BOROUGH COUNCILS.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1655, 10 June 1879, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCILS.

SYDENHAM. Tho usual weekly meeting of the Sydenham Borough Council was held last evening. Present—His Worship tho Mayor, Crs. White, Andrew, Brown, Pavitt, Charters, and Hall. The minutes of the previous meeting wero read and confirmed. MAYOEAL STATEMENT. The Mayer said thero wis only ono matter on which he need offer any remarks. Tho Council had seen by tho papers what hud been done in rcferenco to tho unemployed. He and the Mayor of Christchurch had waited on the Minister of Public Works, who did not hold out any hope that the Government would take tho matter up, his chief objection being that such a step would be forming a precedent which might lead to applications from every other district in the colony. He (the Mayor) would not occupy their timo further iu relation to this matter, inasmuch as the Council would doubtless bo well aware of what had taken place through the medium of the public press. He might say, however, that a meeting would be held on the evening following in reference to the formation of the South town belt, tho prosecution of which work would then be decided upon; offering an opportunity for the employment of a number ot men. COEUE3PONDENCE. The following correspondence was received : From Messrs Dobson a;;d Sons, surveyors, re instructions for completing the map of Sydenham. This letter was referred to the works committee. A circular was received from the Colonial Treasury, giving notice that a triplicate copy of the balance sheet was required—one for each House of Parliament, and the other for record in tho department. The Clerk stated that copies had already been sont. From the Railway Department, in reference to the request of the Council re the removal of tho gates at the Colombo street railway crossing. The letter, which was in reply to one from the Council of the 3rd inst., stated that the matter of putting the crossing into the most convenient condition for traffic had not been lest sight of, but as regards the removal of the gates, that was a measure which, in connection with the safety of the traffic, required grave consideration. A letter was read from the Colonial Secretary's office, stating that the resolution of tho Council that the Borough of Sydenham should bo constituted a separate electoral district would receive the consideration of the Government. With reference to the effect of the approval by the Governor of tho by-laws made under the Slaughter-houses Act, 1877, with regard to which some misconception had arisen, a circular was read from the Colonial Secretary's offce, stating that tho only effect of the provision in question was that these by-laws

when so approved, were presumed <o be legally in force until the contrary was proved; they are not, thereby, in any other way validated or legalizad. BY LAWS. A letter was read from Messrs Garrick and Cowli3haw, solicitors to the Council, containing instructions for making a by-law by special order. The Clerk said that No. 1 By-law was illegal. Tho letter and instructions were referred to the By laws committee. WORKS COMMITTEE'S REPORT. The works committee reported as follows : Tour committee would make the following recommendations: — 1. Bridge over Heathcote —That the Council expresses it 3 willingness to contribute one-third of the cost (not exceeding £ ) of a bridge over the Heathcote river, the site to be approved. 2. Asphalte.—That, as the asphalte wns laid on tho footpath at the corner of Sandy ford street and Colombo road before the committee met to consider Mr Bell's application for permission to lay tho same, tho Council do not contribute any of the cost of this said asphalte, either now or at any future time, and that, previons to any further steps being taken in the matter by this Council, Mr Bell bo askod for an explanation as to why the asphalte was laid without permission. 3. South Belt.—That thi3 Council declines to pay tne account of tbe Christchureh City Council for £ I lGs, for work done on tho south side of the South town belt. Cr. White moved that the report be received and adopted. Some discussion ensued upon the different clauses. With reference to the Heathcote bridge the following clause was inserted in place of that in the report, " that the Council bo recommended to offer to pay one-third of the cost of a new bridge over the Heathcote river, the site to be approved of, provided that tbe road approaching the bridge bo formed, shingled, and handed over to the Council in tho usual manner." The report as thus amended was adopted. SANITARY COMMITTEE. This committee's report was as follows : 1. Inspector of Nuisances—Tour committee having found tint the appaintment of the foreman of works as inspector of nuisances has never been cancelled, wouH recommend the Council to do so, and to give public notice of such cancellation, as required by the Municipal Corporations Act, 1876, section No. 232. 2. Mr Bell's Letter—Mr Bell's letter, complaining of a nuisance in Poul-on street, has been referred to the inspector of nuisances to be dealt with. The report was adopted. FINANCE COMMITTEE. The report of the finance committee showed : Receipts, £B6 7« lid ; accounts passed for payment, £139 19s ; balance in bank, £216 Os 7d. In accordance with a resolution of tho Council, the Council offices, furniture, &c, had been further insured to the extent of £l5O. On the motion of Cr. White, seconded by Cr. Hall, the report was adopted. PREVENTION OF FIRE. Tour committee beg to report that they havo wait d several months for the result of the experiment of the Waimaka-iri supply for Christchureh, and as there seems no probability of this settlement for some time tocome.it is deemed advisable to collect the necessary information and data for an independent water supply for the borough. Wi h this view your committee propose obtaining an approximate estimate of the cost of reservoirs and pumping station on the hills at the foot of Colombo road, aDd the necessary distributing pipes. An analysis of tho water of the River Heathcote on this spot will also be obtained. Meanwhile, to secure the property with ; n tho borough from loss by fire, and pending the establishment of a Sydenham brigade, it is proposed to subsidise the Christchureh brigade, on condition that they attend all fires within the_ borough, and the clerk has received instructions to write and obtain the amount of subsidy they will require for such services. It is proposed to use the bell of the Colombo street road schools as a fire bell, with the permission of the school committee.

Cr. Charters explained that the committee had written the Christchurch City Council in re the subsidy. The report was adopted. ANNUAL BATE. Mr Pavitt, in accordance with notice given at the previous meeting, moved " That the Council strike a rate of Is in the £ upon the property within the Borough." It was pointed out that the Act had not been strictly complied with in that sufficient notice had not been given. Cr. Andrew said that the estimates had not been published in the legal form, only one name, that of Cr. Charters being attached to the statement, and on that ground alone he should have objected to the striking of the rate that evening. He concluded by moving, " That the estimates be again published under the hand of the town clerk, in accordance with the Municipal Corporations .Act." The Mayor pointed out that the claufe referred to (as to sending notices), had no reference to the publication of the estimates. The matter was discussed at some length. The Mayor suggested that if Cr. Andrews maintained his objection, the better way would be to get the solicitor's opinion in the matter. Cr. Charters remarked that this would cause great delay in striking the rate. Ultimately it was resolved that the solicitor's opinion be obtained on the question of publishing the estimates, and that the finance committee be authorised to act with the town clerk. The striking of the rate wa3 deferred, fresh notice having to be given. Cr. Pavitt moved, Cr. Hall seconded, and it was carried : -" That at the next ordinary meeting of this Council a rate of Is in the £ be levied on the rateable property in this borough for the period from Ist Jan., 1870, to the 31st Dec, 1879, payable in one sum, on and after 23rd inst., and that the town clerk carry out the provisions of sec. 40, Rating Act, 187 G." BRIDGE OVER THE RAILWAY. Cr. Andrews moved—" That in the opinion of this Council it ia essentially necessary in the interests of a large number of the ratepayers of this borough that an ea9y means of communication between Sydenham and the city of Chriatchurch should be established, and that the Government bo respectfully requested to place a sum of money on the estimates for the year 1879-80, to be used in the erection of a footbridge across the railway in a lino witli Madras street, or to add to the present footbridge in a lino with Manchester street, so as to connect Sydenham with Christchurch, about midway between Colombo street and Gasworks road." A resolution was then passed to the effect that the Christchurch City Council be respectfully requested to co-operate with this Council in giving effect to tho foregoing. The proceedings then terminated.