MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

West Coast Times, Issue 673, 20 November 1867, Page 2

MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

» A special meeting of the members of the Municipal Council was held last evening at the Council Chambers, Eevell street, at half-past 7 o'clock. Present — His Worship the Mayor, Crs Higgin, Prossor, Boyle, Ecclesfield, Paterson, and M'Beth. THE HOKITIKA AND GBEYMOUTH TEAMWAY COMPANY. The Mayor said that he had convened the Council that evening, in consequence of no report having been presented to the Committee of the whole. This was owing to some of the members having left too early, so that when a motion for ■ reporting progress was made, it was found that there was not a quorum. He might mention that since then he had learned that all opposition to that portion of the report recommending that the rails of the Hokitika and Greymouth Tramway Company should be removed from the East side to the centre of North JRevell street, would be withdrawn. Cr M'Beth moved—" That this Council do resolve itself into Committee of the whole, with an instruction to consider the 9th clause of the report of tho Public Works Committee." Cr Higgin seconded the motion, which was passed. IN COMMITTEE. The Council having resolved itself into Committee of tho whole, with Mr M'Beth in the chair, The Mayor said it would be in the recollection of tho Committee that on a previous occasion he had stated that tho Company would be glad to place their lino of rails in the centre of the street, 1 but they doubted whether the request named in the memorial was honafide, inasmuch as it was believed that some of j the parties who signed it wero only adopting this as a means for getting the rails removed altogether from the street. This being the case, ho would at once state that although tho Company were ready and willing to remove the line to the centre of the street, yet they trusted that the Council would, if any attempt were made to take advantage of the Company's defenceless position, interpose its authority so as to prevent injustice being done. The Town Surveyor had stated that should the Company make the road in the centre of North Revell street for laying down the rails, then the contractor for making would save upwards of LSO. Now tho Company were ready and willing to remove their rails to the centre of the road whenever required to do so by the Council within twenty-four hours after such requh'ement, but at the same time they trusted that the contractor for making the road would be required to finish his work before the Company were asked to remove their rails. The Company also proposed to put crossing places at various parts of the streets, and they trusted that the Council would pass some by-law so as to prevent the line being unnecessarily occupied by vehicles crossing it. In connexion with this subject he had thought it right to ask the Town Surveyor to make a special report on the working of this line, and this report might probably induce some of the Council to change their minds on the subject. But he (the Mayor) would state that the Company would rather have the rails laid in the centro of the street. He would, however, read the report, which was as follows :—: — Report No. 23. Town Surveyor's Office, Hokitika, 19th Novombeiy 1867. To the Mayor and Councillors of Hokitika. Gentlemen — I have tho honor to inform you that I have carefully considered tho question of tho tramway in North Rbvell street,' and am still of opinion that, as regards drainage, it would be better in the middle of the street than on tho side as at present, and for other reasons— lst. That, in the middle of tho streot it would not much interfere with tho loading or discharging of drays on either side. 2nd. That should the ballasting of the tramway betwen tho rails be deficient, and water laying thoroou, tho Bplashing caused by the horso's feet would not bo an annoyanco to tho paßSongors on the footpath. But thore are cortain objections which can bo brought forward to the tramway being in tho middle of tho slreot, viz. :— The clear roadway between the kerbmg and the rails would be twenty-one feet, and in some places under that -width j now, draya going between South Eevell street

