SYDENHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1938, 11 May 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, Andrew, Nicholl, Hall, Joyce, Charters, Pavitt, and Shierlaw. A petition signed by fifty ratepayers within the borough was presented, asking the Mayor to convene a public meeting* of ratepayers to consider the action of the Drainage Board with regard to Sydenham, more especially with respect to the ninepenny rate which the Board proposed to lay on Sydenham for the current year. It was decided to call a public meeting for Thursday evening next, in the District Sohool-room, at 7.30, to consider the matter.

A letter was read from the Colonial Secretary’s Office, saying the error in the vital statistics of Sydenham which had appeared in the papers, had been caused by the incorrect furnished to the press by its correspondents, and referring the Council to the “ Gazette ” for the correct statement.

Cr. Hall moved, and Cr. Joyce seconded a resolution, the gist of which was that as the correspondence had elicited where the error lay, it had not been unnecessary. Also from the Under Secretary in reply, informing the Council that the report of the removal of the railway cashier to Dunedin was receiving the attention of the Government.

The “ Gazette ” containing the vital statistics for March, 1880, was laid on the table. A circular letter from the Charitable Aid committee of the Thames Borough Council was read.

Cr. Joyce moved its reception and acknowledgment, which was agreed to.

A letter from the town clerk, Christchurch, asking the Council the name of the informant of the names of the residents in Sydenham who said they had registered dogs in Christchurch. The letter was referred to the clerk to deal with. A letter was read from the Drainage Board, informing the Council that the Drainage Board were not liable to reimburse any portion of the cost of valuation. The letter was ordered to be received. Another letter from the same, asking *hy the Council had asked for an additional member to that provided in the proposed Amendment Act. The letter was ordered to be received. Also from the same, enclosing copy of resolution passed by the Drainage Board in the matter of the Council’s application respecting the filling up of Harman’s creek, agreeing to the same provided the Council put down pipes to the satisfaction of the Board’s engineer. Referred to the works committee. A letter was read from the Hon. E. Richardson, ' acknowledging receipt of the resolution passed by the Council with reference to the removal of the railway cashier to Dunedin, -spying that when he heard of the contemplated change he communicated with Wellington, protesting against it. A reply had been sent him that the matter would be reconsidered. Seeing that the cashier was removed, he telegraphed again on April 24th, and the cashier was instructed to return to Christchurch. He would continue to watch the Government’s action in this matter. Mr B. O. J. Stevens also wrote about the matter, saying he had taken steps before the 24th April, and was still in communication with the Government on the question. Mr J. T. Eisher also wrote, acknowledging copy of Council’s resolution, and saying he would have much pleasure iu complying wita its request. On the motion of Or. Joyce, it was agreed —“ That the thanks of the Council be given to the three gentlemen for their action in the matter.”

A letter was read from Mr T. W. Draper, on behalf of owners of property in the eastern part of Sydenham, stating they had boon endeavoring to got a road through the Eon. John Hall’s lard, as shown on an attached fracing. They had obtained a strip of land a chain in width for this purpose, which they were prepared to convey to the Council, and were further prepared to pay one-half the cost of forming, metalling and fencing the land on either side of the road if the Council would give an estimate of the probable cost. After considerable discussion, it was referred to tho works committee to report upon. A letter was read from tho Town Clerk, Christchurch, enclosing a copy of resolution passed by the City Council at its last meeting re removal of railway staff. Ordered to bo received.

The works committee reported as follows—l. That in conjunction with tho laying of tho tramway line in Colombo street, as tho borongh map showed tho road to bo too high, wo have considered it desirable to lower the road to its ■proper level for a short distance on each aide of Third street. Wo have therefore given the Tramway Company notice to lay their line to the altered levels. Wo have caused a survey to be made of tho state of the roads along which the Drainage Board are about to carry their sewers. 3. Wc have invited and received alternative tenders for bridge over tho river Heathcote, bat have not yet agreed with the Hoathcoto Road Board upon tho acceptance of a tender. The report was adopted, and power was given to tho works committee to accept a tender so soon as they can arrange with tho Heathcote Road Board,

The finance committee reported receipts for the past fortnight, £52 5s 3d ; expenditure, £146 3a lid ; credit balance at Bank, £934 8s

Or. Charters reported the action taken by the loan committee, which was approved. The report of the committee who had waited upon the Royal Commission re railway crossings, and also the report of the conference with the City Council re the South town belt were read and approved. Cr. Andrew wished to know why the Bank of New Zealand had paid them no interest on their current account for the past twelve months. He begged to move —“ That the finance committee see to the state of their interest account at the Bank.” Carried. Or. Andrew also called attention to the condition in which the Drainage Board had left the Q-asworks road. The clerk was instructed to obtain from the Drainage Board their financial statement before next Thursday's meeting. It was decided to hold a special meeting ot the Council re the burgess roll at half-past six on the evening of the Council’s next regular meeting, Cr. Charters called attention to Mr Brightling still persisting in depositing rubbish from Christchurch on vacant sections in the borough without the consent of the Council. On the motion of Cr. Joyce, the matter was referred to the sanitary committee.^ A ratepayer named Moore complained of the bad light from the kerosene lamp near his residence. The matter was referred to the lighting committee, with power to act. This being all the business, the Council adjourned.