Municipal Council.

Bruce Herald, Volume IX, Issue 806, 26 May 1876, Page 6

Municipal Council.

UALCLUTJJA

Tuesday, 23rd May. Present— His Worship the Mayor, and Crs. Kilgour, Hogg, Hope, Mason, and Duune. MINUTKS, The minutes of the former meeting were read and confirmed. VOTE OF THANKS A vote of thanks to the retiring Clerk was passed. RKI'ORT. Cr. Mason reported (on behalf of the "Works Committee) the appointment of Mr Sinclair as Inspector of Works at 10s per day, and that the various works ordered to be executed were being attended to. TOWN CLERIC. Applications were then opened for the office of Town Clerk, from the followingThomas Paterson, Wm. Henderson, and F. S. Canning. Voting by ballot was adopted, and resulted in the election of Mr Paterson. MESSRS ISARR AND OMVEIt's RIU'ORT. The following report from Messrs Ba.ir and Oliver was then read : — Dunedin, 20th ifny, IS7G. To His Worship the Mayor and Councillors of Balclutha. Gektjvemin, — With reference to the resolution of the Works Committee, and subsequently adopted by the Council, and referred to us for action, to'carry the -crater From the corner o/ Clyde anrl LmaiOi-sfcreefcs, dii-eeb into the Cluth:i River, instead of into the natural creek crossing Lanark-street about three chains from the junction, we would beg to point out some objections to that course, which we think ought to be stated Jo yon before the works are commenced. In the first place the creek in question has boon from all time the natural drainage of that part, and no one has any right to block off the water from- it, which naturally falls that way. In the second place, to carry the water by pipes to t':ie river-bank would involve the cutting of it to a depth of eight feef, and the disturbance of the ground upon a portion which at any time mny be flooded, and therefore the risk would be run of having the banks and the ground upon each side of the pipe trench very much and seriously damaged by (he action of "the flood water. Furthermore, quantities of sand getting into the pipes by the flood water at the mout.li, would to a great extent silt them np and stop the drninnge at the very time it was most wunted Even a flood-gate at the river would not prevent, this, as the sand would still gain access from boliind. Under conditions such as these, it is scarcely luvcssnry to point out that the flnod waters would be forced to go by the natural creek presently ol>jectad to by the Works Committee, notwithstanding that pipes were bid down fco the river. The matter of expense is a serious oVjeption to direct drainage to the river To provide fov sufficient water-run a lGin pipe would be required, of length, 350 feet, and depth of cutting at the river-bank (the highest ground) of 8 feet. We estimate the cost of this at £178, while, by pitched crossing at Lanark-street, and fall iuto the natural water-course, the cost would not CX' cecd £20. In view of the above, we have considered it to be our duty to by this mutter before jou for re-consideration, and shall wait further instruetlots in the matter before preparing any contracts. Wo ha?e the honor (o be, &c, B.wu & o sax kk, C.Es. ] THE WEIGHHRIDGK. An account from Messrs A. ISrisco and Co., for the weight bridge, for £81 Is. Cr. Dunne stated that he had taken steps, as directed, to try and dispose of the weighing machine to the Government, upon the conditions that it should he erected in JJalclutha, the Council to pay i,xpeuses and freight. ACCOUNT. An account from Mr Henderson, Inspector of vehicles, -£2, and one from the Town Clerk, £34: 15s, were passed for payment. Mr A. Doull here handed in an account for day labor, &c, which Cr. Hogg objected to pay, prior to its being examined and reported upon by the Finance Committee. He stated that a considerable amount of the daynun'y time had been occupied upon works uot ' authorised by the Council. He then questioned Sir Doull as to whether the whole of the work had been done within the municipality. Mr DouH, in reply, said he did not lenow the boundary of the Municipality, but some of the works were done beyond the railway bridge. Jt was ihea euggested that the account lie passed,

Or/ Hope objected, and stated that tJr. Hogg's ideas should be adhered to. i ■ His 'Worship stated' that he considered the action of the Council listening to all 'manner of outside statements, y in reference to works in progression, was very uucourteous towards him. A few yards of road outside of the Municipality had been repaired, but no labor had been expended upon private property. Cr. Hogg stated that he had apprised his Worship of his iutention to bring the matter before the Couucil, he therefore could not plead ignorance of it. Cr. Kilgour stated that although a member of the Works Committee, a number of works bad been done of which he had received no notice. Cr. Dunne thought that the money expended in the formation of a few yards of toad beyond the railway bridge was money well spent, as it was to the universal interest of the inhabitants: but, at the same time, if it had been expended Avithout authority it was incorrect. His Worship stated that he had received the sanction of the Council at a previous meeting to do the work referred to, but if the Council would not take his word he would himself pay for the work clone outside the Municipality. The account was referred to the Finance Committee, with instructions to pay it if correct. Accounts from John M'Donald and Co., 19s ; and Ironside and Paterson, £3 19s 2d, were passed for payment. engineers' report. Cr. Dunne moved, and Cr. Hope seconded — " That the Engineers' report be adopted and acted upon, and that the works be carried out under the supervision of the Works Committee." The motion was carried. A COMI'IAIXT. The following letter was read : — Bulclutlia, May 23, 1876. To the Mayor and Councillors. Gkntlemkn, — I have no doubt (hat you have individually seen and heard of tho annoyance caused almost doily in James-street, through cattle of every description being collected at Messrs O rigor, Maitleud and Co.'s sale yard.*, likewise the same being driven through in passing the township, the street being a narrow one and unmade, the. filth caused is unbearable, a^d the danger cannot be ovei'looked. I understand there is a clause in the Municipal Ordinance forbidding salt! yards within townships, and further, you »s°i governing body ought to put a stop to the driving of mobs of cattle through the street, in the daytime, and likewise stop the driving of cattle through James-street at all times through its narrowness. Trusting you will give this note your consideration, I am, &c, Eobert D. Kelly. Cr. Dunne stated that he did not think that the time had yet arrived when they should remove the sale yards from their present site. He wished there were more yards and more sales, limes would then be tetter. lie further stated that if the Municipal Act were to be carried out in its entirety there would be a number of shops, &c. that would require to be removed. Cr. Kilgour stated that the street wherein the yards were situated was only half a cnain wide, aud that the Council had uo power over it. Cr. Mason proposed, and Cr. Dunne seconded— " That the Clerk be instructed to write to Mr Kelly informing him that the Couucil do not recognise the street, owing to its being of improper width." The motion was carried. OUSTRUCTION OF TJIK BRIDGE. The Clerk here read the copy of a letter sent to Mr Mackay, contractor for the Kailway Bridge, requesting him to clear the roadway at the Station. C.Ui-STAN!>S. Cr. Dunne suggested that cab-stands be appointed "at the Station and township, and that clause 32 of the bye-laws he strictly enforced. It was ultimately agreed that the town stand should be between John M'Donald and Co.'s and the corner of Renfrew -street, and that the Works Committee report as to the best site for the stand at the Railway Station. This concluded the business.