BOROUGH COUNCILS.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2684, 14 November 1882, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCILS.

ST. ALBANS. An ordinary meeting of the above Council was held last evening. Present— Crs. Turner (in the chair), Bull, Dickenson, Smith, Mann, Blakiston and Money. The Chairman announced that £13819s 8d had been received since last meeting, and that the Bank overdraft was now £46 19s. Accounts amounting to £53 12s 6d were passed for payment. A letter'was read from the Christchurch District Drainage Board, asking that the Council would take legal proceedings for the recovery of rates due to the Board within the borough. The matter was referred to the rates committee. The Inspector of Police wrote stating that active steps were being taken to prosecute persons who allowed their cattle to stray and damage the drains in the district. In answer to Cr Bull, the chairman Baid that the question of bringing the borough under the new Rating Act would be brought under the notice of the Council by the finance committee at next meeting. Then probably the Mayor would be present. Cr Smith asked if the Council had power to prevent persons from emptying soapsuds and other filthy matter in the street drains. The Chairman replied in the affirmative, and read clause 139 of the Act, imposing a penalty for this offence. Cr Money intimated to the Council the result of the meeting of delegates on.the railway question. After transacting some routine business, the Council adjourned. SYDENHAM? A special meeting of this Council was held last evening at their chamber. Present—The Mayor (in the chair) and all the Councillors. The first business was to consider claims for compensation for land to be taken from Mrs Wilson and others for the continuation of Gordon street. Cr. Andrew moved that the standing orders as to closing the business at 10 p.m. be suspended for that evening. He said he did so in view of the obstructive tactics of some of the councillors, who, by talking against time, had deferred from time to time the work of the Council in the matter they were supposed to have in hand. Cr. Webber seconded the motion. Cr. White took exception to the remarks of Cr. Webber. He had not spoken against time. If it were possible to revoke the regulation as to time he would be quite willing to -support the motion, providing it was made to cover all future time. The motion was then by leave temporarily withdrawn. Cr Andrew then called in question the action of the Mayor at the last meeting. Mr John Lee, a ratepayer, had then attended, and had demanded to be heard by the Council. The Mayer had been asked to rule whether or not Mr Lee might be heard. The Mayor expressed an opinion that he might, but referred the question of the Council, who by vote decided that he might not. Cr Andrew objected that the Mayor ought to have decided of his own motion, and have given a ruling on the matter. He would bring on a motion which would have the effect of opening for discussion the point whether or not when the Mayor is appealed to on a point of order he should have the option of throwing the responsibility on the Council. He would move that the discussion be deferred till next meeting. Cr White moved that the Mayor's action be approved. The motion was seconded. Cr. Andrew moved as an amendment—- " That the discussion be deferred till the next meeting of the Council." Cr. Webber seconded the amendment. Considerable discussion then took place.

The Mayor said, if Cr. Andrew's view obtained, it would be possible, for a Mayor to procure an irate ratepayer at any time to come to the Chamber and " dress down" the councillors at any length, which would be somewhat of an infliction. The matter then went to the vote ; the motion was lost, and the amendment was carried. The town clerk read an agreement, whereby the trustees of Mrs W. Wilson agreed, in consideration of the sum of £SO, to give up certain land required for the extension of Gordon street.

The agreement was received and approved. The question upon which the Council had adjourned at last meeting was then brought forward, viz., thq.purchase of certain land to farther extend Gordon street from Addison street to Colombo street, it being understood that the Council had pledged itself to the donora of land for part of the street to take this course. The question now before the Council was a motion by Cr. Webber, which had been seconded by Cr. Pavitt, that an offer of iJISO and the right to remove his buildings be made to Mr Thos. Wallis, senr., for land required for the aforesaid extension. Cr. Comber mentioned that it was rumoured outside that Cr. Andrew was personally interested in furthering the purchase now contemplated. Cr. Andrew repudiated this assertion. He said he had no interest in it w]*atever.

A long discussion followed, the mover, Crs. Brown, Pavitt. Ashworth and Andrew arguing that the Council were pledged, and rightly so, to make the purchase. Crs. "White and Comber urged that it was neither necessary nor expedient, pointing out that it was but the beginning of an ultimate very large expense. Cr. White moved as an amendment—- " That the matter be referred back to a subcommittee with instructions to negotiate with other owners of property adjacent, and report to next meeting." Cr. Ashworth seconded the amendment, which being put was lost. The motion was then carried. The Mayor, Crs. Coomber, Ashworth, and White voting against it. The Council then considered a recommendation of the finance committee, and finally agreed to adopt the Eating Act, accepting at the same time the valuation of rateable property for borough purposes of the property tax assessor. The Council then adjourned. >