SYDENHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1745, 23 September 1879, Page 3

SYDENHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL.

A special meeting of the Council was held last evening to complete the business left unfinished at the last regular meeting. Present— Crs. Brown, White, Hall, Andrew, Nicholl, Joyoe, Charters, Pavitt. In the absence of the Mayor Councillor Brown was voted to the ohair.

The matter of drainage through Mr Shiel's premises was referred to the works committee.

His Worship sent a message, apologising for his absence on account of temporary indisposition. It was resolved that the Mayor's excuse be accepted. The sanitary committee reported as follows :

Your committee beg to report with reference to the complaint made agaimt the inspector of nuisances referred to them by the Council at its last meeting—That they have examined the inspector on the subject, and are satisfied with the explanation he has given of the matter. With respect to the nuisance complained of by Messrs Evans, Hunter, and Moore, the inspector has reported that they complain of a deep ditch on the east side of the Windmill road which has an outlet, but which at the present time is of a minor character, and can be abated by placing a culvert under the gravel crossing' at Mr Bunting's premises. In reference to the Council's advertisement the committee have received and considered three tenders for scavenging, and subject to Mr Britfhtling agreeing to a clause being added to the specification defining the time at which he shall do the work, the committee recommend that his tender be accepted. It was resolved on the motion of Cr. White, seconded by Cr. Pavitt, that the report be received and adopted. The lighting committee reported as follows : Your committee have taken into consideration the question of the position of the lam posts in Selwyn street and Gasworks road, and beg to report that they have received a petition from residents on Gasworks road urging them to adhere to their intention of placing one post at the corner of Andrew stieet and the Gasworks road, which they would recommend the Council to confirm. In answer to a request from the_ Bev. H. East for a slight alteration in the position of the lamp at his entrance we would recommend that the position be changed to the opposite corner of the street We have written to the Spreydon Boad Board in reference to the one in Selwyn street, and have received a reply stating that the state of the Board's funds will not admit of their contributing to the same for the present. We, therefore, recommend that the lamp be placed on the site originally proposed. No reply has yet been received from the Gas Company respecting the charge for lighting the lamps. A letter was read from the secretary of the Gas Company with reference to the price of gas, and stating that at present the company is not prepared to make a reduction, but would consider the Council's claims should any sensible increase in the number of lamps be required. On the motion of Cr. White.Jseconded by Cr. Joyoe, the report was received and adopted. The finance committee reported receipts for the fortnight £l6O 16s sd, and accounts for payment £ll2 4s j credit balance at Bank £473 8* 9d.

The report was received and adopted. In answer to a question from Or. Andrew, Cr. Charters stated that there was every prospect of the Council being able to float a loan in the London market when it was thought desirable. A letter was read from Mr Adley, junior clerk to the Council, tendering his resignation.

On the motion of Cr. White, seconded by Or. Pavitt, Mr Adley'e resignation was accepted. On the motion of Or. Joyce, seconded by Or. Andrew, the town clerk was recommended for the poeitioa of registrar of dogs. The Council then went into committee to consider certain items on the petty cashbook.

The matter was referred to] the finance committee to report on. A deputation, representing 600 of the unemployed, waited on the Council with a memorial similar to one presented to the Drainage Board at an earlier hour during the day. The deputation stated] their object was to induce the Council to commence such works as would find immediate employment for those who needed it. The want was urgent, as there were many families in almost a state of starvation. It was the wish of the unemployed committee that married men with families should first be considered, and they would desire that they might have the nominating of those whose wants were more urgent. A suggestion was made that the bridge across the river Heathcote might be commenced.

Cr. White said was £I7OO worth of work to be done on the south town belt, which would find employment for a great number of men if the Christchurch City Council were disposed to meet the Borough Council in a fair spirit. A good portion of the money would be absorbed in material it was true, but a large balance would go towards relieving the wants of a considerable number of laborers.

A member of the deputation stated that he had an interview with the Mayor, and had been informed that they had nothing to hope from them, as they had an overdraft of £4OOO and £SOOO, which left them without means of opening up fresh work,f or the relief of the unemployed. Various suggestions were made as to the readiest means of providing work for the unemployed, and Or. White said that the duty of the borough would be first to find work for residents in Sydenham in preference to men from other localities, in the .interest of the ratepayers, as it would be the funds of the ratepayers of the borough that would have to be expended. Or. Brown thought they would not be doing wrong in making another overture to the City Council, as with the newly made members he thought it probable they oould work in harmony on the question at issue. Or. Andrew, from his experience of the past thought the first overtures should come from the Christchurch City Council. Or. Joyce moved—" That the chairman, Or. White, and Or. Charters, wait on the Drainage Board to request that Board to employ married men of Sydenham on the Sydenham works, and that this Council wait upon the City Council and endeavor to arrange the South belt question, so _ that a great number of men may be forthwith employed by this borough." The motion was seconded by Cr. Charters. Cr. Hall moved as an amendment, and Cr. Andrews seconded —"That immediate steps be taken to form the Heathcote Biver road reserve from Wilson's Bridge to Piper's lane."

Crs. White and Joyce spoke against the amendment, on the ground that there were other works of greater public utility more required than the formation of the river road, which partook of the nature of a luxury. The Chairman, before putting the amendment, thought the question of the South town belt ought net to be dropped, they ought to keep stirring in the matter, and for that purpose they should again meet the Oity Council.

Cr. Charters said that although he had seconded the resolution, he was in favor of work being started that would immediately find employment for those out of work. The amendment was then put and negatived, and the original resolution was put and carried.

It was ultimately agreed that on the termination of the meeting, the works committee should meet and take steps for immediately putting on men to be employed on the footpaths of the Borough. The Council afterwards adjourned.