MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 10012, 18 July 1879, Page 2

MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

The fortnightly meeting of the Municipal Council was held last evening, when there were present—His Worship the Mayor, Councillors Gibbs, Headland, Mainland, Spence, and Familton. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, and the outward correspondence was read and approved. The Mayor reported that, in company with Councillor Gibbs and the Corporation Solicitor, he waited upon Mr. Hislop with reference to Grant's claim, arising out of loss of water rights. After some discussion it had been agreed to submit the matter to fresh arbitrators. But he noticed that Mr. Calder had again been nominated arbitrator for Mr. Grant. This was, however, a direct contradiction of the terms of a former letter received from Mr. Hislop. It was resolved—" That the Council approves of the action of the Committee in agreeing to a fresh arbitration in Grant's case, as proposed by Mr. Hislop in his letter, dated June 21st, the intent of j which is clearly expressed in the words : by appointing new arbitrators,' to which course Mr. Grant was stated to be agreeable, this being clearly understood to j mean a freteh arbitrator to be appointed by each party, and a fresh umpire selected I by tiie arbitrators." The appointment of Mr. Calcutt as arbitrator for the Corporation was confirmed. The Mayor also reported that, after consulting with the Engineer, and Solir citor, the Committee had agveed to pay the amounts claimed for damage done through the water overflowing the race during the late flood. Mr. Thomas Morris obtained permission to change the position of the right-of-way leading to the Northern Stables from its present position to the west side of his property in Wansbeck-street; and plans of the new shops proposed to be erected were approved. Mr. G. A, Sutton wrote calling attention to a portion of the pathway in Wharfstreet being so low as to permit water to flow on to several sections.—The matter was referred to the Engineer, with po.wer to act.

Permission was given to Mr. P. Gilleran to transfer the lease of section 10, block I. to Mr. D. M'Donald, provided all arrears of rent be paid. The manager of Gasworks reported that the small gasholder tauk had commenced to leak, and suggested a mode of effecting repairs. He also mentioned that there was a large supply of coke on hand, for which there was little sale.—Both matters were referred to the Gas Committee. Mr. Frederick Goold applied for permission to cultivate the portion of the unformed Town Boundary road adjoining section 8. block LXII.—It was decided to reply that the Council could not grant the request. Mr. W. Arthur, Chief Surveyor, wrote stating that he would recommend the refund to the Council of the amount it would have cost the department to make the survey of the Maerewhenua endowment. Mr. John Frew wrote forwarding a claim for LC, the cost of removing water that had overflowed on to his property from the waterworks.—The letter was referred to the Engineer, The Under-Secretary for Lands wrote intimating that the Bush Reserve, comprising S aci'es 3 roods and 10 jioles, h;rd been permanently set aside as a recreation : reserve. —lt was resolved to made an application for the vesting of the reserve in the Council in terms of clause G of tho Reserves Act, IS7B. The Clerk to the Waitaki Road Board wrote, asking the Council to issue instructions to have the spoil from the water race removed from the roadline between Mr. Gilchrist's sections in Peeblestown and the Church property, stating that it was the road leading to an important quarry, and was at present impassable.—The letter was referred to the Engineer. On the suggestion of the Mayor, it was resolved—" That it be referred to the Waterworks Committee to inquire as to the necessity i;or- legislative provision being made with reference to the right of discharging surface-water from the water race into certain natural water-courses, specifying the streams into which it is desired so to discharge ; the Committee to report at next ordinary meeting." Permission was given to Mr, J. Staples to form a right of way in Ure-street, near Wansbeck-atreet, provided the work was carried out under the supervision of the Engineer. The Bye-laws Committee reported that they had obtained lump-sum tenders for tho printing and publication of the byelaws as follows :—North Otago Times, L 79 ; Oamaru Mail, L7G. They recommended the acceptance of the Qamaru Mail's tender, which was agreed to. It was decided pay the claim of Messrs. Millington Brothers for the loss of a horse, killed through failing into a hole on the waterworks. The Inspector of Nuisances' report on the state of the oast end of Ouse-streot, was referred to the Public Works Committee. It was resolved, " That the rents set aside as security for the L 40,000 loan be, on and after 6th December, 1879, as they fall due, paid into the Waterworks account." Accounts to the amount of L 572 13s od were passed for payment, and the Council went into Committee to consider financial matters.