MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume III, Issue 757, 13 September 1878, Page 2

MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

The fortnightly meeting of the Council was held last evening, when there were present—His Worship the Mayor, Councillors Humphrey, Gibbs, Procter, Headland, Familton.

The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed, and the outward correspondence was read and approved. A letter was read from the Clerk to the Municipal Conference, forwarding copies of the recommendations agreed to thereat.

The Grammar School Cricket Club applied for, and obtained permission, to lay down turf for the purposes of the game. Mr. Newton wrote asking the Council to consider the propriety of reduoing the price of gas for cooking purposes". Referred to Gasworks Committee, with power to act.

Mr. C. G. Moore wrote informing the Council that he had disposed of the lease of sec 4. block XC, to the Government. A letter was read from Mr. Hugh Ross, declining to accept the offer made by the Corporation for land required for Waterworks. Referred to Mr. Connell. Permission was granted for the transfer of lease of sec. block LXXVIL, from Mr. C. Galbraith to Mr. Thomas Wildish ; and for that of sec. 29, block XIV., from Mr. J. T. Evans to Mr. C. D. R. Ward. A letter was received from Mr. Kerr re interest on Waterworks loan. It was resolved that the Bank be informed that the Council considers itself entitled to an allowance in the shape of interest on the proceeds of the loan for the_ time it lay in the hands of the London Agency before being remitted to the Colony ; and that the Mayor address a letter to Mr. Kerr on the subject.

Mr. J. T. Smith obtained permission to place a drain under the footpath in Urestreet, from section 8, block 41, the work to be performed under the supervision of the Engineer. The Solicitors were instructed to reenter and take possession of the well section.

Mr. Kerr, manager of the National i Bank, wrote, informing the Council that the London manager of the bank had succeeded in getting the L 60,000 loan quoted on the Stock Exchange. Mr. S. G. Wood asked for permission to vend fruit by means of a basket at the railway station end f of Wansbeck-street. The Council did not consider it necessary to take any action in the matter. Mr. Henry Connell, the Commissioner for the purchase of land for the Waterworks, wrote, enclosing a letter he had received from Messrs. Newton and Mirams, Solicitors for Mr. Angus Macdonald, and stating that he had failed to come to any agreement with reference to

portions or his land. The writer also asked that two members of the Council might be appointed to confer with him. Councillor Procter objected to any such course being adopted, saying that it had already been decided to allow the matter to go into Court.

After some discussion it was decided to reply that the Council preferred allowing the matter to go before a jury. Mr. Connell wrote, forwarding an application from Mr. John Borton to lease the reserve at the intake of the Waterworks. It was resolved to inform him that the matter would receive the consideration of the Council.

A letter from the Under-Secretary was read, applying for certain information, which was ordered to be furnished.

Messrs. Julius and Balmer wrote, stating that the Council could not interfere in regard to Mrs. Millin's application for a transfer to her of her husband's lease of a Corporation section. The Rector of the High School (Mr. Peattie) wrote, protesting against being rated for the Rectory on the following grounds : —l. That he was only a sufferance tenant. 2. The rectory is part and parcel of the schoolhouse. 3. That if the Council had power to levy rates on account of schoolhouses, the Education Board was liable for the same.—The matter was referred to the Corporation solicitor for his opinion thereon. The Public Works Committee's was read and adopted.

The accounts, amounting to L 3099 19s. on the waterworks account and L 236 6s. 3d. on the general account, w T ere passed for payment.

Councillor Headland moved, " That the Engineer be requested to prepare an estimate of the expense necessary to form Till-street to its permanent level from its junction with Wansbeck-street to its southern termination. Further, that should the above works prove of a very expensive nature, then that the Engineer be requested to give an estimate as to the cost of easing the gradients, so as to give easy access to any part of the street." Councillor Pamilton second the motion, which was carried. The Council then rose.