LAWRENCE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XVI, Issue 992, 21 November 1883, Page 3

LAWRENCE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the above body was held in the Council Chambers on Monday evening. There were preseut— The Mayor andCrs Taylor, Johnston, Thompson, Craig, Miller, and Morrison. CORRESPONDENCE. A letter was received from Mr Peter Robertson, drawing attention to the necessity of forming the footpath from his residence as far as the culvert at Mr Mosa' gate, in older that water coining from the hill may run into the proper channel. — Referred to the Public Works Committee for report. Mr Jas. E. Bromley requested the Council to form a footpath leading from Campbellton-street to certain sections in block xux., so as to afford him access to his property during wot weather. — Referred to the Public Works Committee for report. , A letter from Mrs Collins was read, intimating that she had decided to withdraw her offer to perform the janitor's duties.— The Mayor said that, on receipt of Mrs Collins's letter, he requested Mr Geo. Silk to carry on the duties at the same salary as formerly, and that he had signified his willingness to do so. — The Mayor's action in this matter was approved. Mr Philip Uren (Returning Officer) wrote Btating that at the nomination o! candidates on the 19th instant for the office of Mayor of the Borough, Mr Michael Fraer was declared duly elected, he being the only candidate nominated. — Received. Mr Smaill (Engineer) reported that as the progress made with contract No. 2 of the Lawrence drainage channel was so thoroughly unsatisfactory, he considered it his duty to serve the contractors with the usual notice (a copy of which he enclosed), and failing compliance therewith, recommended the cancellation of the contract.—lk was decided to inform Messrs Buchanan and Dewar that their contract would be determined at the expiry of seven days, unless they complied with the conditions of contract. JUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE'S REPORT. The following report from the Public Works Committee was read and received: — Your Committee have the honor to report that since last meeting the Burfacemen have been engaged in forming Solway-street and putting in culvert— The bathing dam has been placed in thorough order, and is now available for those who wish to use it.— The reservoirs have had a thorough overhaul, and are now in a good state for holding the necessary supply of water.— lona-street is now being attended to and put in order, rendered necessary owing to the formation of the bowling ground. DRAINAGE CHANNEL INSPECTOR'S REPORT. The following report was submitted by Mr Uren (Inspector of the Lawrence drainage channel) : — I have the honor to report on contract No. 3, Lawrence drainage channel, that the contractor (Mr H. B. Auld) has sunk to the bedrock in connection with the arch in Derwentstreet, finding it a depth of 9ft. He has laid on the rock a bed of concrete 19ft x 5f i 6in x lft ; above the concrete, a wall in masonry (of cement, mortar, and three of sand to one of cement) to a height of 4ft; and from this a ring of bricks 22£ in in thickness is laid and the arch closed. The contractor has made a start with the wooden structure, which is part of the contract, and has driven several piles to the bed-rock. Messrs Buchanan and Dewar have made a little progress with their contract (No. 2) at Sim's cutting, and have nearly completed a portion of the cutting through the bed-rock. ACCOUNTS. The followingjaccounts were referred to the Finance and Public Works Committees for payment if found correct :— D. Cochrane, £9 12s ; Jas. Wilson, £8 8s ; Geo. Silk. £6 ; P. Uren (salary and incidentals), £8 3s. THE LOCAL POLICF.-FOi.CE. Cr Johnston desired to know if any communication had been received from Inspector Weldon re the appointment of another constable for-Lawrence. The Mayor : No ; we have not received any additional information. When I was in Dunedin lately, Inspector Weldon told me that there was a likelihood of the former system being reverted to — that of the appointment of a gaoler who would occasionally do patrol duty. Cr Miller inquired if the Totra Clerk had written to Colonel Reader on the subject of the^appointment of another constable. When Inspector Weldon was interviewed, he gave the deputation to understand that he had written twice to Colonel Reader on the subject buthad not received a reply to either of his communications. If the Town Clerk wrote, possibly the Council would [get a decided answer — yes or no.

The Mayor did not Bee the necessity for writing directly to Colonel Reader. 0* Johnston -. But can't we write to Mr Weldon. The Mayor : But he has told me that the old system is likely to be reverted to, and there is hardly any necessity to push the matter further at present. Or Thompson was of opinion that there was no need to write at present; the days were long, and the services of another constable were not so much needed until the winter season. Or Miller would prefer if Colonel Reader were communicated with at once. Cr Taylor questioned if the services of another constable were really required. Cr Johnston pointed out that another constable was sadly wftoied. Sergeant Major Moore had lately been appointed Inspector of Weights and Measures for the Borough of Lawrence and County of Tuapeka, and that would necessitate, in the performance of his additional duties, Mb being called from home more frequently, Cr Craig said Inspector Weldon gave the deputation to understand distinctly enough that personally he was favourable to the appointment of another constable to Lawrence. After further discussion, Or Morrison moved : " That the clerk be instructed to communicate with Colonel Reader relative to the appointment of another constable to Lawrence, bringing under his notice that Inspector Weldon had written twice to him on the same subject without a reply being vouchsafed, and requesting to know whether or not an additional oonstable would be appointed." Or Johnston, who seconded' the motion, asked the mover to add to it the names of two Councillors to see that the letter containing the recommendations of the Council was duly forwarded to headquarters. Cr Morrison didn't approve of the appointment of a sub-committee for the reason that it would be a slight on the clerk in his professional capacity. ' The motion was then put and carried, the Mayor promising to see that the letter contained the suggestions thrown out by Councillors. GENERAL BUSINESS. It was resolved, on the motion of Cr Morrison, to affix a tap to the stand-pipe at the corner of Whitehaven and Colon-say-streets for the convenience of the public. The Cemetery Committee were instructed (on the motion of Cr Johnston) i to bring up a report in a month's time relative to the survey and laying off, on the most approved design, of the cemetery. On the suggestion of Cr Craig, the Inspector of Nuisances is to be written to, requesting him to furnish the Clerk with the names of all property-owners whose ; live-fences encroach on street-lines. \ This concluded the business.