MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

West Coast Times, Issue 650, 24 October 1867, Page 2

MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

The newly elected Municipal Council met for the first time last evening, at the Council Chambers, Revell street, at halfpaot seven o'clock.

Present — Tho Mayor elect (Mr W. Shaw) ; Councillors Bartlctt, Button, Prosser, Higgiu, Ecclesficld, Patcrson, Bojle, and Mcßcth. The Town Clerk said that before his Worship the Mayor took the chair, he would read over the results of the recent election for Municipal Councillors, and for the election of Mayor. The Mayor elect then took and subscribed the usual declaration, and took the chair. The Mayor said that ho was glad the election for the civic chair had oeen so keenly contested, because it showed that the citizens of Hokitika took a great interest in Municipal Institutions. He had been chosen by the vote of the citizens, but he trusted that the Counoil

would ratify that choice. In the late Council, they had one great advantage, viz : — in having a gentleman to preside, who had not only great experience, but whose suavity of manner enlisted the respect and friendship of every member of the Council. He (the Mayor) trusted that he should be able to follow in the footsteps of that gentleman. He would endeavor to preside with strict impartiality at the sittings of the Council, and he trusted that now the election was over they would all unite in an earnest endeavor for the welfare of the town. He felt grateful to the citizens for having elected him, and hoped that before his year of office was expired to deserve the respect and thanks of the Council. The business to be brought before them that evening was principally of a formal character, and he would now call upon the Town Clerk to read the minutes and proceed with the business of the evening. The minutes of the previous meetings were read and confirmed. THE SECOND MOIETY OP THE EATES. The Matoe said that the only communication he intended to make to them officially was with regard to the difficulty the collector of rates iiad experienced in getting in the second moiety. The late Mayor had directed that proceedings should be taken against those at whose instigation payment of the rates had been refused. Parties who, although they objected to the rates as being levied by an illegalbody, had yet taken part in the late election,as if they wished to enjoy all the rights of citizenship, but were not willing to undertake its responsibility. He (the Mayor) merely wished to state that he intended to instruct the Town Clerk to take the necessary measures for enforcing the payment of the second moiety of the rates. LETTER FEOH THE LATE MAYOE. The Town Clerk read the following letter from the late Mayor : — October 21, 1867. His Worship the Mayor and Corporation of Hokitika. Gentlemen — I regret that important matters affecting tho interests of the district require my presence in Cliristchureh, and will i prevent me from personally handing over the important charge which I have had tho honor of holding during the past twelve months, to my successor in office. I shall confine myself in the present letter to a brief statement of the position of the Corporation at this time, and I think that considering the difficulties consequent on the formation of a new governing body, and that the Corporation have had to depend entirely on their own resources, having received no extraneous assistance, I may congratulate the new Corporation on being able to commencence their important duties with hands unfettered by debt, and clear of those embarassments which have so frequently crippled the most energetic- efforts of Municipal" Councils in other places. From the enclosed statement you will see that the larger portion of tho second moiety of last year's rate is still