PORT CHALMERS TOWN COUNCIL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 4660, 24 January 1877, Page 2

PORT CHALMERS TOWN COUNCIL.

The regular fortnightly meeting of the Port Chalmers Town Council was held on Monday evening. Present—His Worship the Mayor, Councillors M'Kinlay, M'Gregor, Asher, Reid, Miller, Dodson. The following correspondence was disposed of:— From Messrs Bright Bros, and Co,, stating the order for the leather hose for the Fire Brigade had been executed in Britain, itnd expected to be advised next mail of its having been shipped.—Ordered to be received. From Mr A. Leek, stating his intention to build close to the fence between the Town Hall and his section, and askeel permission to remove part of fence.—Granted, on condition of restoration of fence. From Mr J. L. Gillies, Secretary to the Harbour Board, re the removal of the weighbridge, and stating that the matter had been referred to Mr John Mills aiid tho Harbour Master, with power to act.—Ordered to be received. From Mr North, asking for the return of the deposit of Lo ho had made in connection with his crossing iv George street.—Referred to Inspector of vVorks to report upon. From Mr J. S. Webb, rendering his account for assessment of town property.—Referred to Finance Committee. BEPORT3. The Finance Committee recommended the payment of accounts aggregating LI2S lis 4d, exclusive of an item of Lls ss. This account was one from Mr Dodson for supplying refreshments at the visit of His Excellency the Governor, and also for refreshments provided at the commencement of the town Water Works. The Committee referred it back to the Council, stating its inability to deal with it. A long and warm discussion followed, during which it was pointed out that the expenditure was incurred in accordance with a resolution of the Council. Finally the item was passed on the motion of Mr M'Gregor, and the report was adopted on the motion of Mr M'Kiuley, The Sanitory Committee reported and recommended a close inspection by the Inspector of nuisances of all closets in the town, and a report from liim on the subject. Also, that the regulations appertaining to the removal of night soil be carried into effect.—Read and adopted. Water Works Committee.—The following report was read : —We, the members of your Committee, having given the most earnest ancl careful attention to the several matters connected with the Water Works remitted to us, .have to report, lst, As to the several claims for compensation made by land owners, we can only say at present that mutters are still in abeyance, but it is hoped that settlement will be come to with some of the land owners, without resorting to legal process. 2nd. As to the assessment proposed to be levied by the North East Valley Eoad Board on the reservoir, we consider that the works not being completed, they are co much over valued that

notice of appeal against the assessment should? be given, and that the Corporation solicitor" should be instructed to attend to this. 3r& '■ As to; inspection ~ of, Water Works, MessrsJoyce and Adams having laid before u» a letter from the. consulting engineer, in which it is stated that -the Inspector's services may now be dispensed with, but recommending .' that he might be employed for a month or two - to visit, the reservoir morning and evening, we would beg to. recommend the approval of Mr ■- Blair's letter. As to dispensing with the Inspector's services, say after the end of the present month's engagement, viz., February Bth. < next, and_ as tp further engaeing his services, we consider thafc to be a matter for afterarrangement. Mr Blair's letter will accompany this report. Touching surplus water - works plant, we recommend thafc Mr Crawshaw's offer, at prices named, be accepted. We also recommend that the, Clerk arrange • with Messrs A. and T. Burt and the owners aa - to laying service pipes afc schedule prices, same as m Dunedin, and that this should be done aa•soon os Mr Blair finally reports the completion of the Water Works contract. Herewith we attach an opinion from the - Corporation Solicitor that the valuation already made fcr the Corporation will avail for Water - Works rates. '" Since the meeting of your Committee, held January 17th, a settlement has been effected with Captain Thomson, by which he accepts ■ three debentures as settlement in f uUV Your - Committee recommends'that the arrangement - be confirmed, and that the debentures be prepared and handed over. ; Mr Dodson moved the adoption of thereport, and that the Committee be empowered to - Bettie with Captain Thomson. Seconded by Mr M'Kinlay, and carried. MISCELLANEOUS. The question of rating for 1877, under the Rating Act, was referred to the Finance Committee and Corporation Solicitor, with power to •• act. -■' '. Mr Asher moved that steps be taken to preserve the trees and shrubs in the Cemetery.— Carried. ; Mr Reid moved that the Clerk write to the Colonial Secretary, asking whether tho Daily Times is the only authorised newspaper in place of the Provincial Gazette for all statutory noti :es which are required to be inserted in the Gazette; and if so, what scale of charges - have heen fixed for advertising.—Seconded by Mr Asher, and carried. Mr Reid moved that the Minister for Pubhc - Works'attention be called to the state of the road through the Town Belt leading to Dunedin, caused by the railway operations and diversion of the road.—Carried. Mr Asher moved that the Clerk write to the Minister'of Public Works about placing - pickets round the fence on Flagstaff Hill,, and pointing out the danger of the place without them.—Carried. " ■■ •■-'--■' '■' :: -"'-"'