MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1024, 1 August 1879, Page 2

MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

The regular meeting of the Municinr, Council was held last evening, when there were present—His Worship the Mayor Councillors Mainland, Procter, Hmnphrcy, Gibbs, Headland, and Familton. The minutes of tho last ordinary meeting and several special meetings were read and confirmed, and tho outward correspondence was read and approved. _ John Currie wrote asking what reduction could be made in the rates upon section 1, block VI., the buildings having ' been destroyed by fire, and the payment of the whole of the rates being thrown upon him. - It was resolved to reduce the rates by one-third. A letter was read from the Commissioner of Crown Lands stating that a complaint had been lodged in that office to die effect that soil was being removed from section CO, block 1V.," Awauioko district, in connection with the Waterworks construction. Tho letter was referred to the Engineer for report and attention. The following letter was read from tho County Clerk : Waitaki County Council, Oamaru, 15th July, 1579. Sir, —I have the honor by direction of the Chairman of the Waitaki County Council to inform yon, that at the last meeting of {tic Council it was stated that a large quantity of water was, and has been running for some: time into the Awamoko Creek, from- the overflow of the water-race, the result being that the creek is so swollen that foot passengers are unable to cross it on the county road below. If this is to be a continuous thing it will be necessary to erect a footbridge for the convenience of the public. I am, &c., James Martin, County Clerk. His Worship the Mayor, Oamaru. The letter was referred to the Engineei, and it was decided to reply to that effect. Mr. Peter Aitchison wrote with refer, ence to the proposal to have an Act passedHj to enable the Council to discharge from the race into various creeks, pointing out that if the proposal wereH carried out it would cause great injury, WA Councillor Gibbs said that the sideration of the necessity for introducing such a measure had been referred to the H Waterworks Committee, and he might re>H port that, after making full inquiries, H they had come to the conclusion tlut it H was unnecessary to obtain the passing oi H such a Bill. Ample provision had been H made for the shutting off of water at the H Waitaki, and there would be no difficulty H in getting rid of the storm water. There H was therefore no prospect of any difficulty H being experienced in the matter. Mr. George Sumpter, on behalf of Mr. H John Smith, asking that that part of the water-race between sections 71, 72, and 74, block 111., Papakaio, might be fenced without delay. The letter was referred to ' the Engineer, ?nd it was decided to reply H that the fencing of the race was being proceeded with. Mr. T. H. Brown, President of the Oamaru Hospital Committee, wrote calling H attention to the necessity for the road to the hospital being put into a state ofH repair. It was at present in a wretched H state, and was calculated to inflict painH t and additional suffering upon i being conveyed to the hospital. ThoH writer also enclosed a letter from Wait upon the same matter. —The was referred to tho Public Works mittce. Tho Under-Seerefcaiy for Lands intimating that there was no objection granting the Recreation Reserves in suauce of Section 11 of " The Reserves Act, 1877," and that the missioner of Crown Lands would requested to prepare the grants. The Clerk to the Waiareka Road wrote, forwarding Messrs. Julius Balmer's account for expenses in con-^H nection wiui acquiring a the Municipal quarry, and asking payment of the amount direct to gentlemen. The letter was referred the Finance Committee. The Manager of the Gasworks pointing out the necessity for certain additional plant, which urgently required shortly.—lt was to order the articles required. A number of accounts were passed payment. The next ordinary meeting of Council was fixed for Thursday next. The Council then rose.