MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

West Coast Times, Issue 348, 3 November 1866, Page 2

MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

A meeting wis held last night at the Fire Krigade Hall, at half-past seven o'clock. Cr Bonar in the chair. ( All the members were present except Cr Anderson. On the minutes being read, Cr Shaw objected that the ruling of the Chairman, declaring this amendment to a motion in the minutes relating to the discussion of the salary of the engineer, to be out of order, had been omitted. He wished thi.-> correction to be made, as ho intended to bring the matter again before the Council. After some discussion, the correction was made, and the minutes were confirmed. The Chairman again desired to call the attention of the Council to the threatened alteration in the course of the river, through the breaking away of the dam that kept it in its present channel. There was now a heavy fresh in the river, which would probably 'increase the damage ; and he was not sure that it might not even now be too late to repair it. The local authorities had given the matter their best consideration, but they could not proceid in the absence of instructions from Christchurch. Unless speedy action were taken, the wharf would be rendered useless, and Hokitika would be a quarter of a mile from the river. Cr Shaw, in moving that immediate representation be made to the Government, said the subject had also come before him in a very forcible manner, and that he had investigated it thoroughly. He had himself communicated with the Government, and learned that it would cost LIOOO to rectify the damage : but if deferred further, the damage might amount to 1,40,000 or L 50,000. He believed that the Superintendent and the Provincial Secretary had consulted with Mr Bruht as to the advisability of immediately taking the matter in. hand. Mr Bright did not often make a mistake, but he had done so in the present instance, as he had advised that the opinion of the residents of Hokitika should be taken first. He had, therefore, on his own responsibility, communicated with Mr Bright, and would read a copy of the letter aent :—: — "My Dear Mr Bright. — It has transpired in town that the Provincial Secretary in Christchurch consulted you on the advisibility of adopting immediate steps 10 arrest the impending alteration 'in the present course of the river, and that you advised that the people on this side should be first consulted. lam sorry to say that your action in the matter is regarded as extremely injudicious. The matter referred to, you are no doubt acquainted with, from what has transpired, and it requires urgent measures to meet an evil of very great magnitude. When a house is on fire, it is not discussion but action tnatis required, and already it is found we are too late in this matter. I tm->t, therefore, you will see the advisability of seeing the Superintendent on the subject and advocating instant and energetic action. " Yours very truly, " Wm. Shaw. " llokitika. Xov. 1. 1866." Cr Clarke stated th it he had also visited the dam, which was being rapidly washed away, and would be productive of great damage to the town. He seconded the motion, which was then put and carried. Cr Shaw referred to the ruling of the Chairman on the occasion of the discussion on the Town Surveyor's » salary at the last meeting. He was declared out of order in moving a third amendment, but he wished to show that he wag in the right. The rule declared that " One amendment only shall be discussed at one time ; but if lost, another may be moved before the original question is put to the vote' I—thus1 — thus allowing any number of amendments to be moved. " But upon any amendment being carried, it shall be competent to move one other amendment thereon, but no more." Now, as none of the amendments had been carried, he maintained that he was not out of order in moving another. He would call their attention to the fact that on the last amendment being put to the meeting he had been supported b)' Cr Fitzsimmons, who had previously voted against him ; and contended that by allowing another, a result might have been arrived at more satisfactory for all pa<ties, by permitting the members to meet each other hdt\vay. The Chairman said that by allowing an unlimited number of amendments to be moved, a member might keej) the Council at one point till night. He had not hud the standing orders by him, and quoted from memory. He should like an expression of the Council's opinion. Cr Shaw said that it was not the time for a discussion whether such a course was desirable or not. He only wanted to know what construction the Chairman intended to put upon the rule quoted. ' He did not intend to raise any discussion upon what had taken place, but wished as few mistakes as possible to occur in their proceedings. The Chairman admitted that he had been in error in his ruling. A U tter was read from the Provincial Secretary, acknowledging the receipt of the petition from the occupiers of the Police Reserve, Weld street, which would be enquired into. Ordered to be ree lved, the Town Clerk to communicate tUe reply to t..e petitioner-.. An application from Messrs Burke and iM'llugh, in lie veil street North, for permission to erect a verandab in front of their premises wa-. referred to the Public Works Committee. A letter was read from Mr Armson, signifying his acceptance of the office of Town Surve}or, at the salary offered. He called their attention to the necessity for forming a road through Revell street to the beach in a line with Camp street, which subject was referred to the Public Works Committee. He furnished a list of instruments that he should require, and it was resolved that the surveyor be authorised to procure them. A letter from Mr M'Lean, with reference to asphalting, was referred to the Public Works Committee. A letter was read from Mr Inspector Broham, htating that he had no authority to appoint an Inspector of Nuisances, but he had forwarded the application to the Commissioner of Police at Christchurch. In the meantime he would give instructions to the police to aid the Council to the utmost of their power. A letter was read from the secretary of the llokitika nnd Greymouth Tramway Company, accepting the permission of the Council to lay down their line within the town. The report of the Public Works Committee was read. It stated that the committee had met on the 31st ultimo, and had obtained the permission of the Commissioner to use the old Court-house, on condition of their erecting a temporary messroom for the use of the prisoners, for which they had, therefore, called for tenders. With regard to the application of ' Mr O'Connor, respecting the supply of ! water to the town, they considered it pie- j mature, aud opposed to the spirit of the j Municipal Ordinance,

