SYDENHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1926, 27 April 1880, Page 3

SYDENHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Council was held last night at 7 o’clock. "Present —His Worship the Mayor, and Crs. White, Langdown, Andrew, jNioholl, Hall, Joyce, Charters, Pavitt, and Shiorlaw. A circular letter was read from the Treasury at Wellington, enclosing a form to be filled up with the particulars relating to annual rateable property in the Borough for the information of the Department, also informing the Council of the expressed intention of Government to discontinue the payment of subsidies after the expiry of the then financial period. Thus while the form had been sent as before, it was not to be inferred that provision would bo made in the approaching session of Parliament for the payment of any subsidy to the Borough. A letter was read from the interim secretary to the Melbourne Exhibition Commission in reply, regarding the disposal of the Council’s exhibits at the Sydney Exhibition, and expressing satisfaction at the step proposed by the Council, to send another set of views for exhibition in Melbourne. A letter was read from the under secretary in reply, stating that the Government would have no objection to advise His Excellency to validate the Burgess Roll, as was done in 1878, if the course indicated by_the Council is followed. A letter was read from the contractor for the line of tramway from the South belt to

the'Show Grounds, asking to be allowed to commence Work on Tuesday morning. In connection with this lino, Mr J. G. Warner, the company’s engineer, wrote to state that he understood the Council intended altering the level of Colombo street, and if such was the case it was desirable that the work should be done before the line was con struoted, or while the work was going on. A letter was also read from the chairman of the Tramway Company, intimating the company’s intention of commencing the' construction of the line to the Agricultural Show Grounds on the 29th inst. It was resolved that the letter be received and acknowledged. It was resolved that the answer to the Tramway Company’s letter, was contained in the Council’s letter to the company of September 18th, to which the Engineer is referred. With regard to the question of lowering Colombo road and the appointment of an inspector re tramway, it was resolved to refer the matter to the works committee with power to act. A letter was road from Mr George Grey, the hon. see. of the Philosophical Institute, asking for the loan of the Council’s map of the borough and other objects of interest at the approaching conversazione. It was resolved that the request bo complied with. Mr R Belgrave wrote calling the attention of the Council to the state of the South town belt, and inquiring if the Council intended to move in the matter and how. It was resolved that the writer bo informed that his letter had been received, and the matter referred to therein was receiving the attention of the Council.

Or. White pointed out the necessity of put ting the belt into some state of repair in view of the approaching iwinter. After some discussion Or. White suggested that the questionishould remain in abeyance until after the two Councils had met in conference upon it, and then he should be prepared to move in thejmatter. This course was adopted. ... A letter was read from Mr 0. F. Searle asking for the patronage of the Council on the occasion of his' farewell benefit at the Theatre Royal oh Tuesday, May 14th. The request was granted. The works committee recommended in their report that the Recreation reserve should be cleared, broken up, levelled, laid down in grass, and the fences securely repaired at an estimated cost of about £3O. Mon had been started to work trimming and repairing the fences, and clearing the gorse. They would not recommend tree planting. Mr Anderson’s solicitor had been informed that there were no funds for removing the bathing screens on the bank of the river Heathcote, Notice had been given to property owners facing the recreation reserve that they had no right of ingress or egress to that portion of the reserve used by them as a road. As the Drainage Board had not yet done anything towards putting the Gasworks road in as good a condition as it was before they commenced the sewer, the committee had given the Board twonty-fonr hours’ notice to commence the work, and, failing compliance, the Council would ido the work, and charge the cost :to the Board. The report was read and adopted. The finance committee reported the receipts for the past fortnight to be £29 9s fid. Accounts to the amount of £9B 4s 7d were passed for payment. The credit balance at the bank amounted 4o £984 15s 3d.

The report was received and adopted. Or. Charters moved, and Cr. Joyce seconded, that “ This Council views with regret the intended removal of the cashier’s department to Dunedin, in defiance of the Minister of Public Works’ promise to the contrary, and that copies of this resolution be forwarded to the Government and the members for Christchurch and Heathcote, asking them to use their best endeavors to prevent their removal.” The motion was agreed to. Or. Charters moved, and Or. Joyce seconded—“ That as the Royal Commission on Railways is at present sitting in Christchurch, a deputation from this Council, consisting of His Worship the Mayor, Cr. White, and the mover be appointed to wait upon them and bring under their notice the matter of the footbridge over Madras street and the crossing and shunting nuisance in Colombo street.” The motion was agreed to. Or. Andrew moved—“ That the works committee bo authorised to have a survey made of Madras street prior to the Drainage Board commencing their new drain, and immediately on its completion, (to report what amount of damage, if any, has been done to the road by the construction of (the aforesaid drain.” Or. Pavitt seconded the resolution, which was agreed to. Cr. Hall moved—“ That the clerk write to the proper department, and point out that the vital statistics for March, published in last Friday’s newspapers, in which Sydenham was put down at 2 65 in 1000 upon the population of 6510 is incorrect, as the population according to the “ New Zealand Gazette,” No. 15, for January last, was 7796 ; and that in the same statistics the city of Christchurch gets the benefit of an increased population according to the above gazette.” Or. Charters seconded the motion, which was agreed to. It was moved by Or. Joyce—“ That the widening the road and purchasing the land required for Harman’s corner, be loft with the works committee, with power to act.” Or. Nicholls seconded the motion, which was agreed to, j This terminated the business, and the Council adjourned.