Untitled

Bruce Herald, Volume VI, Issue 362, 5 April 1871, Page 6

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Council was held in the Council Hall on Monday evening. There were present his Worship the Mayor m the chair, and Councillors M'Laren, Duncan, Bradley. Langley, Marshall and Houston. The minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed. An application was read from Mr F. Julius for permission to erect a Skittle Alley at the Camp Hotel. His Worship explained that a similar application had been refused, as the Council were not aware they had the power to grant such licenses. It had been ascertained, however, that they had. Application granted. . . A letter was read from Messrs M'Murtrie, Murray, .and others, calling the attention of the Council to the disgraceful state of the culvert across Ossian street. The letter was received. The following accounts were passed :— ' Bruce Standard,' L 2 10s ; J. Waters, gravelling, LB lss. . . An account, R. M'Rae, L 4 10s for cartage, <fee., was handed in, but as ,no one knew where or when the work was done, it was held over. ; His Worship reported that he had seen Mr Gillies as to the gravel for various streets, and read a letter from that gentleman agreeing to supply the same upon conditions named. 8 These were agreed to. The following report was read by the Committee appointed to examine as to the authority for the preparation 5f the leases of the Fairfax Reserves : — " April 3rd, 1871. " Your Committee Examined minutes, and can find no minnte authorising Mr John Stamper to . make out leases of municipal reserves, aiid. recommend the Council to apply to him ( Air John Stamper) for a copy of his authority for the engrossing «f said leases0. W. Lang tray, "V ,War. Marshall, > Committee.' Wit; Houston, ) Mr R. R. Jones having been called in to explain the matter, said, that although no

direct authbi-ityjhthe first instance had been minuted, the leases had been prepared in terms of the conditions of letting. The correspondence with the Government had besn laid before and been approved of by the Council, as had also a draft of the lease, and the Mayor, by minute of the- Oouhcil had been authorised to execute the le uses by affix r ing thereto the seal of the Corporation. If the Council contemplated repudiating the leases, it would be an extraordinary proceeding, but he would be content to return the leases to his safe No bargain or arrailgejnent had been made as to the charge for the leases, which, considering the outlay for stamps, plans, &c, he considered fair and reasonable. If, however, the Council considered the charge too high, he w*s willing to negotiate with them upon the subject. A long discussion ensued, in the course of which, several, members explained that they never contemplated repudiation ; they considered the charge too high and simply wanted to know what authority had been given, and what arrangement made as to the preparation of the leases. Ultimately Mr Jone3 offered to reduce the charge to L-3 3s for each, and the account thus amended was passed. The following report of Committee appointed to examine drains in Alfred . and Manor streets, and the nuisance complained of on Mi- Goodall's property was read :— " Tour Committee have to report that they have examined the drains in Alfred and Manor stieets, and have employed a man to clean out the -same; That they have examined the nuisance on Mr Goodall's property, and instructed (him to clean out the ditch and remove the nuisance complained of, and your committee have to report that up to this time the nuisance has not been rein oved. G. W. ?La3tgt.ey, ) A. D. Duncan, > Committee." Wm. Houston, ; His Worship was surprised at the terms of the report, which he said, evidently manifested an animus against himself. The nuisance had been removed immediately upon ' his attention being called to the matter, and he had ordered it to be cleaned twice since. Councillor Langlej said the same party had that day made com jlaints to him of the liilisance being still existing. An accoimt, D. Campbell, LI 16s for cleaning drains was passed. The following tenders were then accepted : For gravelling Moore. Pope and High streets, W. Tough, at Is lOd per Ibad ; for gravelling Shakespeare street, L. Dawsbn at Is 8d p«r load, and District Road, same tenderer at Is 6d pei* load. Councilldr Duncan moved that the tender of David Wilson, L 4 19s, be accepted for forming Queen street and that of W. Tough be accepted for gravelling the same. •Councillor Langley had no objection to the work if they had funds for the purpose, but this he contended they had not without leaving to their successors a legacy of debt which he for one decidedly objected to. Some discussion ensued, but the motion was not seconded. Councillor Duncan moved, and Mr Bradley seconded the suspension of the standing orders, and this having been carried, he moved that the Council agrees to half the cost of any channelling which may be done, by private parties — the price to be paid by the Council to be Is 6d a yard, and the total sum not to exceed L 25. Councillor M'Laren seconded the motion. Councillor Langley contended there were no funds, available for this purpose, that after paying all contracts and meeting present engagements only about L2O would remain, and with this sura they had. to meet the cleaning of channels, repairs of footpaths, &c. during the winter. Councillor Houston said that the CoTincil had already passed a. resolution to the effect that they had no funds for this purpose. He considered the most sensible way would be to call a meeting of the ratepayers, and if they agreed then the channelling could be .gone on with and the Council would he relieved of the responsibility. He objected to the channelling being gone on with till they knew where the funds were to come from, and he never would be a party to leaving a load of debt for their successors. His Worship contended that the course proposed would save money, as if the water courses were channelled they would hot require cleaning. Councillor Langley pointed out "that the permanent levels of the main street had not yet been fixed, and that the Government had promised to have this done previous to laying the metal shortly to be put on. If the channelling were doiio just how it might have to be. all altered within a few weeks His Worship said the channelling was being laid according to the permanent levels. Councillor Langley : It is not fixed yet. The last communication from the Governmen was simply a promise to send a surveyor to have it done, and he had never seen him here yet. . ... Councillor Marshall was glad to find Councillor Duncan had changed his mind as to the channelling within the last fortnight, 'for he had opposed it. when he (Mr Marshall) brought up the subject. He also was^opposed to running into debt, but believed there would be sufficient surplus funds to meet 'half the expense of all, channelling which would be undertaken. He opposed the suggestion to appeal to the ratepayei s, as at last election they Jwere unanimous to borrow money for the work. Now it was being done in a more economical manner. . Upon being put to the meeting there voted for the motion Councillors Duncan, M'Laren, Marshall, and Bradley, and against ConncilLangley and Houston. v The motion was therefore declared carried. In reply to Councillor Langley, the Clerk said the whole amount of rates collected was L 266 17s, and the amount outstanding was L 3 15s. Councillor Langley said that from the amount which would shortly be payable upon contracts, and the expenditure now in pro-; spect. it was evident that the Council would shortly be in want of funds. They would be obliged to apply to the Bank and pay heavy interest This ought to be avoided as far as possible. The only remedy for this was, for the Clerk to apply to the Government for; for the subsidy now due. , . , : The Clerk was instructed accordingly. He was likewise, instructed to communicate with two of the lessees of the Fairfax Reserves who had not yet taken up their leases. . H^ was also instructed to forward to Mr. Philpcopy of the resolution of the Council as to, channelling. ... . . ... : Several councillors having called the at- .' tentioh of the. Council to the necessity for j. repairs at the foot of Ab.ercrqmby and Mill; streets, the. matter was referred to the Works; Committee for. examination, and report. | Councillor Houston called attention to the; necessity of causing all owners of property! adjoining the streets to fence their secVqhs, i also to remove/all projecting live fences, The : matter was referred to the Works Committee. The meeting taea adjourned.