MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 547, 1 February 1878, Page 2

MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

—+ _ The usual meeting of the Oamaru Municipal Council was held last evening. Present—His Worship the Mayor, Councillors Gibbs, Booth, Mainland, and Procter. Routine business having been disposed of, the following letters were read : —From the Treasury, informing the Council that L 706 7s. 93. on account of subsidy had been paid into the bank to the credit of the Council; from Mr. Fenwick's agent, stating that he would convey the land required for road in section 2 of 57 to the Kakanui Road Board ; from the Corporation Solicitor, informing the Council that under section 37 Q f the Rating Act, 1876", it was not exempt from payment of rates ; from Mr. Solomon, requesting permission to keep a sign-board alongside his awning from the right-of-way to the street, as he was not aware when he erected it that it was contrary to the Municipal regulations—Referred to the Engineer, with power to act; from Messrs. Connell and Clowes in reference to Municipal section D, the lease of which was lately sqld by auction to P. M'Gusker, who had failed to complete the gale— It was agreed that the lease be again put up for sale, at least seven days' notice to be given, under conditions to be prepared by the Reserves Committee; from Mr. Reid, asking permission to excavate a cave for the accommodation of his cart on the beach—Referred to the Reserves Committee, with power to act. Councillor Procter asked whether the Council considered it fair that the Municipal sections on the Esplanade, which had been leased, should be assessed and liable to pay rates. It seemed to him unfair that lessees, having given what might be considered high prices for these sections, should be conipeUed to pay rates, The Council thought that these sections should be liable to rates. The Public Works Committee announced the receipt of a letter from the Under Secretary for Public Works, which stated that the LI,OOO voted for alteration at Bee's corner had been paid into the hands of the Grown Sqlieitqr at Qamaru. The Committee had directed that the necessary Bteps be immediately taken to proceed with the work. The following letters were then read : Oamaru, January 31st. 1878 -—To His Worship the Mayor, and Borough Council. .Gentlemen. —I have to report on the following works during the past month, on Garden Reserves. Self and two men, nine days trenching ground, &c, &c, in Tyne street Beserve. The remainder of the month employed in cleaning ground, removing earth, cleaning out water-course, &c., in Severn street Reserve.—l am, &c, James Kidd. Engineer's Offipe, Oamaru, Jan, 31, IS7S. — His Worship the Mayor- and Councillors. Gentlemen,—l have the honor to report upon the different works in hand as follows t The waterworks contract is being fairly carried out, but rather slowly. However better progress will be made so soon as harvest operations are over, and more workmen available than at present. The principal work clone

during the month has been in tunnelling and erection of the aqueducts over the Awanioko and Landon Creeks. A. considerable quantity of timber and fencing material is being put on the ground almost daily. In town work the Reed-street contract will be finished within fourteen days, the Aln-street contract within a month, Ure-street in about ten days, Teststreet in five weeks, and the Oamarn Greek within two months. Gasworks : The gasometer tank will be finished next week. The iron work is being fitted and got ready for erection, and it is expected the whole will be finished within contract time, or by the 31st of March next. In accordance with the resolution of the Council at their last meeting, I have given instructions that the foothpaths in lower Eibble-street be gravelled, and the work will be done in the course of next week.— I have, &c, D. A. M'Leod, Engineer. The following accounts were passed for payment, viz. : —Waterworks, L 135 3a 4d ; town works, Lll2 8s 4d ; gasworks, L 24 9s; general account, L 32 19s ; reserves account, LlO 14s; gasworks' pay-sheet, etc., L 25 19*.