SYDENHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2276, 19 July 1881, Page 3

SYDENHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The Council met at seven o'clock last evening. Present—His Worship the Mayor, Crs. White, Joyce, Day, Pavitt, Andrew, Hall and Forrester.

Correspondence was read from : —Hon. E. Richardson, Messrs E. 0. J. Stevens and J. T. Fisher, M.H R.'s, about the proposed change in the constitution of the Lytteltc Harbor Board. The clerk was instructed r<> reply to Mr Fitsher, chanting him for the promise of his unqualified support to the Council in their endeavor to secure representation for Sydenham on the Board, and to the other gentlemen regretting the undecided tone of their communications. A further request was to be made to them for a definite answer to the letter of the Council on the subject. Mr S. P. Andrews wrote saying ho should strenuously oppose the passage of the new Drainage Bill. The letter was ordered to be acknowledged with thanks. The Colonial Secretary applied for a return showing tho cost to the borough of compiling the last rate roll. Tho town clerk was requested to furnish the information required. Mr Back, traffic manager Ohristchurch vailway, wrote stating that on the Council's application he had taken every possible means to reduce the inconvenience to passengers, <fcc, by shunting done at the Colombo street crossing. He further said that he did not think anything more could be done unless the yards were entirely remodelled, a measure quite prohibited by the expense. The letter was ordered to be acknowledged with thanks to Mr Back for the good already effected. Tho Resident Engineer of Railways wrote recommending certain alterations in the roadway and paths at Colombo street crossing. Re ferred to the works committee. A letter was read from the Colonial Secretary re registration, stating that the suggestions of the Council in this matter would be noted and attended to. A petition was received from a number of residents in the neighborhood of Queen street, asking tho Council to form the roadways of certain alleys in that quartar. Referred to the works committee, with power bo act.

Reports from committees on lighting and works were road and approved. The report of the finance committee showed that tho receipts of the last fortnight had been £ll6 14s sd, and the expenditure, £125 4s 9i j the balance at the Bank being or. £826 7s 6d. On the motion of Cr. Joyce, seconded by Or. Hall, the Mayor was, under certain conditions, authorised to affix the seal of the Council to the deed of concession to the Tramway Company. It was resolved —" To give the patronage of tho Council to a concert in aid of tho Sydenham district school prize fund." An application was ordered to be made to the Minister of Justice for a set of tho New Zealand statutes for the uso of the Oounoil. Cr. Andrew moved—" That this Council is strongly of tho opinion that the method proposed to levy charitable aid rates according to population would be injurious to this borough, and requests the Government and our representatives to cause (if possible) the rates to he levied in accordance with the Valuation Roll, or that provision be made for any local body which may administer its own charitable aid and provide hospital accommodation, to be exempt from liability to contribute to the expenses of tho Central Board, bo provided by clause 4 sub-section 4 of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Bill." Mr Andrew stated that the contribution of tho borough last year was about £798, including a subsidy, while, if the new Bill was passed, as now presented to Parliament, the inhabitants of Sydenham would have to find nearly £2OOO next year, and there would be no Government subsidy. In speaking to tho subject, several councillors commented strongly on the injustice which tho Bill, if passed, would do to the borough. The motion was seconded by Cr. Joyce and carried unanimously. Cr. Joyce asked if his Worship or any member of the Council could give an explanation of a statement made in tho Resident Magistrate's Court last Friday, that Messrs

Draper and Charters were authorised by the Sydenham Borough Council, in conjunction with the Christ church Council, to treat in July, 1880, with Messrs Proudfoot and Maokay for the construction of waterworks for both places, to cost £150,000. The Mayor replied that a nrojeot of the kind had been on foot, but as tar as he knew had never got beyond the hands of the promoters, and certainly the firm named had never received any official authorisation or encouragement as to the scheme. The town clerk was instructed to write to the chief surveyor, asking that the names of streets as forwarded by the Council might in plans, &c, be adhered to. A return was ordered to be procured of tho streets and roads made and opened by the Council.

After the transaction of some routine buoineisa, the Council adjourned.