MUNICIPAL.

Evening Star, Issue 10401, 24 August 1897, Page 4

MUNICIPAL.

North-east Valley. —At last night’s meeting, the Mayor presiding, a request by Mr Thomas Benom for leave to assign his 'contract for surface work was referred to the mayor and clerk with power to act.— Mr James wrote stating that damage was done to his property through the alleged action of Mr M‘Laughlin in stopping up the water course. It was decided to disclaim liability in the matter. Messrs Logan, Wilson, and Hickman wrote offering to undertake the scavengering work of the borough, Keferred to a sub-committee to report.—Cr Short wrote resigning, through pressure of business, his position as councillor for West Ward. Received with regret.—lt was reported that Crs Macandrew, Campbell, and Russell retired by rotation. South Dunedin.— The ordinary meeting of the South Dunedin Borough Council last night was presided over fay the Mayor.— The Fire Brigade Committee reported having held an inquiry with reference to the mode of elections to the fire brigade and as to the omission to submit names of intending candidates for the brigade to the Council for approval. The Committee found that the mode of election of intending members, as at present in force, was strictly in conformity with the rules and regulations of the fire brigade, and also that of the United Fire Brigades’ Association. In future the wishes of the Council with reference to sending the names of intending members to the Council would be attended to. In the opinion of the Committee, the brigade were acting, ip contravention of their by-laws in allowing one man to hold three offices—viz., those of secretary, treasurer, and lieutenant. After considerable discussion the report was adopted.—The returning officer reported that the following councillors retired from the Council by effluxion of time: —East Ward, Cr Fiddis; South Ward, Cr O’Kane; North Ward, Cr Shacklock.—An application by Mr Robert Ings, secretary of the Boys’ Institute, for the Council Chambers for the use of the Institute two evenings in the week, was referred to the Finance Committee to arrange. Port Chalmers. Mayor Innes was in the chair at the fortnightly meeting, which waa"held last evening.—Mr F. W. Maclean, district engineer railways, wrote informing the Council that he was now authorised to have the platform extended at Mussel. Bay, as requested in the Council’s letter of July 13, and also to provide a lamp at the south end of the platform. The work would be put in hand at an early date.— Mr T. F. Martin, secretary Municipal Association, wrote, with a view to an early meeting of the Executive of the Municipal Association, asking the Council to forward to him at their earliest convenience a list of all subjects the Council desired to be brought under notice, together with concise reasons for any proposed alterations in the law. Referred to a committee consisting of the chairman of each committee and the mayor to act.—The Reserves Committee reported that they had received notice from the Inspector of Stock, Palmerston, that, pursuant to the provisions of the Rabbit Nuisance Act, 1882, the Council would require forthwith to destroy the rabbits upon sections 1, 2, 3, and 97, block 6, North Harbor and Blueskin district, and recommended that the inspector and assistant attend to the request at their ▼ery earliest convenience. The report was adopted.—Alternate tenders lor the erection in wood or iron of a building on the Peninsula for a fire brigade station were opened. Three tenders were received for an iron and six for a wood building, the amounts ranging from £l3 9a 6d to £l6 15s. Cr Inveearity moved, and Cr Weir seconded—“ That the lowest tender be accepted.” Or Murray

proposed as an amendment “That no tenders be accepted, owing to the financial position of the town, which was £IOO worse now than at the corresponding time last year.” A building had been erected some years since which had gone to wreck, and they had only a very poor water supply on the upper levels. Or Watson seconded the amendment. Cr Leach was aware the financial' position was not what they could wish, but so far as the plant was concerned there was enough to equip a small station, and if the supply of water was not sufficient the hose could be placed in the tanks and hand pumps used. They could not expect men to drag the plant up the hill. The Mayor spoke in favor of having a small building erected. On being put to the meeting the motion was carried on the casting vote of the mayor.—Ou the motion of Cr LpACH, seconded by Cr Cameron, the minute of June 14 accepting Mr M'Lachlac’s offer of 5s per acre for rural section was rescinded ; and it was agreed that the property now in the occupation of Mr M'Lachlan be put up to public auction at an upset price of 5s per acre, and also the lease of the section occupied by Mr Sutherland.