PUBLIC MEETING AT SYDENHAM.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1673, 1 July 1879, Page 3

PUBLIC MEETING AT SYDENHAM.

A public meeting of tbe ratepayers of Sydenham was held in the Colombo Road School-room, last evening, for the purpose of considering the representation of the borough of Sydenham in Parliament, the drainage question, and other matters of public interest. His Worship the Mayor of Sydenham occupied the chair. The Chairman read the advertisement calling the meeting. He said it was a matter of regret there was not a larger attendance, owing to the inclement weather. However, the ratepayers were fairly represented. Ho was glad to see the ratepayers and Council agreed on the matter to bo discussed. However, an expression of opinion coming from a meeting of this kind would have more weight than as coming from the Council alone. The idea was that the action already taken by the Council should bo strengthened by an expression of public opinion. He called upon Mr Joyce to move the first resolution. He might state that a deputation from the Council waited on the Drainage Board in reference to the flooding of low-lying portions of the borough, and received a letter in reply, enclosing resolution passed by the Board, to the following effect:—“ That the engineer he directed to take immediate steps for carrying off the water from Sydenham to Jackson’s creek, or in some other direction ; and, that the borough of Sydenham be formed into a new district, and that a member be added to the present Board, to be elected by the ratepayers of Sydenham borough.” He had great pleasure in calling on Mr Joyce. Mr J. Joyce said the resolution was one which would recommend itself to his hearers, namely, that they should have their interests fairly represented in Parliament, which they were not at the present time. The principle of representation affected the monarch as well as the peasant, and it was the duty of all to see that they had their due in this respect. The city adjoining Sydenham had three members, which was quite sufficient, but if they, as Sydenham ratepayers, were to ask those members to obtain for Sydenham certain necessary public works, they would be told, “ Oh, the railway will take you into easy communication with all that you require.” This, however, was not sufficient. Ho looked forward to the time when Sydenham would be the garden of Christchurch, and it was absolutely necessary in view of the extent of their land and the increasing population, that they should have certain public buildings, the only means of obtaining which was to obtain a fair share of representation in Parliament. Ho desired it, therefore, to go forth publicly that they were determined to have a member to represent the borough of Sydenham, which would bo for tha benefit of Canterbury in general, and even of the whole colony. He concluded by moving the following resolution : —“ That the Borough Council be requested to continue their efforts to get the borough of Sydenham proclaimed a separate borough district, and to obtain a fair representation of the borough in the Parliament of the colony, and also on the Christchurch District Drainage Board.” Mr. Hall briefly seconded the motion. Mr. Andrew, in speaking to the question, said ho had for years advocated what the motion proposed, feeling that one of the advantages of creating the district a borough was that they would bo able to return a member to Parliament. He denied that the present condition of representation was more beneficial than it would be if Sydenham had a member of its own. One reason was that, looking at things as they were, the district was represent d by three Conservatives and one Liberal member. Yet ho believed that the public feeling in Sydenham was clearly of a Liberal tendency. He pointed out that six electoral districts, each having only a little over 6000 of population, had one member each, and'the Thames, which had a population of 12,319, possessed two members ; and Onehunga, whoso population numbered only something over 2000, had a representative in Parliament. Clearly, then, on the basis of population, Sydenham was entitled to a member. Ho should like to see introduced int o the Bill the principle that obtained in Queensland, by which a district was given an additional member on reaching n certain limit of population, without the necessity for introducing a Bill for the purpose. The motion was carried unanimously.

