SYDENHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1763, 14 October 1879, Page 3

SYDENHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the above was held at the offices of the Council, Sydenham, last evening, there being present, Crs. Brown, White, Langdown, Andrew, Nicholl, Hall, Charters, Joyce, and Pavitt. Or. Brown, in the absence of the Mayor, was elected to the chair.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.

A letter was received from Mr Stevens, M.H.R., as to the cattle market reserve, regarding which he had put a question to the Government in the House. The reply to that was that pending the claims of Ohrißtchurch, the Municipal Council of Sydenham had control of the reserve. The Chairman stated what action his Worship the Mayor had taken in bringing the matter under the consideration of their representatives in Parliament. After some discussion, during which Or. Charters expressed regret at the action taken by the Mayor, Mr Hall moved—" That the clerk forward to Mr Stevens copies of all letters and telegrams received from Wellington in relation to the cattle market reserve."

Or. Andrews seconded the motion, which was carried. A letter was received from Messrs Garriok and Oowlishaw, stating that Mr Ford would waive any question of fencing in relation to widening the Gasworks road, providing he was not called npon to pay a special rate towards the same. Cr. Hall moved—" That the solicitor's letter be replied to, that the Council neither thought of fencing nor levying a special rate." Carried.

A letter was received from the RegistrarGeneral, in reference to the approaching census.

Prom the Gas Company a letter was received, in reference to an account for the erection of a lamp-post, which had been disputed. Some discussion ensued upon the reading of this letter, Cr. Hall and others considering the account excessive.

On the motion of Cr. Hall, it was resolved that the Council decline to pay, as they consider the account excessive. A letter was read from Messrs J. and A. Anderson, stating that they were desirous of acquiring two acres of the borough property on the Bakaia and Ashburton Forks Railway, for the purpose of making a ballast pit.

The letter was referred to the works committee to report upon. The works committee submitted their usual report, as follows : Your committee beg to report, as follows : That as the committee could not approve of Mr Beattie's claim on account of his contract, and for extra work in forming the streets of Sandridge, Mr Beattie's solicitors have taken preliminary steps to have the matter settled by arbitration, as provided for in the conditions of the contract.

The relief gang has been employed during the fortnight in making a footpath on Hazelden road, altering several other footpaths, and on other works in various parts of the borough. In connection with these works, considerable difficulty has been experienced, owing to the levels marked on the map having been found to give insufficient fall for the surface drainage while the Bide channels exist as at present, and it has required a large amount of consideration to arrange the levels for the works so as not to derange the system of levels shown on the map. Only about .£IOO of the amount available for the relief of the unemployed remains unexpended, and as the current expenditure on this account amounts to about £6O per week, it will therefore be impossible for the Council to continue to give them assistance much longer. In order to provide further work for the unemployed, the committee desire to lower the Windmill road and form a footpath on the same, but are unable to do so, unless the Drainage Board will permit them to fill in the drain on the west side of the road. A letter has been sent to the Beard asking for the desired permission.

In order to suit what to meet the convenience of the gentlemen appointed as representatives to the drainage conference, the committee ■will arrange for the conference to be held at the Council office on Monday, the 20th October, at 7 p.m., and we would ask the Council to appoint their representatives to tho same.

Subject to your approval, the committee have appointed Master Alexander Russell as junior clerk and messenger. The clauses of the report were considered seriatim, and with, reference to the funds out of which the unemployed were being relieved, the question raised in tho report was left to tho committee.

The report was then adopted. Cr. Joyce moved—" That Crs. White, Pdvitt, and Andrew be delegated to represent the Council at tho drainage conference." The motion was adopted. The sanitary committee reported that Mr Brighling had signed the contract and provided the requisite bond for carrying out his contract for scavenger's work within the borough for the term of two years from Ist October.

The inspector of nuisances had served notices on certain persons to abate nuisances on their premises, and the committee recommended that legal proceedings be taken against persons who do not at once abate them.

The report was received and adopted. The fortnightly report of the finance committee was read, showing the receipts and expenditure since last meeting, including £IOO paid to men taken on from the body of the unemployed. A clause in the report notified that the committee intended bringing up a report on the expenditure on various portions of the borough since its formation, for which purposes it would be divided into six blocks named.

In answer to Cr Joyce as to what had been done in reference to the expenditure on "raspberry vinegar, &c," which had been referred to the committee, Mr Charters said that Mr Cuthbert had been written to, but no reply had been received. ; -

Some discussion took place in reference to the statement proposed to be made by the finance committee, particularly as to the division of the borough into blocks, Cr. Langdown submitting that some portions of the borough had been neglected, and objection was taken to any block system in dealing with the expenditure. Cr. Pavitt strongly deprecated any block or ward system. Cr. Joyce moved as an amendment to the adoption of the report—" That the statement referred to be not laid on the table till the Ist of January, 1880." It was ultimately resolved not to deal with the statement till Cr. Andrew's motion r finance came on for discussion, and the report was then adopted, excluding the last clause referring to the statement. Cr. Charters moved, in accordance with notice—" That in the opinion of this Council a Bill should be laid before the House of Representatives having for its object the extension of the northern boundary of the borough to the centre of the South town belt, and that a committee be appointed to wait upon the City Council in reference thereto, and report to the next meeting of this Council."

Or. Joyce remarked that the motion as it stood, was meaningless, and he moved an amendment—" That the matter be referred to the works committee with power to see the city solicitors,' and ascertain from them whether a Bill could be introduced this session for the purpose of getting half the belt." After some discussion on the subject. The amendment was put to the meeting and negatived. Cr. Joyce then moved—" That the clerk be instructed to write the City Council, asking for a conference of the two Councils re the South town belt question, with the view of having the Sydenham boundary at the centre of the belt." This amendment was also lost on a division.

Or Joyce again moved an amendment—- " That the town clerk be requested to communicate with the City Council asking for a conference of the two Councils on the South town belt question, the costs of the same, and the boundary.

The amendment was this time carried. Certain matters of routine were dealt with, and the Council adjourned.