MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1103, 31 October 1879, Page 2

MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

The fortnightly "meeting of the Municipal Council was held last evening, when there were present—His Worship the Mavor. Councillors Garland, Headland, Humphrey.. Mainland. Otterson, and Smith. The minutes of the previous ordinary and two special meetings were read and confirmed, and the outward correspondence was read and approved. The gaoler wrote stating that there were about thirty loads of broken inetal in the gaol vard, and requesting that it might be removed and some unbroken metal and shingle sent in return. The matter was referred to the Public "Works Committee.

A letter was read from the Secretary to the Hospital Committee, asking how far the Council would be prepared to extend the gas pipes in the direction of the Hospital, with a view to lighting that institution. Councillor Mainland mentioned that the cost of carrying the pipes to the Hospital would be L3O, and said the Council might agree to contribute half that sum. On the motion of Councillor Smith, it was decided to adopt this course, notification of the decision to be sent to the Hospital Committee. The applications for gas services from Messrs. T. Morris and R. Smart were referred to the Gas Committee, with power to act. Mr. Thomas Hastie, a contractor, wrote drawing attention to the fact that the vouchers issued by the Council were not negotiable, and requesting that some alteration should be made in them. A report from the Finance Committee on the same subject was read, and it was decided that the letter should be received, and legal opinion taken as to the power of the Council to issue promissory notes. Mr. W. J. Steward wrote resigning the position of one of the trustees of the Municipal Sinking Fund. The resignation was accepted, and it was resolved to recommended the appointment of Mr. Samuel Gibbs as his successor. A report from the Auditors was read, in which they stated, " We have the honor to report that we have audited the balance-sheet for the half-year ending 30th September last, and have much pleasure in testifying to the admirable manner in which the books of the Council have been kept by the Town Clerk and his assistants." They also recommended that in future all payments on the waterworks should be made by separate cheques instead of by one cheque for a number of payments. Messrs. Cargills, Gibba, and Go. wrote as follows, under date 24th inst. : To His Worship the Mayor of Oamaru. Sir, —We have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your favor of 21st inst., contents of which have our attention. We are glad to learn that there is every probability of effecting the amalgamation of the two loans for the Waterworks without much delay. We have sent forward to our London house, bv Brindisi mail, leaving here to-day, a copy of your Town Clerk's letter, acknowledged above, and of his enclosure. If you think it desirable that we should telecrraph to London the present position, please advise us to that etloet. Otherwise we will not telegraph until we hear from you that the Bill has been passed. The letter was received. An account from Mr. P. Mullins, for pitching a right-ef-way in Tyne-street, was referred to the Public Works Committee. The balance-sheet for the half-year ending 30th September last was read and adopted, and ordered to be published. Several reports from Committees were read, and received. Accounts to the amount of L 099 17s 9d were passed for payment so soon as the Council is in funds. The Council then rose.