uncollectedj this has arisen, in the first place, from the necessary delay that took place in having the fh-st assessment roll compiled, which prevented the first moiety being collected until well on in the second half-year ; in the second place, through having to appoint a fresh collector, in consequence of Tanner's defalcations ; and in the third place — and principally through the mistaken idea raised by a section of the Town's people, that an informality existed in the ordinance, which would prevent the Corporation from_ recovering the rates by course of law. This question has already been decided in the R. M. Court here, and I would recommend that immediate steps be taken to enforce the payment of the rate from some of the leading men in this opposition, as a further decision in Court on this matter will enable the collector to collect a considerable amount without delay. For the works that have been completed, and are now in progress, I am constrained to refer you to the Surveyor's report enclosed, and in concluding this hurried statement I can only say that I trust the new Corporation will pursue an able, and impartial course in the conduct of all matters which may come before them, and adopt such measures only as (without allowing themselves to be influenced by any special interests) may be to the benefit and welfare of tho general public. In retiring now from Municipal life, I may bo allowed to say that at all times I shall feel myself identified with the town I have had the honor of representing for the last twelve months, and in which my interests have been bo warmly supported ; and it shall be my study and endeavor, so far as I can consistently with the interests of the district, to promote the prosperity and welfare of tho inhabitants of Hokitika. For your confidence hitherto, and the trust you have reposed in mo at the present time, please accept my best thanks, and wishing the Mayor and Corporation every success during the coming year, I have the honor to be, Gentlemen, Your obedient servant, James A. Bonar. On the motion of Cr Prosser, seconded by Cr Button, the letter was received with thanks. COBBESPONDENCE. The Town Clerk read a telegram from the Hon. Mr Stafford, announcing the validation of the Hokitika Municipal Ordinance. Also a telegram from the Provincial Secretary with reference to the appointment of a poundkeeper. Letter from Mr J. Jones, asking that several buildings in Tancred street might be removed, as they blocked up access to his promises. Referred to the Town Surveyor, with power to act. PUBLIC WOSKS COMMITTEE. On the motion of Cr Prosser, seconded by Cr Boyle, the following councillors were appointed on the Public Works Committee, viz., Councillors M'Beth, Ecclesfield, Paterson, and the mover. FINANCE COMMITTEE. On the motion of Cr Button, seconded by Cr Ecclesfield, the following gentlemen were appointed on the Finance Committee, viz., Councillors Bartlett, Boyle, Higgin, and the mover. COBBESPONDENCE. Letter from Mr J. Pearson, asking permission to lay a box-drain from his section in Tancred streets. . Eeferred to the Town Surveyor, with power to act. Letter from Mr C. Prince, asking permission to place steps from the doors of the Provincial-chambers in Weld street. Referred to the Town Surveyor, with power to act, provided that there was no obstruction to the street. Letter from Mr Mulvihul, asking permission to put in a box-drain from the rear of the Dan O'Connell Hotel to Beach street. Referred to the Town Surveyor, with power to act. Letter from Mr R. Campbell, addressed to the late ( Council, respecting compensation for his premises in Hamilton street. Referred to the Public Works Committee. Letter from Messrs Walter Hare, R. T. Watson, and J. O'Connor, complaining of the erection of buildings in front , of their premises on the Railway Reserve, in Stafford street.

