SYDENHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 228, 2 August 1881, Page 3

SYDENHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The Council met yesterday at 7 p.m. Present—His Worship the Mayor, Oounoillora White, Langdown, Andrew, Nicholl, Hall, Forrester, and Joyce, The following correspondence was read From Mr J. Q. Ruddenklau asking the Council to take over a rosd in Addington, the formation and shingling of which had been finished. It was stated that there was a street in the borough already of the name chosen by the dedicator. The letter was referred to the works committee. From Mr F. Harding asking for compensation for injury to his horse and harness, caused by the former falling into a hole on the Bast belt. Beferred to the works committee. From Messrs Garrick and Cowlishaw, forwarding counterpart of the tramway deed of concession. Its receipt was ordered to be acknowledged. The deed to be handed to the tramway committee for comparison with the draft. The Chairman stated that the deed had been so altered as to provide for the location of all lines in the borough to be in the centres of roads. From Mr B. 0. J. Stevens, M.H.R., about the representation of the borough on the Lyttelton Harbor Board. He said he agreed with the views of the Council on that subject, and requested a copy of his former letter. The clerk to reply. From the same re the Crown grant of the Oairnbrae reserve asking for further information. Referred to the works committee. Prom Mr F. 0. Bowler, complaining of the oendition of a drain in the Gasworks road, and from some inhabitants of Fifth street, referring to inconvenience caused by floods and asking for relief. Referred to the works committee with power to act. From the Minister of Justice, stating that the recommendation of the Council for the admission of Mr George Booth to the Commission of the Peace would receive consideration. Received. From the Registrar of Deeds, stating that he would, as far as possible, comply with the request of the Council for information as to dedicated roads. Received. From Messrs Fisher, Stevens, and Richardson, M.H.R.’s., promising to further, as far as possible, the views of the Council respecting the Hospitals and Charitable Aid Bill. Ordered to be acknowledged with thanks.

A discussion took place, in which several councillors took part, os to the principle of rating on a population basis for charitable aid funds. It was stated that an error in computation had been made when the subject was under consideration at last meeting. The proportion paid by Sydenham under the new Act would be one-third more than at present; not double as much, as then said. The error arose from the belief that a subsidy would not be given by the Government. It turned out, however, that the borough would be assisted to the extent of £ for £. Still, if the Bill were passed, the burden would be very heavy for the taxpayers. For example, Sydenham wonld require a rate of 5Jd while Christchurch would only need one of l£d in the £. The feeling of the Council was that taxation for this purpose on a population basis as against that on valuation, was altogether wrong, and should be resisted by all the means in its power. The works committee reported in favor of forming, Ac , certain alleys in Queen street, on condition that the inhabitants afterwards keep them in repair. The laying down of the tramway in Lincoln road near the railway would, on account of the present high crown of that road, be productive of danger. The Riccarton Road Board had therefore been asked to join with the Council in the expense of lowering it. The committee recommended the work to be done, if the Eoad Board replied favorably. Certain allowances of time was recommended to be given to the contractors for the South belt works. The committee had again drawn the attention of the Drainage Board to the flooding of some localities. Permission was asked to proceed with the formation of Talfourd street, the ratepayers there having failed to carry out preliminaries. Work on Rural Section No. 271 was recommended to be delayed for the present. A consultation with the Railway Engineer had been arranged as to his recommendations for works at the Colombo street crossing. The report as a whole was adopted. The finance committee reported that the receipts in the fortnight had been £173 9s sd. The expenditure had been £395, and the credit balance at the Bank on August Ist was £777 11s. After some routine business, the Council adjourned.