The Finance Committee reported that they met on the l9t instant, and had an interview with Mr Preshaw, of the Bank of New South Wales, who was willing to allow them a cash credit of LIOOO, at 12^ per cent, on their satisfying him when the advance would be paid. They recommended that this offer be accepted, though they |did not think so large a sum would be necessary. They also recommended that advertisements be inserted for two assessors and a rate-col-lector; the applications to state the remuneration that would be required, and the collector to be required to give sureties to a sum to be fixed by the Council . The Chairman said a letter had been received from Mr Preshaw, and thought it should be read and taken into consideration together with the report of the Finance Committee in a committee of the whole. Cr Shaw thought they were not competent to rule on such an important^point. It was essentially a public question, and should be considered publicly. The first of their standing orders Jsaid that, " the business of the Council shall he conducted on all occasions, with open doora," and to that rule he considered there should be as few exceptions as possible. (Applause.) Mr Clarke sided with the chairman, that the letter should be read in committee, but, after some discussion, it was read publicly. (It contained an offer exactly similar to that embodied in the report of the Finance Committee.) The advertisement calling for applications for the office of In&pictor of Nuisances was ordered to be deferred till the next meeting, as was also the consideration of Cr Anderson's notice of motion. Cr Shaw moved the suspension of the standing orders, that he might move— " That a committee, consisting of the Chairman, Cr Clarke, and the mover, be anpointed to revise the standing orders, and submit them for approval at the next rnet-ting of the Council." Obscurities existed in many paits of them, and it was advisable that they should be cleared away as soon as possible. Seconded by Cr Clarke, and agreed to. Cr Cumming gave notice of motion — " That tenders be invited for all printing required by the Council. 1 ' Cr Shaw asked whether the engineer had taken any measures for the survey of the town, as the Government had promised the use of the necessary instruments. Cr Ilungerford said that he had lately seen Mr Armson, who intended to apply to the authorities for the loan of some iustruments. A petition from the residents <.f the west side of North llevell street, praying tiiat the land occupied by them be sold or leased, was read, together with a memorial to the Council, asking that the petition be forwarded to Ghristchurch, with their recommendation that their prayer be granted. Cr Ilungerford stated that he was one of the deputation that wcited on the Superintendent; on hi 3 visit to Westland, with reference to the subject of the petition, when Mr Moorhouse said that the only difficulty that he saw in the way was, that when the land on the east side of the street h.id been hold, the purchaser^ had been guaranteed a beach frontage ; but if they had no objection to the sale, he saw no reason why the ground should not be sold. how, the whole of the residents on the east side hid signed the petition, ami he would therefore move that it be forwarded with the recommendation of the Council. Cr Cumming seconded the motion. It would be a great injustice to remove the petitioners, when the circumstances under which the land had been occupied were' taken into consideration. Cr Williams in answer to a question, that the survey on the west side of Revell street extended no further than Messrs Orr's store. He had always been in favor of the tsalu of that portion of the town ; the street was wider there than at the southern end, and the petitioners should not be obliged to remove any more than those at the lower part of the , street. Cr Fitzsimmons said that many who had opposed them formerly were now in favor of having the land sold. Cr Shaw was glad to see such unanimity existing on the subject. There was a very large number of people, who had settled on the ground in the full expectation that they would be permitted to remain, and he could see no reason for shifting them. There would be a heavy loss by the demolition of so many buildings ; but there would likewise be considerable damage done to the town by depriving it of the rates, on which they were relying to carry out the improvements in the town. There was a committee now sitting in Cluistchuich on the subject of theoe reserves, and the petition should be at once transmitted to them, with an expression of the opinion of the Council. The motion was agreed to. A petition was read from the inhabitants of Gibson's Quay, praying that a piece of land, 30 feet wide and 200 feet long, mi^ht be grauted to the Hokitiki and Ksinieri Tramway Company, to enaWe them to erect a goods-shed. The petition stated that the tramway was of considerable benefit to the inhabitants of that part of the town, but that a stop was threatened to be put upon their operations, iv consequence of having no place in which to conduct their business, and that the company hnd been summoned, and fined by the Resident Magistrate, for ohstructins the ioadway. Referred to the Public Works Committee. A petition was also read from the residents of the east side of North Rtvell street, complaining that the Ilokitika and Greymouth tramway would obstruct their business as it was now laid, and would continue to do so if it were within 30 feet of their premises. Referred to the Committee of Works. Cr Shaw moved that the consideration of the report of the Finance Committee be deferred until the next meeting, and wus of opinion that it had been guilty of great indiscretion in dealing with any bank without the consent of the whole Council, which placed them now in a rather invidious position. There were other banks in Ilokitika besides that of New South Wales, utid the town account would be one of sufficient magnitude to induce them to 'compete for it. He knew another member of the committee had been to another bank, the manager of which had stated his willingness to grant a cash credit. It was a matter requiring the fullest investigation ; and if Cr Cumming considered it worth while to go into such a small matter as printing, it was certainly necessary to investigate a subject of such magnitude as this ; and he felt sure they would have to pay no such exorbitant interest. It was for the Council to elect which should be their ta»nk. He moved that the report be deferred. Cr Kcclesfield excused the prompt action of the Council on the ground that a number of accounts were coming forward, which he for one did not like to ace without having the cash to meet them. ' Cr Shaw moved that the report of the Finance Committee stand over till the

