MUNICIPAL

Evening Star, Issue 10341, 15 June 1897, Page 1

MUNICIPAL

Port Chalmers. —The fortnightly meeting was held last evening; present—the Mayor, Crs Leach, Sutton, Wilson, Pedlow, Thomson, Murray, Edgar, Weir, Dawson, Cameron, Watson, and Inverarity. The Rev. E. C. Tenuent wrote making application for the use of the Council Chamber on Wednesday for the purpose of holding a preliminary meeting for the discussion of a plan to permanently commemorate Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee by the inauguration of a Port Chalmers co-operative workshop for local unemployed. Cr Weir proposed that the use of the hall be granted, and this was seconded by Cr Wilson. Cr Inverarity moved and Cr Dawson seconded an amendment that the application be declined. On putting the motion six votes were recorded for it, while an equal number voted for the amendment. The Mayor gave his casting vote in favor of the motion, which was thus carried.—A letter was received from Messrs Duncan aud MacGregor, on behalf of Mr M‘Lachlan, with respect to the Council's intentions in reference to the renewal of the lease of his rural sections. —It was decided that a sum not exceeding £lO be voted for the record reign celebration.—The Reserves Committee recommended that the rural sections in the occupation of Mr M‘Lachlan at Purakanui be put up for sale iu two allotments—viz., one of four acres (with the buildings thereon), and the second of forty acres of land. The adoption of the report having been moved, Cr Inverarity called attention to the discourtesy of the Reserves Committee in ignoring a letter from Mr D. M‘Lachlan offering to pay the sum of os per acre for the section occupied by him, and moved as an amendment—“ That the award already given by the arbitrators be adhered to.” Cr Leach seconded the amendment, with the addition that Mr M‘Lachlan’s offer be accepted. Cr Weir moved as a further amendment—“ That Mr M‘Lachlan’s offer be accepted,” aud in doing so reviewed the action taken by the Council in the dispute. He considered the Council were bound to abide by their own action in appointing arbitrators in the matter. Cr Murray was also of opinion that the Council were bound to accept the decision of the arbitrators. Cr Pedlow’ pointed out that the Reserves Committee bad no intention of repudiating any agreement entered into between the Council and Mr M*L»chla», but only wished the property to he disposed of eiilier by public tenner or auction. The Mayor was of opinion that the Council were bound to abide by the award made by their arbitrators, and he considered the Council would look at the thing in a fair and

equitable light. Cr Cambbon declined to vote either one way or the other, and with* drew from the cable. (Jr Edgar coniidered that the property should have been put up by auction. On the motion being put foot votes were declared in its favor, while five were recorded for the amendment, which was declared carried.— The Cemetery Committee reported that they had received with regret from Mr J. Yeoman, sen., the resignation cf his office of sexton on account of ill-health* and advised calling tenders for the office, re* turnable at nest meeting. Adopted.—A committee, consisting of His Worship the Mayor with the chairman of the various committees, was appointed to take steps to revise the tariff of charges for the use of the Town Hall.—On the motion of Cr Sutton permission was granted to a number of young men at Mihiwaka to make a bonfire on the occasion of the Diamond Jubilee. —It was resolved that consideration of the leas* ing of the Corporation quarries be deferred until next meeting.