Geisow, clerk of the borough of Queenstown, brought under notice that the District Courts of Westland and of Nelson had been granted jurisdiction under "The Mining Companies Act, 1894," and requested that the Council, following in the footsteps of the Queenstown Borough Council, would ask the Government to extend like jurisdiction to the three District Courts on the Otago gold fields holden at Queenstown, Lawrence and Naseby, as it was of great importance to the people on the goldfields that these powers should be vested in the District Courts. — It was resolved to fall in with the recommen dation, the clerk accordingly being instructed to communicate with the Government. Mr J. P. Maitland, Commissioner of Crown Lands, Dunedin, forwarded a series of printed questions bearing upon the " Fair Eent Bill," a measure which was designed to deal with all classes of land, public and private, and asking that same be answered on or before the 15th March.— The Mayor said he did not think the principles of the Bill, even if it be came law, would apply in any way to property within the borough, and on that account he did not think there would .be any necessity to answer the questions. — Cr Jeffery was of alike opinion. He thought the less they had of legislation like that proposed in the Fair Eent Bill the better. He moved: "That the circular be considered that day three months." —Seconded by Cr Thompson and carried. ACCOUNTS. The following accounts were passed for pay ment : — Jas. Wilson, £8 8s ; R. M'Cuteheon, £7 3s ; W. Ferguson, £2 17s 6d ; W. Watson, £2 8s 8d ; D. Cochrane (birds' eggs), 2s 4d. FINANCIAL. The statement prepared by the clerk showed that the general account was overdrawn £280 6s lOd, while the water works (£177 8s 6d) and Cemetery (£4l 14s) accounts were in credit £219 2s 6d ; debit balance, £61 4s 4d. FENCING IN BESERVOIB. The Mayor stated that, in company with Crs Johnston and Chalmers, he had visited the reservoir to see if effect could be given to the suggestion thrown out at last Council meeting that the reservoir be fenced off in the interests of young children who made the reservoir hill a place of resort. 