and the Montezuma would never think of crossing to the east side of tho tramway, so that the twenty-one feet on the west side would carry all tho traffic with the exception of what would be required by the section' holders on the east side of the street, and consequently would be difficult to keep in' repair. Should the dray traffic increase, I am of opinion that the present position of the tramway is most advantageous, as there would be a clear roadway of thirty-six feet instead of twonty one feet ; but then again comes the inconvenience of drays being backed up against the kerbing and across the line of rails, -which would occasionally be a nuisance to both parties-. t have the honor to be, Gentlemen, Your most obedient servant, Jonx C. Fbhw, Town Surveyor. He should like to ask Mr Frew how he urrived at the conclusion that the traffic would keep to the western side of the street ? The Town Surveyor said that he believed the western side of the tramway would be found to be the natural course for the traffic. The Mayor said that it was somewhat singular tne tramway had never been mentioned until the contractor had commenced to make the road. He supposed, however, that the Council would leave the time for removing the rails in the hands of the Surveyor, so that justice might be done to both parties. With these remarks he begged to withdraw all opposition on the part of the Company. Mr Prosser said that he should like to see the report of the late Surveyor, Mr Armson, when the line was laid down, and also the report of the Public Works Committee on the same subject. Tho Town Clerk then read the two reports, which have already been published. Cr Prosser said that from those reports it was evident that the Council had not treated the Company unfairly, inasmuch as the present lino was laid down only as a temporary one. He denied that there was any proof that the intention of the memorialists was not in good faith, or that they had an ulterior object in view when they wished the line to be removed to the centre of the road. He begged to move the adoption of the ninth clause of the report of the Public Works Committee. Cr Higgin, in seconding the motion, disclaimed any intention of having wished to injure the Company. In voting for the removal of the rails, he merely did so because he believed it would be for the benefit and convenience of the public. The Mayor said that the deputation had distinctly stated that their object was to get the rails removed out of the street altogether. Cr Paterson defended the conduct of the deputation from the memorialists. That deputation was at least straightforward, and their answers to the questions were not so shuffling as those given by the deputation from the Company. The Chairman said that he must protest against the doctrine that had been attempted to be laid down — that the company had no claim on the Council ; and he desired to point out that it was the duty of private bodies, while they looked after the interests of the public, to see that they did not do injustice to the company. The motion for adopting clause 9 of the report was then put and passed. Cr Prosser moved that it be left to the Public Works Committee to consult with the Town Surveyor as to the time and manner in which the removal of the tramwayto the centre of street should be carried out. CrHigghi seconded the motion, and remarked that he had no wish that the Company should be inconvenienced more than was- necessary. The motion was put and passed. The Chairman then reported the resolutions to the Council, t>y whom they were adopted. LEAVE OF ABSENCE. On the motion of Cr Prosser, one month's leave of absence was given to his Worship the Mayor. TAKING SAND FBOM THE BEACH. Cr Paterson drew the attention of the Council to the fact that persons had been taking gravel and sand from the beaoh in North Revell street. - TBAMWAYS. The Mayor read a notice from the Hokitika and Greymouth Tramway Company, stating it to be their intention to apply for permission to lay down a line of rails in Haast and Sewell streets, so as to connect their line with the line of the Kanieri Company. Ho suggested that the Council should pass a resolutionmaking it imperative on tramway companies to give public notice of their intention to apply at least one month before such application was made. Cr Prosser moved that the notice be received. Cr Ecclesfield seconded the motion, which was passed. THE GAOL EESEBVE. The Mayor said that there was another matter to which he wished to direct attention. A portion of the GaolEeservehadbeen occupied, and he (the Mayor) was informed that this had been fenced in, thus blocking ap what was intended for a right-of-way. He would suggest that the Town Surveyor should be instructed to give notice to parties to desist from doing so. On the motion of Cr Prosser, a motion was passed embodying the suggestion made by the Mayor. THE ASSESSOES. The Town Clerk was directed to advertise for tenders from persons willing to undertake the task of making a new valuation of the property within the town. PETITION. Cr Prosser presented a petition from certain inhabitants of llevelt street, praying that the fascine protection might be extended on the beach from Moftatt's to Orr's right-of-way. The Town Clerk said that he had written to tho Goldfields Secretary on the subject. Cr Prosser moved that the petition be received, and referred to tho Public Works Committee, who with the Town Clerk and the Town Surveyor, are requested to wait upon the Goldfields Secretary on the subject. Cr Higgin second tho motion, which was passed. The Council adjourned to 3rd December.