next meeting ; And in the meantime the Town Clerk be instructed to wri'e to the banks, asking upon what terms they would undertake the business of the Council. Seconded by Cr Williams and can-ied. The report of the Committee of Works was received and adopted. Cr Shaw asked the Town Clerk in what condition was the new Municipal Bill, as its speedy transmission to Christchurch was a matter of great importance. The Town Clerk replied that the draft of the Bill for validating the election of the Council had already been sent. The other Bill was rather lengthy, but lie hoped to have it ready by the early part of next week. The Council then adjourned till Friday next at half-past seven o'clock p.m.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT. (Before G. G. FitzGerald, Esq., R.M.) Friday, Novembbr 2. Drunkenness.— Jus. Louth was charged with this offence, and mulcted in the sum of 5s ;in default of payment 24 hours' imprisonment. CIVIL CASES. Marks v. Solomon.- His Worship intimated that he had not fully considered the case, and would therefore defer judgment till to-morrow (this, day). Wall v. Millard —His Worship would also pronounce judgment herein to-morrow (this day). Watt & Falconer v. Norton. — No appearance of defendant. Judgment for plaintiffs for amount claimed, and costs. The Court was then adjourned till tomorrow (this dny) at 1 1 a.m. ♦— The Union Bank of Australia makes its second direct shipment of gold from Westland to England, via Panama, by the company's b.s. Otago, which, -weather permitting, leaves for Wellington to-day. 6000 ounces will be be the amount sent.

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