MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1188, 6 February 1880, Page 2

MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Council was held last evening, when there were present—His Worship the Mayor, Councillors Garland, Humphrey, Otterson, Roberts, Smith, Townsend, Headland, and Mainland. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed, and the outward correspondence was -read and approved. : Permission was granted for the transfer of the leases of section 11, block 64, from Mr. James Ayton to Mr. John Nimmon, and of section 2, block 6, from Mr. W. D. Esther to Mr. James Emslie. The application of Mr. Joseph Pringfor a driver's license was referred to the Inspector of Nuisances, with the proviso that, if there were no objections to the granting of the license, the license should be granted. The Secretary of the Oamaru Fire Brigade wrote forwarding a resolution passed by the Brigade, asking the Municipal Council to appoint a man to clean the working, plant belonging .to the Brigade 'after having been used at fires and practices. It was decided to accede to the request. A petition from certain residents in Severn Ward, with reference to cattle trespassing, was referred to the Inspector of Nuisances, with power to act. Messrs. Connell and Clowes, on behalf of Messrs. J. and A. Dalgleish, called attention to the damage being done to their crops by water from the racefloving over their land.—The Mayor stated that the matter had been satisfactorily arranged. A letter was read from Mr. J. H. Lowe, "intimating that an obstacle had arisen to the formation of the road to the Corporation's quarry, and asking the Council to agree to another line.—The letter was referred to the Reserves Committee, with power to act. The Under Secretary (Mr. G. S. Cooper) wrote, forwarding copies of a Bill to proviCUs for tKo manevgomont of lioopittllS, &c., introduced into Parliament last session, but which, owing to the pressure of business, was not passed. The writer asked that the Council might look through the Bill, and forward any suggestions to the Government. The convener of the Bye-la.ws Committee was requested to see the solicitor (Mr. Balmer), and arrange for an early meeting of the Committee to revise the bye-liiws. A letter was read from Mr. Hugh Ross, declining to accept a voucher in payment of his claim, and it was resolved to pay the amount, the arranging of the matter being left to the Mayor and the Solicitor. The tenders were then opened for cutting the race through Ross' land, the number received being 13. The tenders were referred to the Engineer, with instructions to accept the lowest as soon as Mr. Ross' claim was settled, provided there was no personal objection against the tenderer. ; Mr. J. Johnston wrote asking for permission to erect buildings on section 2, block 6, in accordance with the plans and specifiations forwarded. Councillor Smith called attention to the fact that the plans sent in Were for buildings near the Globe Hotel, while the specifications referred to the White Hart Hotel. Some discussion then took place with reference to the fact that several buildings were being proceeded with for which the plans had not been sent in and the consent of the Council obtained. It was eventually resolved to reply to Mr. Johnston calling his attention to the fact of the wrong specifications having been sent in, and intimating that until specifications were sent in to the Engineer for his approval permission could not be given for the erection of the building. On the motion of Councillor Headland, seconded by Councillor Smith, it was resolved, " That it be an instruction to the inspector that in all cases where newbuildings or alterations to buildings are commenced, it is his duty to ascertain whether the Council has given all necessary steps for compelling compliance with the bye-law affecting the same." The Eugineer. wrote asking for permission to employ a practical mason to supervise the mixing and putting in of the concrete at the valve tower and retaining wall-at the reservoir for a month.—The matter whs' referred tb the Waterworks Committee. The question of obtaining occasional clerical assistance for the engineer was referred to the Finance Committee. The Engineer wrote, asking for permission to have the pipe testing put in hand, as, if favorable accounts were shortly received about the L 50,000 loan, it would be well to have everything ready to lay the pipes as soon as possible afterwards. ' It was decided to let the question stand overruntil. next, meeting. The Engineer reported that the reservoir paddock might be let for a, term of four months at a'rental of L3O, and that Mr. R. Smart was prepared to give the sum mentioned. The Engineer was empowered to -accept the-' offer. The Engineer , reported that only means Of puttiiig i an end to the nuisance complained of in regard to the lagoon in O use-street was to fill up the lagoon.— It decided to request the Engineer to give an estimate of the cost of the work. Councillor Headland, in accordance with notice giveif, moved, " That the weighbridge charges, ba—for weighing a load.in..a.two-wheeled; dray or in an express jGdcj; and for weighing a load in a four-wheeled waggon, Is." Councillor Townsend : seconded the motion. ; • : : ' The' motion was carried, and the Council rose. .