SYDENHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1703, 5 August 1879, Page 4

SYDENHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the above Council was held last evening at seven o’clock. Present —His Worship the Mayor, Crs. Joyce, White, Andrews, Pavitt, Brown, Hall, and Jones. The minutes of the last meeting wore read. and confirmed. On the motion of Or. Brown, the absence of Or. Charters (who was absent in Wellington on private business) was excused. The Mayor stated that a communication had been received as to whether it was desired to have a polling booth for Sydenham in view of the general election. Or. Joyce moved Written to, recommending that a polling booth be established for Sydenham, and that Mr O. Allison, jun., be appointed deputy returning officer tor Sydenham.” The Mayor pointed out that if the redistribution of scats was agreed upon by Parliament, the present proposition would be in the right direction in view of Sydenham being represented by a member in Parliament. The motion was carried, Cr. Joyce agreeing to word his resolution that the booth could be available for the Heathcote district. Correspondence was read as follows : A letter was received from Mr B. O. J. Stevens, requesting that the levels of the streets on the sale plan of part ES. 72, approved by the Council, may bo fixed on the ground in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Corporations Act. On the motion of Or. Joyce, it was resolved to agree to the request. Another letter was received from Mr E. O. J. Stevens (in Wellington) acknowledging receipt of letter from Council on the subject of the representation of Sydenham in Parliament, and on the Christchurch District Drainage Board. Ho mentioned that the former would come into a Representation Bill, not an Electoral Bill. The Mayor observed that Mr Stevens did not say whether he would support their request. Or. Joyce moved “That the letter be received, and that Mr Stevens be again written to asking him to urge the matters referred to upon the attention of Parliament.” Carried. A letter from the Hon. Mr Richardson was received in reference to the letter of the Council touching representation of the district, and stating that the matters referred to should receive careful consideration. The letter was ordered to be acknowledged with thanks. A telegram from the Hon. J. T. Fisher on the same subject was also received. A letter was received from Mr Williams, solicitor, as follows : I have been consulted by Mr John Anderson, of this city, ironfounder, in reference to the correspondence regarding the formation of a private road on his property in yonr Borough. I have duly considered Mr Anderson’s proposals as to the road, and the provisions of the Municipal Corporations Act Amendment Act, 1878, and am of opinion that nothing he has done, or at present intends to do, is repugnant to the Act. 1 would now, therefore, respectfully call your attention to and ask you to peruse sections 23 and 2t of the Act, and on behalf of Mr Anderson, I beg to renew the application for leave to lay out and make the road as originally asked for. Some discussion ensued on the motion of Cr. Joyce—“ That the matter bo referred to works committee.” It was pointed out that the works committee had already made up their minds on the subject. Mr Joyce then moved —“ That the request of Mr Anderson be granted,” remarking that the plan submitted provided for all the requirements of Sydenham for many years to come. The motion found no seconder. Cr. Andrew then moved —“That Mr Williams’ letter bo received and acknowledged, and that the Council do not see any other way of dealing with tho question than that suggested by the works committee.” Cr. Jones seconded the motion. The Mayor admitted the importance of wide streets, but thought the present case might bo made an exception, as it was so situated as to bo treated exceptionally. His opinion was, that if the Council determined on the motion, they could bo made to accept the plan, if Mr Anderson went to law ; ho might add also that tho effect of taking an extreme view in this case might be to cheek improvements within the Borough. Or. White pointed out that Mr Anderson asked for a private street, and that the works committee had not in fact answered t’>e first question, they being desirous to haio the streets public streets, 66 feet wide, and passed a resolution to that effect. Moreover, he was of opinion that under the terms proposed, the Council could not refuse to accept the private street, the Act being perfectly clear upon tho subject. The Mayor then ruled that the motion before the meeting could not bo put. Some discussion of a conversational character ensued upon a motion by Cr. Andrew that the matter be referred to the Council’s solicitor for advice. Ultimately it was resolved that the matter be referred to the works committee to take the solicitor’s advice. A letter from tho Colonial Secretary’s office was received, stating that the Council’s letter re R.M. Court for Sydenham, had been referred to the Department of Justice. The works committee reported as follows— Tour committee would beg to recommend that the tender of Mr Brighting for screened and unscreened shingle and screening be accepted. And seeing that Messrs Wynn Williams and Deacon have been partly paid for preparing a deed of conveyance of the strip of land, five links in width, on the west side of Hawdon street, from Mr H. P. Murray-Aynsley to this Council, and as this deed has now been in their hands for more than eight months without being completed, that Messrs Wynn Williams and Deacon bo again written to, asking them either to complete the deed forthwith, or say that they will not finish it, and refund the money already paid. The committee have decided to put a footpath on Hazelden road, from Mr Mead’s property to Lincoln road ; and are attending to the footpaths of Harper street. The report was received and adcp’;ed. The finance committee’s report was read, showing the receipts for tho fortnight to be £216 16s, expenditure £152 12s 7d, debit balance at tho Bank £lB3 10s 4i. The report was adopted. Re Colombo road crossing, in reference to which a deputation was appointed to wait on the railway authorities, Cr, Joyce reported that Mr Conyers, the commissioner, had been absent since last meeting, and tho deputation had been unable to wait upon him. In reference to the deputation appointed to wait upon tho Superintendent of Police, Cr. Andrew stated that a favorable reply had been received from tho officer in question. With regard to tho South town belt Cr. Joyce reported that a deputation had waited on tho Mayor of Christchurch, by whom they were met with discouragement, and the statement that the Council had no money. A letter was read from tho City Council on the subject of the South town belt, in answer to a communication from the clerk of tho Sydenham Borough Council, the former body declining to enter into the matter at present, and on the ground of “ no funds.” Some discussion ensued, and a suggestion that tho legal position of this Council in the matter should be ascertained was made. Resolved—“ That the clerk obtain a copy of the ‘ Gazette,’ and forward the same to the solicitor, and that if the solicitor’s opinion is favorable to the Council spending money in that direclion, that tho sum of £SO be expended on the south side of tho South town belt, the chairman of tho works committee to take the necessary steps.” On the motion of Cr. Andrew, seconded by Cr. Brown, it was resolved—“ That tho reserve, or freehold property, at Wilson’s bridge, bo placed under tho charge of the works committee, and to take what steps they may think necessary in reference to it.” On the motion of Cr. Brown it was resolved Council be held on tho Bth of August, at 5.15 p.m., for tho purpose of considering tho provisions of By-law No. 1. The Council rose at nine o’clock,