SYDENHAM BOROUGH LOAN.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2048, 16 September 1880, Page 3

SYDENHAM BOROUGH LOAN.

A meeting of the ratepayers of Sydenham was held on Wednesdayin the Sydenham district schoolroom, Colombo road, at half-past seven, to consider the proposal of the Council to borrow £30,000 for the purpose of channelling and kerbing the streets of the borough. There was a large attendance. The Mayor of Sydenham occupied the chair, and opened the proceedings by calling upon the town clerk to read the advertisement convening the meeting. He explained further how it was proposed to provide for the repayment of the loan, and also how ratepayers would be affected by it. He hoped that the question would be carefully and quietly considered ; and he wished it to be distinctly understood that it did not follow that because the Council had submitted the proposal to a meeting of the ratepayers that they were anxious to borrow the money. Ever since Sydenham had been proclaimed a borough it was apparent that money would have to be borrowed for the purposes indicated. The matter had been often considered by the Council at its meetings, and it was now finally determined to get the yea or nay of a public meeting of the ratepayers. There were reasons for and against it. Some persons were of opinion that those who wanted the channelling in their locality should ask for it to bo done, and have a special rate levied on them for that purpose, and he thought that fairest.

Mr Joyce asked to what extent the loan proposed would kerb and channel the streets of the borough P The Town Clerk replied that it would do the whole number. The kerhing and channelling would cost about £20,000, and the balance would be required to alter levels, &c. About forty miles of work would be done. 'Mr John Lea questioned the accuracy of tho town clerk's figures. The Town Clerk said that he had carefully estimated tha figures. The streets represented 27 miles 64 chains, and the boundary streets would require one side only to be done. The estimated cost was £6 10s per chain.

Mr Lee, in the course of a very long speech, said that it would cost £IOO,OOO. He wanted to know where they would begin channelling if the £30,000 was obtained. Wherever they began it would do a great injustice to the other parts of Sydenham, favoring the rich at the expense of the poor, and bringing in any amount of log-rolling and jobbery. The Mayor replied that no particular streets would be chosen. Several parts would be acted unon at once. It was ridiculous to talk about' the starting point in that way. [Uproar.] Mr George said that the Council ought to bring a motion before them. Who had called the meeting ? The Mayor explained that he had called the meeting at the request of the Council. Mr Joyce said that the ratepayers should load the Council in this matter. It was known that he was opposed to borrowing this money. He would propose a resolution on the question as follows“ That in the present circumstances of the ratepayers of Sydenham, it is undesirable to raise the proposed loan of £30,000.” At this time, when wages were being cut down and salaries reduced, it was unwise to borrow, and increase the rates of the borough by an additional rate of 9d in the £. Mr Gates seconded the motion, Mr Lee hoped that every one present would hold up his hand for the resolution.

Mr Hall was surprised that none of the ratepayers who had persistently buttonholed Councillors to do this, that, and the other did not move an amendment in favor of the loan.

Mr Lockwood would like Mr Andrew to speak on the question, as he had voted strongly in favor of borrowing in the Council. Mr Pavitt said that, as a representative of the ratepayers, ho felt it was a mistake to pass the resolution. Same parts of the borough ought to he side-channelled, &c., and it could be done without raising a loan. Mr George said that when he stood as a candidate for Sydenham, he was in favor of a loan, but he should oppose it now, as circumstances were different. Times were bad here, and he felt sure it would soon bo as bad as in England. Mr Andrew said that he should not let the challenge for him to speak pass unheeded. He was surprised that a councillor had said that !the ‘loan would entail a rate of 9d in the £. Toe first question was, could a loan be raised ? [“ No.”] If they would attend to him he would show them it could be raised, and the special rate would not exceed 6Jd in the £. There could be no more favorable time for borrowing than now. [lnterruption.] The Mayor protested against the continued disorder. If they did not want the loan let them quietlylveto it. Mr Whitelaw said he should vote against the loan. [Cheers.] At the same time, he thought that they might borrow £IO,OOO, and use wood instead of concrete. The Council were to blame for not having borrowed the money a year ago, when money 'was going begging in England. He would ask the Council to bring forward the proposal in the form ho had indicated.

Much disorder ensued, several speakers trying in vain to get a hearing. Mr Lockwood said that if the Oounciljjwere given an inch they would take a foot. He hoped all would vote for the resolution. Mr Forrester said it would be useless doing anything till Sydenham was divided into wards.

Mr Gourlay thought it was useless having channelling till a water aupply'was obtained to flush the side-channels.

Mr Joyce replied to Mr Whitelaw’a st.-ic-tures, accusing him of going with the tide and wanting a job. Hence his proposal to use wood channelling. Mr Pearson proposed that £60,000 be borrowed.

The Mayor then put the resolution, and in doing so paid a tribute of praise to Mr Andrew. The motion was carried almost unanimously, only three hands being held up against it. Attention was called to the necessity of action to ensure a good man to represent Sydenham on the Drainage Board. After a vote of thanks to the chair, the meeting dispersed.