MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

West Coast Times, Issue 574, 27 July 1867, Page 2

MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

The Council met last evening, at halfpast seven o'clock. Present — His Worship the Mayor, Councillors Fitzsimmons, Shaw, Anderson, Hungerford, Ecclesfield, and Cumming. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. PRESENT FROM THE GOVERNOR. The Mayor said that sonic time ngo, when his Excellency the Governor was in Hokitika, he kindly promised to send down some trees, to be planted for the purpose of ornamenting the town. He (the Mayor) had now to announce that his Excellency had sent down a number of willow trees. It was now for the Council to determine where the trees should be planted. Referred to the Public Works Committee. CORRESPONDENCE. Letter from the Provincial Secretary, stating that instructions had been issued to Mr Fraser, the surveyor, to cause the north-west portion of the town of Hokitika to be surveyed and made ready for sale as soon as possible, reserving certain rights-of-way to the Council. Received.

Letter from Mr Louisson, stating that, understanding the Council wished to purchase a weigh-bridge, ho wished to intimate that he had one for sale, with all the latest improvements. Received.

Letter from Mr Clayton, thanking the Council for electing him to the office of Collector of Rates, and stating that his bond had been duly executed, the sureties being Messrs Alcorn and J. B. Clarke, Letter from the Private Secretary to the Superintendent, stating that his Honor would be happy to take charge of any Bill in the Assembly to remedy the ultra vires clauses in the Municipal Act,

Letter from Mr John Brown, asking permission to erect a scaffolding over the footway in Revell street for a short time.in order to enable him to completo a building ho was erecting. Granted. Letter from Mr M'Lcan, respecting asphalting certain footpaths. Referred to Public Works Committee. HAMILTON STREET. Cr Shaw moved—" That the Surveyor furnish an Estimate of the expense of forming Hamilton street, and metalling the centre thereof." Cr Anderson seconded the motion, remarking that the work proposed to be performed was most necessary, The motion was carried. PARK- STKEET. Cr Hungerford moved, " That the dray track in Park street be nietalleo, the cost not to exceed L 10." He said that LIOO had Jbeen already spent in that locality, and if the further .sum of LlO was not expended the previous expenditure would be almost useless. Mr Fitzsimmons seconded the motion. Cr Anderson thought it desirable that the metalling should be proceeded with, otherwise the money previously expended on tho work would be thrown away. Cr Ecclesfield said that several other streets required to be made before this track was metalled. The Mayor pointed out that this motion had been negatived at a previous meeting. According to the standing orders the Council would have to decide whether the motion should be entertained. The Town Clerk read the motion negatived at the previous meeting, which was different from the present motion. The motion was then put and passed. HEVELL STREET. The Town Clerk said that a resolution had been passed by the Council that the north end of Revell street should be formed and metalled. He wished to ask whether he should ask for tenders to perform the»work.

It was intimated that a plan and estimate had better first be prepared by the Surveyor. Cr Gumming moved — " That the East side of Revell street, north of the Tramway, to Tudor street be curbed."

Cr Ecclesfield seconded the motion, which was passed. Cr Fitzsimmbns asked what was to be done with the South end of Revell street.

The Mayor said that as soon as tho Corporation were in funds, the work would bo proceeded with. Cr Hungerford pointed out the necessity of attending to the drainage at the back of Revell street.

A letter was read from the Town Surveyor respecting the plans of drainage, and stating that the culvert in front of the Post oißce had broken and required repairing. The estimated cost of this work would be about LlB.

TRESPASSING ON TOWN LANDS. Cr Shaw said that he thought some steps ought to be taken respecting two persons against whom the police, laboring under a mistaken impression as to the wishes of the Council, had laid information for trespassing on town lands, and who had been fined, and 'had paid tho fines inflicted. He might state that tho allotments on which the buildings had been erected had been occupied before, and had been fenced in before they were occupied by the parties who had been fined. He might mention that he had spoken to the Magistrate who tried the case, and he was willing to recommend that the fines be remitted, on receiving an application from the Council suggesting the same. As he thought that a wrong had been committed, he would move that the Town Clerk be requested to take action in the matter.

Cr Fitzsimnions seconded the motion,' which was passed. NOTICE OF MOTION. Cr Shaw, to move — " That Standing Order No.' 30 be considered, with the view of ascertaining its correct interpretation." (Friday next.) The Council then adjourned.