SYDENHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1974, 22 June 1880, Page 3

SYDENHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The Sydenham Borough Council met last evening. Present—His Worship the Mayor, Ors. Nicholl, Pavitt, Joyce, Ball, Andrew, Langdown, and White. The Clerk read a letter from the Drainage Board replying to the Council's letter re additional representation on the Board, and stating that it was not intended to proceed with the legislation which had been proposed this session. The letter was ordered to be received.

Further correspondence since the previous meeting was then read, including a letter from Mr Stevens acknowledging receipt of draft Bill re South town belt, and further correspondence from Messrs Stevens and Richardson, which had been dealt with by the town clerk, whose action was approved. Other correspondence with reference to matters before Parliament affecting municipalities were postponed, to be dealt with at a later stage of the meeting. The works committee reported as follows :

1. Your committee have invited and considered fresh tenders for the construction of the private streets in Wilson'B paddock, and accepted the lowest tender, but the tenderer having refused to take up the contract, the matter is still under our consideration, and we ask permission to accept one of the remaining tenders if the committee think it desirable to do so. 2. In connection with the construction of these streets the committee have been requested by some of the landowners in the locality to alter the levels of two of the streets, and to leave one of them to be constructed at a future time. The committee have been unable to agree to these requests, as the proposed alteration would not have agreed with the system of permanent levels shown on the Board's map, and would probably have to be altered at a future time. By hying out the streets as proposed an obstacle would be offered to making them public, as ammged with the ratepayers, and the settlement of the whole question would be further delayed. 3. A. deputation from the ratepayers, whose properties abut on the south side of Going's road, between the Gasworks' road and Condon's comer, having informed the committee that the owaers of property in the locality are prepared to ledicate sft in depth of their properties for use as a footpath, on conditions that the cost of the necessary deeds and the re-erection of the femes, as well as the formation of the footpaths, be paid by the Council, the committee recommeid that the work be done on these terms, and thai the town clerk draw up an agreement for sigiature by the property owners referred to, embodying the terms specified. Ihe report was received and adopted. Ihe lighting committee and sanitary committee submitted reports indicating what measures they had taken since last reporting on work in their respective departments. Bot'a reports were approved without discussion.

The finance committee submitted a report, showing receipts sinoe last meeting £2O 5s 9d. Credit balance at the Bank £1022 4a 2d. Acounts paused for payments £133. The report was adopted. The street naming committee reported that they had completed naming the Btreets in accordance with the principles approved by the Council, and recommended that the Council give notice of their intention to adopt the names decided on. On the motion of Or. Hall, seconded by Cr. Joyce, the report wbb adopted. The Mayor expressed satisfaction at the result of the Committee's labors. Adisoussion arose as to those streets not included in the plan of the committee, suoh as Colombo road and others, and it was proposed to give the committee power to re-name these also, but it was pointed out that a resolution had already been passed by the Council agreeing to except such streets, and the matter was allowed to drop. i The question of striking a rate was then introduced. Cr. Pavitt moved—" That in accordance with clauso 40 of the Municipal Corporations Act, this Council hereby Btrike a rate of Is in the £ for the year 1880, as per notice given at the last meeting of the Council." Seconded by Cr. Joyce, and carried. Cr. Joyce moved —" That in consequence of Or. Hall having generously undertaken the formation and management of a French leßson class, to be held in the Sydenham public school on every Friday evening during the present winter months, this Counoil hereby relieves Or. Hall from, acting on the works committee of the Council." In moving the resolution, Cr. Joyce made some remarks encomiastic of the gentloman to whom it referred, who had displayed a publio spirit and generosity which reflected the highest credit on himself, and on the Counoil of which he was a member.

Other members spoke in complimentary ierms of Cr. Hall, and the resolution was

agree to. The appointment of a member to fill the vacancy was deferred. Or. Andrew moved—" That the ex-mayor (Q-eorge Booth, Esq.), having taken a deep interest in all questions likely to promote the welfare of the borough, this Council respectfully ask him to make enquiries while in England whether a loan of from £30,000 to £50,000 could be raised, and on what terms." Tho resolution was seconded by Cr. Hall, and after brief disoussion carried nem con. The Clerk was instructed to take the nocesßary steps to communicate the decision of tho Council to Mr Booth. On the motion of Cr. White, the works committee were authorized to invite tenders for the supply of 500 yards of road metal. In connection with the South town belt question, anent which letters were rcceivod from Ohristchurch members in tho Assembly, a petition to the House of Representatives from persons interested in the South town belt gwas read, setting forth that the Sydenham Borough Council had neglected their duty in reßpect to that locality, and asking that the properties should, by legislation, be annexed to and rated by the Christchurch City Council. The Town Clerk read over the namea of those who had signed the petition, poiuting out that a number of them were of persons who had no property in the Borough and were not entitled to sign.

In answer to Cr. Joyce, the Town Clerk stated that seventy signatures were appended, only twelve of which, kowever, were entitled to sign. Some discussion during which; the Mayor condemned the usderhand manner in which the matter had beera doalt with by the petitioners, and expressed surprise and disgust at (the fact that, after all the petition was, on the face of it, a fraud, the nißJor part of those subscribing to it not being entitled to exercise such a right,. The Clerk explained what correspondence had taken place in relation to the petition, which had endangered the progress of the Bill agreed upon by the Conference of Sydenham and Christchurch. He had telegraphed to the city members, explaining the position. The town clerk was instructed to write to the representatives named, enclosing copy of the burgess roll and giving all particulars in reference to the matter.

Cr. Joyce suggested that the town clerk should be sent to Wellington to represent the Council.

The Mayor and Cr. Joyce were appointed a sub-committee to take whatever further action might be necessary. Or. Andrew moved—" That this Council requests the works committee to confer with the Christchurch City Couucil with respect to tho formation of the South town belt, with a view of having the work commenced immediately on the Bill passing and receiving the Governor's assent."

Seconded by Or. Pavitt and carried. After receiving a deputation as to the levels of certain private streets, the Council went into committee to consider Mr Hutchinson's Municipal Corporations Bill, and on resuming adjourned.