Mr C. Allison proposed the next resolution, saying he was taken somewhat aback by the letter from tho Drainage Board, as the letter promised the very things in reference to which ho intended to propeso a resolution ; but tho resolution ho now intended to move was as follows :—“ That this meeting is strongly of opinion that tho eastern portion of tho borough of Sydenham has not received that amount of attention at tho hands of the Christchurch District Drainage Board to -which its necessities entitle it, but the meeting is pleased to learn that tho said Board has this evening intimated to tho Borough Council that they will take immediate steps to afford relief from tho nuisance caused by tho storm water, and hope that the district will have no further cause of complaint.” Ho proceeded to show that the borough of Sydenham had not been fairly- treated. This district had only- received £751 from the Drainage Board, and tho Board had drawn from the district in rates £BO9. They had received nothing like a fair proportion of the £IOO,OOO loan, out of which they ought to have received as their rightful share £14,000. Mr Allison dwelt at some length on the action of tho Drainage Board, pointing to the effect that tho charge of one-sixth for office expenditure was unfair, in consideration of the fact that Sydenham received nothing like an adequate proportion of the borrowed money in tho administration of which tho office expenditure was incurred. Speaking of the sewage system proposed to be carried out, ho said °it was totally unsuited for Sydenham, eertain populous portions of which were quite unprovided for in reference to storm water, Tho had now Is 6d in the £ to pay in tho shape of rates, and ho was afraid before very long the Drainage Board would find it necessary to borrow further, and the ratepayers would probably be burdened with something like 2s Id in tho £ to meet the necessities of tho case. He felt strongly on the subject, as ho had been a sufferer with the rest from the storm water nuisance, and he saw that tho borough had been systematically neglected. He believed the drainage scheme would cost a third more than was estimated. And then they would have the fide channels to provide for. In view of these things, he thought- it behoved tho people to watch the proceedings of the Board, and see that it did not thrust upon them a position they would not be able to support. He was quite certain that a 22iuch pipe, as proposed by the Board, would

not be sufficient to carry away the storm water collecting on the Gasworks road. The Drainage Board haring received the advice of their engineer and Mr Clark as to the necessity of dealing with this question, ought to have dealt with it before, and he could not help thinking that the pressure of public feeling had at last brought the Board to the determination expressed in the letter which had been read from the Board this evening. There wore several other matters to which he might refer, but ho thought he had said sufficient for his purpose, which was to lay the bare facts of the case before the meeting. The Chairman remarked that the Drainage Board had to pay £IB,OOO of the loan to the City Council, which considerably reduced the £BI,OOO spoken of as having been spent by the Board outside of Sydenham. Ho explained also that Mr Bell had told him the accumulation of water arose principally owing to the drainage worksheing incomplete, and certain obstructions which were thereby caused. Also he desired to record his conviction that the Drainage Board wore not, in writing their letter, actuated solely by the pressure of the meeting to be held, as he knew the work had been in contemplation for three months. He thought it was due to the Drainage Board to make those remarks, and he was anxious that no statement should be made at the meeting which could not be substantiated. Mr Jones seconded the resolution proposed by Mr Allison, and confirmed the opinion expressed by the mover that the means proposed by the Drainage Board would ‘bo insufficient to carry the storm water away. Mr Lockwood also represented the necessity of taking measures to do something more than obtain promises, which was all that had been obtained in the past. Mr Daltry gave his experience of the storm water, saying that ho had a three-acre paddock at present covered with water. Mr Lee spoke at some length to show that observations of the effects of the last heavy rains would show that the drainage scheme contemplated at present would be a perfect failure. He proposed that unless action was taken the people should withhold their rates, and keep their money until they got what they had a right to claim. Mr Allison rose in reply to some remarks made by the chairman. First, as to the £IB,OOO paid by the Board. That was drawn from the whole of the drainage district, and specially benefited no part but the city of Christchurch. With respect to this agitation having no influence with the Board, he had personally written to the Board on the subject on the 16th of August, 1876, and Mr Lookwood had also written to the Board several times, but without re ult until now, which at least looked very strange. As to the drains being able to carry the storm water, he repeated what he had said, and added that they might get what the Board promised in this direction, but that would be insufficient, and he believed they would eventually discover that they would have no money to do what was actually necessary. Another matter was, that the Board never published its accounts, yet it would be well for the public to be acquainted with the particulars of expenditure. The resolution was then put to the meeting and Council.

