BOROUGH COUNCILS.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1798, 25 November 1879, Page 4

BOROUGH COUNCILS.

SYDENHAM. The usual fortnightly meeting of the Sydenham Borough Council was held last night. Present —Crs. Hall (in the chair), Brown, White, Pavitt, Joyce, Andrew, and Nieholl. The minutes of the last ordinary and special meetings were read and confirmed. A letter was received from the General Crown Lands office, stating that the purposes of part of reserve No. 1835, viz., 200 acres in the Christchurch district, had been changed from Provincial Government purposes to those for abattoirs, public pounds, sewage, cattle yards, and plantations, as per “ Gazette,” and that steps would be taken to have the land vested in the Sydenham Corporation for the purposes stated. The letter was received. The Town Clerk reported he had sent an account in to the Drainage Board for collecting the drainage rate for the Borough of Sydenham, at the rate of 7i per cent, which has hitherto been given, and in reply the Board has written to say that, when the last rate was struck, the Board allowed 7 per cent for collecting rates, and requested the Council to alter their account and a cheque would be forwarded after the next meeting of the Board. The letter was returned to the finance committee. The Chief Postmaster of Christchurch wrote, stating that the subject of the Sydenham Post and Telegraph Office was in the hands of the General Post Office, and the Town Clerk’s letter would be forwarded to the Secretary. The letter was received. Or. Joyce moved— ** That the thanks of the Council be tendered to Mr Andrews, M.H.R., for the interest he has taken in matters affecting Sydenham, viz, Post Office and Petty Sessions Court.” . Or. Pavitt seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously. Cr. Joyce moved, and Cr. Pavitt seconded — “ That the draft deed re Beattie of submission to arbitration as now altered be approved.” Cr. White pointed out to Cr. Joyce that the matter had been referred to the works committee, and expressed his surprise that he should have moved his resolution, taking it out of their hands. Cr. Joyce said he was unaware that the matter had been so dealt with, and would therefore withdraw his motion, and place a letter ho had received respecting it in the hands of the committee. Cr. Brown thought it possible the matter should be closed as soon as possible. Cr. White said they had to consider the interests of the ratepayers as well as the contractors.

The matter then dropped. Or. Brown moved—“ That in consideration ; of a large number of our ratepayers being working men, who cannot record their votes till after five o’clock, the returning officer be requested to provide facilities for meeting the increased pressure which is likely to arise therefrom, in order that ratepayers be not excluded from their privilege of voting at the election on Wednesday next.” Or. Joyce seconded the motion. The Chairman said he thought that the resolution should be so worded as to authorise the returning officer incurring any warranted expense. The seconder said that such was understood. The motion was agreed to. Or. Andrew said he had seen with regret in a recent issue of one of the newspapers that an attempt was being made on the part of the Christchurch sports committee to alienate a portion of the Domain from the public, which he was entirely opposed to. He would therefore move—“ That this Council protests against the proposal of the Christchurch sports committee to alienate a portion of the Domain, and that the clerk forward this resolution to the Government.” Cr. Joyce seconded the resolution, which was agreed to, Cr. White moved—“ That the Drainage Board’s attention be called to the fact that the [contractors on the Gas Works road are ■not keeping the road so free and safe for traffic as they might do, and they are also selling earth from the road that is required by the Council on the said road.” Or. Brown seconded the motion, which was agreed to. ■On the motion of Or. White, seconded by Cr. Brown, the pay-sheet was passed for payment. This terminated the business, and the Council adjourned. The baby was doubled up by the cramps and yelling at the rate of a mile a minute, as the father and mother stood over the crib with the laudanum bottle between them. " No, Mariar,” he said, gently [but firmly, " you pour it out; that child’s growing so much like your mother that I can’t trust myself.”