MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 860, 17 January 1879, Page 2

MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Council was held last evening, when there were present —his Worship the Mayor, Messrs. Humphrey, Liddle, Gibbs, Spence, and Headland. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. Before proceeding with the business on hand, Councillor Headland said that there was a matter between himself and the Mayor which required settling. He referred to the remark the Mayor had made at the public meeting on Tuesday night with reference to the vote of thanks passed to Mr. Shrimsld (when Mayor) for the way in which he had negotiated the L 20,000 loan. After what he (Councillor Headland) had said regarding this vote of thanks, the Mayor's action in attempting to father the compliment as originating from himself (Councillor Headland) tended to divert the ridicule from Mr. Shrimski's shoulders to his. He believed that the Mayor had made a mistake, as he could not imagine what could have led him to oppose his own party. The Mayor explained the matter to the satisfaction of Councillor Headland.

The following letters were read : —■ From Mrs. Grace Suart, asking the Council to allow her to put up two bridle posts, also asking that a by-wash be made to carry off the surplus rain-water, as in stormy weather passengers could not pass from "Exe-street into Thames-street on account of its flooded state at the junction. Referred to the Public Works Committee with power to act. Mr. J. C. Gilchrist .wrote stating that at the beginning of August Mr. Henderson, late contractor for the waterworks, made an arrangement with him about the stone required from his ground for the works. Mr. Henderson had left several thousand feet of quarried stone on his hands. He trusted that the Council would not authorise anyone to remove it. He would be glad if the Council would make an arrangement with him about the stone. Referred to the Engineer to report. From John Flaherty and James Bain, applying for nightmen's licenses. From W. J. Lennon, fishmonger, asking to be allowed to burn a light over his shop door in Thames-street. Permission was granted. From the Clerk of the Kakanui Road Board, asking the Council to undertake their share of the road from' Chelmerstreet to the Town Belt. Resolved that a special meeting be called on Thursday next, at 8.30 p.m., for the purpose of passing a resolution to form the required road line, in accordance with agreement. From the Clerk to the Kakanui Road Board acknowledging the receipt of the letter of the Council, and informing them that, as a meeting of the Board would be held on the sth prox., 11.30 a.m. would be a convenient time for the deputation from the Council to wait on the Board. From the Evening Star, Dunedin, soliciting advertisements. Resolved that one Dunedin paper is sufficient to advertise in. From Mr. George Brownlee, asking the Council to cut down a ridge in Aln-street, and lay down a few loads of gravel, thereby greatly benefiting the householders in that vicinity. Resolved that the application be referred to the Public Works Committee for report. From Dennison and Grant, stating that the Maerewhenua survey would be proceeded with at once. The letter was approved. The following tenders were accepted : Mr. S. Rusbach, for works in Ouse-street, at L 43 15s ; and that of Messrs. Guthrie and Lamach for supplying 20,000 ft. timber at 18s per 100 ft. The report of the Clerk of Works was read as follows :

Oamaru "Waterworks, Papakaio Office, January 15, 1579. D. A. M'Leod, Esq., C.E.. Oamaru. Sir, —I have the honor to report that pretty fair progress is now being made in carrying on the Waterworks, so far as labor and materials are available for the purpose. On the Black Point section the rock section is put in very good order, and on the Awamoko section a strong gang of men are employed finishing up the race work. Messrs Guthrie and Larnach are to supply the timber for the Awamoko section at an early date, arid so soon as this timber is available, it can be finished within a month thereafter, ThGre are three parties at work racecutting on the Papakaio section, and also two parties on the Landon section. The tunnels are ail in full -work since Moivday last, and the masons have to-day commenced work at the eleven and twenty-eight chain tunnels. Knight is making good progress at the reservoir tunnel.—J am, &c, JtICHABD JEBSOJT, Clerk of "Works. The Corporation gardener reported that jduring the past year liberal donations of trees and shrubs for the public gardens and reserves, to the value of not less than

LSO, had been made by a number of private individuals, including the Hon. H. J. Miller, the Hon. R. Campbell, Rev. A. Gifford, D. Fleming, the Hon. J. M'Lean (Redcastle), Messrs. J. Reid (Elderslie), Gibbs, Roxby, Gordon, Ferris, Falconer, and Stemson and Leigh. Of seeds, a collection has been presented by Sir George Grey, .through the kind interest of Mr. Shrun3kij M.H.R., and also by Messrs. iJortbn and M'Master. Some months since, in the presence of Mr. Shrimski, a liberal offer was made by the Hon. W. Robinson of seeds and plants, to be selected on the Cheviot Estate, which contains probably the finest collection in the Colony.

The valuation roll was laid before the Council for the year, 1879. Much dissatisfaction was expressed at the valuations stated for various town properties, being, as a rule, much below their present value. - It was subsequently resolved that a special meeting of the Council be held this evening, for the purpose of considering the matter and taking the first steps towards objecting to the valuation, in accordance with the Act. Accounts to the amount of L 655 19s Gid were. passed for payment, and the Council adjourned.