Municipal Notes.

Southern Cross, Volume 4, Issue 42, 30 January 1897, Page 8

Municipal Notes.

THE BATHS. A deputation from the committee appointed by the public brought the baths before the council on Thursday night, and offered to hand them over to the borough if it would pay existing liabilities, complete the baths, and conserve the rights of the debenture holders. Cr. Stead, while giving the public credit for what they had done, took the council's committee to task for not having laid the \position before them when the deadlock arose, and said the baths, in their present position, were not only a white elephant, but a laughing stock.—Cr Blacke thought that what had happened justified the attitude ot the opponents of the baths. They bad been a failure up to date, and whatever was done, he would oppose the ratepayers having to contribute to keep them up. —The matter was eventually referred to the Baths Committee.

■ INVERCARGILL REGATTA. The Invercargill Regatta Committee was granted permission to levy a fee of 6d per head for admission to ■the jetty on regatta day.—Cr. Thomson, while not opposing the application, pointed out that the council could not grant leave to anyone to charge for admission to the jetty.—Cr. McFarlane said leave had always been granted in times past —Cr. MeKeown did not see why they should not allow the committee to charge the same as the Bluff committee were allowed to obtain sixpence a head from people going to the regatta there. The Mayor agreed with the point raised by Cr. Thomson. It was optional with the public whether they paid or not. — Cr. Thomson explained that he had no ob jection to the application, bu t wh at he wished understood was that the council had no more authority to grant the right to charge for admission to the jetty than for gathering in Dee street. Cr. McFarlane said they could charge for admission to reserves, and the jetty was on reserved land—the foreshore. —Cr. Stead said that Cr. Thomson was right; all the committee wanted was to know that they would not be interfered with. It was not to be supposed that anyone would seek to go on the jetty on regatta day without paying,—Cr. Blacke said it was strange if they could not charge here, when Bluff people could, and get a Government department to assist them.—Cr. Stead: And get their own people, those living at the Bluff, over the wharves free. —Cr. Thomson thought the council should use its influence with the Railway Department to charge sixpence a head in the case of all people coming into townqn regatta day. —Cr.Blacke; From Bluff especially. (Laughter.) Permission to charge the sixpence was unanimously granted. HARBOUR OR NO HARBOUR. The Mayor mentioned on Thursday night that the Engineer had called attention to the state of the Jetty, the likelihood being that a new one would be required. The subject would be considered by the Harbour Committee. It seemed to him that it involved the question of harbour or no harbour. THE INDIAN FAMINE. An urgent appeal was made on behalf of the starving natives. —The famine area, and the number of persons affected, were described as enormous. “ Form a relief fund ” was the petition of the promoters of the movement. —The matter was left in the hands of the Mayor and Town Clerk. THE CAB STAND. The Works Committee reported that the requisition from cab owners re cab stand was held over for consideration, —Cr Blacke moved that the clause be struck out. It had been on the order paper a long time, and it was useless to keep it there longer.—lt appeared that the cabmen complained that the present night stand was unsuitable, effording uo shelter for man or beast, and they asked to be allowed to use the old night stand —from Esk to Don street. —The Mayor said no trouble would arise if the men kept away from the shops and footpath. To alter the stand would involve an alteration in the bylaws, which had only recently been printed. The voting on the amendment to delete the clause was equal, and it was carried on the casting vote of the Mayor, who said that he believed in upholding the bylaws. TOWN WORKS. In reply to Cr Watson, who inquired as to what the Council was being committed to in sanctioning the employment of a number of men on drainage . works, the Mayor explained that the men would complete the drainage works authorised —practically they would continue at the pleasure of the Council. RATES OP PAT. Clause 14 recommended a reduction in the rates for drainage work, but Cr Thomson carried an amendment retaining the former rate.—Cr

Goldie, mho had moved the adoptioq of the report, said, in answer to a question, that some of the men had been making as high as ten shillings a day and over. —Cr Thomson wished to know if there was any evidence to that effect.—Cr Goldie said it had been done where the material was got out easily, as against 3s or 4s 'earned in other parts of the town, where conditions were less favourable.—Cr. Thomson/ said that as low as 2s a day had been made, but there was no evidence that anyone had made 10s.—Cr. Goldie said it was a common talk amongst the men that some had done so. A TOWN HALL. The Mayor mentioned that he was inquiring as to the possibility of obtaining safe accommodation for a number of town records for which there was no room in the present building. Whether they should erect a strong room or a town hall was a matter for consideration.—On the motion of Cr. Goldie the engineer was instructed to report as to the cost of erecting a strong room in connection with the existing chambers. VICTORIA AVENUE, It was reported that the cost of forming Victoria Avenue, including cartage, was £3OO 2s 9d.—Cr. Goldie : Hot so bad as some have thought. They talked about £SOO. FINANCIAL. The Mayor said that as some misconception existed as to the expenditure of the £19,000 loan, he had caused a statement to be prepared, showing how it had been dealt with. This was read by the Clerk,, and will be discussed at a future meeting. The Mayor remarked incidentally that as one result of the adjustment of accounts the auditor’s certificate on the balance-sheet no longer bore the footnote— ‘ Correct with the exception, of,’ etc. He also added that some of the recent expenditure was not of a recurrent character. —Cr.

MeFarlane said the document showed that erroneous statements had been made by a section of the press as to loan money being squandered.—Or. Watson : It is premature to discuss that question at this stage. CR. AITKEN “ STRIKES OIL ” Or. Aitken moved that the recreation reserve now called the Park Reserve be known from this date as ‘ Queen’s Park.’ In doing so he said that Park Reserve was a miserable name for such a fine piece of ground, and was apt to mislead visitors, who when told that games or shows were being held on the park reserve might wander in various directions before discovering the place, for there were parks all round the town. They had Victoria Avenue, and in view of the celebrations connected with the Queen’s record reign shortly, it would be well to give the reserve a distinctive name. —Or. Thomson seconded the motion, and expressed his delight at the loyal spirit that prompted the mover. —Or. Stead: And the Queen be informed accordingly. Joking apart, a new name is wanted. The motion was then passed.