Municipal Council, Queenstown.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 1521, 5 March 1886, Page 5

Municipal Council, Queenstown.

The ordinary monthly meeting of above body was held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday evening, 2nd instant. Present:—The Mayor (Mr J. Rcid), Councillors E. Monson, J. Morgan, J. O'Meara, W. J. Powell, B. P. Robinson and F. St. Omer.

Minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed.

Outward correspondence was read and approved. Inward corresjiondence, read and received, comprised the following letters: —From the Lake County Council, re the advisability of having a separate Warden for Lake County, and asking if the Council will give an expression of opinion on the question and furnish data and grounds for proposed change in order, and also co-operate in the matter. From the Department of Justice, statingthat Owen Mackin had tendered his resignation as Clerk for the Licensing Bench of the Borough of Queenstown, and requesting the Council to suggest the name of a successor. From J. M'Mullin (tenderer), offering 10s. per annum for section 7, block XXXV., Queenstown. ORDERING ON CORRESPONDENCE. With regard to letter from the County Council. The Mayor thought it would be a very desirable thing to have a Warden for Lake County, if it could be done without additional expense to Government, as it was a great drawback to have only one sitting a month in the district. He saw by a paper recently that the cost of the present Warden to the country, including travelling expenses, etc., was about twice as much as would pay for two with much less travelling. Cr Powell said the movement originated with the Arrow, and it was believed that it wis iuitatcd with the object of getting a resident Warden there.

Cr O'Meara and others thought it was of no consequence where the Warden resided so long as he was retained for the district. He (Cr O'Meara) suggested that a sub-committee of three should be appointed to work with the County Couucil. The Mayor thought it wm fur the County Council to act, and for the Municipal Council to co-operate with them. He hardly thought, however, that Government would do anything, but there was no harm in trying. Kven fortnightly courts would be better than the present arrangement.

It was finaiiv resolved, on the motion of Crs Walde and O'Meara—That this Council co-operate with the Lake County Council in an endeavor tc get a separate Warden and R.M. for Lake County, and that a sub-committee, consisting of the Mayor, Cr O'Meara and the mover be appointed to act in th* nutter. Pf letter from the Minister of Justice. It was resolved, on the motion of Crs O'Meara and St. Omer--That Mr W. Donne's name be submitted to Government for appointment as Clerk to tne Queenstown Licensing Committee, vice Mr Mackin, resigned.

Mr J. M'Mullin's tender (being the only one sent in) for section 7, block XXXV., at 10r. per annum, was accepted, on the motion of Crs Morgan and Monson.

A few accounts were brought up and passed for payment. The Mayor, on behalf of the Works Committee, reported that the various things ordered laat meeting had l*eu attended to, and other jobs done. Of things required, Mr Milier was asking for formation of a roadway to his premises on the hill-side, Ballarat-strcet— the cost of which would be trifling. Several planks of the break-water had gone, and should be replaced It was also suggested that the turnstile at the park should be put in order by making the foot oi it more secure. Resolved, on the motion of Crs Morgan and Monson—That the Works Committee be empowered to attend to the various works named.

The Mayor said that, before next meeting it would be nwessary to fix the amount of water rate for current year. He thought the last one struck was a fair one, as it yielded a revenue of about £7O or £BO a year—which was only a fair equivalent for the dayman, about one third of whose time was taken up iu attending to the waterworks. It was proposed by Cr O'Meara, seconded by Cr Walde, and carried—That a water rate be levied on the same scale as last year. The question of the amount of annual auctioneer licence fee to be charged to Mr F. H. Daniel, was brought up, and it was decided to remit a portion of the £oO fixed.

The Mayor Baid that at the end of the present month the amount of general rates collected would be al>out £250, on which the Council would be entitled to a subsidy of 10«. in the pound. Cr O'Meara called attention to the desirability of a lamp ou the Convent pathway, which would be much required during the coming winter. The Council generally expressed a regret that many equally desirable place in town could not be lit at night. One or two objections against the proposed lamp were that the Convent property was not rated, ano that a considerable amount of extra work would devolve upon the lamp lighter. It was finally resolved, on the motion of Crs O'Meara and Robertson—That a lamp be erected over the dangerous part of Beetham-street, and only lit on Sunday evenings. It w'as decided, after some conversation, that the red pane of glass in the jetty lamp be fitted in such a way as to I* capable of being shifted as soon as the steamer reached the whaif at night—Cr O'Meara undertaking to see that the glass is removed cn such occasions.

In reply to Cr Robertson, the Mayor said he hud no idea v/hat to do about a tower for the firebell, as. at present proposed, it would be too expensive. He was under the impression that the top of the Town Hall would be the best place.