PUBLIC MEETING AT SYDENHAM.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1954, 29 May 1880, Page 3

PUBLIC MEETING AT SYDENHAM.

A largely attended public meeting waa hold last evening at 7.30 in the Colombo road schoolroom to consider the reply of tho Drainage Beard to the resolutions pasi-ed at tho public meeting held in Sydenham on May 13th. Tho Major of Sydenham occupied the chair. '1 he Chairman said that be considered the requisition for this meeting waa fully justified by the reply of the Board, and he hoped this meeting would be as orderly as th-ir previous meetings had been. He then called »n the town clerk to read the reply of the Drainage Board. His Worship asked for an expression of opinion on the question before the meeting, Mr Treadwell wished to point out why the ratepayers differed with the Drainage Board. Ihe powers claimed by that Board would compel each ratepayer to expend at least a sum of £3l to connect with the main drain. It was fortunate 'hut the severe party fight in the General Assembly last session rrevented the Drainage Board Bill being smuggled through the House without their knowledge or consent. Mr Clark .aid that a closet system was not yet necessary, and would bo oppressive, and it attempted the powers to drain into the sowers should be optional, and not compulsory. Ho would move “That the ratepayers of Sydenham in public meeting assembled do adopt the reply to the Drainage Board as read, and also the accounts claiming an allow mce of £; 5,022 fs Id. (1.1 On tho grounds that the Madras sewer, -£4000; (2) And also the Fer.-y road sewer, .£Gsßti; (3) As well as the piping for the whole district, .£3OOO, arc all contrary to the express written reports of Mr Clark, and also of Mr Napier Bed of Isth July, 1879. (4 ) On the ground that the proportion of £960 14s Gd spent in experiments on the outfall drain should bo struck out of the accounts. (5.) On the ground that it is illegal to charge as lump sums without the plans, without date, and without any audit, wo object to the amount unexplained {.£1274 17s 2d), making a total of £115,022 Os Id. The ratepayers demand that the drainage by Jackson’s creek, ordered by Mr Clark, and by Mr Napier Bell, and estimated by the latter in his report to cost £3500 shall be immediately made, and that all connection by £\ rry road and Madras street shall bo cut off.” Mr Hall seconded the resolution. Tho Chairman put the resolution, which was carried unanimously. Mr Charters moved ;—“ That the ratepayers beg to fully confirm the resolutions of the previous meeting, viz :—(1) Of no confidence in the Board. (2) The resignation of tho members. (3) The refusal ef compulsory clauses ; and also express groat astonishment at finding the books not audited, and thousands of pounds

charged to Sydenham, with neither explanation nor item, nor rate account rendered for past year.” In moving the resolution, Mr Charters said that very little remained for him to say. Ho would treat them to Jan extract from Mr Hobbs’ letter, and could only suppose that gentleman was relating his personal experience about excreta. [Laughter.] Mr Treadwell seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously. It was moved by Mr Jones, seconded by Mr Pox—‘‘That the Mayor and Councillors be authorised to furnish the funds necessary to employ legal advice to quash the Drainage Board Kate in the District Court ” [Cheers ] The mover said that this was the only action open to them, and the whole of the ratepayers would have to boar the expense, because if it were done by subscription only a portion would contribute. [Cheers.] Mr Treadwell said that immediate action must bo taken, and a fortnight would suffi-’e to carry the thing through the District Court, Notice would be lodged at once. It was asked it the decision of this meeting was bindirg on the whole of the ratepayers. The Chairman replied that this resolution meant money, and they might rest assured that the Council would be careful of the funds, and vet employ such legal aid ns was required. He felt sure that, if it were a question of funds, money would bo forthcoming if needed from other sources.

This resolution was also carried amid loud cheering. Mr Hall moved, and Mr George seconded—- “ That the Drainage Board be requested to petition the Governor to bring the_ Regulation of Local H lections Act into force in the Christchurch drainage district.” The Mayor said that although Sydenham was not afraid to show how they would vote, yet the ballot was tho correct thing. The motion was carried unanimously.

It was moved by Mr Treadwell, and seconded iy Mr Lockwood —“That tho resolution and reply to tho Board, together v.ith tho confirmation of the previous votes of no confidence and resignation, bo transmitted to tho chairman of tho Christchurch Drainage Board by tho Mayor of Sydenham.” Carried unani moualy. The usual vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the proceeding*.