MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

Cromwell Argus, Volume VI, Issue 306, 22 September 1875, Page 7

MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

An ordinary meeting of Council took place on Friday, 10th inst. Present—The Mayor, and all the members, with the exception of Counoillor Grant, , ' , , , Minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed. ~ j CORRESPONDENCE, Inward comprised letters from Law, Somxxer, and Co., relating to grass seeds ; Commissioner of Police, acknowledging communication from Council regarding promotion of Constable M‘Gann, and stating the Department did not .see its way clear to accede to the request at present; Colonial Bank, asking that the Corporation would allow the waterworks debentures to be endorsed as payable in London, Melbourne, &c. Outward correspondence consisted of letters to Messrs Barr and Oliver, regarding testing of water-pipes and reservoir ; and to the Superintendent, notifying appointment of Messrs Marshall and Jenour as assessors tinder Waterworks Act. - .* WATERWORKS DEBENTURES. The letter from the Colonial Bank manager was then considered. The request, as above indicated, was that the debentures might be made payable in the principal English and Colonial commercial centres, and stipulated that in the event of the Corporation agreeing, it would require to pay the amount of exchange, £ or 1 per cent. The general opinion was that the Bank’s request Was rather one-sided—the Corporation were asked to make certain concessions, and also pay the expenses attached thereto. After Borne conversation, a motion by Or Brown, seconded by Or Talboys, was carried—That this Council does not deem it desirable to •make the arrangement requested by the Colonial Bank regarding endorsement of coupons, making sums payable in London, Melbourne, Ac. . ‘ . ACCOUNTS. An account from Mr John Baker (£36 55.), work and labor done, was passed for payment, less £lO, the amount of his bond for due performance of his contract. Messrs Eacbtt and Wright sent in a bill for cleaning out race ; but as an-account for similar work had been paid last week, it was decided to held over payment of the claim now made until a complete statement of the year’s expenses in connection with repair of race was .furnished. REPORT OP WORKS COMMITTEE. Cr Aitken, on behalf of the Public Works . Gommittee, submitted the following report of works necessary to be taken in hand during the current Municipal year : In compliance with a resolution of the Council passed on the evening of 27th August, your Works Committee have to report and recommend that the following works be proceeded with as soon as possible 1; That the footpath from Scott’s corner t) the wing wall’of Bridge be formed, kerbed, and channelled. That similar work be done ou opposite side of the street, viz.,, from Marsh’s to wing wall of Bridge. 2. That the upper end of Mttrrav-street be widened and somewhat lowered, an I its junction with Inniscort-street be ina ’c up ; and that In-ni.cor',-street be excavated down to its permanent level ; and that the eaith from both cuttings be laid in the hollows of both sides of the bottom end of Marray-street. This work is of great importance, and should be proceeded with at once, in order that traffic may be enabled to pass up and down with ease and safety. 3. That if within the means at the disposal of the Council, the formation and kerbing of the footpath from the Post-office to Stuart’s corner be authorised as work to be done this present year, 4. That the formation of Erris-street from Melmore Terrace to its junction with Tnniscortstreet be proceeded with at the same time that the water-pipes are being laid. Your Comtni tee would recommend this mode of procedure in reference to Erris-street, being of opinion that the formation of the street and laying of pipes would cost but little more than each work would do individually.

Your Committee would also recommend tbit a system of sewerage be taken into consideration at an early date, believing that great necessity exists for a better and less expensive method •of cleansing the towii than the pre-eut one. The report as read was adopted. Cr Brown drew attention to the necessity of at once doing something to improve the roadway at junction of Murray and Inniscort streets. The water from the open race running across the latter kept the head of Hurray-street in a perfect puddle at all seasons, As funds ware available, he thought no time should be lost in proceeding with the improvement of the town, and would therefore propose—“ That tenders be invited for cutting Inniscort-street to its permanent level at its junction with Murray-street, and also for the formation of Murray-street” Seconded by Cr Arndt, and carried.

Or Arndt was also of opinion tiiat the Council should lose no time in dealing with necessary public works, so far as their funds would allow, especially as the labor market was now favorable. He was glad to see the Works Committee had recommended comple tion of the footpath from Scott’s corner to bridge, as ho considered it a very necessary and important work, as completing the footpath along that side of the main street; besides it would add greatly to the appearance of the town on entering from that direction. He therefore would propose—“ That tenders be invited for the formation of footpath from Scott’s corner to the bridge.”

The Mayor agreed that the work was one of much necessity, not alone for the purposes of traffic, but also for sewerage. But he was afraid it would bo a costly work, and they must see and foot go beyond their depth. The motion was seconded by Cr Talboys, •fid, *ft«r so mo discussion, carried.

THE APPEAL CASE. Cr Talboys made enquiry whether the appeal case Marsh v. Corporation was making any headway. The Mayor replied that there appeared to be some unaccountable delay in going on with the matter. It was resolved to write Messrs Seivewright and Stout, asking for an explanation of the delay in the appeal case. The Council then rose. FRIDAY, 17th INSTANT. Present—The Mayor, Crs Arndt, Aitken, Brown* Grant and Talboys. ■ Minutes ot previous meeting were read and confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE inward and outward was read and approved. The former was of no importance. The latter consisted of letter from the Under-Secre-tary regarding encroachment on Block IX. (published by us in last issue); dud from Messrs Barr and Oliver respecting reservoir and cartage of pipes for waterworks. In the matter of proposed abandonment of the reservoir, the engineers wrote that if the Council thought it desirable they would include in the contract for pipe-laying all the vork that might bo necessary for admitting file water to the pipes from an open race cut from the present one to the top of the slope leading down to the bridge. This could be very easily done, the engineers further remarked, by having a small tank or basin vith an overflow at the top of the pipes. It vas decided that the suggestion of the engineers be adopted, and the carrying out of deiails left with them. UNPAID RATES. j In accordance with resolution at previous meeting, the Clerk laid on the table a list of unpaid rates for the Municipal years 1873-4, 1874-5. It showed the amount remaining unpaid for 1874 to be £6O ; while the arrears lor last year were £ll2 10s. Considerable discussion ensued, as many of the defaulters held good positions and had large amounts slot opposite their names. Ultimately it was resolved that the Clerk make efforts to collect the arrears, and, if necessary, institute proceedings for their recovery. RECLAMATION. The Mayor reported that the Reclamation Committee had taken the necessary steps to Have the grass-seed recently received sown on t)e sandy waste above the town. The seasin although rather late, was otherwise very favorable, and it was hoped the result would b« successful. BLOCK IX. The letter from Government regarding trespass on Block IX. was then brought up foj consideration. Members warmly repudiate! the assertion of Mr Marsh that the Council was encouraging encroachment on the block, and some discussion ensued on the general question. It was decided not to deal finally with the letter till next meeting. SPECIAL WATER RATE. Tie resolution moved by Cr Grant at meeting <lf 27th ultimo—That a rate of 7d in the pound on the rateable property of the town be stlnck, for the purpose of paying interest, &c., «n the loan—was brought up for confirmation, which was done on the motion of Cr Arndt seconded by Cr Grant. Thblconcluded the business and the Council rost.