SYDENHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1867, 17 February 1880, Page 3

SYDENHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Council took place last night. Present —His Worship the Mayor, and Crs. White, Langdown, Andrews, Hall, Joyce, Charters, Pavitt and Shierlaw.

The Mayor etated ho had received a telegram from the Hon. John Hall asking him to take a seat on the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, and that he had consented to do so.

The Under Secretary for Crown Lands wrote forwarding a copy of “ Gazette” containing the notification that 200 acres of section 1835 had been vested in the Corporation of Sydenham, The letter was ordered to be acknowledged. The Under-Secretary of Crown Lands wrote, stating that power was taken under the Special Power and Contracts Act of last session to deal with tho Market reserve at Addington, so as to provide a recreation ground for tho borough of Sydenham. Ordered to be acknowledged.

A letter was read from Mr John Marshman relating to tho negotiation pending between the Borough Council and the Rakaia and Ashburton Forks Railway Company for land for railway purposes, and stating that the grant could be prepared whenever matters were settled. The letter was received. A notice was received from the Native Land Office in Auckland, asking that due notice of the sitting of the Oour: at Kaiapoi on March 10th might be distributed amongst the Natives.

A letter was read from the secretary of General Post Office, acknowledging the receipt of correspondence re erection of a post office and telegraph office in the borough, A letter was read from Hon. E. Richardson, enclosing the decision of the Government that it was not considered advisable to establish a level crossing on the railway line at Harper street. Tho clerk was directed to write, thanking Mr Richardson. A letter from Bull and Co., respecting renewal of license, was referred to the sanitary by-law committee. Tho secretary of tho Drainage Board wrote with reference to filling up Jackson's Creek, and stating their intention of having it surveyed, at the same time suggesting that the Council’s surveyor, or an engineer appointed by them, should accompany the Board’s engineer on behalf of the Borough Council. Cr. Hall moved —“ That the letter of the Drainage Board be received, and that this Council approves of tho proposed filling in of the creek, and are willing to leave the surveying to the Board.” Or. Charters seconded the motion.

Or. Joyce moved as an amendment—“ That the letter of the Drainage Board be referred to the works committee.”

Or White seconded the amendment, which was put and carried. A copy of a prospectus was received from the secretary of the Education Board relative to the asylum for the training and teaching of deaf mutes, at Sumner. A letter was road from the RegistrarGeneral re the number of houses in Sydenham.

The clerk stated that he had already furnished the information asked for.

The works committee reported that tho Council’s solicitor had reported favorably with respect to their disputed claim for the cost of alterations and repairs to the Lincoln road. They recommended that the Riccarton Road Board should be written to with tho view of matters in dispute between them being settled at a mutual meeting of the Board and Borough Council. They also reported that the Drainage Board had been written to, asking to have the Gas Works road put in the condition it was prior to the commencement of the drainage works thereon. Permission had been given to Mr Bowler to erect a horse trough, subject to the approval of the foreman of works, and to its being removed if necessary after seven days’ notice from tho Council.

The report was received and adopted. The following was reported by the finance committee ns the receipts and expenditure since the last meeting of tbe Council. Re oeipts :—Rates, 1878 9, £54 2s 3d ; dog licenses, &e., £55 13s 9d; total, £lO9 16s. Accounts to the amount of £45 la 2d had been passed for payment; credit balance at the Bank, £1337 6s 9d. The following letter was read from the Borough Council’s inspector: — Sydenham, Feb 16th, 1880. The Chairman of the Sanitary Committee. Sir, —I have the honor to inform you, consequent on the removal of caretakers from railway crossings between Colombo and Linc'ln roads and the late accidents. I would beg leave to bring under your not! '.o the immediate necessity for cutting the fences each side of the railway in Sydenham that the trains may be distinctly seen. At present the fences almoct entirely exclude the view, endangering tbe public to a large extent. I may add such was stated in tbe R. M. Court in mitigation. I would therefore beg to recommend that tbe fences alluded to be cut and trimmed to a height of at least four feet. I cannot help ihinking that the railway authorities have made a great mistake in the removal of those officials. I have the honor to bo, sir, Your obedient servant, Wm Buddy, Inspector. _ Cr. Joyce suggested that a deputation wait upon the Minister of Public Works, requesting the immediate re-appointment of the gatekeepers on the railway line. Or. Andrew moved—“ That the deputation consist of the same councillors that recently waited on the Premier re the frontage on the railway.” The motion was seconded by Cr. Hull, and agreed to. A letter was read from the Council's solicitor re the valuation list, and advising that an application should be made to the Court to appoint a valuer to make the list under section 28 of the Rating Act. It was resolved that the application he made in accordance with the request. A letter from Mr Henry Bull was referred to the sanitary committee. A deputation waited on the Council re gorso fences on Wilson’s road, and asking the intervention of the Council to compel owners to cut them. The Mayor said notices had been served on owners in that locality to have their fences cut.

In answer to Or. Joyce, Cr. White said immediately after tho expiry of the time given in the notice to cut the fences, action would be taken by the Council. Cr. Hall moved, and Cr, Charters seconded —“That with a view to encourage bathing it bo a direction to the sanitary committee to expend a sum not exceeding £lO in tho erection of a dressing shed on the north bank of the Hoathcoto within the borough.” Cr. Joyce moved as an amendment, and Or. Sbierlaw seconded—“ That, the matter be referred to tho works committee, with power to act.” The amendment being put and negatived the original motion was carried.

Cr. Hall moved—“ That the Minister of Justice bo written to, asking that an alteration be made in the Canterbury Police Ordinance bo as to legalise bathing at any hour of the day, providing proper bathing dresses be worn.”

Or. Charters seconded the motion, which was put and lost. Or. Hall then moved—" That fresh notions bo served on owners of sections running down to the Hoathooto river reserve, calling on them to remove all fences on the road, and if not moved within fourteen days they will be removed at their expense.” Cr. Charters seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Or. Andrew moved—“ That this Council is of opinion that the removal of the Commissioner of Railways and his staff from Christchurch to Dunedin is detrimental to the interests of Sydenham, and this Council pledges itself to use its utmost efforts to secure their return.”

Cr. Joyce seconded the motion, although ho thought the day for action being of immodate benefit to Canterbury had passed. The diy might come when the return of the department might be possible, but in the meantime thousands per annum were lost to Christchurch.

After some discussion, in which the opinions of the Council were at one with the mover, it was put and carried unanimously. It was resolved, on the motion of Or. Andrew, seconded by Cr. Joyce —“ That a copy of the foregoing resolution be sent to the representatives of this borough, and that they be respectfully requested to further the views of this Council on the matter.”

This terminated the business, and the Council adjourned.