Referred to the Public Works Commitree. i(; Lettefef/om Mr S. Biggerstaff, asking permission to construct a tramway in firtoodlli tts^ 086 ° f m £ erredto the Public Works ComLetter from Felix Symons and Adolph r Blanche asking- permission to take up a piece of ground on the beach for mining purposes. 8 Referred to the Public Works Commitit tee. Letter from Mr Sale, as treasurer of the Dobson Memorial Fund, requesting to be informed where the Council worn! authorise the erection of an obelisk to the memory of the late George Dobson and three others, who had lost their lives in exploring the West Coast. The Torn Surveyor said that Mr Sale had spoken to him on the matter, and he (the Surveyor) had pointed out Weld street, not far from its junction with Revell street, as a suitable site for the erection of the obelisk. The letter was referred to the Public Works Committee. THE BOAD TO THE GBAVEL PITS. The Council then proceeded to consider the tenders for the forming and metalling a dray track to the Gravel Pits. A slight discussion ensued in consequence of two of the tenders having arrived a quarter of an hour, and twenty minutes after the time specified in the advertisement, but it was ultimately' resolved— that although the two tenders alluded to, should be considered this time, yet for the future no tender would be received after the specified hour. The following tenders were then opened: — Jno. Kellock £558 10 0 Jno. Stapleton 343 10 0 RobtHope 590 0 0 E. Rawlings 500 0 0 Jno.Whitaker ... ... 465 10 0 Chishohn and McLean 470 0 0 G. M. Aldridge ... 657 4 6 Jno. Hurst 680 0 0 Anthony and Finlay . . . 520 0 0 Turnbull and Packwood 420 0 0 On the motion of Cr. Button, seconded by Cr. Boyle, the tender of Mr Stapleton was accepted. BEVELL STBEET NOETff. On the motion of Cr. Boyle, seconded by Cr. Paterson, the Town Clerk was directed to invite tenders for forming and metalling the above street. BEPOBT OP THE TOWN SUBVETOE. The following report was read from the Town Surveyor. Town Surveyor's Office, Hokitika, 23rd Sept., 1867. To the Mayor and Councillors of Hokitika. Genteei£en, — I have the honor to inform you that fully seven chains of the brushwood protection on the beach has been completed, with the exception of the trimming of the tops of the brush. When this is done Mr Hurst's contract will be completed. It would be advisable to extend the protection about four or five chains further north, and would recommend the Public Works Committee, as soon as it is formed, to examine the ground and judge whether this is necessary or not. I have the honor to be, Gentlemen, Your most obedient servant, , John C. Frew, Town Surveyor. On the motion of Cr Prosser the report was referred to the Public Works Committee. CATTLE IN THE STBEET. The Town Clerk read a bye-law which he had prepared for regulating the driving of cattle through the streets, and preventing horses and cattle straying therein. Cr Bartlett moved that the bye-law be referred to a committee consisting of Messrs Prosser, Button, Boyle and Higgin. The motion was duly seconded and passed. PEBMANENT BEACH PBOTECTION. Cr Boyle moved — " That this Council do ask the Government, through the Goldfieids Secretary, to make a permanent breakwater on the beach to stop the further encroachments of the sea at the back of Revell street; and that, this Council do press upon the Government the necessity of this work being immediately undertaken." After alluding to a meeting of the citizens which had been held upon the subject, Mr Boyle said that he thought the Council would do well to strengthen the hands of the citizens in this matter. He thought that the Provincial Government had power to execute the work, and he mentioned the cases of Dunedin and Lyttelton, where thousands had been spent by the respective Provincial Governments to reclaim land from the sea and in harbor works. Cr Paterson seconded the motion, believing it to be the duty of the Government to construct these protective works, as he felt satisfied that the Corporation had not the necessary funds for the purpose. On the motion of Cr Prosser, seconded by Cr Higgin, the Council resolved itself into committee of the whole to consider the motion. Cr Button, after alluding to a meeting of the citizens to consider the matter, and over which he had presided, and from which a deputation had waited upon the Goldfieids Secretary, said that that gentleman evidently could not do much, as the Government of Westland was in a transitory state. It appeared, however, from Mr Bonar's letter, that Mr Balfour would arrive here in a few days, and he (Mr Button), therefore, thought it well to agitate the matter. Cr Higgin was of opinion that if they applied to Mr Bonar he might consult with the Hon. John Hall, and perhaps some arrangement might be made so that tke Canterbury Governmentwould advance the money. Cr Bartlett thought that they had much better apply to the General Government at once, through the Premier, the Hon. Mr Stafford. Cr Prosser thought it highly desirable that Mr Balfour's opinion should be obtained as soon as possible, and he ! would suggest that a telegram should be sent requesting that Mr Balfour should be requested to come down as soon as possible. Cr M'Beth advocated the necessity of procuring the best professional advice that could be obtained. The Mayor intimated that he was afraid that the utmost that could arise from the resolution would be comparatively little until the new system of Government, under the Westland Council BuL came into operation. „ The resolution was then agreed to ; reported to the Council and adopted. Cr Prosser moved that a telegram be sent to the Goldfieids' Secretary requesting nun at once to communicate with the proper authories, with the view of getting

Mr Balfour sent down as early as possible. Cr Button seconded the motion, which was passed, CAMP STBEET. The standing orders being suspended it was resolved on the motion of Cr Boyle that a portion of Camp street be repaired under the direction of the Town' Surveyor ; the cost not to exceed L2O. COLLECTION OF THE BATES. A desultory and irrelevant discussion, initiated by Cr. Boyle ensued, with reference to the collection of the second moiety of the rates, and which terminated in the matter being left in the hands of his Worship the Mayor, to be dealt with according to the decision of the late Council. The Council then adjourned until Friday first, Nov.