PORT CHALMERS TOWN COUNCIL.

Otago Witness, Issue 1343, 25 August 1877, Page 10

PORT CHALMERS TOWN COUNCIL.

The regular fortnightly meeting of the above Council was held on Monday evening, Present—His Worship the Mayor, Messrs Law, Reid, Graham, De Maus, M'Kinley, Innes, and Miller. Several communications were ordered to be received. Reserves. — The Committee recommended that the cansideration of Mr M'Lachlan's letter be held over till it was seen what arrangement he could make with the Blueskin Road Bou-d relative to the road through the section mentioned. Works. — The Committee recommended that the consideration of Mr Christie's letter be held over for inquiry. ALso that Beach street be kerbed from the Post Office to Messrs A. and T. Burt's premises. That the matter of filling in the footpath opposite Mr H. Thomson's premises be held over for further consideration. That Mr Dench's offer relative to lifting and relaying kerbing and the footpath of Mount street, at his own expense, be accepted, subject to approval of Inspector ; but that the raising of the street should be done by contract. That a crossing be constructed at the new Post Office. That the road to Carey's Bay be repaired. That Beach street, from the Railway Station to Mr Johnson's house, be pitched and metalled. That .tenders for cart ing for six months be called for, and tenders for breaking 900 yards of metaL That the owner of section 131, Island terrace, be notified to remove, within 14 days, the fencing that encroaches on the road. '' Lighting. — The Committee promised to bring up a report at a future meeting. A debate upon the reports ensued. Mr Reid deprecated entering into extensive vorks, for financial considerations. He could see a rate of 5Js 6d or 2s in the £ looming in the ■ future. He briefly sketched the financial state ov the Corporation, and objected to the formation of Beach street until it was properly surveyed. Mr Miller thought South Ward had been left out in the cold by the report. He thought, however, that a survey of Beach street should be made, even to the tug station at the end of the New Pier, in order that it might be ascertained how the Corporation property had been encroached upon. Mr Law thought that the financial condition of the Corporation would not be so very desperate if all outstanding rates were paid in. Mr Graham endorsed Mr Reid's remarks relative to the advisability of exercising caution. He also would support all that Mr Law had said about outstanding rates. Mr Innes, whilst agreeing with much that had been said respecting finance, yet thought that the works recommended by the Works Committee should be carried out ; for if they were unduly delayed, what would cost L 5 would cost Lls hereafter. Still, all the works recommended need not be cjir-ied out at once. Much could be done in the summer. Mr Reid urged a survey of Beach street. He was sure many of the buildings erected there encroached on the street, and whether they were bonded stores or not he would advocate their immediate removal. If such people were allowed to encroach, they could not object to the poor doing likewise. After further discussion, the reports were adopted on the motion of Mr InnEs, seconded by Mr Law. Finance and Water Works. — The reports of these Committees were considered together. The former recommended the adoption of the balance-sheet aud auditors' report for year ending July 31st last, and considered that the financial slate of the Corporation was satisfactory, but at the same time recommended that only works actually required should be undertaken. Also, that 48 and the subsequent sec tions of the Rating Act be put in force. Accounts amounting to LlB4 7s lOd were passed aud recommended for payment. The Water Works Committee recommended that the rates for water be struck at the limit fixed by the Act of 1872, and that power be delegated to the Comniittee to purchase and fix meters. The manner in which Messrs Burt's contract relative to laying pipes down the piers was described, and the work was said to have been satisfactorily completed. It was recommended that the Council should appoint a permanent officer to attend to maters relative to the Water Works. After an earnest discussion, the report was received and adopted, on the understanding that the appointment of officer should be postponed to the next regular meeting. The Council then proceeded to fix the «rice of water supplied to the shipping of the Port and it was resolved, on the motion of 'Mr Graham, seconded by Mr Innes, thafcit should be Is 6d per ton. ORDERS OF THE DAY. Mr Law's notice of motion relative to enforcing the payment of overdue rates, came on for discussion, and excited a lively debate. Mr Innes seconded it. Mr Reid objected to the spirit of the motion. There had always been outstanding rates, and it seemed hard to single out this quarter to enforce so arbitrary a meooure. Mr Miller said the motion was a hit at him. He was prepared to pay his back rates if the question of his leases was satisfactorily settled Mr De Maus and Mr Innes were in f auoui: of enforcing the payment of rates that were overdue. Mr Law was absolutely opposed to allowing ; the rates to run on year after year. The motion was then put and carried. Messrs Reid and Miller only voting against it. MISCELLANEOUS. After a short; discussion, it was resolved to

pay Captain Thomson the interest on iiifl.de- ; bentures from the date of his agreement.- *■""" * Sanitary matters were again introduced by a *- letter from MrMonson.notifyingt'o the Board of " Health that one of his daughters was' Buffering^ : from scarlet fever.— The letter was ordered to be received, and a discussion followed upon ' the best means to be adopted to check the pro, <r gress of the fever in the town. ■ Upon -the r. motion of Mr Graham, Dr Drysdale was- »p», ', pojnjted medical ' adviser to the Board— Mr Miller only objecting, and in such intemperate language that called for a rebuke from Mr Innes and the interference of the Chairman." It was also resolved, on the motion' 1 of Mr 1 ; Graham, to supply the town water gratis ' from ' any open tap to all who needed it, and" that > water should be carted when necessary to fever ' r stricken houses. Also, that such houses should f be distinguished by the exhibition of small yellow flags in front of them. ■ . ; With the probability before them of the. fever '; spreading, the_ Council discussed the' advisa r " bility of establishing a sanitorium , and it was i resolved, on the motion of Mr M'Kinley, to ' ? telegraph to the General Government at ,Wel- '* lingtbn for permission to occupy the Quarantine Island. ' ; r-■ The Council then went into Committee.' . -