Mr Joyce proposed the following resolution :—“ That the Borough Council be requested to take into their consideration the question as to the desirability or otherwise of dividing the borough into wards, and should they consider that the ward system would be beneficial to the borough, to take such steps as may be necessary to bring such system into force.” As they knew, he was present in a two-fold capacity, being also candidate for municipal honors, and he should also be glad presently to say a few words on public matters generally. In the meantime as to the resolution, he approved of the ward system, as it would be laying the foundation for future work. It was possible for a ratepayer in the east of the borough to bo elected by those in the west, which might have a prejudicial effect on the former locality—in fact, an advantage might be reaped by one part of the borough at the expense of another. But this would not be so under tbe ward system, by which each ward would bo fairly represented and the power would be equally divided. Mr. Andrew seconded the resolution. Mr Pavitt opposed the resolution, on the ground—first, that this was an inopportune time to attempt to divide the borough into wards ; and secondly, he thought it would be the means of creating petty local jealousies. Mr Hall agreed with the last speaker. The Chairman thought the present was not an opportune time to carry out the resolution. Mr Lee suggested that the question should be postponed till the next elections, when it could he dealt with as a political matter. The question was then put, and the motion was negatived by a large majority. Mr Hall proposed—“ That this meeting is strongly of opinion that the practice which prevails of shunting railway trains across the streets of the borough is highly dangerous and inconvenient, and to a great extent unnecessary, ana requests the Borough Council to renew their efforts to obtain an abatement of the nuisance, and also to provide better accommodation for foot passengers at the crossings.” The mover, in proposing the resolution, made a few remarks in a humorous strain, coupled with some severe strictures on the inactivity or negligence of the railway department in the matters referred to. The motion was seconded by Mr Allison and carried nem. con. Mr Webber moved —“ That this meeting strongly approves of the course adopted by the Borough Council in the dispute with the City Council, with reference to the formation of the South town belt, and is of opinion that the Borough Council should take steps to obtain the control of the southern half of the said belt.” Ho considered the City Council should have accepted the terms of the Sydenham Borough Council, and with reference te getting the half of the belt, he hoped by continued effort they would be able to do so. It must; be patent to all that half of the belt should belong to t v l’ Sydenham side, and he had great pleas l ’.*) in proposing the resolution. Mr Lockwood seconded. Mr Lee spoke to the question at some length. Mr Allison said the action taken by the City Council in reference to the matter was a disgrace to them. Several speakers followed. Mr. Andrew pointed out that the borough had no authority by the Act to spend a shilling on the bolt; but he thought the residents on the south belt had a legal claim against the Council for altering the level of the belt after it was once formed. Other speakers deprecated the responsibility of taking over the belt. After some further discussion tho mover and seconder agreed to meet what appeared to bo the wish of the meeting, namely, to strike out the latter part of the resolution, being that which provided for taking over the southern half of the South town belt. The resolution as amended was then put and carried unanimously. Mr Allison moved, in order to give effect to the foregoing - “ That his Worship the Mayor be requested to forward a copy of the above resolution to tho chairman of tho Christchurch District Drainage Board.” Seconded by Mr Jones end carried. MUNICIPAL CANDIDATES.

Mr Joyce, as a candidate for municipal honors, then came forward, and delivered a short address, in which he expressed the views ho would bo prepared to carry out if elected, touching on the water scheme, widening streets, and the erection of public buildings. In reference lo the first subject, he thought it would be more advisable to amalgamate with Christchurch, as a water scheme for Sydenham alone would be too costly. He should do his best to obtain such public buildings as wore necessary—a court-house, for instance, post and telegraph offices, &0., which he thought could be obtained by representation to the proper quarters ; and generally speaking, he would do his best in the interest of the Borough. Several questions were put to the candidate, and wore satisfactorily replied to. Mr Webber then come forward, and said it had been bis intention to retire from the contest, and had ho not already arrived at that conclusion, he should have seen fit to withdraw after hearing the address of Mr Joyce, than whom, he did not think, the ratepayers could find a more eligible man to represent them. He had much pleasure, therefore, in withdrawing from the contest. [Applause.] Mr Joyce thanked the last speaker for his flattering remarks, and also returned thanks to the meeting for the patient hearing he (Mr Joyce) had received. He assured the ratepayers he would endeavour to act so as to show that he deserved their confidence. A vote of thanks was accorded Mr Allison for having got up the meeting. The meeting then terminated, after passing a vote of thank l ? to the Ohsirman.

