stored at tho Gai Works Yards, nearly COO tons having been now delivered. They appear to bo of excellent quality so far, but of courso, in order to prove thorn thoroughly, a certain proportion will have to bo tested by hydraulic pressure, Councillor Humphrey called tho attention of tho Council to tho statement made in tho report with reference to arrangements having boon made by tho Engineer for tho supply .jpf additional timber. He thought it had boon understood that no now contracts wore to bo entorod into, and ho would like to know on what authority tho Engineer had acted. Tho Mayor explained that tho Engineer had statod to him that ho had boon to Timaru and mado arrangements for the supply of timber necessary to completo present contracts. He (his Worship) had i not been awaro of the Engineer's intontion to make any such arrangements It was resolved that Mr M'Lood bo requested to inform tho Council of tho I terms of tho arrangement ontorod into for tlio supply of timber, giving all particulars as to price, quantities, Ao. A number of accounts were passed for payment. The retiring Mayor (Mr Steward) then road the address, which was published in yesterday's issue. Or Gibbs, the Mayor elect, said he did not feel it neoossary for him to say much on tho subjeot. He had aat at the satno table with the Mayor for the past threo year*, and lit could only aay that the

wholo of that tiino had boon passed in a most pleasant man nor. Mr Steward had always treated tho members of the Council with tho utmost courtesy and luminous, and it was principally ovvinx to Miis thut his (tho speaker's) connection with tho Council had boon of so pleasant a nature Ho would move : That the mombors of tho Oamaru Municipal Council dosiro to placo on rocord their appreciation of tho very ablo man nor in which (ho retiring Mayor, W. J. Steward, Esq., has conducted tho dutios of his oflico, and that tho sivino bo recorded on the minutes. Councillor Proctor, in seconding the motion, said as olio of tho retiring councillors ho would himsolf, to use the words of NVolscy, have to bid a long farewell to all Ilia groatnoss. Ho was not twitted with the power of elomienoo which belonged to somo, but ho had always tried to do his duty. The motion was carried unanimously. On tho motion of Or. Humphrey, soconded by Or. Ho.idlanri, a vote of thanks was passed to tho retiring councillor* (Messrs Procter, Sponoe, and Family ton), to which Or. F.imilton responded Tho next mooting of tho Council was fixed for Thursday next. The Council tlion rose.