BOROUGH COUNCILS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1426, 10 September 1878, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCILS.

SYDENHAM. An adjourned meeting of the Sydenham Borough Council was held last evening. Present —His Worship the Mayor, and Crs. Charters, Yennall. Brown, Jones, and Buxton. A letter was read from Mr F. A. Bishop, offering to allow the Council to take a piece of his land, not to exceed a quarter of an acre, to widen Harman’s corner, at the rate of £4OO an acre.

Cr. Brown said ho would move that the committee already appointed be empowered to act, and to obtain a piece of the land from Mr Harman, the price not to exceed £l5O. He had looked fully into the matter, and his own opinion was that it would be better to take a piece of Mr Harman’s land than that of Mr Bishop. Some discussion took place on the question of the land of Mr Bishop, and it was stated that he had a portion of the public road fenced in as his own property. The motion was put and lost. The matter was remitted to the committee again, with instructions to see if they could not induce Mr Harman to take £10(J for the land required. Cr. Brown suggested that probable builders in Windmill road should be informed that the Council intended widening that road at an early date.

The Town Clerk said he had already given such notice to certain persons who had been mentioned as being likely to build. A letter was read from the town clerk of Christchurch, making a claim of £6O for keeping clean certain channelling on the rural side of the South town belt. Cr. Charters moved—“ That it be resolved to reply to the Christchurch Council, asking them on what clause they based their claim, and whether they referred to the north side or the south side of the city as tbo ‘ rural ’ side.”

Cr. Jones said if the City Council had the control of tho channel in question it was only right they should pay for keeping it clear.

Cr. Brown thought it was quite time that the matter of the South belt was put light. Ho was rather sorry now that he had not complained before he paid his rates. The Mayor did not see why that body had any right legally to pay this sum; but per*

haps morally they ought to do so. Up to the time of the formation of this borough, the City Council had kept the channel in question clear, without asking tho Spreydon Road Board for a penny piece for doing so. The channel in question was now getting worse and worse, and the question was what steps had better bo taken.

Cr. Brown said, if it was out of their district, it was quite clear that they ought not to he called upon to pay. Ho would move—- “ That this Council refuse to pay tho amount demanded of it, ns tho channel in question is out of our district .” The motion of Cr Charters was carried. A letter was read from Mr 0. F. Barker, secretary to the Rakaia and Ashburton Forks Railway, enclosing a statement showing the number of votes recorded for and against the railway, being a clear majority in favor of the railway. It was resolved to acknowledge tho receipt of the letter.

A letter was read from Mr G. S. Cooper, Under-Secretary, asking tho Council to torward a return to tho Government, showing the exact financial position of the Council. The clerk was instructed to furnish the necessary information. A letter was read from the town clerk of Rangiora, expressing tho regret of that Council that tho endowments of 2000 acres applied for had not been granted, and regretting that (.hey could not afford to pay back to Sydenham the £(!0 asked for as their share of the expenses, and stating that they considered tho difference was fully made up by the character of the reserves granted to Sydenham and Rangiora. A demand was made for remission of certain rates.

Cr. Brown was requested to inquire into tho matter.

The Mayor said tho committee appointed would try and see the Hons. Messrs Stout and Fisher ou the following day, in reference to iho late sale of land by the Government, which the Council alleged was a portion of a reserve belonging to them —tho Sydenham Borough Council. His Worship and Cr. Whitolaw were appointed to form the deputation. Cr, Buxton brought up (he subject of lighting the Colombo road with gas, and said it would be very desirable to do so as early as possible. The following resolution was agreed to unanimously —“ That the photographs of the Mayor, the councillors, and town clerk be 'aken, to bo hung up in the hall, at their j Jut expense.” The Mayor stated that tho 20th instant would be tho anniversary of proclaiming the district a borough. He would take any suggestions from the Council as to celebrating the occasion or not. Ho thought they should give the employes a treat, of some kind, the expense to be borne jointly by the Mayor and councillors.

Cr. Brown did not see it was quite a right thing to give this treat —though be liked treats as a rule. It was an honorable thing to bo a councillor, and also to bear such expenses as ’hose which would bo entailed if the Mayor’s suggestion be acted upon. He would suggest that they give the employes a holiday and let it rest (here. It was not the expense he looked at, but it was the sort of thing ho had not heard of before.

Cr. Charters proposed—“ That the Council give their employes a dinner on the 20th i istant, to commemorate the proclamation of tho borough, the expenses to be borne by the Mayor and councillors.”

His Worship—But no champagne. The motion was seconded by Cr. Vennall. Cr. Charters and the town clerk w T ere appointed to make the necessary arrangements. This was all the business, and the Council adjourned.