THE WRECK OF THE SWALLOW. Blenheim, June 30. The Swallow, schooner, from Lyttelton for Newcastle passed Capo Campbell at eight on Friday night at n distance of seven miles with a S.E. wind. She struck on a sunken rock south of the entrance to Tory Channel, the captain being under the impression that ho was off Cape Palliscr. At one in- the morning of Saturday the crew took to the "boats, and left everything on board, pulling south•ward. At daybreak they met some whalers who showed them the way to Picton, which they reached on Saturday night. Ou Sunday the'Torea steamer went to the wreck and found it broken in two. The vessel was stripped, and the captain and crew recovered their clothes from the Natives, but not their money or chronometer. WRECKS OF THE BRIGANTINE AKBAE AND SCHOONER PELICAN. Timahu, June 30. Shortly after four o’clock yesterday morning, the brigantine Akbar, which was riding almost ahead of the Clan Campbell, parted her first anchor, and began to drift rapidly in amongst the fleet of vessels to the north-west of her. Another anchor was lot go, but this also parted, and with her chains hanging from her bows sho drifted in keeping clear in a most extraordinary manner of the vessel to leeward. She as nearly as possible fonlcd the barqueutine Annie Bow. An attempt was made to direct her ou to the beach in Caroline Bay, but the chains hanging overhor bows rendered this impossible, and the terrible wind and sea forced her towards Wushdyke. On tho vessel becoming unmanageable search was made for rockets or bine lights, but there was nothing obtainable with which to make distress signal, and she drifted to destruction m the darkness. No light whatever was shown, and {the watchmen at tho Rocket Brigade Station were in ignorance that tho vessel was in danger. Her crew consisted of Captain Waits. J. Bynham (the mate), a passenger named Wright, Ned (the boatswain), a boy named James, the cook, Charles Oablim, I) Bardley. E. Humphreys, and a Frenchman named Jas. Wagletfc, able seamen. The surnames of the boatswain, the boy, and cook arc unknown, but one of the men was saved from tho barque Melrose in September last year. Mrs Watts, tho wife of tho captain, was also on hoard. When some distance from the beach tho vessel, according to the statement of those saved, struck and opened out. About tho ! a no time tho captain was carried overboard, and was never afterwards seen. The vessel drifted down until she struck the beach shortly before five o’clock about four miles from town. Directly she touched the beach she began to break np, and in a few minutes was split opou from stem to stern. A life buoy was given to Mrs Watts, who stuck to the vessel for some time in company with the boatswain, and when last seen she still had hold of it. Tho cook, boatswain, and boy soon disappeared, while the mate, Bynham, the passenger Wright, and Bardloy, Humphreys, Dahlim, and Woglott, seaman, after being washed up and down the beach for some time, got on to dry land. Bnrdley and Wnglott were terribly bruised by floating timbers. Tho six men who succeeded in getting ashore crouched on the shingle and braved the wild and bitterly cold weather ns best they could until day broke. They then made for Mr Belfleld’s house. There they were most hospitably received, well fed and supplied with dry clothes, two of them being without a rag or garment on them when they landed. In the afternoon they all came into town, Bardley and AVnglutt going to the Hospital, iu oonseqncnco of their severe injuries, and tho rest being provided with snug quarters at the Melville Hotel. What makes the death of Captain and Mrs Watts still more sad is tho fact that they had only been married some seven or eight months, and were'both yonng. Tho Akbar was an American brigantine, built some six years since, and was the sole property of her captain. It is believed she was not insured, Sho arrived hero on Monday last from Newcastle, with a cargo of coals, consigned to E. Smith. Three hundred tons of the cargo were still on board when tlio Akbar camo ashore, but they wore fully insured. The vessel is now a complete wreck, and her timbers and fittings strew tho beach for miles on both sides of her. The topsail schooner Pelican came to grief through no fault of her own or of the roadstead. Her bowsprit was carried away about S a.m. by the harqnentiue George Noble, while tho latter was trying to make an oiling, and sho thus became disabled. Sho rode gallantly, however, until about noon, when her captain (Blanro) finding his cargo was shifting, and fearing sho would bo capsized, slipped the anchors. Tho Pelican was steered direct for tho beach at AWunataitai lagoon, and run ashore high and dry, her crew being landed by means of a lino thrown on board by tho Rocket Brigade party, who were ready to rescue her. Tho Pelican, so far, has sustained no injury whatever ou tho bench, and but for tho fact of her bowsprit having been carried away no doubt sho would still bo afloat. She is a wooden s'-hooner of 71 tons, bniit at Manning River in 187-t; is owned by Henry Aitkens, and carried a crew of iivo hands. It iu net known whether she is insured or not. At tho time of stranding she had on board - some 200 sacks of wheat for Wellington, shipped by J. and T. Meek. Four other vessels were iu considerable danger for some time, bnt iu the afternoon got away owing to a land breeze springing np. Tho English barque Clan Campbell redo ont tho terrible gale magnificently. thanks to being well found iu cables. Tho vessolswhich rati to sea are thebarqnontincs George Noble and Annie Bow. and the brigantines Seabird and Oceola, steamers Star of tbo South and Beautiful Star being ont at anchor. This afternoon tho bodies of Captain and Mrs "Watt, as well as of the boatswain and cook were found, but that of the boy is still missing. The body of McEwen, drowned from the boat of the Beautiful Star ou Saturday, was also recovered. FATAL BOAT ACCIDENT AT WEST-. POET. WESTPORT, June 30. The steamer Wanganui put back'yesterday afternoon, and reported a boat bottom up with two men clinging to her. Captain Bayldon said the boat was so near shore that she would be probably thrown np on the beach immediately. In any case, there was too much soa for him to have offered assistance. Search parties went to the spot indicated, while tho harbor boat went out and kept along outside the break. The boat was found in tho break, the anchor having unfortunately caught hold when the boat capsized No men could be seen, but oars, fishing lines, &0., wore wa bed ashore. The bodies came ashore about ton o’clock. The deceased have both left largo families. One, Ban McLeod, was proprietor of the wharf for many years. Ho possessed a venturesome spirit, being an old explorer, and was in the habit of going out to fishing iu a small boat. The other, named Flutsy, was a half caste, a native of Canterbury. DEATH OF A DIVER. A messenger from the stranded barque Bells in, Gollan’s Bay came in haste to port yesterday for a doctor for a man supposed to be suffocated. Dr. Macdonald at once went off on horseback to the scene of the accident, but was met on tho road by someone from tho vessel, who said that medical help was too late, tho man was dead and his body being conveyed from the Bells round to tho wharf. From tho boat tho body was taken to tho •morgue, where, after being examined by Dr. Macdonald, life was pronounced to be extinct. The circumstances of tho affair are as fol- ’ lows :—About 2 p.m. yesterday the deceased attired in a diving dress, went over the stern of tho barque Bells to examine the damaged port of her. A man named Frank Thor was in charge of the signalling apparatus. He was employed by the deceased as his attendant, and the arrangement of the signals between them was—One pull should signify, “pump air faster”; two pulls, “pump slower,” and three pulls of the signalling lino, “am coming np.” Tho deceased went down and came up in about five minutes afterwards, the signals working all right, and no complaint being made about the air pump. He made another descent, remaining under about tho same timo, and then a third. His attendant Thor states that upon coming out the third time, the deceased said that the helmet lesied a little. He didn't appear to think much of the leak, and went down again for the fourth time. In about five minutee, or it might be a little longer, ho signalled by three pulls of tbo lino, indicating that he was coming up. Hie att ndant states that he felt that he was making towards the ladder, but instead of coming right ..up it appeared from tho direction of the air tuba that ho had changed his mind, and was making out a little way from the stern, and us though to go around it. About this time two pulls of the line were given meaning, “ pump slower ” and this served to confirm his attendant’s opinion that the diver was making a more extended examination of tho stern post and rudder of the barque. No further signals were received, and alter another five minutes had elapsed. Captain Wood, who was present during the operations, and standing at the side of the attendant at tho time, requested him to reworse the signals and pull three times. No reply to this being received, the diver was at once hauled np and immediately he came to tho surface the helmet was unshipped by Captain Wood, and the man lifted on deck. There was some water in the head-piece, but very little. Captain Wood and those present used every means at their command as restoratives, and at once sent for medical help. No sign of life, however, was manifested after the deceased was hauled up. In a pocket-book found in his porket is written the name of Paul Louis Clifford, and this was no doubt deceased’s name, as he gave the name of Clifford to Captain Wood when engaged for the work. He seems to be but little known at port His attendant Thor states that he had inly known him for E. fow days as one of tho boarders at Mr Grain’s boarding house, Dublin street. Mr Green has no knowledge of his antecedents, and he had been staying there but a few days. To Captain Wood deceased described himself us being an experienced diver, and that uo had worked at I jjaveral wrecks at or near Sydney. It is reported that the depth of water at the •pot where the diver went down was seventeen feet. Tho sea was quite smooth, bnt thick and dirty, Thor, tho attendant, states that when he engaged with the deceased it was for pumping, of which he claims to have some knowledge. After deceased had got the diving suit on, he told Thor to look out for signals, giving him instructions as above. The pumping was therefore undertaken by one of the crew on board tjie barque. In appearance deceased was about thirty years of age, of dark complexion, tall and muscular in build. It is supposed that he belonged to the navy at one time.